Disorders - depressive disorders
Eslami, A. A., Rabiei, L., Afzali, S. M., Hamidizadeh, S., Masoudi, R.
Background: Adolescence is a
transition period from childhood to early adulthood. Because of the immense pressure imposed on adolescents due to the complications and ambiguities
of this transition, their level of excitement increases and sometimes it appears in the form of sensitivity and intense excitement. Objectives: This
study aimed at determining the effectiveness of assertiveness training on the levels of stress, anxiety, and depression of high school students.
Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on high school students of Isfahan in academic year 2012 -13. A total of 126
second grade high school students were collected according to simple random sampling method and divided into two groups: experimental with 63
participants and control with the same number. Data gathering instruments included a demographic questionnaire, Gambill-Richey assertiveness scale,
and depression anxiety stress scales (DASS-21). Assertiveness training was carried out on the experimental group in 8 sessions; after 8 weeks,
posttest was carried out on both groups. Statistical tests such as independent t test, repeated measures ANOVA, Chi-square test, and the Mann-Whitney
test were used to interpret and analyze the data. Results: The Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests did not show significant statistical differences
between the two groups in terms of demographic variables (P = 0.05). Repeated measures ANOVA showed no significant difference between the mean scores
for assertiveness before (100.23 ± 7.37), immediately after (101.57 ± 16.06), and 2 months after (100.77 ± 12.50) the intervention in the control
group. However, the same test found a significant difference between the mean score for assertiveness in the experimental group before (101.6 ± 9.1),
immediately after (96.47 ± 10.84), and 2 months after (95.41 ± 8.37) implementing the training program (P = 0.002). The independent t test showed no
significant difference in the mean score for anxiety and stress between two groups before the assertiveness training program; however, 2 months after
the intervention, the mean score for anxiety in the experimental group was found significantly lower than the control group. As for the mean score
for depression, the independent t test showed no significant difference between two groups before training; however, despite the decrease in the mean
scores for depression in the experimental group following the intervention, the difference was not significant (P = 0.09). Conclusions: The results
of the current study show that conducting assertive training in high school students decreases their anxiety, stress, and depression. Given that high
school years are among the most sensitive stages of one's life plus the fact that conducting such training programs besides their safe and low cost
nature are effective and practical, it is highly recommended that such programs be carried out among high school adolescents.
Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal, 18(1) : 1-10
- Year: 2016
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Controlled clinical trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Skills training
Clarke, G., DeBar, L. L., Pearson, J.
A., Dickerson, J. F., Lynch, F. L., Gullion, C. M., Leo, M. C.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Health care providers have few
alternatives for youth depression other than antidepressants. We examined whether brief cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a viable alternative in
primary care. METHODS: A total of 212 adolescents aged 12 to 18 with major depression who had recently declined or quickly discontinued new
antidepressant treatment were randomized to selfselected treatment as usual (TAU) control condition or TAU plus brief individual CBT. Blinded
evaluators followed youth for 2 years. The primary outcome was time to major depression diagnostic recovery. RESULTS: CBT was superior to the control
condition on the primary outcome of time to diagnostic recovery from major depression, with number needed to treat from 4 to 10 across follow-up. A
similar CBT advantage was found for time to depression diagnosis response, with number needed to treat of 5 to 50 across time points. We observed a
significant advantage for CBT on many secondary outcomes over the first year of follow-up but not the second year. Cohen's d effect sizes for
significant continuous measures ranged from 0.28 to 0.44, in the small to medium effect range. Most TAU health care services did not differ across
conditions, except for psychiatric hospitalizations, which occurred at a significantly higher rate in the control condition through the first year of
follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Observed results were consistent with recent meta-analyses of CBT for youth depression. The initial year of CBT superiority
imparted an important clinical benefit and may reduce the risk of future recurrent depression episodes.
Pediatrics, 137(5) :
- Year: 2016
- Problem: Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT)
Collado, A., Calderon,
M., MacPherson, L., Lejuez, C.
Objective: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is
highly prevalent among U.S. Spanish-speaking Latinos, but the lack of empirically supported treatments precludes this population's access to quality
mental health care. Method: Following the promising results of an open-label trial of the Behavioral Activation Treatment for Depression (BATD) among
Spanish-speaking Latinos, the authors conducted a randomized control trial (RCT; N = 46) that compared BATD to supportive counseling. Study outcomes
included depression, BATD proposed mechanisms of change, and nonspecific psychotherapy factors. Results: Relative to supportive counseling, BATD led
to greater decreases in depressive symptoms over time (p =.04) and greater MDD remission at the end of treatment (p =.01). Activity level (p =.01)
and environmental reward (p =.05) showed greater increases over time among those who received BATD compared to supportive counseling. Treatment
adherence, therapeutic alliance, and treatment satisfaction did not differ between the groups over time (ps > 0.17). The 1-month follow-up suggested
sustained clinical gains across therapies. Conclusions: The current study adds to a growing treatment literature and provides support that BATD is
efficacious in reducing depression and increasing activity level and environmental reward in the largest, yet historically underserved U.S. ethnic
minority population. This trial sets the stage for a larger RCT that evaluates the transportability and generalizability of BATD in an effectiveness
trial. Copyright © 2016 American Psychological Association.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 84(7) : 651-657
- Year: 2016
- Problem: Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT), Supportive
therapy
Conroy, D. A., Kiryakoza, L. C., Czopp, A. M., Huntley, E. D., Armitage, R.
Introduction: Depression during the adolescent years is common with 20% of
adolescents experiencing a depressive episode by 18 years of age. Circadian and psychosocial factors can promote a preference to stay up later. These
changes limit the developmentally appropriate total hours of sleep. Sleep deprivation has been shown to exacerbate depression. This study sought to
evaluate the effectiveness of a time management program plus nightly evening exposure to light in the orange-red spectrum (above 600 nanometers) on
mood, fatigue, and suicidality. Methods: Depressed teens (scoring > 33 on the CDRS) were randomized to waitlist control (WLC) for 1 week or an
immediate start. Participants met with a psychologist and received psychoeducation about sleep requirements, biological rhythms, and the impact of
light on rhythms. They received a personalized time management program to prioritize sleep. They received red goggles and a prescribed sleep
schedule. Participants completed Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS), Suicide Inventory Questionnaire (SIQ), and Multidimensional
Fatigue Inventory (MFI) at baseline, after 2 weeks (Posttx), and at a 3 month follow up. Sleep diaries were collected during WLC. Results: 25
participants (6 Males; 13 WLC) ages 14-19 years of age (M = 16.5, SD = 1.4) were studied. Paired t-tests of survey scores revealed improvement s in
QIDS from baseline to post treatment (p < .001) and to 3 month follow up (p = .017). MFI decreased from baseline to post treatment (p = .035) and to
follow up (p = .006). SIQ decreased from baseline to post treatment (p = .031) and to follow up (p = .012). Neither sleep schedules nor total sleep
differed from baseline (23:528:22; 7hr 46 m) to post treatment (23:25-8:32; 7 hrs 47 m) or 3 month FU (23:34-6:50; 7 hrs 36 m) compared to WLC
(23:42-8:14; 7 hrs 36m). Conclusion: Limiting evening light in the blue spectrum and prioritizing sufficient sleep in depressed adolescents was
associated with improvements in mood, fatigue, and a reduction of suicidality over time. Larger trials focused on these interventions are needed in
depressed adolescents.
Sleep, 39 : A297
- Year: 2016
- Problem: Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Psychological Interventions
(any), Other Psychological Interventions, Bright light therapy
Darragh, M., Yow, B., Kieser, A., Booth, R.
J., Kydd, R. R., Consedine, N. S.
Background: With a healthcare system burdened by
symptomatic and mental-health related conditions, the placebo effect may represent a useful clinical tool. First, however, there is a need to broaden
research attention and investigate placebo effects outside laboratories and beyond experimental pain. This study investigated the effectiveness of a
take-home placebo treatment in the short-term alleviation of stress, anxiety and symptoms of depression in a non-patient population. Method: A sample
of 77 participants was randomized to either the 'oxytocin' treatment group (n = 22), the 'serotonin' treatment group (n = 22) or the wait-list
control group (n = 33). The two treatment groups were given an 'anti-stress treatment spray' (placebo) to self-administer for 3 days, and completed
online measures of perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale-10), anxiety (Cognitive Somatic Anxiety Questionnaire) and symptoms of depression (Centre
for Epidemiological Studies-Depression) before and after the 3-day protocol. Results: Both the 'serotonin' and 'oxytocin' treatment sprays were
effective in reducing symptoms of depression; however, only those in the 'oxytocin' group reported less stress and anxiety as compared with
controls. Overall, the 'oxytocin' was perceived as more effective. Conclusion: Placebo effects can be translated to a real-life setting in the
short-term reduction of stress, anxiety and symptoms of depression in a non-patient population. In treating psychological distress, placebos may be
useful addition to the treatment repertoire. The information given with treatment may also be an important consideration for practitioners. (PsycINFO
Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 50(9) : 858-
865
- Year: 2016
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Biological Interventions
(any), Other biological interventions, Psychological Interventions
(any), Other Psychological Interventions
de-
Voogd, E., Wiers, R., Prins, P., de-Jong, P., Boendermaker, W., Zwitser, R., Salemink, E.
Based on information processing models of anxiety and depression, we
investigated the efficacy of multiple sessions of online attentional bias modification training to reduce attentional bias and symptoms of anxiety
and depression, and to increase emotional resilience in youth. Unselected adolescents (N = 340, age: 11-18 years) were randomly allocated to eight
sessions of a dot-probe, or a visual search-based attentional training, or one of two corresponding placebo control conditions. Cognitive and
emotional measures were assessed pre- and post-training; emotional outcome measures also at three, six and twelve months follow-up. Only visual
search training enhanced attention for positive information, and this effect was stronger for participants who completed more training sessions.
Symptoms of anxiety and depression reduced, whereas emotional resilience improved. However, these effects were not especially pronounced in the
active conditions. Thus, this large-scale randomized controlled study provided no support for the efficacy of the current online attentional bias
modification training as a preventive intervention to reduce symptoms of anxiety or depression or to increase emotional resilience in unselected
adolescents. However, the absence of biased attention related to symptomatology at baseline, and the large drop-out rates at follow-up preclude
strong conclusions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
Behaviour Research and Therapy, 87 : 11-
22
- Year: 2016
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Psychological Interventions
(any), Attention/cognitive bias
modification, Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)
Deady, M., Mills, K. L., Teesson, M., Kay-Lambkin, F.
BACKGROUND: Depression and problematic alcohol use represent two of the major causes of
disease burden in young adults. These conditions frequently co-occur and this is associated with increased harm and poorer outcomes than either
disorder in isolation. Integrated treatments have been shown to be effective; however, there remains a significant gap between those in need of
treatment and those receiving it. The increased availability of eHealth programs presents a unique opportunity to treat these conditions.\rOBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an automated Web-based self-help intervention (DEAL Project) in treating
co-occurring depressive symptoms and problematic alcohol use in young people.\rMETHODS: Young people (aged 18 to 25 years) with moderate depression
symptoms and drinking at hazardous levels (recruited largely via social media) were randomly allocated to the DEAL Project (n=60) or a Web-based
attention-control condition (HealthWatch; n=44). The trial consisted of a 4-week intervention phase with follow-up assessment at posttreatment and at
3 and 6 months postbaseline. The primary outcomes were change in depression severity according to the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 as well as
quantity and frequency of alcohol use (TOT-AL).\rRESULTS: The DEAL Project was associated with statistically significant improvement in depression
symptom severity (d=0.71) and reductions in alcohol use quantity (d=0.99) and frequency (d=0.76) in the short term compared to the control group. At
6-month follow-up, the improvements in the intervention group were maintained; however, the differences between the intervention and control groups
were no longer statistically significant, such that between-group effects were in the small to moderate range at 6 months (depression symptoms:
d=0.39; alcohol quantity: d=-0.09; alcohol frequency: d=0.24).\rCONCLUSIONS: Overall, the DEAL Project was associated with more rapid improvement in
both depression symptoms and alcohol use outcomes in young people with these co-occurring conditions relative to an attention-control condition.
However, long-term outcomes are less clear.\rTRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12613000033741;
https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=363461 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6fpsLEGOy).
Journal of Medical Internet
Research, 18(3) : e71
- Year: 2016
- Problem: Depressive Disorders, Alcohol
Use
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Psychological Interventions
(any), Other Psychological Interventions, Self-help, Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)
Dean, S., Britt, E., Bell, E., Stanley, J., Collings, S.
Background: The prevalence of anxiety and mood
disorders in adolescents is a growing public health concern worldwide. Given the high rates of drop-out and limited resources available in
psychiatric settings, the importance of engaging adolescents in evidence-based treatments cannot be understated. The aim of the study was to
determine the efficacy of motivational interviewing (MI), as a brief pre-treatment intervention, to enhance treatment engagement in a standard
therapy setting (group cognitive behavioral therapy; gCBT) for adolescents with anxiety and mood disorders. Method: Ninety-six adolescents (13-18
years) with a principal diagnosis of an anxiety or mood disorder participated in a trial conducted at two publicly funded outpatient services.
Participants were randomly assigned to individual MI for treatment engagement prior to gCBT (MI + gCBT), or to an individually administered active
control (befriending) prior to gCBT (befriending + gCBT). Eight pairs of gCBT were run in parallel. Outcome measures were the mean number of gCBT
sessions attended, treatment initiation, and ratings of readiness for treatment. Results: Participants randomized to MI as a pretreatment
intervention attended significantly more group therapy sessions compared to those in the active control condition. The MI group also demonstrated
greater treatment initiation, and ratings of treatment readiness were significantly higher for those randomized to MI. Conclusions: MI, used as a
pre-treatment intervention, enhanced group treatment engagement in adolescents diagnosed with anxiety and mood disorders compared to the active
control condition. MI is a promising intervention to facilitate engagement in adolescent mental health settings. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016
APA, all rights reserved)
Psychological Medicine, 46(9) : 1961-
1969
- Year: 2016
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT), Motivational interviewing, includes Motivational Enhancing Therapy
Disner, S. G., Beevers, C. G., Gonzalez-Lima, F.
Background: Low-level light therapy (LLLT) with transcranial laser is a non-
invasive form of neuroenhancement shown to regulate neuronal metabolism and cognition. Attention bias modification (ABM) is a cognitive intervention
designed to improve depression by decreasing negative attentional bias, but to date its efficacy has been inconclusive. Adjunctive neuroenhancement
to augment clinical effectiveness has shown promise, particularly for individuals who respond positively to the primary intervention.
Objective/hypothesis: This randomized, sham-controlled proof-of-principle study is the first to test the hypothesis that augmentative LLLT will
improve the effects of ABM among adults with elevated symptoms of depression. Methods: Fifty-one adult participants with elevated symptoms of
depression received ABM before and after laser stimulation and were randomized to one of three conditions: right forehead, left forehead, or sham.
Participants repeated LLLT two days later and were assessed for depression symptoms one and two weeks later. Results: A significant three-way
interaction between LLLT condition, ABM response, and time indicated that right LLLT led to greater symptom improvement among participants whose
attention was responsive to ABM (i.e., attention was directed away from negative stimuli). Minimal change in depression was observed in the left and
sham LLLT. Conclusions: The beneficial effects of ABM on depression symptoms may be enhanced when paired with adjunctive interventions such as right
prefrontal LLLT; however, cognitive response to ABM likely moderates the impact of neuroenhancement. The results suggest that larger clinical trials
examining the efficacy of using photoneuromodulation to augment cognitive training are warranted.
Brain Stimulation, :
- Year: 2016
- Problem: Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Biological Interventions
(any), Other biological interventions, Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Bright light therapy
Downey, D.
Intravenous infusion of lanicemine
(formerly AZD6765), a low trapping non-selective N-methyl-. D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, induces antidepressant effects with a similar
time course to ketamine. We investigated whether a single dose lanicemine infusion would reproduce the previously reported decrease in subgenual
anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC) activity evoked by ketamine, a potential mechanism of antidepressant efficacy. Sixty un-medicated adults meeting
the criteria for major depressive disorder were randomly assigned to receive constant intravenous infusions of ketamine, lanicemine or saline during
a 60 min pharmacological magnetic resonance imaging (phMRI) scan. Both ketamine and lanicemine gradually increased the blood oxygen level dependent
signal in sgACC and rostral ACC as the primary outcome measure. No decreases in signal were seen in any region. Interviewer-rated psychotic and
dissociative symptoms were minimal following administration of lanicemine. There was no significant antidepressant effect of either infusion compared
to saline. The previously reported deactivation of sgACC after ketamine probably reflects the rapid and pronounced subjective effects evoked by the
bolus-infusion method used in the previous study. Activation of the ACC was observed following two different NMDA compounds in both Manchester and
Oxford using different 3 T MRI scanners, and this effect predicted improvement in mood 1 and 7 days post-infusion. These findings suggest that the
initial site of antidepressant action for NMDA antagonists may be the ACC (NCT01046630. A Phase I, Multi-centre, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled
Parallel Group Study to Assess the pharmacoMRI Effects of AZD6765 in Male and Female Subjects Fulfilling the Criteria for Major Depressive Disorder;
http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01046630). Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. and ECNP.
European Neuropsychopharmacology, 26(6) : 994-1003
- Year: 2016
- Problem: Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Biological Interventions
(any), Other biological interventions
Falsafi,
Nasrin
Background: Depression and anxiety disorders are two of the most
common mental disorders in the United States. These disorders are prevalent among college students. Objective: The main objective of this study is to
compare the effectiveness of two different types of intervention practices (mindfulness vs. yoga) and a noninterventional control group in mitigating
the effects of depression and/or anxiety in college students. Method: A sample of 90 students (both genders) over age 18 who had a diagnosis of
anxiety and/or depression was recruited from 11,500 undergraduate college students in a mid-size university. The study's design included
stratified-randomized controlled repeated measures with three groups: a mindfulness intervention group, a yoga-only intervention group, and a
noninterventional group. Participants were randomly assigned to the aforementioned three groups. Participants in the intervention groups received an
8-week training either in mindfulness or yoga. Depressive, anxiety, stress symptoms, self-compassion, and mindfulness were measured at baseline, Week
4, Week 8, and Week 12. Results: Depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms decreased significantly (p < .01) from baseline to follow-up conditions in
both the mindfulness and yoga intervention groups. The changes in mindfulness scores were also significant in both groups. However, the changes in
self-compassion scores were significant only in the mindfulness intervention group. No significant changes in the control group were demonstrated.
Conclusions: The findings from this study can provide useful information to nurses and other health care providers. This study may have implications
for a cost-effective treatment for depression and anxiety. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved)
Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 22(6) : 483-
497
- Year: 2016
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Psychological Interventions
(any), Mindfulness based
therapy, Mind-body exercises (e.g. yoga, tai chi, qigong)
Cook, N. E., Gorraiz, M.
Background: Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) has proven effective in reducing
symptoms and behaviors related to Borderline Personality Disorder. More recently, it has been modified and applied to adolescents struggling with
regulating their emotions and who may engage in impulsive, self-destructive behaviors, including nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). However, there is
limited research evidence regarding the effectiveness of DBT for reducing NSSI behavior and depression among adolescents. Given the high suicide risk
associated with NSSI and its association with depression, this is clearly an important focus of clinical and research attention. Method: This meta-
analysis sought to offer preliminary evidence regarding the effectiveness of DBT to treat NSSI and depression in adolescents. Twelve published
studies were included; all 12 reported pre- and post-treatment measures of depression and six of these studies reported pre- and post-treatment
measures of NSSI. Results: The weighted mean effect size for NSSI was large (g = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.59-1.03); the weighted mean effect size for
depression was small (g = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.30-0.42). Conclusions: Intervention effects for both outcomes were positive, suggesting decreased NSSI and
improvement in depressive symptoms for adolescents following a course of DBT. However, given considerable limitations in the research base available
for meta-analysis, these findings are preliminary and tentative. Limitations in the current knowledge base and suggestions for future research are
discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract).
Child & Adolescent Mental Health, 21(2) : 81-
89
- Year: 2016
- Problem: Depressive Disorders, Non-suicidal self-harm behaviours
- Type: Systematic reviews
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Dialectical behavioural therapy
(DBT)