Disorders - Depressive Disorders
Smith, P., Scott, R., Eshkevari, E., Jatta, F., Leigh, E., Harris, V., Robinson, A., Abeles, P., Proudfoot, J., Verduyn, C., Yule, W.
Background: Depression in adolescents is a
common and impairing problem. Effective psychological therapies for depression are not accessed by most adolescents. Computerised therapy offers huge
potential for improving access to treatment. Aims: To test the efficacy of Stressbusters, a Computerised-CBT (C-CBT) programme for depression in
young people. Method: Multi-site, schools-based, RCT of C-CBT compared to Waiting List, for young people (N = 112; aged 12-16) with significant
symptoms of depression, using multiple-informants (adolescents, parents, teachers), with follow-up at 3 and 6 months. Results: Relative to being on a
Waiting List, C-CBT was associated with statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in symptoms of depression and anxiety
according to adolescent self-report; and with a trend towards improvements in depression and anxiety according to parent-report. Improvements were
maintained at follow-up. Treatment gains were similar for boys and girls across the participating age range. Treatment effect was partially mediated
by changes in ruminative thinking. Teachers rated adolescents as having few emotional or behavioural problems, both before and after intervention.
C-CBT had no detectable effect on academic attainment. In the month after intervention, young people who received C-CBT had significantly fewer
absences from school than those on the Waiting List. Conclusions: C-CBT shows considerable promise for the treatment of mild-moderate depression in
adolescents. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract).
Behaviour Research & Therapy, 73 : 104-
110
- Year: 2015
- Problem: Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Psychological Interventions
(any), Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT), Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)
Soleimani, M., Mohammadkhani, P., Dolatshahi, B., Alizadeh, H., Overmann, K. A., Coolidge, F. L.
Objective: This study compared the
effectiveness of two group treatments, behavioral activation (BA) and cognitive therapy (CT), in reducing subsyndromal anxiety and depressive
symptoms in a sample of Iranian university students. Method: Twenty-seven Iranian university students who scored 18 or higher on the depression
subscale and 16 or higher on the anxiety subscale of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-42) were randomly assigned into treatment
groups. One group received 8 sessions of BA (n = 14), and the other received 8 sessions of group CT (n = 13). Result: Analysis of covariance revealed
that the BA group had a significantly greater reduction in depressive symptoms than the CT group. However, there were no significant differences
between the two groups in the levels of anxiety, stress symptoms or functional impairment after treatment. Conclusion: This study found evidence for
the effectiveness of BA in reducing anxiety, depressive and stress symptoms and functional impairment compared to CT. BA was more effective than CT
in improving depressive symptoms and was as effective as CT in decreasing anxiety, stress and functional impairment. BA is also a cost-effective
intervention, particularly in group formats.
Iranian Journal of Psychiatry, 10(2) : 71-78
- Year: 2015
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT)
Schonert-Reichl, K. A., Oberle, E., Lawlor, M. S., Abbott, D., Thomson, K., Oberlander, T. F., Diamond, A.
The authors hypothesized that a social and emotional learning (SEL) program involving mindfulness and caring for
others, designed for elementary school students, would enhance cognitive control, reduce stress, promote well-being and prosociality, and produce
positive school outcomes. To test this hypothesis, 4 classes of combined 4th and 5th graders (N = 99) were randomly assigned to receive the SEL with
mindfulness program versus a regular social responsibility program. Measures assessed executive functions (EFs), stress physiology via salivary
cortisol, well-being (self-reports), prosociality and peer acceptance (peer reports), and math grades. Relative to children in the social
responsibility program, children who received the SEL program with mindfulness (a) improved more in their cognitive control and stress physiology;
(b) reported greater empathy, perspective-taking, emotional control, optimism, school self-concept, and mindfulness, (c) showed greater decreases in
self-reported symptoms of depression and peer-rated aggression, (d) were rated by peers as more prosocial, and (e) increased in peer acceptance (or
sociometric popularity). The results of this investigation suggest the promise of this SEL intervention and address a lacuna in the scientific
literature-identifying strategies not only to ameliorate children's problems but also to cultivate their well-being and thriving. Directions for
future research are discussed.
Developmental Psychology, 51(1) : 52-
66
- Year: 2015
- Problem: Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Mentalization-based
therapy
Ruggiero,
K. J., Price, M., Adams, Z., Stauffacher, K., McCauley, J., Danielson, C. K., Knapp, R., Hanson,
R. F., Davidson, T. M., Amstadter, A. B., Carpenter, M. J., Saunders, B. E., Kilpatrick, D. G., Resnick, H. S.
Objective: To assess the efficacy of Bounce Back Now (BBN), a modular, Web-based intervention for disaster-affected
adolescents and their parents. Method: A population-based randomized controlled trial used address-based sampling to enroll 2,000 adolescents and
parents from communities affected by tornadoes in Joplin, MO, and several areas in Alabama. Data collection via baseline and follow-up semi-
structured telephone interviews was completed between September 2011 and August 2013. All families were invited to access the BBN study Web portal
irrespective of mental health status at baseline. Families who accessed the Web portal were assigned randomly to 1 of 3 groups: BBN, which featured
modules for adolescents and parents targeting adolescents' mental health symptoms; BBN plus additional modules targeting parents' mental health
symptoms; or assessment only. The primary outcomes were adolescent symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Results: Nearly
50% of families accessed the Web portal. Intent-to-treat analyses revealed time × condition interactions for PTSD symptoms (B = -0.24, SE = 0.08, p
<.01) and depressive symptoms (B = -0.23, SE = 0.09, p <.01). Post hoc comparisons revealed fewer PTSD and depressive symptoms for adolescents in the
experimental versus control conditions at 12-month follow-up (PTSD: B = -0.36, SE = 0.19, p =.06; depressive symptoms: B = -0.42, SE = 0.19, p =
0.03). A time × condition interaction also was found that favored the BBN versus BBN + parent self-help condition for PTSD symptoms (B = 0.30, SE =
0.12, p =.02) but not depressive symptoms (B = 0.12, SE = 0.12, p =.33). Conclusion: Results supported the feasibility and initial efficacy of BBN as
a scalable disaster mental health intervention for adolescents. Technology-based solutions have tremendous potential value if found to reduce the
mental health burden of disasters. Clinical trial registration information: Web-based Intervention for Disaster-Affected Youth and Families;
http://clinicaltrials.gov; NCT01606514.
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 54(9) : 709-
717
- Year: 2015
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, 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)
Shukla, G. S, Rai, P. K, Ahmed, D.
Depression produces serious
emotional and psychological disorders and has severe consequences if not managed at proper time .With the progression of emotional load of depression
one is unable to cope up with the extreme negative feelings and tend to create the world of their own thoughts which may end with the end of their
life. Whatever forms of symptoms may be related to the grief, depression is far different from normal sadness in that it engulfs our day-to-day life
interfering with ability to work, study, eat, sleep, and having fun. World Health Organization W.H.O. (Mental Health and Substance Abuse; Facts &
Figures) reported that 15% of depressed persons end their lives in the form of suicide at younger age. Tendency of developing suicidal behavior among
the depressed persons is very lethal entangled condition. People who have an impulsive desire to die or perceive suicidal thoughts are very risky.
Simultaneously there are many depressed persons who do not have suicidal plan but they prefer to die through some sudden severely fatal medically
induced diseases. The present research study explains the comparison between the homeopathic, cognitive behavior therapy and placebo on
depression.
International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences &
Research, 6(3) : 1302-1313
- Year: 2015
- Problem: Depressive Disorders
- Type: Controlled clinical trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Psychological Interventions
(any), Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT), Homeopathic, plant-based medicines
Robatmili, S., Sohrabi, F., Shahrak, M.A., Talepasand, S., Nokani, M., Hasani, M.
This paper identifies the effectiveness of group logotherapy in
reducing depression and increasing meaning in life levels of university students in Iran. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with a pre-
post- and follow-up test design. The instruments used were the Purpose in Life (PIL) test and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Data were
collected from 10 subjects in an experimental group and 10 in a control group. The experimental group participated in 10 sessions of group
logotherapy, whilst the control group received no intervention. The mean scores for depression levels was significantly lower in the experimental
group than in the control group and significantly higher in regard to meaning in life. Results suggest that group logotherapy has the potential to
reduce depression levels and improve the meaning in life of university students. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved)
(journal abstract).
International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 37(1) : 54-
62
- Year: 2015
- Problem: Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Other Psychological Interventions
Rohde, P., Stice, E., Shaw, H., Gau, J. M.
Objective: The main goal of this study was to evaluate
the long-term effects of a brief group cognitive-behavioral (CB) adolescent depression indicated prevention program through 2-year follow-up,
relative to CB bibliotherapy and brochure control, when high school personnel recruited students and delivered the program. Method: Three hundred
seventy-eight adolescents (M age = 15.5, SD = 1.2; 68% female, 72% White) with elevated self-assessed depressive symptoms who were randomized to CB
group, CB bibliotherapy, or educational brochure control were assessed at pretest, posttest, and 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-month follow-up. Results: By 2
years postintervention, CB group participants showed significantly lower major depressive disorder (MDD) onset versus CB bibliotherapy (10% vs. 25%,
respectively; hazard ratio = 2.48, p = .006), but the incidence difference relative to brochure controls (17%) was nonsignificant; MDD incidence for
bibliotherapy and brochure controls did not differ. Although CB group participants showed lower depressive symptoms at posttest versus brochure
controls, there were no effects for this outcome or for social adjustment or substance use over 2-year follow-up. Moderator analyses suggested that
participants with higher baseline depressive symptoms showed greater long-term symptom reductions in the CB group intervention versus bibliotherapy.
Conclusions: The evidence that a brief CB group intervention delivered by real-world providers significantly reduced MDD onset versus CB
bibliotherapy is potentially encouraging. However, the lack of MDD prevention effects relative to brochure control and lack of long-term symptom
effects (though consistent with results from other depression prevention trials), suggest that the delivery of the CB group should be refined to
strengthen its effectiveness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract).
Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology, 83(4) : 736-
747
- Year: 2015
- Problem: Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT), Self-help
Varigonda, A. L., Jakubovski, E., Taylor, M. J., Freemantle, N., Coughlin, C., Bloch, M.H.
Objective: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first-line pharmacological treatment for pediatric
major depressive disorder (MDD). We conducted a meta-analysis to examine the following: the time-course of response to SSRIs in pediatric depression;
whether higher doses of SSRIs are associated with an improved response in pediatric depression; differences in efficacy between SSRI agents; and
whether the time-course and magnitude of response to SSRIs is different in pediatric and adult patients with MDD. Method: We searched PubMed and
CENTRAL for randomized controlled trials comparing SSRIs to placebo for the treatment of pediatric MDD. We extracted weekly symptom data from trials
to characterize the trajectory of pharmacological response to SSRIs. Pooled estimates of treatment effect were calculated based on standardized mean
differences between treatment and placebo groups. Results: The meta-analysis included 13 pediatric MDD trials with a total of 3,004 patients. A
logarithmic model indicating that the greatest benefits of SSRIs occurred early in treatment best fit the longitudinal data (log[week] = 0.10, 95% CI
= 0.06-0.15, p < .0001). There were no significant differences based on maximum SSRI dose or between particular SSRI agents. SSRIs were demonstrated
to have a smaller benefit in pediatric compared to adult MDD. Conclusion: Treatment gains in pediatric MDD are greatest early in treatment and are,
on average, minimal after 4 weeks of SSRI pharmacotherapy in pediatric MDD. Further research is needed using individual patient data to examine the
power of early SSRI response (e.g., 2-4 weeks) to predict outcomes in short-term pharmacological trials. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all
rights reserved) (journal abstract).
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent
Psychiatry, 54(7) : 557-564
- Year: 2015
- Problem: Depressive Disorders
- Type: Systematic reviews
-
Stage: Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Biological Interventions
(any), Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), Antidepressants
(any)
Vallury, K. D., Jones, M., Oosterbroek, C.
Background: People living in rural and remote communities have greater difficulty accessing mental health services and
evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), than their urban counterparts. Computerized CBT (CCBT) can be used to effectively
treat depression and anxiety and may be particularly useful in rural settings where there are a lack of suitably trained practitioners.; Objective:
To systematically review the global evidence regarding the clinical effectiveness and acceptability of CCBT interventions for anxiety and/or
depression for people living in rural and remote locations.; Methods: We searched seven online databases: Medline, Embase Classic and Embase,
PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library. We also hand searched reference lists, Internet search engines, and trial
protocols. Two stages of selection were undertaken. In the first, the three authors screened citations. Studies were retained if they reported the
efficacy, effectiveness or acceptability of CCBT for depression and/or anxiety disorders, were peer reviewed, and written in English. The qualitative
data analysis software, NVivo 10, was then used to run automated text searches for the word \"rural,\" its synonyms, and stemmed words. All studies
identified were read in full and were included in the study if they measured or meaningfully discussed the efficacy or acceptability of CCBT among
rural participants.; Results: A total of 2594 studies were identified, of which 11 met the selection criteria and were included in the review. The
studies that disaggregated efficacy data by location of participant reported that CCBT was equally effective for rural and urban participants. Rural
location was found to both positively and negatively predict adherence across studies. CCBT may be more acceptable among rural than urban
participants - studies to date showed that rural participants were less likely to want more face-to-face contact with a practitioner and found that
computerized delivery addressed confidentiality concerns.; Conclusions: CCBT can be effective for addressing depression and anxiety and is acceptable
among rural participants. Further work is required to confirm these results across a wider range of countries, and to determine the most feasible
model of CCBT delivery, in partnership with people who live and work in rural and remote communities.;
Journal of Medical Internet Research, 17(6) : e139-
e139
- Year: 2015
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Systematic reviews
-
Stage: Universal prevention, At risk (indicated or selected prevention), 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)
Swain, J., Hancock, K., Dixon, A., Bowman, J.
An emerging body of
research demonstrates the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in the treatment of adult psychopathology, with several reviews
and meta-analyses attesting to its effectiveness. While there are comparatively fewer empirical studies of child populations, the past few years has
seen burgeoning research interest in the utility of ACT for problems in childhood. A systematic review of the published and unpublished literature
was conducted to examine the evidence for ACT in the treatment of children and to provide support for clinical decision making in this area. Searches
of PsycInfo, PsycArticles, PsycExtra, Proquest and the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science databases were undertaken, as well as reference
lists and citation searches conducted, up to December 2014. Broad inclusion criteria were employed to maximise review breadth. Methodological quality
was assessed and a narrative synthesis approach adopted. Twenty-one studies covering a spectrum of presenting problems met inclusion criteria, with a
total of 707 participants. Studies were predominantly within-group designs, with a lesser proportion of case studies/series, between-group and
randomised controlled trials. The preponderance of evidence suggests ACT results in improvements in clinician, parent and self-reported measures of
symptoms, quality of life outcomes and/or psychological flexibility, with many studies demonstrating further gains at follow-up assessment. However,
several methodological weaknesses limit conclusions, including small samples, non-randomised designs, and few alternative treatment or control
comparisons. While larger scale, methodologically rigorous trials from a broader research teams are needed to consolidate these preliminary findings,
emerging evidence suggests ACT is effective in the treatment of children across a multitude of presenting problems. ACT may be a viable alternative
treatment option for clinicians working with young people.
Journal of Contextual
Behavioral Science, 4(2) : 73-85
- Year: 2015
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders, Eating Disorders
(any)
- Type: Systematic reviews
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Acceptance & commitment therapy
(ACT)
Yang, W., Ding, Z., Dai, T., Peng, F., Zhang, J.
X.
Background and objectives: Negative attentional biases are often considered to
have a causal role in the onset and maintenance of depressive symptoms. This suggests that reduction of such biases may be a plausible strategy in
the treatment of depressive symptoms. The present clinical randomized controlled trial examined long-term effects of a computerized attention bias
modification (ABM) procedure on individuals with elevated depressive symptoms. Methods: In a double-blind study design, 77 individuals with ongoing
mild to severe symptoms of depression were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: 1) ABM training (n = 27); 2) placebo (n = 27); 3)
assessment-only (n = 23). In both the ABM and placebo conditions, participants completed 8 sessions of 216-trials (1728 in total) during a 2-week
period. Assessments were conducted at pre-training and post-training (0, 2, 4, 8-week, 3, 7-month follow-ups). Change in depressive symptoms and
restoration of asymptomatic level were the primary outcome measures. Results: In the ABM, but not the other two conditions, significant reductions in
depressive symptoms were found at post-training and maintained during the 3-month follow-up. Importantly, more participants remained asymptomatic in
the ABM condition, as compared to the other two conditions, from post-training to 7-month follow-up. ABM also significantly reduced secondary outcome
measures including rumination and trait anxiety, and notably, the ABM effect on reducing depressive symptoms was mediated by rumination. Limitation:
Generalization of the findings may be limited because the present sample included only college students. Conclusions: The ABM effect on reducing
depressive symptoms was maintained for at least 3-month duration in individuals with elevated depressive symptoms, and these results suggest that ABM
may be a useful tool for the prevention of depressive symptoms. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract).
Journal of Behavior Therapy & Experimental Psychiatry, 49(Part A) : 101-
111
- Year: 2015
- Problem: Depressive Disorders
- 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)
Waters, A. M., Groth, T. A., Sanders, M., O'Brien, R., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J.
Clinical scientists are calling for strong partnerships in the provision of evidence-based treatments for child mental health
problems in real-world contexts. In the present study, we describe the implementation of a cognitive-behavioral intervention (CBI) to address grade 5
children's anxiety symptoms. The CBI arose from a long-standing partnership between University and Education Department stakeholders. The
partnership integrates school-based, evidence-informed treatment delivery with clinical education, and also supports a school-based psychology clinic
to provide assessment and treatment services to children attending schools within the catchment area and clinical training for university graduate
students. Children in the active condition (. N=. 74) completed the CBI during regular class time, while children in the control condition (. N=. 77)
received the standard classroom curriculum. Children's anxiety and depressive symptoms, threat interpretation biases (perceived danger and coping
ability), and perceptions of their social skills were assessed before and after condition. Children in the active condition reported significant
improvements in self-reported anxiety symptoms, and perceptions of their social skills and coping ability, whereas no significant differences were
observed for children in the control condition from pre- to post-assessment. For a subset of children assessed 12. months after the CBI (. n=. 76),
symptom improvement remained stable over time and estimates of danger and coping ability showed even greater improvement. Results demonstrate the
value of strong stakeholder partnerships in innovative youth mental health services, positive child outcomes, and clinical education.
Behavior Therapy, 46(6) : 844-
855
- Year: 2015
- 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), Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT)