Disorders - depressive disorders
Hirshberg, M. J., Colaianne, B. A., Greenberg, M. T., Inkelas, K. K., Davidson, R. J., Germano, D., Dunne, J. D., Roeser, R. W.
Objectives: Significant
concerns have been raised about the \"mental health crisis\" on college campuses, with attention turning to what colleges can do beyond counseling
services to address students' mental health and well-being. We examined whether primarily first-year (89.1%) undergraduate students (n=651) who
enrolled in the Art and Science of Human Flourishing (ASHF), a novel academic and experiential for-credit elective course on human flourishing, would
demonstrate improved mental health and strengthen skills, perspectives, and behaviors associated with flourishing relative to students who did not
enroll in this course.\rMethods: In a two-wave, multi-site, propensity-score matched controlled trial (ASHF n=217, Control n=434; N=651), we used
hierarchal linear models and false discovery rate corrected doubly robust estimates to evaluate the impact of the ASHF on attention and social-
emotional skill development, flourishing perspectives, mental health, health, and risk behavior outcomes.\rResults: ASHF participants reported
significantly improved mental health (i.e., reduced depression) and flourishing, improvements on multiple attention and social-emotional skills
(e.g., attention function, self-compassion), and increases in prosocial attitudes (empathic concern, shared humanity; Cohen's ds= 0.18-0.46)
compared to controls. There was no evidence for ASHF course impacts on health or risk behaviors, raising the possibility that these outcomes take
more time to change.\rConclusions: This research provides initial evidence that the ASHF course may be a promising curricular approach to reduce and
potentially prevent poor mental health while promoting flourishing in college students. Continued research is needed to confirm these
conclusions.
Mindfulness, 13(9) : 2243-
2256
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Depressive Disorders
- Type: Controlled clinical trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Other Psychological Interventions, Mindfulness based
therapy
Heise, M., Werthmann, J., Murphy, F., Tuschen-Caffier, B., Renner,
F.
Background: Disease burden and unsatisfactory
treatment outcomes call for innovation in treatments of depression. Prospective mental imagery, i.e. future-directed voluntary imagery-based thought,
about potentially-rewarding activities may offer a mechanistically-informed intervention that targets deficits in reward processing, a core clinical
feature of depression. We propose that the previously described impact of prospective mental imagery on motivation for everyday activities is
facilitated by affective forecasting, i.e. predictions about an individual's emotional response to the imagined activities. Method(s): Participants
(N = 120) self-nominated six activities to engage in over the following week and were randomized to either: (1) an affective forecasting imagery
condition (n = 40); (2) a neutral process imagery condition (n = 40); or (3) a no-imagery control condition (n = 40). Result(s): As predicted,
increases in motivation ratings from pre to post experimental manipulation were significantly higher following affective forecasting imagery compared
to both neutral process imagery (d = 0.62) and no-imagery (d = 0.91). Contrary to predictions, the number of activities participants engaged in did
not differ between conditions. Conclusion(s): Results provide initial evidence for a potentially important role of affective forecasting in
prospective mental imagery. We discuss how these findings can inform future research aiming to harness prospective mental imagery's potential for
clinical applications. Copyright © 2022, The Author(s).
Cognitive Therapy and Research, 46(4) : 704-720
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Other Psychological Interventions
He, Y., Yang, L., Zhu, X., Wu, B., Zhang,
S., Qian, C., Tian, T.
BACKGROUND: Depression has a high prevalence among young adults, especially during the
COVID-19 pandemic. However, mental health services remain scarce and underutilized worldwide. Mental health chatbots are a novel digital technology
to provide fully automated interventions for depressive symptoms.\rOBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to test the clinical effectiveness and
nonclinical performance of a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based mental health chatbot (XiaoE) for young adults with depressive symptoms during
the COVID-19 pandemic.\rMETHODS: In a single-blind, 3-arm randomized controlled trial, participants manifesting depressive symptoms recruited from a
Chinese university were randomly assigned to a mental health chatbot (XiaoE; n=49), an e-book (n=49), or a general chatbot (Xiaoai; n=50) group in a
ratio of 1:1:1. Participants received a 1-week intervention. The primary outcome was the reduction of depressive symptoms according to the 9-item
Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) at 1 week later (T1) and 1 month later (T2). Both intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses were conducted
under analysis of covariance models adjusting for baseline data. Controlled multiple imputation and delta-based sensitivity analysis were performed
for missing data. The secondary outcomes were the level of working alliance measured using the Working Alliance Questionnaire (WAQ), usability
measured using the Usability Metric for User Experience-LITE (UMUX-LITE), and acceptability measured using the Acceptability Scale (AS).\rRESULTS:
Participants were on average 18.78 years old, and 37.2% (55/148) were female. The mean baseline PHQ-9 score was 10.02 (SD 3.18; range 2-19).
Intention-to-treat analysis revealed lower PHQ-9 scores among participants in the XiaoE group compared with participants in the e-book group and
Xiaoai group at both T1 (F2,136=17.011; P<.001; d=0.51) and T2 (F2,136=5.477; P=.005; d=0.31). Better working alliance (WAQ;
F2,145=3.407; P=.04) and acceptability (AS; F2,145=4.322; P=.02) were discovered with XiaoE, while no significant difference
among arms was found for usability (UMUX-LITE; F2,145=0.968; P=.38).\rCONCLUSIONS: A CBT-based chatbot is a feasible and engaging digital
therapeutic approach that allows easy accessibility and self-guided mental health assistance for young adults with depressive symptoms. A systematic
evaluation of nonclinical metrics for a mental health chatbot has been established in this study. In the future, focus on both clinical outcomes and
nonclinical metrics is necessary to explore the mechanism by which mental health chatbots work on patients. Further evidence is required to confirm
the long-term effectiveness of the mental health chatbot via trails replicated with a longer dose, as well as exploration of its stronger efficacy in
comparison with other active controls.\rTRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2100052532;
http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=135744.
Journal of Medical Internet
Research, 24(11) : e40719
- Year: 2022
- 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), Self-help, Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)
He, X.
Introduction: The mental health of college students is getting more
and more attention from society. Physical exercise as a means of psychotherapy and mental health has become common at home and abroad. Objective(s):
We explore the effect of prescribing physical exercise in the treatment of depression in college students. Method(s): College students who had been
diagnosed with depression were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each with 18 patients. The control group received drug
treatment. The observation group received sports therapy in addition to drug therapy. Result(s): There was a statistically significant difference in
HAMD scores between the observation and control groups in the first week (P<0.01). Conclusion(s): Exercise can play a role in treating depression
patients rapidly, safely, and efficiently. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies-investigation of treatment results. Copyright © 2022, Redprint
Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.
, 28(1) : 68-71
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Depressive Disorders, Suicide or self-harm behaviours (excluding non-suicidal self-harm)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Disorder established (diagnosed disorder), At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Physical activity, exercise
Harrsen, K., Tolboll, M.
M., Larsen, L. H.
This study examined the effectiveness of an 18-session
manualized integrative group psychotherapy intervention for parentally bereaved young adults with grief complications. Participants, 63 young adults
aged 20-27 years, completed questionnaires assessing symptoms of prolonged grief, PTSD, depression and anxiety prior to and following treatment.
Treatment effectiveness was assessed by comparing outcomes for the intervention group to a waitlist comparison group. Results revealed a
statistically significant reduction in symptoms of grief (large effects size), PTSD (medium effect sizes), and depression (medium effect size). The
treatment did not result in a significant reduction in anxiety symptoms. The study provided preliminary support for this intervention for parentally
bereaved young adults.
, : 302228211069713
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Other Psychological Interventions
Hanani, A., Badrasawi, M., Zidan, S., Hunjul, M.
Background: The COVID-19
pandemic had a profound psychological influence on everyone in society, and the impact it had on students, particularly medical students, cannot be
underestimated. The main purpose of this study is to (1) determine the prevalence of mental disorders among medical students and their associated
factors, and (2) examine the effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy on mental health problems among medical students. Method(s): Between March
and May 2021, we conducted a randomized controlled study on two phases among medical students at An-Najah National University. Data were collected
using an online questionnaire and the Arabic version of the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). We also used the MEDAS tool to assess
their Mediterranean Diet (MD) adherence. In the second phase, sixty-six students were recruited and assigned randomly to control and intervention
groups. Intervention impact was assessed using 12-item General Health Questionnaire at two-time points; baseline, and 8 weeks post-intervention. The
interventional model used was cognitive behavioral therapy, and the control group received no treatment. Result(s): A total of 329 students were
included in the analysis of the first phase of the study. Approximately 28% of students had mental health problems. We found a significant
relationship between good mental health status with a higher level of physical activity level, longer sleeping hours, and shorter entertainment time
(p < 0.05). In the second phase of the study, a total of 91 students were included. Overall, using the CBT program showed a significant improvement
in the outcome measures. At 8 weeks post-intervention, students had lower scores on total GHQ-12, depression, anxiety, and social dysfunction.
Conclusion(s): These findings propose that adequate attention must be paid to the mental health of medical students and that CBT programs can be used
for the management of mental health problems among medical students. Copyright © 2022, The Author(s).
BMC
Psychiatry, 22(1) :
- Year: 2022
- 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)
Hamdani, S. U., Zill e, H., Zafar, S. W., Suleman, N., Um ul,
B., Waqas, A., Rahman, A.
Background: Adolescent depression and anxiety are among the leading contributors to health burden worldwide.
'Relaxation Techniques (RTs)' are a \"set of strategies to improve physiological response to stress\" and are frequently cited as an active
ingredient of trans-diagnostic, psychosocial interventions for scaling-up care for preventing and treating these conditions in adolescents. However,
there is a little evidence on the effectiveness of 'relaxation techniques' for this age group. Aim(s): As a part of the Wellcome Trust's Active
Ingredients commission, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of RTs to reduce the symptoms of distress, anxiety
and depression in young people, aged 14 to 24 years old, globally. Method(s): We searched 10 academic databases to include 65 Randomized Controlled
Trials (RCTs) of relaxation-based interventions for young people with the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Primary outcomes were reduction in
symptoms of distress, anxiety and/or depression. We employed the Cochrane risk of bias tool and GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment,
Development and Evaluations) guidelines to assess certainty of outcomes pertaining to anxiety, depression and distress. Standardized mean difference
was estimated using effect size. Result(s): The analysis of 65 RCTs with 8009 young people showed that RTs were highly effective in treating anxiety
(pooled effect size of (Standardized Mean Difference-SMD) - 0.54 (95% CI - 0.69 to - 0.40); moderately effective in reducing distress (SMD = - 0.48,
95% CI - 0.71 to - 0.24) and had only a weak effect on improving depression in young people (SMD = - 0.28 (95% CI - 0.40% to - 0.15). Face-to-face
delivered relaxation techniques yielded higher effect size (SMD = - 0.47, 95% CI - 0.64 to - 0.30) compared to online delivery (SMD = - 0.22, 95% CI
- 0.48 to 0.04) for anxiety. Conclusion(s): Most of the included studies were from High Income Countries (HICs) and had a high risk of bias. Further
high-quality studies with low risk of bias, especially from low resource settings are needed to evaluate the evidence for effectiveness of RTs as an
active ingredient of psychological interventions to reduce the symptoms of distress, anxiety and depression in young people. Copyright © 2022, The
Author(s).
International Journal of Mental Health
Systems, 16(1) :
- Year: 2022
- 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: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Relaxation
Hallford, D. J., Hardgrove, S., Sanam, M., Oliveira, S., Pilon, M., Duran, T.
Reminiscence-based interventions focus on the recall of autobiographical memories and reflective
reasoning about these remembered experiences. This study assessed the effect of a three-session, positive-memory version of cognitive-reminiscence
therapy (CRT) on the psychological resources and mental well-being of young adults. The participants (N=62, Mage =24.6 [SD=3.1], 71% females) were
randomised to CRT or wait-list. Psychological resources (self-esteem, self-efficacy, meaning in life and optimism), mental well-being (depression,
anxiety and stress symptoms) and theorised change processes (automatic negative thoughts, awareness of narrative identity and cognitive reappraisal)
were assessed. The results showed the CRT group was significantly higher on psychological resources at post-CRT (d=0.75-0.80) and follow-up (d=0.52-
0.87) and mental well-being at post-intervention (d=0.71-1.30) and follow-up (d=0.64-0.98). The hypotheses regarding change processes were supported.
Future research may use an active comparator and include a longer follow-up, given only short-term effects were assessed. Brief, positive-focused CRT
is effective in increasing psychological resources and mental well-being in young adults. Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Applied Psychology: Health
and Well-Being published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Association of Applied Psychology.
Applied Psychology: Health and well-being, 14(3) : 1004-
1021
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Other Psychological Interventions
Guzman-Holst, C., Zaneva, M., Chessell, C., Creswell, C., Bowes, L.
BACKGROUND: Effective antibullying interventions may reduce the impact of bullying
on young people's mental health. Nevertheless, little is known about their effectiveness in reducing internalizing symptoms such as anxiety or
depression, and what factors may influence intervention effects. The aim of this systematic review, meta-analysis, and metaregression is to assess
the effects of school-based antibullying interventions on children's and adolescent's internalizing symptoms. The secondary aims are to explore
potential moderators, intervention components, and reductions in bullying as mediators of intervention effects on internalizing symptoms. METHOD(S):
We searched nine databases: PsycINFO, Web of Science, ERIC, SCOPUS, CINAHL, Medline, Embase, ProQuest, and Cochrane Library, and performed an author
search of included studies in English from January 1983 to April 2021. We included studies that evaluated school-based antibullying interventions
using controlled designs and reporting on both bullying and internalizing outcomes. Random-effects and metaregression models were used to derive
Hedges g values with pooled 95% CIs as estimates of effect size and to test associations between moderator variables and effect size estimates. Path
analysis was used to test potential mediation using effect size measures of victimization, perpetration, and internalizing outcomes. Quality and risk
of bias were assessed using Cochrane collaboration tools. RESULT(S): This review included 22 studies with 58,091 participants in the meta-analysis.
Antibullying interventions had a very small effect in reducing overall internalizing symptoms (ES, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.0284 to 0.1005), anxiety (ES,
0.08; 95% CI, 0.011 to 0.158), and depression (ES, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.014 to 0.107) at postintervention. The reduction in internalizing symptoms did not
vary significantly across geographic location, grade level, program duration, and intensity. The intervention component 'working with peers' was
associated with a significant reduction, and 'using CBT techniques' was associated with a significant increase in internalizing outcomes. Bullying
victimization and perpetration did not mediate the relationship between intervention condition and internalizing outcomes. CONCLUSION(S):
Antibullying interventions have a small impact on reducing internalizing symptoms. Ongoing development of antibullying interventions should address
how best to maximize their impact on internalizing symptoms to safeguard young people from the damaging mental health outcomes of bullying. Copyright
© 2022 The Authors. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Association for Child and Adolescent
Mental Health.
Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines, 63(12) : 1454-
1465
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Depressive Disorders
- Type: Systematic reviews
-
Stage: Universal prevention, At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Other Psychological Interventions
Grudin, R., Ahlen, J., Mataix-Cols, D., Lenhard, F., Henje, E., Mansson, C., Sahlin, H., Beckman, M., Serlachius, E., Vigerland, S.
OBJECTIVE: Access to effective treatments for adolescents with depression needs to
improve. Few studies have evaluated behavioural activation (BA) for adolescent depression, and none remotely delivered BA. This study explored the
feasibility and acceptability of therapist-guided and self-guided internet-delivered BA (I-BA) in preparation for a future randomised controlled
trial (RCT).\rDESIGN: A single-blinded randomised controlled feasibility trial.\rSETTING: A specialist outpatient clinic in Sweden.\rPARTICIPANTS:
Thirty-two adolescents with mild-to-moderate major depression, aged 13-17 years.\rINTERVENTIONS: Ten weeks of therapist-guided I-BA or self-guided
I-BA, or treatment as usual (TAU). Both versions of I-BA included parental support. TAU included referral to usual care within child and youth
psychiatry or primary care.\rOUTCOMES: Feasibility measures included study take-up, participant retention, acceptability, safety and satisfaction.
The primary outcome measure was the blinded assessor-rated Children's Depression Rating Scale, Revised. The primary endpoint was the 3-month
follow-up.\rRESULTS: 154 adolescents were screened and 32 were randomised to therapist-guided I-BA (n=11), self-guided I-BA (n=10) or TAU (n=11).
Participant retention was acceptable, with two drop-outs in TAU. Most participants in TAU had been offered interventions by the primary endpoint. The
mean number of completed chapters (total of 8) for adolescents was 7.5 in therapist-guided I-BA and 5.4 in self-guided I-BA. No serious adverse
events were recorded. Satisfaction was acceptable in both I-BA groups. Following an intent-to-treat approach, the linear mixed-effects model revealed
that both therapist-guided and self-guided I-BA (Cohen's d=2.43 and 2.23, respectively), but not TAU (Cohen's d=0.95), showed statistically
significant changes on the primary outcome measure with large within-group effect sizes.\rCONCLUSIONS: Both therapist-guided and self-guided I-BA are
acceptable and potentially efficacious treatments for adolescents with depression. It is feasible to conduct a large-scale RCT to establish the
efficacy and cost-effectiveness of I-BA versus TAU.\rTRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT04117789).
BMJ
Open, 12(12) : e066357
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
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), Other service delivery and improvement
interventions
Gregoire, S., Beaulieu, F., Lachance, L., Bouffard, T., Vezeau, C., Perreault, M.
Despite recent calls for more
peer support initiatives aimed at promoting mental health in postsecondary institutions, those initiatives remain scarce. In this study, a multisite
randomized controlled trial was designed to assess the effect of an online peer support intervention based on acceptance and commitment therapy using
mental health and school indicators. Undergraduate students were recruited in three Canadian universities and randomly assigned to an intervention (n
= 54) or a wait-list control group (n = 53). Compared to control participants, those who took part in the program self-reported reduced psychological
inflexibility, stress, anxiety and depression, and increased psychological flexibility and well-being. The intervention had no effect on academic
satisfaction and engagement. These results were found both in completer and intent-to-treat samples. The findings provide evidence that peer support
may be a beneficial adjunct to mental health interventions offered to college and university students.
, : 1-13
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention, At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Other Psychological Interventions, Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)
Gotzsche, P. C., Healy, D.
BACKGROUND: Fluoxetine was approved for depression in children and adolescents based on two placebo-controlled trials, X065 and
HCJE, with 96 and 219 participants, respectively. OBJECTIVE(S): To review these trials, which appear to have been misreported. METHOD(S): Systematic
review of the clinical study reports and publications. The primary outcomes were the efficacy variables in the trial protocols, suicidal events, and
precursors to suicidality or violence. RESULT(S): Essential information was missing and there were unexplained numerical inconsistencies. (1) The
efficacy outcomes were biased in favour of fluoxetine by differential dropouts and missing data. The efficacy on the Children's Depression Rating
Scale-Revised was 4% of the baseline score, which is not clinically relevant. Patient ratings did not find fluoxetine effective. (2) Suicidal events
were missing in the publications and the study reports. Precursors to suicidality or violence occurred more often on fluoxetine than on placebo. For
trial HCJE, the number needed to harm was 6 for nervous system events, 7 for moderate or severe harm, and 10 for severe harm. Fluoxetine reduced
height and weight over 19 weeks by 1.0 cm and 1.1 kg, respectively, and prolonged the QT interval. CONCLUSION(S): Our reanalysis of the two pivotal
trials showed that fluoxetine is unsafe and ineffective. Copyright © 2022 - IOS Press. All rights reserved.
International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, 33(4) : 385-
408
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Biological Interventions
(any), Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), Antidepressants
(any)