Hogea, L. M., Nussbaum, L. A., Chiriac, D. V., Ageu, L. S., Andreescu, N. I., Grigoras, M. L., Folescu, R., Bredicean, A. C., Puiu, M., Rosca, E. C. I., Simu, M. A., Levai, C. M.

Integrative clinico-biological, pharmacogenetic, neuroimagistic, neuroendocrinological and psychological correlations in depressive and anxiety disorders

We approach the theme of modern treatment strategies, based on clinico-biological, pharmacogenetic, neuroimagistic, neuroendocrinological and psychological integrative correlations in the management of depressive and comorbid anxiety disorders. We target to evaluate the efficacy of the pharmacogenetic testing and the evolution, functioning of patients in correlation with specific neurobiological, neuroimagistic and neuroendocrinological markers. Our research was conducted between 2010-2016 on 80 children and adolescents with depressive and comorbid anxiety disorders - 40 children (G1 group), who benefited in choosing the pharmacotherapy from pharmacogenetic testing and 40 children without testing (G2 group). Also, the patients were evaluated through magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy at baseline and after pharmacotherapy. The efficacy of the chosen therapy in correlation with the pharmacogenetic testing was evaluated through the mean change in the CDRS (Children's Depression Rating Scale) total scores, in the CGI-S/I (Clinical Global Impression - Severity/Improvement), CGAS (Children's Global Assessment Scale) and through the change of the relevant neurobiological markers and MR spectroscopy metabolites. We evaluated the side effects through the PAERS (Pediatric Adverse Events Rating Scale)-Clinician. Our results show statistically significant differences of the clinical scores between the studied groups: for those subjects who benefited of pharmacogenetic testing, the CDRS, the global functioning scores prove a higher clinical improvement, a better compliance and lower PAERS side effects scores and also improvement concerning the MR spectroscopy dosed metabolites values. Our research was a proof sustaining the use of the pharmacogenetic testing in clinical practice and the value of investigating relevant neurobiological, neuroimagistic and neuroendocrinological markers for a personalized therapy in depressive disorders.

Romanian Journal of Morphology & Embryology, 58(3) : 767-775

Azevedo-da-Silva, R., de-Azevedo-Cardoso, T., Campos-Mondin, T., Neumann-Reyes, A., de-Lima-Bach, S., Dias-de-Mattos-Souza, L., Jansen, K.

Is narrative cognitive therapy as effective as cognitive behavior therapy in the treatment for depression in young adults?

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of narrative cognitive therapy (NCT) and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) in the improvement of perception of quality of life in young adults with depression at 12-month follow-up. This was a randomized clinical trial conducted using seven sessions of NCT or CBT. Quality of life was measured using the Medical Outcomes Survey Short-Form General Health Survey. The sample included 97 patients. Considering only completers to be samples, CBT was more effective than NCT for improvement of physical functioning (p = 0.031), vitality (p = 0.013), and mental health (p = 0.002) at 12-month follow-up. However, in the intention-to-treat analysis, we found no difference between groups. Regardless of model, we found a significant improvement in all domains from baseline to postintervention and 6- and 12-month follow-ups, except for the bodily pain domain. In conclusion, both models were effective in the improvement of perception of quality of life.

Journal of Nervous & Mental Disease, 205(12) : 918-924

Barry, M., Murphy, M., O'Donovan, H.

Assessing the effectiveness of a cognitive behavioural group coaching intervention in reducing symptoms of depression among adolescent males in a school setting

Objectives: The research sought to assess the effectiveness of a cognitive behavioural group coaching intervention in impacting positively on depressive symptoms among an all-male, adolescent, school-going population. Design: An experimental design was employed. Twenty-seven participants were recruited from Transition Year students in one secondary school in Cork, Republic of Ireland. They were randomly assigned to either receive the intervention or act as a control group. The intervention programme was delivered in four sessions across four weeks. Method: Depressive symptoms were measured (using CES-DC) prior to random allocation (T1) and then at the end of the final session (T2). Results: A two-way mixed ANOVA found a significant interaction with a large effect size between intervention group and time of assessment (F[1, 21] = 5.63, p = .027), with the intervention group showing a reduction in depressive scores while the control group saw an increase. When change in levels of depressive caseness in both groups was considered, differences were not significant (c2[2] = 3.73, p = .13), but trended in the expected direction with a medium effect size. Conclusion: The results indicate that the implementation of such interventions more widely may prove beneficial, and that further research is merited. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved)

International Coaching Psychology Review, 12(2) : 101-109

Bettis, A. H., Coiro, M. J., England, J., Murphy, L. K., Zelkowitz, R. L., Dejardins, L., Eskridge, R., Adery, L. H., Yarboi, J., Pardo, D., Compas, B. E.

Comparison of two approaches to prevention of mental health problems in college students: Enhancing coping and executive function skills

OBJECTIVE: College students face a significant number of stressors, increasing risk for internalizing and externalizing psychopathology. The current study examines two promising avenues of intervention aimed to reduce stress and prevent psychopathology in this population: a coping skills group and a cognitive training program.\rPARTICIPANTS: 62 undergraduate students from two universities were recruited from 2013 to 2015.\rMETHODS: Students were randomized to a 6-week coping skills group or cognitive training program and completed measures of stress, coping, executive function, and symptoms of anxiety, depression and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) at pre- and post-intervention.\rRESULTS: Participants in both conditions reported significant decreases in social stress, executive function difficulties, and anxiety symptoms post-intervention. Students in the cognitive program improved significantly more on measures of behavior regulation and ADHD symptoms compared to the coping group at post-intervention.\rCONCLUSIONS: Brief stress management interventions targeting coping and executive function may benefit college students at risk for psychopathology.

Journal of American College Health, 65(5) : 313-322

Alsaraireh, F. A., Aloush, S. M.

Mindfulness Meditation Versus Physical Exercise in the Management of Depression Among Nursing Students

BACKGROUND: Depression among nursing students is an ongoing problem. Several psychotherapies have been suggested as alternatives to antidepressants in the management of depression. The aim of this randomized controlled study was to compare the effectiveness of mindfulness meditation versus physical exercise in the management of depression among nursing students.\rMETHOD: A sample of 181 soon-to-graduate nursing students participated in the study and were assigned at random to one of two therapies: physical exercise (n = 90) or mindfulness meditation (n = 91). The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale was completed by the participants in both groups prior to the therapies and after completion.\rRESULTS: The findings indicated that both therapies were effective in the management of depression. However, mindfulness meditation is more effective than physical exercise.\rCONCLUSION: Mindfulness meditation is recommended over physical exercise in the management of depression among undergraduate nursing students. [J Nurs Educ. 2017;56(10):599-604.].

Journal of Nursing Education, 56(10) : 599- 604

Kauser, H.

Cognitive retraining ameliorates sleep deprivation induced behavioural deficits in university students [Conference abstract]

Sleep deprivation is highly prevalent among students which lead to deleterious consequences on learning, memory, mood and behaviour. We use videogame cognitive retraining to restore the sleep deprivation induced behavioral dysfunctions in university students. The study was a randomized controlled type where participants were assigned to one of two groups: VG (Videogamers) or NVG (Nonvideogamers). University students were screened for sleep deprivation using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). They were given cognitive retraining for 30 min each day for 4 week intervention period. Study outcome measures were obtained at baseline and after the cognitive retraining. Participant's general affect and behaviour was measured by positive affect and negative affect scale (PANAS). PennCNB, computerized neuropsychological battery was used to evaluate their cognitive functions. The result of present study showed a significant increase in negative affect and decrease in positive affect in sleep deprived individuals. Cognitive retraining for 4 weeks reverses these sleep deprivation induced mood disturbances in university students. Sleep deprivation also showed a significant and marked impairment in given neuropsychological tests. However, cognitive restoration was achieved in VG group as compared to NVG group. The study indicates that 4 week of video game cognitive retraining ameliorates sleep deprivation induced cognitive and mood disturbances in university students.

Sleep and Vigilance, 1 (2) : 143

Kauser, H.

Cognitive retraining ameliorates sleep deprivation induced behavioural deficits in university students [Conference abstract]

Sleep deprivation is highly prevalent among students which lead to deleterious consequences on learning, memory, mood and behaviour. We use videogame cognitive retraining to restore the sleep deprivation induced behavioral dysfunctions in university students. The study was a randomized controlled type where participants were assigned to one of two groups: VG (Videogamers) or NVG (Nonvideogamers). University students were screened for sleep deprivation using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). They were given cognitive retraining for 30 min each day for 4 week intervention period. Study outcome measures were obtained at baseline and after the cognitive retraining. Participant's general affect and behaviour was measured by positive affect and negative affect scale (PANAS). PennCNB, computerized neuropsychological battery was used to evaluate their cognitive functions. The result of present study showed a significant increase in negative affect and decrease in positive affect in sleep deprived individuals. Cognitive retraining for 4 weeks reverses these sleep deprivation induced mood disturbances in university students. Sleep deprivation also showed a significant and marked impairment in given neuropsychological tests. However, cognitive restoration was achieved in VG group as compared to NVG group. The study indicates that 4 week of video game cognitive retraining ameliorates sleep deprivation induced cognitive and mood disturbances in university students.

Sleep and Vigilance, 1 (2) : 143

Burckhardt, R., Manicavasagar, V., Batterham, P. J., Hadzi-Pavlovic, D.

A randomized controlled trial of strong minds: A school-based mental health program combining acceptance and commitment therapy and positive psychology

To date, most early intervention programs have been based on emotion regulation strategies that address dysfunctional cognitive appraisals, problem-solving skills, and rumination. Another emotion regulation strategy, 'acceptance' training, has largely been overlooked. To examine the efficacy of this strategy, a school-based mental health program combining positive psychology with acceptance and commitment therapy (Strong Minds) was evaluated in a randomized controlled trial with a sample of 267 Year 10 and 11 high-school students in Sydney, Australia. Mixed models for repeated measures examined whether the program led to reductions in symptoms amongst students who commenced the program with high depression, anxiety, and stress scores, and increased wellbeing scores amongst all students. Results demonstrated that compared to controls, participants in the Strong Minds condition with elevated symptom scores (n=63) reported significant reductions in depression (p=.047), stress (p=.01), and composite depression/anxiety symptoms (p=.02) with medium to strong effect sizes (Cohen's d=0.53, 0.74, and 0.57, respectively). Increased wellbeing (p=.03) in the total sample and decreased anxiety scores (p=.048) for students with elevated symptoms were significant for Year 10 students with medium effect sizes (Cohen's d=0.43 and 0.54, respectively). This study tentatively suggests that including the emotion regulation strategy of acceptance in early intervention programs may be effective in reducing symptoms and improving wellbeing in high school students. Further research to investigate the generalizability of these findings is warranted. Copyright © 2016 Society for the Study of School Psychology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Journal of School Psychology, 57 : 41-52

Guo, T., Guo, Z., Zhang, W., Ma, W., Yang, X., Hwang, J., He, X., Chen, X., Ya, T.

Electroacupuncture and cognitive behavioural therapy for sub-syndromal depression among undergraduates: a controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND: Individuals with sub-syndromal depression (SSD) are at increased risk of incident depressive disorders; however, the ideal therapeutic approach to SSD remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), alone or in combination, on depressive symptoms. METHODS: Undergraduate students with SSD were recruited and allocated to one of four groups based on their preferences: EA (n=6), CBT (n=10), EA+CBT (n=6), and untreated control (n=11) groups. Six weeks of treatment were provided in the first three groups. Clinical outcomes were measured using the 17-item Hamilton Depression (HAMD-17) rating scale, Center for Epidemiologic Depression (CES-D) scale, WHO Quality of Life-Brief version (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire, and clinical remission rate. RESULTS: All 33 subjects were included in an intent-to-treat analysis. Statistically significant improvements in HAMD- 17, CES-D, and WHOQOL-BREF scores and a higher remission rate were found in the EA, CBT, and EA+CBT intervention groups compared with the control group (all p<0.05). No significant differences were found between the three intervention groups. HAMD-17 factor score analysis revealed that EA reduced sleep disturbance scores more than CBT or EA+CBT (p<0.05), and CBT reduced retardation scores more than EA (p<0.01). EA+CBT reduced anxiety/somatisation scores more than EA or CBT (p<0.05) and retardation scores more than EA (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Early intervention may alleviate depressive symptoms in SSD. EA and CBT may have differential effects on certain symptoms. Combination therapy targeting both physical and psychological symptoms may represent an ideal strategy for SSD intervention. However, randomised trials with larger sample sizes are needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR-TRC-10000889; Results. Copyright Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

Acupuncture in medicine : journal of the British Medical Acupuncture Society, 34(5) : 356- 363

Tolnai, N., Szabó, Z., Koteles, F., Szabo, A.

Physical and psychological benefits of once-a-week Pilates exercises in young sedentary women: A 10-week longitudinal study

Physiology & behavior, 163 : 211-218

Duong, M. T., Cruz, R. A., King, K. M., Violette, H. D., McCarty, C. A.

Twelve-Month Outcomes of a Randomized Trial of the Positive Thoughts and Action Program for Depression Among Early Adolescents

This study was conducted to examine the 12-month effects on depression and depressive symptoms of a group-based cognitive-behavioral preventive intervention for middle school students (Positive Thoughts and Actions, or PTA), relative to a brief, individually administered supportive intervention (Individual Support Program, or ISP). A randomized clinical trial was conducted with 120 early adolescents (73 girls and 47 boys; age 12-14 years) drawn from a school-based population who had elevated depressive symptoms. Youths completed measures of depressive symptoms at baseline, post-intervention, and 6 and 12 months into the follow-up phase. Measures of internalizing problems, externalizing problems, school adjustment, interpersonal relationships, and health behavior were obtained from parents and/or youth. Multilevel models indicated that the effect of PTA on youth-reported depressive symptoms persisted until 12-month follow-up; d=0.36 at post- intervention, d=0.24 at 6-month follow-up, and d=0.21 at 12-month follow-up. PTA youths also reported lower internalizing symptoms at post- intervention, d=0.44, and at 12-month follow-up, d=0.39. Time-limited effects were found for parent-reported internalizing symptoms and health behavior. Onset of new depressive episodes did not differ based on intervention group (21 % ISP; 17 % PTA). Results demonstrate support for the long-term efficacy of PTA, a cognitive-behavioral preventive intervention in which youths engage in personal goal-setting and practice social- emotional skills.

Prevention science : the official journal of the Society for Prevention Research, 17(3) : 295- 305

Fosco, G. M., Van-Ryzin, M. J., Connell, A. M., Stormshak, E. A.

Preventing adolescent depression with the family check-up: Examining family conflict as a mechanism of change

Family-centered prevention programs are understudied for their effects on adolescent depression, despite considerable evidence that supports their effectiveness for preventing escalation in youth problem behavior and substance use. This study was conducted with 2 overarching goals: (a) replicate previous work that has implicated the Family Check-Up (FCU), a multilevel, gated intervention model embedded in public middle schools, as an effective strategy for preventing growth in adolescent depressive symptoms and (b) test whether changes in family conflict may be an explanatory mechanism for the long-term, protective effects of the FCU with respect to adolescent depression. This trial was conducted with 593 ethnically diverse families who were randomized to intervention (offered the FCU) or middle school as usual. Complier average causal effect (CACE) analysis revealed that engagers in the FCU evidenced less growth in depressive symptoms and family conflict from 6th through 9th grade, and post hoc analyses indicated that the FCU is related to lower rates of major depressive disorder. The second set of analyses examined family conflict as a mechanism of change for families who participated in the FCU. Families who reported short-term intervention benefits had significantly less escalation in family conflict over the middle school years; in turn, growth in family conflict explained risk for adolescent depressive symptoms. Copyright (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved).

Journal of family psychology : JFP : journal of the Division of Family Psychology of the American Psychological Association (Division 43), 30(1) : 82- 92