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Psychological Interventions (psychological + intervention)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	77%
Psychology	18%
2 Other Domains	5%

Distribution within Medical Sciences

Psychiatry	18%
Allergy & Clinical Immunology	10%
Nursing General	7%
11 Other Subdomains	65%

Selected Abstracts

Psychological Intervention Following Implantation of an Implantable Defibrillator: A Review and Future Recommendations

PACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 12 2007
SUSANNE S. PEDERSEN Ph.D.
Background:The medical benefits of the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) are unequivocal, but a subgroup of patients experiences emotional difficulties following implantation. For this subgroup, some form of psychological intervention may be warranted. This review provides an overview of current evidence on the efficacy of psychological intervention in ICD patients and recommendations for future research. Methods:We searched the PubMed and PsycInfo databases in the period between January 1980 and April 2007, using a set of a priori determined keywords. Based on the search and a hand search of the reference lists of the included articles, we identified nine studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Results:The majority of studies used a randomized controlled trial design, but studies varied considerably in sample size, response, attrition rate, and type of intervention. However, most interventions were multifactorial, using cognitive behavioral therapy as one of the mainstays of treatment. Overall, psychological interventions seem to have little impact on shocks and heart rate variability. Some studies found a decrease in depressive symptoms and gains in quality of life, but the most notable effects are seen in improved exercise capacity and reductions in anxiety. Effect sizes for changes in anxiety in the intervention group ranged from small to large compared to small in the usual care group, using Cohen's effect size index. Conclusions:Preliminary evidence from small-scale intervention trials suggests that psychological intervention is worthwhile in ICD patients. Nevertheless, large-scale, well-designed trials are warranted to substantiate these findings. A multifactorial approach using a cognitive behavioral component paired with exercise training is likely to be the most successful. [source]

Psychological Interventions in the Context of Poverty: Participatory Action Research as Practice

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ORTHOPSYCHIATRY, Issue 1 2010
Laura Smith
What innovations of socially just psychological practice exist for mental health professionals working in the context of poverty? This article argues for participatory action research (PAR) as a new horizon not only with regard to the creation of knowledge but as a community-based practice/action that promotes the emotional well-being of people surviving poverty and other forms of oppression. After the presentation of this argument, an ongoing PAR project in a poor urban community is described. This article explores its impact on all participants through observations from field notes along with the results of a focus group in which community co-researchers contributed their experiences of PAR. Finally, key practice-related considerations and other implications for mental health practitioners are proposed. [source]

The Effectiveness of Psychological Interventions for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Including Comparisons to Sildenafil Treatment, Intracavernosal Injection, and Vacuum Devices

THE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 11 2008
Tamara Melnik PhD
ABSTRACT Introduction., In contrast to the impressive advances in somatic research of erectile dysfunction (ED), scientific literature shows contradictory reports on the results of psychotherapy for the treatment of ED. Aim., Authors conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of psychological interventions for the treatment of ED compared to oral drugs, local injection, vacuum devices, or other psychological intervention. Method., Distinct sources of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched: electronic databases (between 1966 and 2007), cross checking of references, and contact with scientific societies. Main Outcome Measures., For dichotomous outcomes the pooled relative risks were calculated and for continuous outcomes mean differences between interventions. Statistical heterogeneity was addressed. Results., Eleven RCTs involving 398 men met the inclusion criteria. Conclusions., There is evidence that group therapy improves ED. Focused sex group therapy showed greater efficacy than control group. Men randomized to receive psychotherapy plus sildenafil showed significant improvement of ED and were less likely than those receiving only sildenafil to drop out. Regarding to the effectiveness of psychological interventions for the treatment of ED compared to local injection and vacuum devices no difference was found. Melnik T, Soares BGO, and Nasello AG. The effectiveness of psychological interventions for the treatment of erectile dysfunction: Systematic review and meta-analysis, including comparisons to sildenafil treatment, intracavernosal injection, and vacuum devices. J Sex Med 2008;5:2562,2574. [source]

Tailoring Psychological Interventions for Ethnically Diverse Dementia Caregivers

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY: SCIENCE AND PRACTICE, Issue 4 2003
Dolores Gallagher-Thompson
Alzheimer's disease and other dementias are common disorders that widely affect older adults of all races and ethnicities. Although there has been considerable research focusing on the stress experienced by family caregivers of patients with dementia, there has been little work to guide clinicians in tailoring interventions to the special needs of racially and ethnically diverse families. This paper reviews guidelines for creating culturally competent interventions, as well as reviewing the literature on racial, ethnic, and cultural differences in the stress associated with caregiving for a family member with dementia. The paper then presents three intervention programs (adapted from existing treatments) that were tailored to be sensitive to cultural issues in caregiving among African Americans, Cuban Americans, and Mexican Americans. Results and directions for future research gathered from these intervention programs are presented and implications for clinicians and researchers are discussed. [source]

Effectiveness of current treatment approaches for benzodiazepine discontinuation: a meta-analysis

ADDICTION, Issue 1 2009
Jannette M. Parr
ABSTRACT Aims To assess the effectiveness of current treatment approaches to assist benzodiazepine discontinuation. Methods A systematic review of approaches to benzodiazepine discontinuation in general practice and out-patient settings was undertaken. Routine care was compared with three treatment approaches: brief interventions, gradual dose reduction (GDR) and psychological interventions. GDR was compared with GDR plus psychological interventions or substitutive pharmacotherapies. Results Inclusion criteria were met by 24 studies, and a further eight were identified by future search. GDR [odds ratio (OR) = 5.96, confidence interval (CI) = 2.08,17.11] and brief interventions (OR = 4.37, CI = 2.28,8.40) provided superior cessation rates at post-treatment to routine care. Psychological treatment plus GDR were superior to both routine care (OR = 3.38, CI = 1.86,6.12) and GDR alone (OR = 1.82, CI = 1.25,2.67). However, substitutive pharmacotherapies did not add to the impact of GDR (OR = 1.30, CI = 0.97,1.73), and abrupt substitution of benzodiazepines by other pharmacotherapy was less effective than GDR alone (OR = 0.30, CI = 0.14,0.64). Few studies on any technique had significantly greater benzodiazepine discontinuation than controls at follow-up. Conclusions Providing an intervention is more effective than routine care. Psychological interventions may improve discontinuation above GDR alone. While some substitutive pharmacotherapies may have promise, current evidence is insufficient to support their use. [source]

Outcome of psychological treatments of pathological gambling: a review and meta-analysis

ADDICTION, Issue 10 2005
Ståle Pallesen
ABSTRACT Aims To investigate the short- and long-term effect of psychological treatments of pathological gambling and factors relating to treatment outcome. Design and setting This study provides a quantitative meta-analytical review of psychotherapeutic treatments of pathological gambling. Studies were identified by computer search in the PsycINFO and Medline databases covering the period from 1966 to 2004, as well as from relevant reference lists. Inclusion criteria The target problem was pathological gambling, the treatment was psychological, the study was published in English and outcomes directly pertaining to gambling were employed. Single case studies, studies where elimination of gambling not was the priority and studies with insufficient statistical information were excluded from the present meta-analysis. Participants A total of 37 outcome studies, published or reported between 1968 and 2004, were identified. Of these 15 were excluded, thus 22 studies were included, involving 1434 subjects. The grand mean age was 40.1 years. The overall proportion of men was 71.5%. Measurements The included studies were coded for outcome measures of pathological gambling. For each condition, means and standard deviations for gambling-related outcome measures, all based upon self-reports or therapist ratings, were compiled at three points in time: baseline, post-treatment and the last follow-up reported. Findings Effect sizes represent the difference between the mean score in a treatment condition and a control condition or the difference between mean scores at separated points in time for one group, expressed in terms of standard deviation units. At post-treatment the analysis indicated that psychological treatments were more effective than no treatment, yielding an overall effect size of 2.01 (P < 0.01). At follow-up (averaging 17.0 months) the corresponding effect size was 1.59 (P < 0.01). A multiple regression analysis showed that the magnitude of effect sizes at post-treatment were lower in studies including patients with a formal diagnosis of pathological gambling only, compared to studies not employing such inclusion criteria. Effect sizes were also higher in randomized controlled trials compared to not randomized controlled trials, higher in within subjects designs compared to between subjects designs and also positively related to number of therapy sessions. No mediator variables were significantly related to the magnitude of the effect sizes at follow-up. Conclusion Psychological interventions for pathological gamble seem to be yield very favourable short- and long-term outcomes. [source]

Psychological interventions for long-term conditions: a review of approaches, content and outcomes

PHYSIOTHERAPY RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2008
Carol Doyle
Background.,People living with long-term conditions are more likely to see their GP and experience limitations in their daily activities (Department of Health, 2005). Psychological interventions, specifically cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), aimed at helping people to cope and self-manage these conditions, are popular. This review aims to summarize the evidence from good-quality systematic reviews of psychological interventions to inform the management of, and future research in, patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Cochrane reviews were used as these are considered to be of good quality (Handoll et al., 2002).,Method.,We identified Cochrane reviews of psychological interventions for common chronic health conditions in adults across all healthcare settings. Data on intervention approach, content, delivery and outcomes were extracted and summarized.,Results.,Nine Cochrane reviews, in asthma (n = 1), diabetes (n = 2), coronary heart disease (n = 1) and chronic musculoskeletal pain (n = 5) were identified. These reviews included 131 clinical trials and over 20,200 patients. Psychological interventions were wide ranging, many using a variety of CBT, mostly delivered in secondary care settings by nurses or psychologists. Physiotherapists were involved in some studies as part of multidisciplinary teams. Due to the complexity and diversity of the interventions, individually effective components could not be identified. Interpretation of studies was difficult because of heterogeneity in intervention content, delivery and outcomes measured. Conclusion.,Physiotherapists involved in the management of long-term conditions, particularly chronic musculoskeletal pain, can perhaps learn from this evidence base. Future research should investigate the effectiveness of individual components of CBT and the role of physiotherapists in delivering this type of intervention. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Psychological interventions with siblings of pediatric cancer patients: a systematic review

PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 12 2009
Alice Prchal
Abstract Objective: Siblings of pediatric cancer patients have been shown to be at risk for developing emotional, behavioral, and social problems. There is a need for psychological interventions in this population. Several researchers have previously documented and evaluated their interventions with siblings. This paper aimed at reviewing the existing reports of evaluated psychological interventions with siblings of pediatric cancer patients and at outlining future directions. Methods: Research was conducted on several online bibliographic databases. Articles were selected on the basis of predefined criteria. If possible, effect sizes (ES) were calculated. Results: Fourteen studies representing 11 different sibling interventions met criteria for inclusion. One individual intervention, three camps, and seven groups were found. Objectives of interventions concentrated mainly on enhancing siblings' coping and improving their medical knowledge. In terms of outcome measures, most of the studies focused on psychological adjustment variables. Findings showed significant improvements in siblings' depression symptomatology, medical knowledge, and health-related quality of life. Findings were inconsistent with regard to anxiety, behavioral problems, social adjustment, self-esteem, and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Depending on the outcome variables, small to large ES were found. Satisfaction with the intervention was high in both siblings and parents. Conclusion: There is tentative evidence that psychological interventions with siblings of childhood cancer patients can effectively reduce psychological maladjustment and improve medical knowledge about cancer. However, the number of studies is small, and several methodological shortcomings have to be noted. In future, more randomized controlled trials need to be conducted in larger samples to extend the evidence base. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

The effectiveness of psychological treatments for treatment-resistant depression: a systematic review

ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 5 2005
S. McPherson
Objective:, A systematic review of all studies (controlled and uncontrolled) to evaluate psychological interventions with treatment-resistant depression. Method:, A systematic search to identify studies evaluating a psychological intervention with adults with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder who had not responded to at least one course of antidepressant medication. Results:, Twelve studies met inclusion criteria, of which four were controlled and eight uncontrolled. Treatment effect sizes were computable for four studies and ranged from 1.23 to 3.10 with a number of better quality studies demonstrating some improvements in patients following a psychological intervention. Conclusion:, Psychological treatments for depression are commonly delivered and often recommended following the failure of medication. The paucity of evidence for their effectiveness in these situations is a significant problem. There is a need for studies with a strong controlled design investigating the effectiveness of psychological treatments for patients with treatment-resistant depression. [source]

Psychopathology and autobiographical memory in stroke and non-stroke hospitalized patients

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 1 2003
Mark John Sampson
Abstract Background Psychopathology and autobiographical memory were investigated in a cohort of stroke and non-stroke hospitalized patients. Both these cohorts have been identified as having high levels of psychopathology (Katon and Sullivan 1990; Burvill et al., 1995). Difficulties recalling specific autobiographical memories (overgeneral memory) have been identified as important psychological variables in depression and predictors of outcome (Williams and Scott 1988; Brittlebank et al., 1993). Intrusive autobiographical memories have also been found to be associated with depression and overgeneral memory in depressed women (Kuyken and Brewin, 1995) and depressed cancer patients (Brewin et al., 1998a). This study looked at levels of psychopathology and autobiographical memories in stroke and non-stroke hospital patients. Method 417 patients were screened, of the 176 eligible 103 agreed to participate (54 stroke and 49 non-stroke). Participants were assessed for overgenerality using the Autobiographical Memory Test and intrusiveness of memories using the Impact of Events Scale. Also assessed were PTSD-like symptoms (PCL-S), mood (HADS, GHQ-28) and cognitive ability (MMSE, verbal fluency, digit span and estimated pre-morbid IQ). Results No significant differences were found between stroke and non-stroke patients on severity of depression, anxiety, severity of PTSD-like symptoms or autobiographical memories. Backward multivariate regression analyses for combined data (stroke and non-stroke) indicated that overgeneral memory recall, intrusive memories of past events and intrusive memories of illness were significant independent predictors of depression (HADS). Avoidance of intrusive memories and reported childhood distress were not predictors of overgeneral memory recall. Significant predictors of overgeneral memory recall were; Gender, antidepressant medication, and estimated IQ. Conclusion Significant levels of psychopathology were identified in this cohort. However, there were no significant differences in the levels of depression, anxiety, PTSD symptoms and autobiographical memory between stroke and non-stroke hospitalized patients. Of particular interest was the finding that PTSD-like symptoms did not appear to be influenced by the nature of the person's illness. In combined data (stroke and non-stroke) autobiographical memories (intrusive images of their illness, intrusive memories of other events and overgeneral memory recall variables) were significant predictors of depression in this cohort. This suggests that psychological intervention of memory processes may be a worthwhile target in psychological intervention for depression in these cohorts. Gender, cognitive impairment, antidepressant medication, and estimated IQ were significant predictors of overgeneral memory recall and further investigation into the validity of these findings are warranted. Suggestions for further research and limitations of the study are also discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Psychological profile in oral lichen planus

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 10 2005
Kiro Ivanovski
Abstract Aim: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is an oral lesion with an enigmatic etiology. To explore the possibility of psycho-somatization, we evaluated the psychological personality profiles of OLP patients. Methods: Twenty patients with reticular; 20 with erosive form of OLP, and 25 controls were tested with the psychological Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)-202 test. Eight clinical scales (hypochondriasis, depression, hysteria, psychopathic deviate, paranoia, psychasthenia, schizophrenia, and hypomania) as well as cortisol level, CD3, CD4, CD8, and CD16 markers by group were compared. Psychosomatization was evaluated by the use of internalization ratio (IR) Index. Results: A characteristic MMPI profile was noted in the OLP groups with high IR index value. Significant differences among the groups were detected for cortisol, CD4, CD8, and CD16 counts. Mean values for hypochondriasis, depression, and hysteria were all significantly different with significantly higher mean scores for both reticular and erosive OLP subjects compared with controls. Conclusions: Prolonged emotive stress in many OLP patients may lead to psychosomatization and may contribute to the initiation and clinical expression of this oral disorder. Clinical significance: If additional research involving a larger and more diverse sample of patients confirms these findings, clinical trials will be needed to determine whether adjunctive psychological intervention provides a benefit in treating patients with OLP. [source]

Psychological Intervention Following Implantation of an Implantable Defibrillator: A Review and Future Recommendations

Functional symptoms confused with allergic disorders in children and adolescents

PEDIATRIC ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 5 2002
Bodo Niggemann
The diagnosis of a functional respiratory disorder is sometimes difficult and time-consuming, because the symptoms often resemble those of organic diseases. The most common entities are hyperventilation syndrome, psychogenic cough, sighing dyspnea, and vocal cord dysfunction. Typical signs are heavy breathing or dyspnea, cough or sneezing, various breathing sounds, tightness of the throat or chest, pain, and fear. Criteria for differentiation include the lack of nocturnal symptoms, the sudden occurrence, no typical trigger factors, the variable duration, a quick regression, and that symptoms do not respond to adequate pharmacotherapy and finally normal results of diagnostic work-up. Therapeutic options comprise psychological intervention (by reassurance, relaxation techniques, and behaviour therapy) and physiotherapy (e.g. breathing therapy, voice training). Intensive efforts should be made to diagnose functional symptoms at an early stage because this will prevent stigmatization and fixation of symptoms and disease, and also prevent children from undergoing unnecessary and potentially harmful therapies. [source]

A systematic review of psychological interventions for children with asthma

PEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY, Issue 2 2007
Grad., Janelle Yorke MSc
Abstract Aim: Psychological factors may influence the symptoms and management of asthma in children in many ways. It is, therefore, suggested that psychological interventions may be appropriate for this population. This paper reports a systematic review assessing the efficacy of psychological interventions in improving health outcomes for children with asthma. Methodology: A review of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) was designed. RCTs assessing the effects of a psychological intervention in child participants were included in the review. Outcome measures included healthcare utilization, lung function, asthma symptoms, and psychological health status. The search was conducted until April 2005. Results: Twelve studies, involving 588 children, were included in the review; however, study quality was poor and sample sizes were frequently small. A meta-analysis was performed on two studies, examining the effects of relaxation therapy on PEFR which favored the treatment group (SD 0.82, CI 0.41,1.24). No other meta-analysis could be performed due to the diversity of interventions and the outcomes assessed. In addition, many studies reported insufficient data. Conclusions: This review was unable to draw firm conclusions for the role of psychological interventions for children with asthma. We recommend that valid outcome measures for evaluating the effectiveness of psychological interventions for children with asthma need to address adjustment to and coping with asthma, as well as other psychological indicators. The absence of an adequate evidence base is demonstrated, highlighting the need for well-conducted RCTs in this area. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2007; 42:114,124. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

The Effectiveness of Psychological Interventions for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Including Comparisons to Sildenafil Treatment, Intracavernosal Injection, and Vacuum Devices

Psychoeducation in bipolar patients with comorbid personality disorders

BIPOLAR DISORDERS, Issue 4 2004
Francesc Colom
Background:, The co-occurrence of personality and bipolar disorders is quite common. Bipolar patients with personality disorders have been described as having poorer outcome than ,pure' bipolar patients. However, from a combined-approach point of view, a little has been done to improve the course of these patients. Psychoeducation has shown its efficacy in the prevention of relapses in the bipolar population but, to date, no data is available on its efficacy in the management of bipolar patients with personality disorders. Method:, The present study shows a subanalysis from a single-blind randomized prospective clinical trial on the efficacy of group psychoeducation in bipolar I patients. Bipolar patients fulfilling DSM-IV criteria for any personality disorder were randomized to either psychoeducational treatment or a non-structured intervention. There were 22 patients in the control group and 15 in the psychoeducation group. All patients received naturalistic pharmacological treatment as well. The follow-up phase comprised 2 years where all patients continued receiving naturalistic treatment without psychological intervention and were assessed monthly for several outcome measures. Results:, At the end of the follow-up phase (2 years), a 100% of control group patients fulfilled criteria for recurrence versus a 67% in the psychoeducation group (p < 0.005). Patients included in the psychoeducation group had a higher time-to-relapse and a significantly lower mean number of total, manic and depressive relapses. No significant differences regarding the number of patients who required hospitalization were found but the mean duration of days spent in the hospitalization room was significantly higher for the patients included in the control group. Conclusion:, Psychoeducation may be a useful intervention for bipolar patients with comorbid personality disorders. Further studies should address the efficacy of specifically tailored interventions for this common type of patients. [source]

A woman-centred psychological intervention for premenstrual symptoms, drawing on cognitive-behavioural and narrative therapy

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHOTHERAPY (AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THEORY & PRACTICE), Issue 5 2002
Jane M Ussher
A women-centred psychological intervention for premenstrual symptoms, drawing on cognitive-behavioural and narrative therapy, has been developed. In a randomized control trial previously reported, this treatment was found to be as effective as SSRIs in reducing moderate or severe premenstrual symptoms. The purpose of this paper is to outline the multifactorial model of premenstrual symptoms that underpinned this intervention, describe the treatment in detail session by session, and present two case examples drawing on narrative interviews conducted pre and post treatment with the women who took part in the randomized control trial, in order to illustrate the process of change. It is argued that premenstrual symptoms arise from a complex interaction of material, discursive and intrapsychic factors, and that this needs to be taken into account when designing clinical interventions. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Stressing the (Other) Three Rs in the Search for Empirically Supported Treatments: Review Procedures, Research Quality, Relevance to Practice and the Public Interest

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY: SCIENCE AND PRACTICE, Issue 3 2000
John R. Weisz
The Society of Clinical Psychology's task forces on psychological intervention developed criteria for evaluating clinical trials, applied those criteria, and generated lists of empirically supported treatments. Building on this strong base, the task force successor, the Committee on Science and Practice, now pursues a three-part agenda: (a) evolution of review and classification procedures with an emphasis on reliability across reviewers, (b) an active role as gadfly in promoting improved research, and (c) a dissemination program (with an evolving web site) to make our process, findings, and data base accessible to practitioners, researchers, policy makers, and the public. We seek to link practitioners and researchers in the shared goal of improving mental health care by encouraging evidence-based practice and training. [source]

Juvenile sexual delinquents: contrasting child abusers with peer abusers

CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR AND MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 4 2004
J. Hendriks MA
Background There is growing concern regarding juvenile sex offenders, and concomitant interest in a more scientific database which could help direct management and treatment resources. Aims To investigate whether juveniles who sexually offend against children (or those at least five years younger than themselves) differ from those who sexually assault their peers or older victims. Method The study is based on data from psychological screenings conducted for the juvenile courts in the Netherlands. Results As hypothesized, juvenile child molesters scored higher on neuroticism, had experienced more social problems, and had been bullied more often at school than their peers who sexually assaulted same-age or older victims. Child molesters also reported a more negative self-image. When referred for screening, they were younger but had committed more sex offences, more often against males than females. Conclusions The results were suggestive of greater need for psychological interventions in the child molester group, although in both groups substantial minorities had had experience of early childhood deprivation or abuse. Copyright © 2004 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source]

The effectiveness of psychological treatments for treatment-resistant depression: a systematic review

The therapeutics of lifestyle management on obesity

DIABETES OBESITY & METABOLISM, Issue 11 2010
P. A. Dyson
The global incidence and prevalence of obesity continue to increase, with the fastest rate of increase in the developing world. Obesity is associated with many chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some cancers. Weight loss can reduce the risk of developing these diseases and can be achieved by means of surgery, pharmacotherapy and lifestyle interventions. Lifestyle interventions for prevention and treatment of obesity include diet, exercise and psychological interventions. All lifestyle interventions have a modest but significant effect on weight loss, but there is little evidence to indicate that any one intervention is more effective. There is evidence of an additive effect for adjunct therapy, and the combination of diet, exercise and behavioural interventions appears to be most effective for both the prevention and treatment of obesity. [source]

Smoking cessation in severe mental illness: what works?

ADDICTION, Issue 7 2010
Lindsay Banham
ABSTRACT Aims The physical health of people with severe mental illness (SMI) is poor. Smoking-related illnesses are a major contributor to excess mortality and morbidity. An up-to-date review of the evidence for smoking cessation interventions in SMI is needed to inform clinical guidelines. Methods We searched bibliographic databases for relevant studies and independently extracted data. Included studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of smoking cessation or reduction conducted in adult smokers with SMI. Interventions were compared to usual care or placebo. The primary outcome was smoking cessation and secondary outcomes were smoking reduction, change in weight, change in psychiatric symptoms and adverse events. Results We included eight RCTs of pharmacological and/or psychological interventions. Most cessation interventions showed moderate positive results, some reaching statistical significance. One study compared behavioural support and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to usual care and showed a risk ratio (RR) of 2.74 (95% CI 1.10,6.81) for short-term smoking cessation, which was not significant at longer follow-up. We pooled five trials that effectively compared bupropion to placebo giving an RR of 2.77 (95% CI 1.48,5.16), which was comparable to Hughes et al.'s 2009 figures for general population data; RR = 1.69 (95% CI 1.53,1.85). Smoking reduction data were too heterogeneous for meta-analysis, but results were generally positive. Trials suggest few adverse events. All trials recorded psychiatric symptoms and the most significant changes favoured the intervention groups over the control groups. Conclusions Treating tobacco dependence is effective in patients with SMI. Treatments that work in the general population work for those with severe mental illness and appear approximately equally effective. Treating tobacco dependence in patients with stable psychiatric conditions does not worsen mental state. [source]

Randomized controlled trial of cognitive,behavioural therapy for coexisting depression and alcohol problems: short-term outcome

ADDICTION, Issue 1 2010
Amanda L. Baker
ABSTRACT Aims Alcohol use disorders and depression co-occur frequently and are associated with poorer outcomes than when either condition occurs alone. The present study (Depression and Alcohol Integrated and Single-focused Interventions; DAISI) aimed to compare the effectiveness of brief intervention, single-focused and integrated psychological interventions for treatment of coexisting depression and alcohol use problems. Methods Participants (n = 284) with current depressive symptoms and hazardous alcohol use were assessed and randomly allocated to one of four individually delivered interventions: (i) a brief intervention only (single 90-minute session) with an integrated focus on depression and alcohol, or followed by a further nine 1-hour sessions with (ii) an alcohol focus; (iii) a depression focus; or (iv) an integrated focus. Follow-up assessments occurred 18 weeks after baseline. Results Compared with the brief intervention, 10 sessions were associated with greater reductions in average drinks per week, average drinking days per week and maximum consumption on 1 day. No difference in duration of treatment was found for depression outcomes. Compared with single-focused interventions, integrated treatment was associated with a greater reduction in drinking days and level of depression. For men, the alcohol-focused rather than depression-focused intervention was associated with a greater reduction in average drinks per day and drinks per week and an increased level of general functioning. Women showed greater improvements on each of these variables when they received depression-focused rather than alcohol-focused treatment. Conclusions Integrated treatment may be superior to single-focused treatment for coexisting depression and alcohol problems, at least in the short term. Gender differences between single-focused depression and alcohol treatments warrant further study. [source]

Effectiveness of current treatment approaches for benzodiazepine discontinuation: a meta-analysis

Treatment of nicotine dependence with bupropion SR: review of its efficacy, safety and pharmacological profile

ADDICTION BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2003
JOSÉ MARTÍNEZ-RAGA
Bupropion hydrochloride, an atypical antidepressant, is the first non-nicotine product that, in its sustained release form (bupropion SR), has been licensed as an aid for smoking cessation. The specialized literature on bupropion SR and smoking cessation is critically reviewed. The pharmacological profile, dosage and administration, contraindications, as well as the clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability data of bupropion are discussed. Recent reports suggest that its mode of actions might be different to what had originally been proposed. When prescribed appropriately, it appears to be a safe, well-tolerated and effective medication in combination with smoking cessation counselling,for a wide range of smokers, as shown in several multicentre double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials. Further research is needed on aspects such as the optimal duration of treatment, the potential role of combination therapy with NRT and psychological interventions, and to establish its effectiveness in smokers with other psychiatric disorders or when used with only minimal support by general practitioners. [source]

Factor analysis of ADAPT questionnaire for assessment of subjective need for psychological interventions

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 1 2008
Wolfgang Miehsler MD
No abstract is available for this article. [source]

Parenting Skills Training: An Effective Intervention for Internalizing Symptoms in Younger Children?

JOURNAL OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRIC NURSING, Issue 2 2005
Clin PsyD, Sam Cartwright-Hatton D Phil
PROBLEM:,A number of interventions are effective in treating older children with internalizing symptoms. However, little is known about the efficacy of psychological interventions in treating younger children. This study examined the impact on internalizing symptoms of a parenting skills training program. METHODS:,Forty-three parents took part in a parenting skills training program. Externalizing and internalizing behaviors were measured before and after treatment and after a 6-month period. FINDINGS:,Externalizing symptoms fell after treatment. Interestingly, internalizing scores fell to an approximately equivalent degree. CONCLUSIONS:,An intervention targeted towards parenting may be efficacious in the treatment of children's internalizing symptoms. [source]

Postpartum depression: what we know

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 12 2009
Michael W. O'Hara
Abstract Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious mental health problem. It is prevalent, and offspring are at risk for disturbances in development. Major risk factors include past depression, stressful life events, poor marital relationship, and social support. Public health efforts to detect PPD have been increasing. Standard treatments (e.g., Interpersonal Psychotherapy) and more tailored treatments have been found effective for PPD. Prevention efforts have been less consistently successful. Future research should include studies of epidemiological risk factors and prevalence, interventions aimed at the parenting of PPD mothers, specific diathesis for a subset of PPD, effectiveness trials of psychological interventions, and prevention interventions aimed at addressing mental health issues in pregnant women. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 65:1,12, 2009. [source]

Does structured clinical supervision during psychosocial intervention education enhance outcome for mental health nurses and the service users they work with?

JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC & MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 1 2007
T. BRADSHAW rmn diphe bsc(hons) mphil
This study aimed to assess whether clinical supervision provided by workplace-based supervisors can enhance outcomes for mental health nurses attending a psychosocial intervention education programme and the service users whom they work with. A quasi-experimental controlled design was used. The main outcome measure was student knowledge and attitudes towards individuals with psychosis and their caregivers. Secondary outcome measures for service users included the KGV (M) symptom scale and the Social Functioning Scale. Students in the experimental group demonstrated a significant increase in knowledge of psychological interventions compared with the control group. Service users seen by the students in the experimental group showed significantly greater reductions in positive psychotic symptoms and total symptoms compared with those seen by students in the control group. Workplace clinical supervision may offer additional benefit to nurses attending psychosocial intervention courses. Further research adopting more robust designs is required to support these tentative findings. [source]