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Psychoneuroendocrinology Jul 2019Exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) negatively affects health outcomes, however, the biopsychosocial pathways underlying this relationship are not well...
Exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) negatively affects health outcomes, however, the biopsychosocial pathways underlying this relationship are not well understood. We conducted a systematic review of research published from 2000 through 2018 on biological and psychological stress-related correlates and consequences of IPV exposure. Fifty-three publications were included. The biological and psychological literatures have evolved separately and remain distinct. The biological literature provides emerging evidence of stress-related endocrine and immune-inflammatory dysregulations that are in line with patterns typically observed among chronically stressed individuals. The psychological literature provides strong evidence that IPV is associated with psychological stress, and that psychological stress follows new instances of IPV. Larger scale, integrative studies using prospective study designs are needed to more carefully map out how IPV influences victims both biologically and psychologically, and how these biopsychological changes, in turn, affect the health of victims over time.
Topics: Humans; Intimate Partner Violence; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 30170928
DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.08.017 -
Psychoneuroendocrinology Jul 2019Using vehicles with engaged automated driving systems (ADS) ('highly automated driving', HAD) will substantially impact on future society's mobility, yet the current...
Using vehicles with engaged automated driving systems (ADS) ('highly automated driving', HAD) will substantially impact on future society's mobility, yet the current understanding of human psychobiology related to HAD is still limited. Hence, we synthesized evidence on the psychobiology of subjects using HAD, informing an integrative model of the psychobiology of HAD, and providing guidance for reporting future research on this topic. We included (non-)randomized studies assessing human peripheral biology markers of in-vehicle-users in real or simulated driving environments, using vehicles with vs. without engaged ADS, published in English until April 2018. We systematically searched Web of Science, SCOPUS, and PubMed. The search consisted of a combination of terms describing HAD and psychobiological parameters. Risk of bias was assessed regarding randomization, blinding, incomplete outcome data, selective outcome reporting, and other potential causes. We extracted data using predefined data fields. Four out of five studies included in this review (N = 194 subjects) reported associations of use of vehicles with vs. without engaged ADS with various psychobiological parameters, including heart rate, respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), indicators of electrodermal activity (EDA), and masseter electromyography (EMG). Heart rate tended to be reduced during HAD along with increased EDA and EMG, with no clear indication for changes in RSA. We cannot exclude substantial risk of bias, among others because the status of engagement of ADS was mostly non-randomized. Yet, findings suggest that HAD goes along with tractable changes in peripheral biology. Informed by the conceptual endophenotype approach (Hellhammer et al., 2018, Psychoneuroendocrinology), we propose the Embodied Driving (EMBODD) model that describes how HAD reshapes vehicle use experience, and highlight how to make future ADS equipped vehicles successful regarding user's health. Based on the review, we suggest reporting guidelines for future research on the psychobiology of HAD.
Topics: Attention; Automation; Automobile Driving; Emotions; Humans; Models, Biological; Psychomotor Performance
PubMed: 30290968
DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.09.029 -
Journal of Affective Disorders Feb 2024The use of technology in psychological treatments can bring evidence-based interventions closer to more people using fewer resources. The aim of this systematic review... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
The use of technology in psychological treatments can bring evidence-based interventions closer to more people using fewer resources. The aim of this systematic review and preliminary meta-analysis was to summarize all the available information about technology-supported psychological treatments for Adjustment Disorder (AjD) patients of all ages.
METHOD
Eligibility criteria included studies that tested a technology-supported treatment in patients with AjD and reported data on a mental health outcome. Case studies and case series were excluded. Searches were conducted in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and PsycINFO databases. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2.0. tool for Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and the NHLBI tool for pre-post studies.
RESULTS
Nine articles (8 RCTs and 1 pre-post study) were included, eight that tested computerised interventions and two that used virtual reality. The meta-analysis showed the superior efficacy of the intervention groups compared to control conditions in reducing mental health symptomatology and a significant improvement between pre- and post-treatment.
LIMITATIONS
The small number of studies included and the high heterogeneity among them were two of the main limitations.
CONCLUSIONS
These results are similar to those observed in previous systematic reviews on technology-supported treatments for other mental disorders and suggest that these interventions could be effective for patients with AjD. However, further research is needed to determine the advantages and disadvantages of these interventions for the treatment of AjD in different age populations such as children, adolescents or older adults, as well as effective means for improving treatment retention.
Topics: Adolescent; Aged; Child; Humans; Adjustment Disorders; Mental Health; Technology
PubMed: 37992766
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.11.059 -
Clinical Psychology Review Jun 2016Among adults, depression is associated with reduced vagal activity, as indexed by high frequency heart rate variability [HF-HRV]), which correlates inversely with... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Among adults, depression is associated with reduced vagal activity, as indexed by high frequency heart rate variability [HF-HRV]), which correlates inversely with depression severity. Available evidence in depressed children and adolescents remains to be reviewed systematically. A search of the literature was performed to identify studies reporting (i) HF-HRV in clinically depressed children/adolescents relative to controls (k=4, n=259) and (ii) the association between HF-HRV and depressive symptoms as measured by standardized psychometric instruments in children and adolescents (k=6, n=2625). Random-effects meta-analysis on group differences revealed significant effects that were associated with a moderate effect size (Hedges' g=-0.59; 95% CI [-1.05; -0.13]), indicating lower resting state HF-HRV among clinically depressed children/adolescents (n=99) compared to healthy controls (n=160), consistent with findings among adults. While no correlation between HF-HRV and depressive symptom severity was observed (r=-.041 [-0.143; 0.062]), these additional correlational findings are limited to non-clinical samples. Findings have important clinical implications including a potentially increased risk for future physical ill health and also the identification of potential new treatment targets in child and adolescent depression.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Depressive Disorder; Heart Rate; Humans; Rest
PubMed: 27185312
DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2016.04.013 -
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Apr 2022Applying machine learning (ML) to objective markers may overcome prognosis uncertainty due to the subjective nature of the diagnosis of bipolar disorder (BD). This... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Applying machine learning (ML) to objective markers may overcome prognosis uncertainty due to the subjective nature of the diagnosis of bipolar disorder (BD). This PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis provides new systematic evidence of the BD classification accuracy reached by different markers and ML algorithms. We focused on neuroimaging, electrophysiological techniques, peripheral biomarkers, genetic data, neuropsychological or clinical measures, and multimodal approaches. PubMed, Embase and Scopus were searched through 3rd December 2020. Meta-analyses were performed using random-effect models. Overall, 81 studies were included in this systematic review and 65 in the meta-analysis (11,336 participants, 3903 BD). The overall pooled classification accuracy was 0.77 (95%CI[0.75;0.80]). Despite subgroup analyses for diagnostic comparison group, psychiatric disorders, marker, ML algorithm, and validation procedure were not significant, linear discriminant analysis significantly outperformed support vector machine for peripheral biomarkers (p = 0.03). Sample size was inversely related to accuracy. Evidence of publication bias was detected. Ultimately, although ML reached a high accuracy in differentiating BD from other psychiatric disorders, best practices in methodology are needed for the advancement of future studies.
Topics: Algorithms; Biomarkers; Bipolar Disorder; Humans; Machine Learning; Neuroimaging
PubMed: 35120970
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104552 -
Biology Dec 2021A topic of interest is the way decoding and interpreting facial emotional expressions can lead to mutual understanding. Facial emotional expression is a basic source of... (Review)
Review
A topic of interest is the way decoding and interpreting facial emotional expressions can lead to mutual understanding. Facial emotional expression is a basic source of information that guarantees the functioning of other higher cognitive processes (e.g., empathy, cooperativity, prosociality, or decision-making, among others). In this regard, hormones such as oxytocin, cortisol, and/or testosterone have been found to be important in modifying facial emotion processing. In fact, brain structures that participate in facial emotion processing have been shown to be rich in receptors for these hormones. Nonetheless, much of this research has been based on correlational designs. In recent years, a growing number of researchers have tried to carry out controlled laboratory manipulation of these hormones by administering synthetic forms of these hormones. The main objective of this study was to carry out a systematic review of studies that assess whether manipulation of these three hormones effectively promotes significant alterations in facial emotional processing. To carry out this review, PRISMA quality criteria for reviews were followed, using the following digital databases: PsycINFO, PubMed, Dialnet, Psicodoc, Web of Knowledge, and the Cochrane Library, and focusing on manuscripts with a robust research design (e.g., randomized, single- or double-blind, and/or placebo-controlled) to increase the value of this systematic review. An initial identification of 6340 abstracts and retrieval of 910 full texts led to the final inclusion of 101 papers that met all the inclusion criteria. Only about 18% of the manuscripts included reported a direct effect of hormone manipulation. In fact, emotional accuracy seemed to be enhanced after oxytocin increases, but it diminished when cortisol and/or testosterone increased. Nonetheless, when emotional valence and participants' gender were included, hormonal manipulation reached significance (in around 53% of the articles). In fact, these studies offered a heterogeneous pattern in the way these hormones altered speed processing, attention, and memory. This study reinforces the idea that these hormones are important, but not the main modulators of facial emotion processing. As our comprehension of hormonal effects on emotional processing improves, the potential to design good treatments to improve this ability will be greater.
PubMed: 34943249
DOI: 10.3390/biology10121334 -
Journal of Affective Disorders Nov 2020Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) stands out as the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder of childhood, with global prevalence ranging from 3.4% to... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) stands out as the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder of childhood, with global prevalence ranging from 3.4% to 7•2%. Its cognitive symptoms result from the combination of complex etiological processes encompassing genetic and environmental components. Available therapeutic approaches are associated with significant challenges such as modest efficacy or side effects. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a promising tool for enhancing cognitive performance in neuropsychiatric disorders. Trials investigating its applicability in ADHD have showed propitious, however, still preliminary findings.
METHODS
We performed a systemic review by searching on Medline, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, ScienceDirect and Embase using the descriptors: "attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder" or "ADHD"; and "transcranial direct current stimulation" or "tDCS"; following PRISMA guidelines.
RESULTS
A total of 383 articles were identified. After removing duplicates, 45 studies were assessed for eligibility, and after careful review, 11 manuscripts applying tDCS in ADHD were included. Significant improvements in attention, inhibitory control and working memory were reported, in addition to increased brain connectivity following use of active tDCS.
LIMITATIONS
The main limitation was the small number of trials investigating use of tDCS in ADHD. Study methods and outcome measures were quite variable, and generally did not include long-term follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS
Although the extent literature indicates promising findings, the available data remains highly preliminary. Further trials evaluating the efficacy of tDCS for ADHD, with longer follow-up, are necessary. These studies will be needed to determine the optimal protocol for clinical efficacy.
Topics: Attention; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Brain; Child; Humans; Memory, Short-Term; Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
PubMed: 32697687
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.06.054 -
Journal of Clinical Epidemiology Jun 2017In this paper, we compile and describe the main approaches proposed in the literature to include methodological quality (MQ) or risk of bias (RoB) into research... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
In this paper, we compile and describe the main approaches proposed in the literature to include methodological quality (MQ) or risk of bias (RoB) into research synthesis. We also meta-review how the RoB of observational primary studies is being assessed and to what extent the results are incorporated in the conclusions of research synthesis.
STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING
Electronic databases were searched for systematic reviews or meta-analyses related to health and clinical psychology. A random sample of 90 reviews published between January 2010 and May 2016 was examined.
RESULTS
A total of 46 reviews (51%) performed a formal assessment of the RoB of primary studies. Only 17 reviews (19%) linked the outcomes of quality assessment with the results of the review.
CONCLUSION
According to the previous literature, our results corroborate the lack of guidance to incorporate the RoB assessment in the results of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Our recommendation is to appraise MQ according to domains of RoB to rate the degree of credibility of the results of a research synthesis, as well as subgroup analysis or meta-regression as analytical methods to incorporate the quality assessment.
Topics: Behavioral Medicine; Humans; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Research Design; Review Literature as Topic
PubMed: 28499846
DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2017.05.002 -
Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing) Apr 2023The authors sought to identify scalable evidence-based suicide prevention strategies.
OBJECTIVE
The authors sought to identify scalable evidence-based suicide prevention strategies.
METHODS
A search of PubMed and Google Scholar identi- fied 20,234 articles published between September 2005 and December 2019, of which 97 were randomized controlled trials with suicidal behavior or ideation as primary outcomes or epidemiological studies of limiting access to lethal means, using educational approaches, and the impact of antidepressant treatment.
RESULTS
Training primary care physicians in depression rec- ognition and treatment prevents suicide. Educating youths on depression and suicidal behavior, as well as active out- reach to psychiatric patients after discharge or a suicidal crisis, prevents suicidal behavior. Meta-analyses find that antidepressants prevent suicide attempts, but individual randomized controlled trials appear to be underpowered. Ketamine reduces suicidal ideation in hours but is untested for suicidal behavior prevention. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy prevent suicidal behavior. Active screening for suicidal ideation or behavior is not proven to be better than just screening for depression. Education of gatekeepers about youth suicidal behavior lacks effectiveness. No randomized trials have been reported for gatekeeper training for prevention of adult suicidal behavior. Algorithm-driven electronic health record screening, Internet-based screening, and smartphone passive monitoring to identify high-risk patients are under-studied. Means restriction, including of firearms, prevents suicide but is sporadically employed in the United States, even though firearms are used in half of all U.S. suicides.
CONCLUSIONS
Training general practitioners warrants wider implementation and testing in other nonpsychiatrist physi- cian settings. Active follow-up of patients after discharge or a suicide-related crisis should be routine, and restricting firearm access by at-risk individuals warrants wider use. Combination approaches in health care systems show promise in reducing suicide in several countries, but evaluating the benefit attributable to each component is essential. Further suicide rate reduction requires evaluating newer approaches, such as electronic health record-derived algorithms, Internet-based screening methods, ketamine's potential benefit for preventing attempts, and passive monitoring of acute suicide risk change.Reprinted from , with permission from American Psychiatric Association Publishing. Copyright © 2021.
PubMed: 37201140
DOI: 10.1176/appi.focus.23021004 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jul 2021In recent years, the worldwide prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults and children has dramatically increased. The conventional model regarding the onset of... (Review)
Review
In recent years, the worldwide prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults and children has dramatically increased. The conventional model regarding the onset of obesity is based on an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure. However, other possible environmental factors involved, such as the exposure to chemicals like pesticides, cannot be discarded. These compounds could act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC) that may interfere with hormone activity related to several mechanisms involved in body weight control. The main objective of this study was to systematically review the data provided in the scientific literature for a possible association between prenatal and postnatal exposure to pesticides and obesity in offspring. A total of 25 human and 9 animal studies were analyzed. The prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal exposure to organophosphate, organochlorine, pyrethroid, neonicotinoid, and carbamate, as well as a combined pesticide exposure was reviewed. This systematic review reveals that the effects of pesticide exposure on body weight are mostly inconclusive, finding conflicting results in both humans and experimental animals. The outcomes reviewed are dependent on many factors, including dosage and route of administration, species, sex, and treatment duration. More research is needed to effectively evaluate the impact of the combined effects of different pesticides on human health.
Topics: Adult; Child; Environmental Exposure; Female; Humans; Neonicotinoids; Obesity; Organophosphates; Pesticides; Pregnancy; Pyrethrins
PubMed: 34281107
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18137170