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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 -
Nurse Education in Practice Oct 2023The aim of this study was to analyze burnout levels and prevalence in nursing students and to estimate prevalence levels with meta-analyses. (Review)
Review
AIM
The aim of this study was to analyze burnout levels and prevalence in nursing students and to estimate prevalence levels with meta-analyses.
BACKGROUND
Nurses are one of the healthcare professionals most affect by burnout, but nursing students, during their studies, can also suffer burnout.
DESIGN
a systematic review with meta-analysis was performed.
METHODS
The search equation used in Pubmed, CINAHL and Scopus databases was "burnout AND nursing students". Quantitative primary studies including information about burnout, emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, or personal accomplishment in nursing students were included. Four meta-analysis were performed.
RESULTS
the sample was of n = 34 studies, with n = 15 studies being included in the meta-analysis with n = 2744 nursing students. Burnout prevalence was 19% (95% CI 11-28%). Regarding burnout dimensions, the most affected was high emotional exhaustion with a prevalence of 41%(95% CI 23-61%; n = 2222) followed by 27% low personal accomplishment(95% CI 9-49%; n = 2096), 25% high depersonalization (95% CI 15-36%; n = 2096).
CONCLUSIONS
Prevalence of burnout and its dimensions vary from 19% to 41%, being emotional exhaustion the main problem in nursing students. This problem may affect their future as nursing professionals, and it would be of important to prevent and to treat burnout at university levels.
PubMed: 37651959
DOI: 10.1016/j.nepr.2023.103753 -
Progress in Neuro-psychopharmacology &... Jul 2023The psychedelic brew ayahuasca is increasingly being investigated for its therapeutic potential. Animal models are essential to investigate the pharmacological effects... (Review)
Review
RATIONALE
The psychedelic brew ayahuasca is increasingly being investigated for its therapeutic potential. Animal models are essential to investigate the pharmacological effects of ayahuasca since they can control important factors influencing it, such as the set and setting.
OBJECTIVE
Review and summarise data available on ayahuasca research using animal models.
METHODS
We systematically searched five databases (PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, LILACS and PsycInfo) for peer-reviewed studies in English, Portuguese or Spanish published up to July 2022. The search strategy included ayahuasca- and animal model-related terms adapted from the SYRCLE search syntax.
RESULTS
We identified 32 studies investigating ayahuasca effects on toxicological, behavioural and (neuro)biological parameters in rodents, primates and zebrafish. Toxicological results show that ayahuasca is safe at ceremonial-based doses but toxic at high doses. Behavioural results indicate an antidepressant effect and a potential to reduce the reward effects of ethanol and amphetamines, while the anxiety-related outcomes are yet inconclusive; also, ayahuasca can influence locomotor activity, highlighting the importance of controlling the analysis for locomotion when using tasks depending on it. Neurobiological results show that ayahuasca affects brain structures involved in memory, emotion and learning and that other neuropathways, besides the serotonergic action, are important in modulating its effects.
CONCLUSIONS
Studies using animal models indicate that ayahuasca is toxicologically safe in ceremonial-comparable doses and indicates a therapeutic potential for depression and substance use disorder while not supporting an anxiolytic effect. Essential gaps in the ayahuasca field can still be sufficed using animal models.
Topics: Animals; Banisteriopsis; Zebrafish; Hallucinogens; Antidepressive Agents; Primates
PubMed: 36863501
DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110738 -
Applied Psychology. Health and... May 2024Breast cancer is associated with adverse physical and psychological consequences. Although research has identified the various benefits linked to psychosocial... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Breast cancer is associated with adverse physical and psychological consequences. Although research has identified the various benefits linked to psychosocial interventions, mixed results have been found in relation to peer support. The aim of the present systematic review and meta-ethnography is to explore the qualitative evidence on the experience of breast cancer survivors in peer support. A systematic search of the literature was conducted until June 2023, and a meta-ethnographic approach was used to synthesize the included papers. Eleven articles were included, collecting the experience of 345 participants. The following four core areas involved in peer support implementation were identified from the synthesis: Peer support can create understanding and a mutual therapeutic and emotional connection; peer support can facilitate an educational and supportive patient-centered journey; peer support should monitor group members for unpleasant emotional experiences; peer support should have professional supervision of recruitment and training to prioritize quality. These results can be used as patient-centered insights by healthcare professionals to provide evidence-informed peer support programs and address current limitations in the field.
Topics: Humans; Peer Group; Cancer Survivors; Breast Neoplasms; Social Support; Female; Anthropology, Cultural; Qualitative Research
PubMed: 37493002
DOI: 10.1111/aphw.12473 -
European Neuropsychopharmacology : the... Oct 2023Major depression disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD) are usual comorbidities in patients with substance use disorders (SUD), a condition known as dual disorder... (Review)
Review
UNLABELLED
Major depression disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD) are usual comorbidities in patients with substance use disorders (SUD), a condition known as dual disorder (DD). MDD, BD and SUD are associated with cognitive impairment, potentially leading to a greater functional impairment in the context of DD.
OBJECTIVES
To review the existing data on the cognitive impairment in DD patients with comorbid MDD or BD, considering the influence of the depressive symptomatology.
METHODS
Following the PRISMA protocol 19 studies were selected from the last 17 years, 13 of which focused on BD, five on MDD and one included both diagnoses.
RESULTS
Studies based in BD+SUD showed that the most affected cognitive domains were attention and executive functions, but not all of them found a greater impairment due to the comorbidity. While fewer studies were found for depression, MDD+SUD works point to a similar impairment cognitive pattern. Furthermore, depression improvement could be associated to better cognitive performance.
LIMITATIONS
More standardized research is needed regarding the influence of depression on cognitive performance of DD patients, especially on those with comorbid MDD. Factors such as main substance, abstinence, or MDD/BD-related variables should be considered. Unstudied factors, like gender or circadian rhythms, are proposed to improve knowledge in this area.
CONCLUSIONS
Current studies suggest that DD could potentiate cognitive impairment in BD, MDD and SUD. However, additional research is needed to improve the understanding of comorbidity to apply more individualized therapies in the treatment of these patients, considering the interference of their neurocognitive functioning.
PubMed: 37453267
DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2023.06.006 -
Biological Psychiatry Jun 2024Research in machine-learning (ML) algorithms using natural behavior (i.e., text, audio, and video data) suggests that these techniques could contribute to... (Review)
Review
Use of Machine-Learning Algorithms Based on Text, Audio and Video Data in the Prediction of Anxiety and Post-Traumatic Stress in General and Clinical Populations: A Systematic Review.
Research in machine-learning (ML) algorithms using natural behavior (i.e., text, audio, and video data) suggests that these techniques could contribute to personalization in psychology and psychiatry. However, a systematic review of the current state-of-the-art is missing. Moreover, individual studies often target ML experts, and may overlook potential clinical implications of their findings. In a narrative accessible to mental health professionals, we present a systematic review, conducted in 5 psychology and 2 computer-science databases. We included 128 studies assessing the predictive power of ML algorithms using text, audio, and/or video data in the prediction of anxiety and post-traumatic stress (PTSD). Most studies (n = 87) aimed at predicting anxiety, the remainder (n = 41) focused on PTSD. They were mostly published since 2019, in computer science journals, and tested algorithms using text (n = 72), as opposed to audio or video. They focused mainly on general populations (n = 92), less on laboratory experiments (n = 23) or clinical populations (n = 13). Methodological quality varied, as did reported metrics of the predictive power, hampering comparison across studies. Two thirds of studies, focusing on both disorders, reported acceptable to very good predictive power (including high-quality studies only). Results of 33 studies were uninterpretable, mainly due to missing information. Research into ML algorithms using natural behavior is in its infancy, but shows potential to contribute to diagnostics of mental disorders, such as anxiety and PTSD, in the future, if standardization of methods, reporting of results, and research in clinical populations are improved.
PubMed: 38866173
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.06.002 -
Behavioral Sciences (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024Children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities (ID) often encounter difficulties with narrative skills. Yet, there is a lack of research focusing on how to... (Review)
Review
Children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities (ID) often encounter difficulties with narrative skills. Yet, there is a lack of research focusing on how to assess these skills in this population. This study offers an overview of the tools used for assessing oral narrative skills in children and adolescents with ID, addressing key questions about common assessment tools, their characteristics, and reported evidence. A systematic review was conducted of the literature published between 2010 and 2023 in the PsycINFO, ERIC, Education, and Psychology databases. An initial 1176 studies were reviewed by abstract, of which 485 were read in full text, leading to the selection and analysis of 22 studies. Most of the identified tools involve analyzing language samples obtained using wordless picture story books. Three common tools are emphasized. Studies have primarily identified inter-rater reliability and test-criterion evidence for validity. The main tools and their characteristics are discussed in depth to aid readers in discerning suitable options for research or practical applications. The importance of reporting diverse sources of evidence for validity and reliability within this population is highlighted.
PubMed: 38667104
DOI: 10.3390/bs14040308 -
Cancers Mar 2024(1) Background: The relationship between periodontitis and systemic pathologies continues to grow. Recently, the presence of periodontal pathogens has been linked to an... (Review)
Review
(1) Background: The relationship between periodontitis and systemic pathologies continues to grow. Recently, the presence of periodontal pathogens has been linked to an increased risk of pancreatic cancer (PC) and its mortality. Thus, a systematic review is needed to identify whether an association between the two diseases can be established. The objective of this review is to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for this association. (2) Methods: A systematic review was carried out using three databases (PubMed, Embase and Scopus) with the following keywords "Periodontitis AND pancreatic cancer". A total of 653 articles were retrieved; before selection and screening, the inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined, resulting in a total of 13 articles being included in the review. (3) Results: The increase in low-grade systemic inflammation, pH changes, and the cytotoxicity of certain periodontopathogenic bacteria were found in the scientific literature reviewed as mechanisms linking periodontitis with the risk of PC. (4) Conclusions: Through this systematic review, we have seen how periodontitis can be related to PC and how it worsens its prognosis. Knowing the behavior of periodontopathogenic bacteria and the influence they have on our immune and inflammatory system may help to achieve an interdisciplinary approach to both pathologies.
PubMed: 38610935
DOI: 10.3390/cancers16071257 -
Heliyon Oct 2023The taste of food plays a crucial role in determining what and how much we eat. Thus, interventions that temporarily block sweet taste receptors offer a promising...
The taste of food plays a crucial role in determining what and how much we eat. Thus, interventions that temporarily block sweet taste receptors offer a promising approach to addressing unhealthy behaviours associated with sugary foods. However, the relationship between reduced sweet taste response and food consumption remains unclear, with contradictory findings. Certain studies suggest that a diminished perception of sweetness leads to a sense of fullness and results in reduced food intake, while others suggest the opposite effect. To shed some light, our systematic review looked into the relationship between diminished sweet taste response and food consumption by examining the effects of bioactive compounds that experimentally inhibit sweetness in healthy individuals. This review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews and conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, and covered original papers included in Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Food Science Source and Food Science and technology abstracts. We identified 33 peer-reviewed English-language studies that fit the topic and met the inclusion criteria. The current literature predominantly focuses on the immediate impact of oral gymnemic acids, failing to provide preliminary evidence in support of the specific threshold hypothesis, above which food consumption decreases and below which the opposite effect occurs. Additionally, there was inconsistency in the findings regarding the short-term desire to eat following sweetness inhibition. Considering the downstream effects on energy intake and their clinical applications, further research is needed to clarify both the acute within-session effects (i.e., not wanting any more now) and the longer-term effects (i.e., deciding not to start eating) linked to oral sweet-taste-suppressing compounds.
PubMed: 37817998
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19733 -
The International Journal of... Feb 2024Cannabis use is a risk factor of psychiatric illness, such as bipolar disorder type-I (BDI). Indeed, cannabis use strongly influences the onset and clinical course of...
BACKGROUND
Cannabis use is a risk factor of psychiatric illness, such as bipolar disorder type-I (BDI). Indeed, cannabis use strongly influences the onset and clinical course of BDI, although the biological mechanisms underlying this interaction remain unknown. Therefore, we have reviewed the biological mechanisms affected by cannabis use that may trigger BD.
METHODS
A systematic review was carried out of articles in which gene expression was studied in cannabis users or human-derived cells exposed to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD). A second systematic review was then performed to identify articles in which gene expression was studied in BDI samples, highlighting those that described alterations to the same molecular and cellular mechanisms affected by cannabis/THC/CBD.
RESULTS
The initial search identified 82 studies on cannabis and 962 on BDI. After removing duplicates and applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 9 studies into cannabis and 228 on BDI were retained. The molecular and cellular mechanisms altered by cannabis use or THC/CBD exposure were then identified, including neural development and function, cytoskeletal function, cell adhesion, mitochondrial biology, inflammatory related pathways, lipid metabolism, the endocannabinoid system, the hypocretin/orexin system, and apoptosis. Alterations to those activities were also described in 19 of 228 focused on BDI.
CONCLUSIONS
The biological mechanisms described in this study may be good candidates to the search for diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for BDI. Because cannabis use can trigger the onset of BD, further studies would be of interest to determine whether they are involved in the early development of the disorder, prompting early treatment.
Topics: Humans; Cannabis; Bipolar Disorder; Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists; Cannabidiol; Hallucinogens; Risk Factors; Dronabinol
PubMed: 38175142
DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyae002