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Frontiers in Psychiatry 2023Metformin has shown good efficacy in the management of antipsychotic-induced metabolic syndrome (MetS) in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders. Its... (Review)
Review
The potential effect of metformin on cognitive and other symptom dimensions in patients with schizophrenia and antipsychotic-induced weight gain: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression.
INTRODUCTION
Metformin has shown good efficacy in the management of antipsychotic-induced metabolic syndrome (MetS) in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders. Its ability to induce antidepressant behavioural effects and improve cognitive functions has also been investigated: yet information has not been systematized. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the effects of metformin on cognitive and other symptom dimension in schizophrenic patients treated with antipsychotics through a systematic review and meta-analysis.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, ClinicalTrials.Gov, Embase, PsycINFO, and WHO ICTRP database up to February 2022, Randomised Controlled Trials (RCT) evaluating patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and related disorders, who were treated with metformin as add-on therapy to antipsychotics for the treatment of weight gain and in which changes in psychiatric symptoms and cognitive functions were evaluated.
RESULTS
A total of 19 RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis was performed on 12 eligible studies. We found a positive trend after 24 weeks of treatment in schizophrenic patients with stable conditions [SMD (95%CI) = -0.40 (-0.82;0.01), OR (95%CI) = 0.5 (-2.4;3.4)]. Better performance was detected in the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) with low heterogeneity among studies. One study reported changes in BACS-verbal memory subdomain in favour of placebo [MD (95%CI) = -16.03 (-23.65;8.42)]. Gastrointestinal disorders, xerostomia, and extrapyramidal syndrome were the most reported adverse effects. Psychiatric adverse events were also described: in particular, symptoms attributable to a relapse of schizophrenia.
CONCLUSION
Some degree of efficacy was found for Metformin in improving cognitive and other symptom dimensions in patients with Schizophrenia. Given the clinical relevance of this potential pharmacological effect, longer specific studies using adequate psychometric scales are strongly recommended. Likewise, how metformin acts in this context needs to be evaluated in order to enhance its efficacy or find more efficacious drugs.
PubMed: 37502816
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1215807 -
American Journal of Obstetrics &... Sep 2023This study aimed to conduct a systematic review and to evaluate the psychometric measurement properties of instruments for postpartum anxiety using the Consensus-Based... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to conduct a systematic review and to evaluate the psychometric measurement properties of instruments for postpartum anxiety using the Consensus-Based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments guidelines to identify the best available patient-reported outcome measure.
DATA SOURCES
We searched 4 databases (CINAHL, Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science in July 2022) and included studies that evaluated at least 1 psychometric measurement property of a patient-reported outcome measurement instrument. The protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews under identifier CRD42021260004 and followed the Consensus-Based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments guidelines for systematic reviews.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY
Studies eligible for inclusion were those that assessed the performance of a patient-reported outcome measure for screening for postpartum anxiety. We included studies in which the instruments were subjected to some form of psychometric property assessment in the postpartum maternal population, consisted of at least 2 questions, and were not subscales.
METHODS
This systematic review used the Consensus-Based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines to identify the best patient-reported outcome measurement instrument for examining postpartum anxiety. A risk of bias assessment was performed, and a modified GRADE approach was used to assess the level of evidence with recommendations being made for the overall quality of each instrument.
RESULTS
A total of 28 studies evaluating 13 instruments in 10,570 patients were included. Content validity was sufficient in 9 with 5 instruments receiving a class A recommendation (recommended for use). The Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale, Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale Research Short Form, Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale Research Short Form Covid, Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale-Persian, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory demonstrated adequate content validity and sufficient internal consistency. Nine instruments received a recommendation of class B (further research required). No instrument received a class C recommendation (not recommended for use).
CONCLUSION
Five instruments received a class A recommendation, all with limitations, such as not being specific to the postpartum population, not assessing all domains, lacking generalizability, or evaluation of cross-cultural validity. There is currently no freely available instrument that assess all domains of postpartum anxiety. Future studies are needed to determine the optimum current instrument or to develop and validate a more specific measure for maternal postpartum anxiety.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Anxiety; Patient Reported Outcome Measures; Psychometrics
PubMed: 37402438
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.101076 -
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs Nov 2023There has been a resurgence in psychedelic research for managing psychiatric conditions in recent years. This study aimed to present a comprehensive review of the... (Review)
Review
Efficacy and Safety of Four Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies for Adults with Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
There has been a resurgence in psychedelic research for managing psychiatric conditions in recent years. This study aimed to present a comprehensive review of the current state of the field by applying a systematic search strategy for articles on the effectiveness and tolerability of four psychedelic-assisted therapies (psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide [LSD], 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine [MDMA], and ayahuasca) for adults with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Psychometric scores and adverse events were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis models with Hedges' g bias-corrected standardized mean differences (g) and rate ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Bias evaluation followed PRISMA and Cochrane guidelines. Eighteen studies were identified, which suggested that psychedelic therapies were well tolerated and presented a large effect size for the management of depression symptoms in a transdiagnostic population with psilocybin (g = -1.92, 95% CI, -2.73 to -1.11) and MDMA (g = -0.71; 95% CI, -1.39 to -0.03). These are promising results that complement the current literature. However, evidence certainty was low to very low due to methodological limitations, small sample size, blinding, study heterogeneity, and publication bias. These results also highlight the need for more adequately powered studies exploring these novel therapies.
PubMed: 37968944
DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2023.2278586 -
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2023This systematic review and reliability generalization meta-analysis synthesized psychometric literature on instrumentation assessing child-to-parent violence published... (Review)
Review
This systematic review and reliability generalization meta-analysis synthesized psychometric literature on instrumentation assessing child-to-parent violence published through September 2023 across four databases. In the screening, we identified studies reporting Cronbach's alpha internal consistency estimates for the child-to-parent violence scales. The eligible reliability coefficients ranged from 0.610 to 0.930, mostly exceeding the minimum threshold of 0.700. Random-effects models calculated pooled Cronbach's alphas separately for global, father-specific, and mother-specific subscales. The results demonstrated cumulative values of 0.83 (global: standard error = 0.0129), 0.800 (fathers: standard error = 0.0203), and 0.81 (mothers: standard error = 0.0179), denoting largely adequate reliability. However, significant between-study heterogeneity was observed. While the mean alpha levels seem acceptable for most tools, substantial variability coupled with the possibility of some studies violating reliability assumptions indicates that a conservative interpretation is warranted. Ongoing scale refinement and additional psychometric evaluations will strengthen the rigor methodology in this developing research domain. However, these results should be interpreted with caution, as there is a high level of heterogeneity, and it is possible that some studies have not verified the assumptions underlying Cronbach's alpha.
PubMed: 38132082
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11243192 -
BMC Psychiatry Sep 2023Perinatal depression (PND) is a significant contributor to maternal morbidity globally. Recognized as a major cause of poor infant development, epidemiological and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Perinatal depression (PND) is a significant contributor to maternal morbidity globally. Recognized as a major cause of poor infant development, epidemiological and interventional research on it has increased over the last decade. Recently, studies have pointed out that PND is a heterogeneous condition, with variability in its phenotypes, rather than a homogenous latent entity and a concrete diagnosis, as previously conceptualized in psychometric literature and diagnostic systems. Therefore, it is pertinent that researchers recognize this to progress in elucidating its aetiology and developing efficacious interventions.This systematic review is conducted in accordance with the Meta-analysis of observational studies in epidemiology (MOOSE). It aims to provide an updated and comprehensive account of research on heterogeneity in phenotypes of PND and its implications in research, public health, and clinical practice. It provides a synthesis and quality assessment of studies reporting heterogeneity in PND using cutting-edge statistical techniques and machine learning algorithms. After reporting the phenotypes of PND, based on heterogeneous trajectories and symptom profiles, it also elucidates the risk factors associated with severe forms of PND, followed by robust evidence for adverse child outcomes. Furthermore, recommendations are made to improve public health and clinical practice in screening, diagnosis, and treatment of PND.
Topics: Female; Pregnancy; Humans; Depression; Depressive Disorder; Algorithms; Machine Learning; Phenotype; Observational Studies as Topic
PubMed: 37667216
DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05121-z -
BMJ Open Sep 2023Co-production is promoted as an effective way of improving the quality of health and social care but the diversity of measures used in individual studies makes their... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Co-production is promoted as an effective way of improving the quality of health and social care but the diversity of measures used in individual studies makes their outcomes difficult to interpret.
OBJECTIVE
The objective is to explore how empirical studies in health and social care have described the outcomes of co-production projects and how those outcomes were measured.
DESIGN AND METHODS
A scoping review forms the basis for this systematic review. Search terms for the concepts (co-produc* OR coproduc* OR co-design* OR codesign*) and contexts (health OR 'public service* OR "public sector") were used in: CINAHL with Full Text (EBSCOHost), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled trials (Wiley), MEDLINE (EBSCOHost), PsycINFO (ProQuest), PubMed (legacy) and Scopus (Elsevier). There was no date limit. Papers describing the process, original data and outcomes of co-production were included. Protocols, reviews and theoretical, conceptual and psychometric papers were excluded. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline was followed. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool underpinned the quality of included papers.
RESULTS
43 empirical studies were included. They were conducted in 12 countries, with the UK representing >50% of all papers. No paper was excluded due to the Mixed Methods Quality Appraisal screening and 60% of included papers were mixed methods studies. The extensive use of self-developed study-specific measures hampered comparisons and cumulative knowledge-building. Overall, the studies reported positive outcomes. Co-production was reported to be positively experienced and provided important learning.
CONCLUSIONS
The lack of common approaches to measuring co-production is more problematic than the plurality of measurements itself. Co-production should be measured from three perspectives: outputs of co-production processes, the experiences of participating in co-production processes and outcomes of co-production. Both self-developed study-specific measures and established measures should be used. The maturity of this research field would benefit from the development and use of reporting guidelines.
Topics: Humans; Social Support; Empirical Research; Knowledge; Learning; MEDLINE
PubMed: 37739472
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-073808 -
BMC Public Health Nov 2023Compassion is closely linked to psychological well-being, and several assessment tools have been developed and studied to assess the level of compassion in different... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Compassion is closely linked to psychological well-being, and several assessment tools have been developed and studied to assess the level of compassion in different populations and for more precise measurement. There is currently a scarcity of comprehensive knowledge about compassion-related assessment tools, and our research provides an overview of these tools.
AIMS
To identify scales used to measure compassion from different flows, and to assess their measurement properties and quality.
METHODS
Focusing on compassion assessment tools, the authors conducted a thorough search of 10 Chinese and English databases from their establishment until August 14, 2022. Data extracted included the author, year, country, objectives, target population, as well as the primary evaluation content. Using the COSMIN checklist, the methodological quality and measurement properties of the included studies were appraised. This scoping review was registered with the Open Science Framework and followed the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) checklist.
RESULTS
There were 15,965 papers searched, and 36 compassion-related measurement tools were identified in this study. None of the 36 studies provided possessed all nine psychometric properties, as outlined by the COSMIN criteria. On the basis of a systematic evaluation of quality, measurement qualities were ranked. The results for internal consistency and content validity were relatively favorable, whereas the results for structural validity were variable and the results for the remaining attributes were either uncertain or negative. A Venn diagram was used to illustrate the overlapping groups of compassion measurement tools based on the three-way flow of compassion. An overview of the reference instrument and theoretical basis for the included studies was provided, and half of them did not contain any theoretical or scale-based evidence.
CONCLUSION
In this study, 36 compassion-related measuring instruments were identified, and the methodological quality and measurement properties of the included studies were acceptable. The included measurements were consistent with flows of compassion. A further focus of further research should be on developing theories in the compassion domain and developing instruments for measuring compassion that are multidimensional, multi-populations, and culturally relevant.
Topics: Humans; Self Report; Empathy; Checklist; Psychometrics; Psychological Well-Being; Reproducibility of Results
PubMed: 37996796
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17178-2 -
Journal of Affective Disorders Oct 2023Cognitive deficits are a core feature of bipolar disorder (BD) that persist during the euthymic phase and affect global functioning. However, nowadays, there is no... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Cognitive deficits are a core feature of bipolar disorder (BD) that persist during the euthymic phase and affect global functioning. However, nowadays, there is no consensus on the optimal tool to capture cognitive deficits in BD. Therefore, this review aims to examine the psychometric properties of tools commonly used to assess cognitive functioning in BD.
METHODS
Literature search was conducted on PubMed and Web of Science databases on August 1, 2022 and on April 20, 2023, yielding 1758 de-duplicated records. Thirteen studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in the review.
RESULTS
All tools examined showed acceptable-to-good psychometric properties suggesting that both brief cognitive screeners and comprehensive batteries may be appropriate for detecting or monitoring cognitive changes in BD.
LIMITATIONS
Methodological differences between the included studies precluded a direct comparison of the results. Further research is needed to investigate the psychometric properties of cognitive tools that assess also affective and social cognition.
CONCLUSIONS
The tools examined appear sensitive enough to distinguish between BD patients with versus without cognitive deficits, however, an optimal tool has not yet been identified. The applicability and clinical utility of the tools may depend on multiple factors such as available resources. That said, web-based instruments are expected to become the first-choice instrument for cognitive screening as they can be applied on a large scale and at an affordable cost. As for second-level assessment instruments, the BACA shows robust psychometric properties and tests both affective and non-affective cognition.
Topics: Humans; Bipolar Disorder; Psychometrics; Neuropsychological Tests; Cognition; Cognitive Dysfunction
PubMed: 37331381
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.06.026 -
Addiction (Abingdon, England) Dec 2023Craving is central in the definition of addictive disorders because of its diagnostic and prognostic value. Its measurement is essential in clinical practice. Previous... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Craving is central in the definition of addictive disorders because of its diagnostic and prognostic value. Its measurement is essential in clinical practice. Previous reviews provided a better overview of existing instruments; however, they do not consider emerging substances and behaviors such as sexual addictions. Our objectives were threefold: (1) to provide a systematic review of craving assessment instruments and their psychometric characteristics within a transdiagnostic approach, (2) to highlight and map their conceptual relationships and (3) to identify potential sexual craving assessment instruments.
METHODS
The review was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology. The PubMed, Embase, PsychInfo and Cochrane/Central databases were searched for publications that met the following inclusion criterion: validation studies of craving assessment instruments, regardless of target substance or behavior. The original search identified 4561 references and included 147 articles. Each selected study was a peer-reviewed publication.
RESULTS
This review provides a synthesis of the psychometric properties of 36 original instruments and identified 93 variations of these instruments (e.g. translations). We were able to highlight five transdiagnostic families of instruments, each corresponding to a conceptual model. Only one instrument for assessing craving in the domain of compulsive sexual behavior, focused on pornography use, has been identified: the Pornography Craving Questionnaire.
CONCLUSION
This review mapped all craving assessment instruments from a transdiagnostic perspective, finding 36 original instruments and 93 variations. The evolution of instruments to measure craving mirrors the evolution of the concept of craving which has progressively integrated cognitive, conditioning and sensory dimensions, and attests to the importance of the context of assessment. Development of an instrument to measure 'sexual craving' is needed and could be based on the data from our review.
Topics: Humans; Craving; Sexual Behavior; Behavior, Addictive; Compulsive Behavior; Surveys and Questionnaires; Psychometrics
PubMed: 37493019
DOI: 10.1111/add.16287 -
Psychopathology Mar 2024Orthorexia nervosa (ON), characterized by a pathological preoccupation with "extreme dietary purity," is increasingly observed as a mental health condition among young... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Orthorexia nervosa (ON), characterized by a pathological preoccupation with "extreme dietary purity," is increasingly observed as a mental health condition among young adults and the general population. However, its diagnosis is not formally recognized and has remained contentious.
OBJECTIVE
In this systematic review, we attempt to overview previous reviews on ON, focusing on the methodological and conceptual issues with ON. This would serve both as a summary and a way to highlight gaps in earlier research.
METHODS
This systematic review took reference from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines, and using combinations of the search terms ("orthorexia" OR "orthorexia nervosa" OR "ON") AND ("review" OR "systematic review" OR "meta-analysis"), a literature search was performed on EMBASE, Medline and PsycINFO databases from inception up to October 31, 2023. Articles were included if (1) they were written or translated into English and (2) contained information pertaining to the diagnostic stability or validity of ON, or instruments used to measure ON symptoms and behaviors. Only review articles with a systematic literature search approach were included.
RESULTS
A total of 22 reviews were qualitatively reviewed. Several studies have reported variable prevalence of ON and highlighted the lack of thoroughly evaluated measures of ON with clear psychometric properties, with no reliable estimates. ORTO-15 and its variations such as ORTO-11, ORTO-12 are popularly used, although their use is discouraged. Existing instruments lack specificity for pathology and several disagreements on the conceptualization and hence diagnostic criteria of ON exist.
DISCUSSION
Previous reviews have consistently highlighted the highly variable (and contradictory) prevalence rates with different instruments to measure ON, lack of stable factor structure and psychometrics across ON measures, paucity of data on ON in clinical samples, and a need for a modern re-conceptualization of ON. The diagnosis of ON is challenging as it likely spans a spectrum from "normal" to "abnormal," and "functional" to "dysfunctional." "Non-pathological" orthorexia is not related to psychopathological constructs in the same way that ON is.
PubMed: 38432209
DOI: 10.1159/000536379