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Molecular Psychiatry Jun 2023Comorbid mental disorders in subjects at clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR-P) may impact preventive care. We conducted a PRISMA/MOOSE-compliant systematic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Comorbid mental disorders in subjects at clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR-P) may impact preventive care. We conducted a PRISMA/MOOSE-compliant systematic meta-analysis, searching PubMed/PsycInfo up to June 21st, 2021 for observational studies/randomized controlled trials reporting on comorbid DSM/ICD-mental disorders in CHR-P subjects ( protocol ). The primary and secondary outcomes were baseline and follow-up prevalence of comorbid mental disorders. We also explored the association of comorbid mental disorders compared with CHR-P versus psychotic/non-psychotic control groups, their impact on baseline functioning and transition to psychosis. We conducted random-effects meta-analyses, meta-regression, and assessed heterogeneity/publication bias/quality (Newcastle Ottawa Scale, NOS). We included 312 studies (largest meta-analyzed sample = 7834, any anxiety disorder, mean age = 19.98 (3.40), females = 43.88%, overall NOS > 6 in 77.6% of studies). The prevalence was 0.78 (95% CI = 0.73-0.82, k = 29) for any comorbid non-psychotic mental disorder, 0.60 (95% CI = 0.36-0.84, k = 3) for anxiety/mood disorders, 0.44 (95% CI = 0.39-0.49, k = 48) for any mood disorders, 0.38 (95% CI = 0.33-0.42, k = 50) for any depressive disorder/episode, 0.34 (95% CI = 0.30-0.38, k = 69) for any anxiety disorder, 0.30 (95% CI 0.25-0.35, k = 35) for major depressive disorders, 0.29 (95% CI, 0.08-0.51, k = 3) for any trauma-related disorder, 0.23 (95% CI = 0.17-0.28, k = 24) for any personality disorder, and <0.23 in other mental disorders (I > 50% in 71.01% estimates). The prevalence of any comorbid mental disorder decreased over time (0.51, 95% CI = 0.25-0.77 over 96 months), except any substance use which increased (0.19, 95% CI = 0.00-0.39, k = 2, >96 months). Compared with controls, the CHR-P status was associated with a higher prevalence of anxiety, schizotypal personality, panic, and alcohol use disorders (OR from 2.90 to 1.54 versus without psychosis), a higher prevalence of anxiety/mood disorders (OR = 9.30 to 2.02) and lower prevalence of any substance use disorder (OR = 0.41, versus psychosis). Higher baseline prevalence of alcohol use disorder/schizotypal personality disorder was negatively associated with baseline functioning (beta from -0.40 to -0.15), while dysthymic disorder/generalized anxiety disorder with higher functioning (beta 0.59 to 1.49). Higher baseline prevalence of any mood disorder/generalized anxiety disorder/agoraphobia (beta from -2.39 to -0.27) was negatively associated with transition to psychosis. In conclusion, over three-quarters of CHR-P subjects have comorbid mental disorders, which modulate baseline functionig and transition to psychosis. Transdiagnostic mental health assessment should be warranted in subjects at CHR-P.
Topics: Female; Humans; Young Adult; Agoraphobia; Alcoholism; Depressive Disorder, Major; Prevalence; Psychotic Disorders; Male; Adolescent
PubMed: 37296309
DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02029-8 -
The British Journal of Clinical... Sep 2022We reviewed the evidence regarding the effectiveness of schema therapy for anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and posttraumatic stress disorder...
OBJECTIVES
We reviewed the evidence regarding the effectiveness of schema therapy for anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
METHODS
This systematic review followed the recommendation of the PRISMA guidelines. A database search (PsycINFO, MEDLINE, EMBASE, WEB OF SCIENCE, and Academic Search Ultimate) was conducted to identify eligible studies up until 2 April 2021. The search included the keywords ('schema therap*' or 'schema group therap*' or 'schema mode therap*' or 'schema focused' or 'young's model') and ('anxiety disorder*' or 'anxiety-related disorder*' or 'agoraphobia' or 'health anxiety' or 'phobi*' or 'panic disorder' or 'obsessive compulsive disorder' or 'OCD' or 'posttraumatic stress' or 'post traumatic stress' or 'PTSD' or 'hypochondria' or 'axis 1'). Included studies were appraised on methodological quality according to the Psychotherapy Outcome study Methodology Rating Form.
RESULTS
We identified 41 studies that were eligible based on the topic. However, only six (comprising 316 anxiety, OCD, and PTSD patients) could be included despite lenient methodological inclusion/exclusion criteria. Results showed that schema therapy can lead to beneficial effects in disorder-specific symptoms and early maladaptive schemas. Yet, we also uncovered substantial methodological limitations in most studies.
CONCLUSIONS
Schema therapy is a promising treatment for anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. Yet, there is a systematic problem in the quality of research despite growing clinical interest and application. We therefore concluded with a research agenda presenting recommendations for future research that will be crucial for building a solid evidence-base for schema therapy in chronic anxiety, OCD, and PTSD.
PRACTITIONER POINTS
A systematic review on the effectiveness of schema therapy for anxiety disorders, OCD, and PTSD. Preliminary but limited evidence that schema therapy leads to beneficial effects in disorder-specific symptoms. Preliminary but limited evidence that schema therapy leads to beneficial effects in early maladaptive schemas in anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. More research of higher methodological quality is needed to provide more conclusive empirical support for the use of schema therapy for anxiety, OCD, and PTSD.
Topics: Anxiety Disorders; Humans; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Psychotherapy; Schema Therapy; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
PubMed: 34296767
DOI: 10.1111/bjc.12324 -
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2023This systematic review examined the existing literature to determine the evidence supporting the efficacy of online group treatments for anxiety-, obsessive-compulsive-...
BACKGROUND
This systematic review examined the existing literature to determine the evidence supporting the efficacy of online group treatments for anxiety-, obsessive-compulsive- and trauma-related disorders (AOTDs).
METHODS
A systematic review using the PUBMED, PsycInfo, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials databases with no language, date, or study design filters was performed. The inclusion criteria comprised studies that examined individuals who had received a formal diagnosis of AOTDs, were aged 18 years or older, and had baseline and endpoint assessments of symptom severity using formal tools.
RESULTS
Five studies on social anxiety disorder (SAD), four on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and one on tic disorders (TDs) were found. The studies were open-label ( = 2) and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) ( = 8), with five of the RCTs being non-inferiority trials. Most studies were conducted in the US and investigated psychological CBT based interventions via internet-based therapies (IBT: = 4), video teleconferencing (VTC: = 5) or a combination of both ( = 1). In SAD, IBT studies associated with a clinician assisted web-based forum (here termed "forum-enhanced" studies) were superior to waiting lists and not inferior to similar versions that were also "forum enhanced" but self-guided, "telephone enhanced" by a contact with a non-specialist, and "email enhanced" by a contact with a clinician individually. Studies involving VTC have shown comparable effectiveness to in-person interventions across some online group CBT based treatments for PTSD. Two open trials also demonstrated symptoms reductions of social anxiety and tics through VTC.
CONCLUSION
There is evidence supporting the effectiveness of online group treatments for SAD and PTSD. Further studies from different research groups may be needed to replicate the use of these and other forms of online treatments in individuals with SAD, PTSD, and other clinical populations, such as OCD, panic disorder, agoraphobia and specific phobias.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42023408491.
PubMed: 38273884
DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1286865 -
Clinical Psychology Review Aug 2019Recent advances in clinical practice emphasise transdiagnostic interventions as an effective alternative to single disorder approaches. This current systematic review... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Recent advances in clinical practice emphasise transdiagnostic interventions as an effective alternative to single disorder approaches. This current systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the treatment efficacy of the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP) across internalising disorders, as an emotion regulation (ER) based intervention program. Across 15 studies and 1244 participants, large effect size reductions were found across symptoms of anxiety, depression, generalised anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder with/without agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, and borderline personality disorder. In addition, there were moderate effect sizes indicating increased use of adaptive and decreased use of maladaptive ER strategies, highlighting the UP as an effective ER based intervention. Secondary treatment benefits in functional impairment and quality of life were also evident. Implications on future transdiagnostic ER based research are discussed.
Topics: Anxiety Disorders; Borderline Personality Disorder; Clinical Protocols; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Depressive Disorder; Emotional Regulation; Humans; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Outcome Assessment, Health Care
PubMed: 31271848
DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2019.101751 -
Journal of Affective Disorders Aug 2021Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent and cause substantial personal, social and economic burden. Altered attentional control has been shown to be present across... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent and cause substantial personal, social and economic burden. Altered attentional control has been shown to be present across anxiety disorders and is associated with specific changes in brain activity which can be recorded by electroencephalogram (EEG). These include changes in the EEG markers of error-related negativity (ERN) and correct-response negativity (CRN), both believed to reflect response monitoring and attentional control pathophysiology in anxiety. The aim of this review was to systematically assess the research on ERN and CRN in attentional control in individuals with clinical anxiety and healthy controls, across emotional and non-emotional attentional control.
METHODS
A comprehensive literature search was conducted for studies published prior to October 22, 2020. Details of the protocol for this systematic review were registered on PROSPERO (CRD42019144885).
RESULTS
66 studies had their data extracted. All 66 studies measured ERN, with 85% finding significantly increased ERN amplitudes associated with clinical anxiety. Only 44 of the extracted studies analysed CRN and only ~20% of these found significant changes in CRN amplitude associated with individuals with clinical anxiety.
LIMITATIONS
There were several anxiety disorders that had either limited literature (i.e. specific phobia, separation anxiety disorder or agoraphobia) or nil literature (i.e. selective mutism) available. No extracted studies included samples of older adults (i.e. aged 60+ years), and only six extracted studies included measures of emotional attentional control.
CONCLUSIONS
Findings indicate the promising utility of ERN of attentional control as a robust, transdiagnostic trait marker of clinical anxiety.
Topics: Aged; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Attention; Electroencephalography; Evoked Potentials; Humans; Reaction Time
PubMed: 34038831
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.04.049 -
Psychological Medicine Jan 2023Digital interventions for anxiety disorders are a promising solution to address barriers to evidence-based treatment access. Precise and powerful estimates of digital... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Digital interventions for anxiety disorders are a promising solution to address barriers to evidence-based treatment access. Precise and powerful estimates of digital intervention effectiveness for anxiety disorders are necessary for further adoption in practice. The present systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effectiveness of digital interventions across all anxiety disorders and specific to each disorder wait-list and care-as-usual controls.
METHODS
A systematic search of bibliographic databases identified 15 030 abstracts from inception to 1 January 2020. Forty-seven randomized controlled trials (53 comparisons; 4958 participants) contributed to the meta-analysis. Subgroup analyses were conducted by an anxiety disorder, risk of bias, treatment support, recruitment, location and treatment adherence.
RESULTS
A large, pooled effect size of = 0.80 [95% Confidence Interval: 0.68-0.93] was found in favor of digital interventions. Moderate to large pooled effect sizes favoring digital interventions were found for generalized anxiety disorder ( = 0.62), mixed anxiety samples ( = 0.68), panic disorder with or without agoraphobia ( = 1.08) and social anxiety disorder ( = 0.76) subgroups. No subgroups were significantly different or related to the pooled effect size. Notably, the effects of guided interventions ( = 0.84) and unguided interventions ( = 0.64) were not significantly different. Supplemental analysis comparing digital and face-to-face interventions (9 comparisons; 683 participants) found no significant difference in effect [ = 0.14 favoring digital interventions; Confidence Interval: -0.01 to 0.30].
CONCLUSION
The precise and powerful estimates found further justify the application of digital interventions for anxiety disorders in place of wait-list or usual care.
Topics: Humans; Anxiety Disorders; Panic Disorder; Phobia, Social; Treatment Outcome; Anxiety
PubMed: 34047264
DOI: 10.1017/S0033291721001999 -
Depression and Anxiety Sep 2019Prospective cohorts have suggested that physical activity (PA) can decrease the risk of incident anxiety. However, no meta-analysis has been conducted. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Prospective cohorts have suggested that physical activity (PA) can decrease the risk of incident anxiety. However, no meta-analysis has been conducted.
AIMS
To examine the prospective relationship between PA and incident anxiety and explore potential moderators.
METHODS
Searches were conducted on major databases from inception to October 10, 2018 for prospective studies (at least 1 year of follow-up) that calculated the odds ratio (OR) of incident anxiety in people with high PA against people with low PA. Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted and heterogeneity was explored using subgroup and meta-regression analysis.
RESULTS
Across 14 cohorts of 13 unique prospective studies (N = 75,831, median males = 50.1%) followed for 357,424 person-years, people with high self-reported PA (versus low PA) were at reduced odds of developing anxiety (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.74; 95% confidence level [95% CI] = 0.62, 0.88; crude OR = 0.80; 95% CI = 0.69, 0.92). High self-reported PA was protective against the emergence of agoraphobia (AOR = 0.42; 95% CI = 0.18, 0.98) and posttraumatic stress disorder (AOR = 0.57; 95% CI = 0.39, 0.85). The protective effects for anxiety were evident in Asia (AOR = 0.31; 95% CI = 0.10, 0.96) and Europe (AOR = 0.82; 95% CI = 0.69, 0.97); for children/adolescents (AOR = 0.52; 95% CI = 0.29, 0.90) and adults (AOR = 0.81; 95% CI = 0.69, 0.95). Results remained robust when adjusting for confounding factors. Overall study quality was moderate to high (mean NOS = 6.7 out of 9).
CONCLUSION
Evidence supports the notion that self-reported PA can confer protection against the emergence of anxiety regardless of demographic factors. In particular, higher PA levels protects from agoraphobia and posttraumatic disorder.
Topics: Agoraphobia; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Asia; Europe; Exercise; Humans; Odds Ratio; Prospective Studies; Self Report; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
PubMed: 31209958
DOI: 10.1002/da.22915 -
Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism Feb 2021Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic widespread pain condition that overlaps with multiple comorbid health conditions and contributes to considerable patient distress. The aim...
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic widespread pain condition that overlaps with multiple comorbid health conditions and contributes to considerable patient distress. The aim of this review was to provide a systematic overview of psychiatric and chronic pain comorbidities among patients diagnosed with FM and to inform the development of recommendations for the design of clinical trials. Thirty-one, cross-sectional, clinical epidemiology studies that evaluated patients diagnosed with FM were included for review. None of the reviewed studies reported on the incidence of these comorbidities. Sample size-weighted prevalence estimates were calculated when prevalence data were reported in 2 or more studies for the same comorbid condition. The most prevalent comorbidity across all studies reviewed was depression/major depressive disorder (MDD) with over half of the patients included having this diagnosis in their lifetime (weighted prevalence up to 63%). In addition, nearly one-third of FM patients examined had current or lifetime bipolar disorder, panic disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Less common psychiatric disorders reported included generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and specific phobias (agoraphobia, social phobia). There were fewer studies that examined chronic pain comorbidities among FM patients, but when evaluated, prevalence was also high ranging from 39% to 76% (i.e., chronic tension-type or migraine headache, irritable bowel syndrome, myofascial pain syndrome, and temporomandibular disorders). The results of the review suggest that depression and chronic pain conditions involving head/jaw pain and IBS were elevated among FM patients compared to other conditions in the clinic-based studies. In contrast, anxiety-related disorders were much less common. Addressing the presence of these comorbid health conditions in clinical trials of treatments for FM would increase the generalizability and real-world applicability of FM research.
Topics: Chronic Pain; Comorbidity; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depressive Disorder, Major; Fibromyalgia; Humans; Prevalence
PubMed: 33383293
DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2020.10.006 -
The Psychiatric Quarterly Dec 2021We compare the relative efficacy of virtual reality therapy exposure (VRET) versus in vivo therapy exposure among individuals suffering from phobias. A systematic search... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
We compare the relative efficacy of virtual reality therapy exposure (VRET) versus in vivo therapy exposure among individuals suffering from phobias. A systematic search was completed up to 03 April 2020, using the following databases: ACM Digital Library, ResearchGate, IEEE, Science Direct, MIT PressJournals, Center for Direct Scientific Communication (CCSD) and Mary Ann Liebert Publishers. Five authors searched the databases using the following terms: Virtual Reality, Phobia, Mental health, Computing, Therapy, HMD, CAVE, Virtual ambient, in virtuo, Avoidance, Exposure, VRET, in vivo, Anxiety, Agoraphobia, Social Phobia, Stimuli, Cognitive-behaviour. All studies that evaluate the effect of in virtuo exposure towards phobia rehabilitation were selected. By reviewing the article, each author then applied the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and 30 articles were selected. Data extracted included the number of samples, amount of sessions, study variables that may affect the final outcome, therapy technology. The data provided was synthesized using a meta-analysis based on the results. The results demonstrated a positive outcome of Virtual Reality Exposure Treatment in the treatment of most phobias. In contrast, some of these treatments did not work for a few specific phobias in which the standard procedures were more effective. The findings suggest that for some specific phobias treatment, Virtual Reality Exposure Treatment does not reach the in vivo exposure level of immersion and presence. Further research is needed to perform studies with higher-dimension samples, since many papers report a low sample size and that is probably why many of them have inconclusive results.
Topics: Anxiety Disorders; Humans; Implosive Therapy; Phobic Disorders; Virtual Reality; Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy
PubMed: 34173160
DOI: 10.1007/s11126-021-09935-6 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2021The high incidence of phobias and the limited accessibility of psychotherapy are the reasons for the search for alternative treatments that increase the availability of...
The high incidence of phobias and the limited accessibility of psychotherapy are the reasons for the search for alternative treatments that increase the availability of effective treatment. The use of virtual reality (VR) technology is an option with the potential to overcome the barriers in obtaining an effective treatment. VR exposure therapy (VRET) is based on a very similar rationale for exposure therapy. The study aimed to answer the question of how to perform exposure therapy in a virtual reality environment so that it is effective. A systematic review of the literature, using PRISMA guidelines, was performed. After analysis of 362 records, 11 research papers on agoraphobia, 28 papers on social phobia and 10 about specific phobias were selected for this review. VRET in agoraphobia and social phobia is effective when performed from 8 to 12 sessions, on average once a week for at least 15 min. In turn, the treatment of specific phobias is effective even in the form of one longer session, lasting 45-180 min. Head mounted displays are an effective technology for VRET. Increasing the frequency of sessions and adding drug therapy may shorten the overall treatment duration. The effectiveness of VRET in phobias is greater without concomitant psychiatric comorbidity and on the condition of inducing and maintaining in the patient an experience of immersion in the VR environment. Long-term studies show a sustained effect of VRET in the treatment of phobias. A large number of studies on in VR exposure therapy in phobias allows for the formulation of some recommendations on how to perform VRET, enabling the effective treatment. The review also indicates the directions of further VRET research in the treatment of phobias.
PubMed: 34621197
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.737351