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Journal of Affective Disorders Jun 2023To assess whether working memory training will relieve anxiety in participants. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether working memory training will relieve anxiety in participants.
METHODS
The PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and ProQuest databases were searched up to January 25, 2022. We included random controlled trials with low to moderate risk of bias in comparing working memory training with control condition as the only intervention in treating anxiety (PROSPERO ID: CRD42022300404). The language was restricted to English. Data extraction was independently carried out by two authors, following the PRISMA guideline for systematic reviews.
RESULTS
Of the 477 records identified, 19 studies (n = 1051) were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that the post-training anxiety was reduced with a small but significant value (Hedge's g = -0.392, p = .009) by working memory training. Subgroup analyses confirmed that the moderating effect of anxiety type, anxiety measurement and training environment were significant.
LIMITATIONS
These results should be considered with caution for the heterogeneity of training paradigms, participant population and types of anxiety assessed between studies. Further research is required to support these results.
CONCLUSIONS
Working memory training is a promising intervention to relieve anxiety symptoms.
Topics: Humans; Cognitive Training; Anxiety Disorders; Anxiety
PubMed: 36958492
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.03.045 -
BMC Psychiatry Oct 2023Historically, religion has had a central role in shaping the psychosocial and moral development of young people. While religiosity and spirituality have been linked to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Historically, religion has had a central role in shaping the psychosocial and moral development of young people. While religiosity and spirituality have been linked to positive mental health outcomes in adults, their role during the developmental context of adolescence, and the mechanisms through which such beliefs might operate, is less well understood. Moreover, there is some evidence that negative aspects of religiosity are associated with poor mental health outcomes. Guided by lived experience consultants, we undertook a systematic review and quality appraisal of 45 longitudinal studies and 29 intervention studies identified from three electronic databases (Medline, PsycINFO and Scopus) exploring the role of religiosity and spiritual involvement (formal and informal) in prevention and management of depression and anxiety in young people aged 10 to 24 years. Most studies were from high-income countries and of low to moderate quality. Meta-analysis of high-quality longitudinal studies (assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools, n = 25) showed a trend towards association of negative religious coping (i.e., feeling abandoned by or blaming God) with greater depressive symptoms over time (Pearson's r = 0.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.009, 0.188) whereas spiritual wellbeing was protective against depression (Pearson's r = -0.153, CI -0.187, -0.118). Personal importance of religion was not associated with depressive symptoms overall (Pearson's r = -0.024, CI-0.053, 0.004). Interventions that involved religious and spiritual practices for depression and anxiety in young people were mostly effective, although the study quality was typically low and the heterogeneity in study designs did not allow for a meta-analysis. The lived experience consultants described spirituality and religious involvement as central to their way of life and greatly valued feeling watched over during difficult times. While we require more evidence from low- and middle-income countries, in younger adolescents and for anxiety disorders, the review provides insight into how spirituality and religious involvement could be harnessed to design novel psychological interventions for depression and anxiety in young people.Review RegistrationThe systematic review was funded by Wellcome Trust Mental Health Priority Area 'Active Ingredients' 2021 commission and registered with PROSPERO 2021 (CRD42021281912).
Topics: Adult; Adolescent; Humans; Spirituality; Depression; Religion; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Adaptation, Psychological
PubMed: 37817143
DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05091-2 -
Environmental Research Dec 2020Exposure to transportation noise is hypothesized to contribute to anxiety, but consistent associations have not been established. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Exposure to transportation noise is hypothesized to contribute to anxiety, but consistent associations have not been established.
OBJECTIVE
To provide a comprehensive synthesis of the literature by examining associations between traffic-related noise (i.e., road traffic noise, railway noise, aircraft noise and mixed traffic noise) and anxiety.
METHODS
We systematically searched Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, PubMed, and PsycINFO for English-language observational studies published up to February 2020 reporting on the traffic noise-anxiety association. We appraised the risk of bias using an assessment tool and the quality of evidence following established guidelines. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed for pooled and separated traffic-related noise sources.
RESULTS
Of the 3575 studies identified, 11 fulfilled the inclusion criteria and 9 studies were appropriate for meta-analysis. For the pooled overall effect size between transport noise and anxiety, we found 9% higher odds of anxiety associated with a 10 dB(A) increase in day-evening-night noise level (L), with moderate heterogeneity (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: [0.97; 1.23], I = 70%). The association was more likely to be significant with more severe anxiety (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: [1.01; 1.15], I = 48%). Sub-group analysis revealed that the effects of different noise sources on anxiety were inconsistent and insignificant. The quality of evidence was rated as very low to low.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings support the hypothesis of an association between traffic noise and more severe anxiety. More high-quality studies are needed to confirm associations between different noise types and anxiety, as well as to better understand underlying mechanisms.
Topics: Aircraft; Anxiety; Environmental Exposure; Noise, Transportation; Transportation
PubMed: 32835678
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110118 -
Epilepsia May 2021Absence seizures (AS), presenting as short losses of consciousness with staring spells, are a common manifestation of childhood epilepsy that is associated with... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Absence seizures (AS), presenting as short losses of consciousness with staring spells, are a common manifestation of childhood epilepsy that is associated with behavioral, emotional, and social impairments. It has also been suggested that patients with AS are more likely to suffer from mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizes human and animal models that investigated mood disorders and AS. Of the 1019 scientific publications identified, 35 articles met the inclusion criteria for this review. We found that patients with AS had greater odds of developing depression and anxiety when compared to controls (odds ratio = 4.93, 95% confidence interval = 2.91-8.35, p < .01). The included studies further suggest a strong correlation between AS and depression and anxiety in the form of a bidirectional relationship. The current literature emphasizes that these conditions likely share underlying mechanisms, such as genetic predisposition, neurophysiology, and anatomical pathways. Further research will clarify this relationship and ensure more effective treatment for AS and mood disorders.
Topics: Animals; Anxiety; Depression; Epilepsy, Absence; Humans; Seizures
PubMed: 33751566
DOI: 10.1111/epi.16862 -
Journal of Affective Disorders Oct 2023The aim of this review was to identify and critically appraise predictors and moderators of outcomes of psychological and pharmacological treatments for late-life... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The aim of this review was to identify and critically appraise predictors and moderators of outcomes of psychological and pharmacological treatments for late-life anxiety disorders. Their identification may guide the development of personalised treatments for older people with anxiety disorders.
METHODS
Web of Science, PsychINFO, CINAHL, Embase, and Pubmed were searched for studies published up to 12 May 2022. Randomised controlled trials and observational studies reporting treatment predictors and moderators were included. Participants with a diagnosis of any anxiety disorder who were aged over 60 years were included. Treatment outcomes included response, remission, and change in anxiety score.
RESULTS
Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Twenty-three out of 49 predictors or moderators assessed at post-treatment, and 14 out of 33 predictors or moderators assessed at follow-up were statistically significant. Only one predictor, baseline worry severity at post-treatment, was reported in at least three studies. Most studies were rated as having a low risk of bias in at least three areas and satisfied important quality criteria for predictor and moderator analyses.
LIMITATIONS
Samples were predominantly white, female and highly educated, and most studies were secondary analyses.
CONCLUSIONS
There is evidence that baseline worry severity appears to predict treatment outcome in late-life anxiety disorders. However, this was only explored in psychological intervention studies and therefore its predictive ability in pharmacotherapy remains unknown. Future research should explore predictors and moderators in a range of anxiety disorders and design methodologically-strong and adequately-powered studies with the primary aim of assessing predictors of treatment outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Female; Middle Aged; Aged; Anxiety Disorders; Anxiety; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 37442444
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.07.057 -
Breast (Edinburgh, Scotland) Apr 2022Psychoeducation has emerged as an intervention for women with breast cancer (BC). This meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of psychoeducation on adherence to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Psychoeducation has emerged as an intervention for women with breast cancer (BC). This meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of psychoeducation on adherence to diagnostic procedures and medical treatment, anxiety, depression, quality of life (QoL), and BC knowledge among patients with BC symptoms or diagnosis and BC survivors.
METHODS
A systematic literature search (in PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO and Cochrane) for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effects of psychoeducation to control among patients with BC symptoms or diagnosis and BC survivors. Effects were expressed as relative risks (RRs) and standardized mean differences (SMDs) with their 95% confidence intervals.
RESULTS
Twenty-seven RCTs (7742 participants; 3880 psychoeducation and 3862 controls) were included. Compared with controls, psychoeducation had no significant effect on adherence to diagnostic procedures and medical treatment (RR 1.553; 95% CI 0.733 to 3.290, p = .16), but it significantly decreased anxiety (SMD -0.710, 95% CI -1.395 to -0.027, p = .04) and improved QoL with (SMD 0.509; 95% CI 0.096 to 0.923, p < .01). No effects were found for psychoeducation on depression (SMD -0.243, 95% CI -0.580 to 0.091, p = .14), or BC knowledge (SMD 0.718, 95% CI -0.800 to 2.236, p = .23).
CONCLUSION
We demonstrated that psychoeducation did not improve adherence to diagnostic procedures and treatment, depression and BC knowledge but was valuable for reducing anxiety and improving QoL. Future studies may explore the effectiveness of psychoeducation in promoting adherence across various types of cancer.
Topics: Anxiety; Breast Neoplasms; Depression; Female; Humans; Quality of Life; Survivors
PubMed: 35121502
DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2022.01.005 -
Journal of Integrative Medicine Jan 2021Acupuncture therapy has shown promise for effectively relieving preoperative anxiety. Nevertheless, previous findings from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Acupuncture therapy has shown promise for effectively relieving preoperative anxiety. Nevertheless, previous findings from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are inconsistent and must be examined in detail.
OBJECTIVE
This study systematically evaluates the efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy for preoperative anxiety as well as the quality of evidence supporting this application.
SEARCH STRATEGY
The China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, Wanfang Data Journal Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chongqing VIP, Embase, PubMed and Cochrane Library Databases were queried from their inception to 19, February 2020, using keywords such as "acupuncture therapy," "preoperative" and "anxioty." Manual searches expanded the search breadth and included conference abstracts and other reference lists.
INCLUSION CRITERIA
RCTs were included in the current study if they contained a comparison between a group of anxiety patients that received acupuncture therapy and a control group that received sham acupuncture.
DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS
Literature was reviewed, and various articles were selected using the NoteExpress 3.2.0 software. Two researchers independently screened and extracted data and evaluated the risk of bias in the included studies. The RevMan 5.3 software was used for data aggregation and the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) assessment was used to evaluate the quality of the study outcomes.
RESULTS
Twelve studies were included in the review, containing a total of 916 patients. Meta-analysis showed that, compared with the control group, patients who received acupuncture therapy had reduced State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Scale (STAI-S) score (mean difference [MD] = -9.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] [-13.19 to -4.96], P < 0.0001) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score (MD = -1.37, 95% CI [-2.29 to -0.45], P = 0.003). However, for the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) score, there was no difference between the two groups (MD = -3.98, 95% CI [-12.89 to 4.92], P = 0.38). Further, the GRADE assessment demonstrated that the STAI-S was of moderate quality, the VAS of low quality and the HAMA of very low quality.
CONCLUSION
Acupuncture therapy may be able to decrease anxiety in preoperative patients, but the results need to be further verified due to the small sample sizes and the low quality of evidence to date.
Topics: Acupuncture Therapy; Anxiety; China; Humans; Preoperative Period; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 33288487
DOI: 10.1016/j.joim.2020.10.007 -
International Journal of Environmental... Sep 2022Although numerous studies have found that maternal anxiety is a risk factor for the development of children's problem behaviors, and there is a possible role of genes in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Although numerous studies have found that maternal anxiety is a risk factor for the development of children's problem behaviors, and there is a possible role of genes in the association between the two. And anxious mothers caring for their children can also affect the development of children's problem behaviors. However, there is also considerable evidence from studies that refute this view. This study used a meta-analysis to explore the relationship between maternal anxiety and preschool children's problem behaviors. Through literature retrieval and selection, in terms of the criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis, 88 independent effect sizes (34 studies, 295,032 participants) were picked out as meta-analysis units. The test for heterogeneity illustrated that there was significant heterogeneity in 88 independent effect sizes, while the random effects model was an appropriate model for the subsequent meta-analysis. The publication bias test indicated that the impact of publication bias was modest but the major findings remained valid. In addition, in terms of the tentative review analysis and research hypotheses, the random effects model was used as a meta-analysis model. The research revealed that maternal anxiety was significantly positively correlated with preschool children's internalizing problem behaviors, externalizing problem behaviors, and overall problem behaviors. The moderating effect analysis showed that region and gender of the child affected the relationship between maternal anxiety and children's internalizing problem behaviors and externalizing problem behaviors, and region, child's age and gender, mother's age, and education level affected maternal anxiety and preschool children's problems behavioral relationship. Hence, these results affirmed the role of maternal anxiety and emphasized the need to pay attention to the demographic characteristics and cultural background of the subjects during the research process and consider the generalizability of the conclusions under different circumstances.
Topics: Anxiety; Child; Child Behavior Disorders; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Mothers; Problem Behavior
PubMed: 36078827
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191711106 -
Reproductive Biomedicine Online Jul 2022Patients undergoing IVF experience high levels of IVF-related state anxiety. Non-pharmacological interventions such as acupuncture may provide support, but its effect on... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Patients undergoing IVF experience high levels of IVF-related state anxiety. Non-pharmacological interventions such as acupuncture may provide support, but its effect on IVF-related anxiety is unclear. This was a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the effect of acupuncture on IVF-related state anxiety. The primary outcome was state anxiety after embryo transfer or oocyte retrieval as assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Hamilton Anxiety Scale, visual analogue scale or Standard Form 36. Eight trials with 2253 participants were reviewed, and 1785 participants completed an anxiety assessment. Using the random effects model, the meta-analysis found small but significant effects on state anxiety with acupuncture versus any control (standardized mean difference -0.21, 95% confidence interval -0.39 to -0.04, representing very low certainty evidence). Evidence was limited by the moderate number of included studies of an intermediate median sample size (n = 191). There was also a high risk of performance bias and substantial heterogeneity across trials. Acupuncture is a drug-free and safe treatment that may benefit those who are burdened with IVF-related anxiety, but more investigation is needed for confirmation.
Topics: Acupuncture Therapy; Anxiety; Embryo Transfer; Fertilization in Vitro; Humans; Oocyte Retrieval
PubMed: 35570176
DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2022.02.002 -
The Surgeon : Journal of the Royal... Feb 2024The unique pressures of a surgical career put surgeons at particular risk of mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression. Surgeons have previously been...
INTRODUCTION
The unique pressures of a surgical career put surgeons at particular risk of mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression. Surgeons have previously been shown to have a high prevalence of psychological distress. This study aimed to systematically review the prevalence of anxiety and depression amongst surgeons, and to identify factors that can modify the risk of anxiety and depression in surgeons.
METHODS
A 10-year systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) guidelines to identify citations related to the keywords "anxiety" OR "depression" AND "surgeon" in PubMed/Medline and ScienceDirect databases. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to produce a final list of citations.
RESULTS
Thirty-one citations were included with a total of 11,399 participants. The median percentage of anxiety in surgeons was 20 with a range of 54.6%. While the median percentage of depression was 24 with a range of 59%. Risk factors associated with a higher risk of anxiety and depression include female gender, younger age, concurrent burnout, and occupational concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Protective factors include institutional support and a sense of social belonging.
CONCLUSIONS
There was a high prevalence of anxiety and depression amongst surgeons over the past decade. It is imperative to develop strategies to mitigate the effect of anxiety and depression in surgeons.
Topics: Female; Humans; Anxiety; Depression; Mental Disorders; Pandemics; Surgeons
PubMed: 37852902
DOI: 10.1016/j.surge.2023.09.009