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JMIR Serious Games Mar 2022Cognitive impairment is a mental disorder that commonly affects elderly people. Serious games, which are games that have a purpose other than entertainment, have been... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Cognitive impairment is a mental disorder that commonly affects elderly people. Serious games, which are games that have a purpose other than entertainment, have been used as a nonpharmacological intervention for improving cognitive abilities. The effectiveness and safety of serious games for improving cognitive abilities have been investigated by several systematic reviews; however, they are limited by design and methodological weaknesses.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to assess the effectiveness and safety of serious games for improving cognitive abilities among elderly people with cognitive impairment.
METHODS
A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted. The following 8 electronic databases were searched: MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ACM Digital Library, IEEE Xplore, Scopus, and Google Scholar. We also screened reference lists of the included studies and relevant reviews, as well as checked studies citing our included studies. Two reviewers independently carried out the study selection, data extraction, risk of bias assessment, and quality of evidence appraisal. We used a narrative and statistical approach, as appropriate, to synthesize the results of the included studies.
RESULTS
Fifteen studies met the eligibility criteria among 466 citations retrieved. Of those, 14 RCTs were eventually included in the meta-analysis. We found that, regardless of their type, serious games were more effective than no intervention (P=.04) and conventional exercises (P=.002) for improving global cognition among elderly people with cognitive impairment. Further, a subgroup analysis showed that cognitive training games were more effective than no intervention (P=.05) and conventional exercises (P<.001) for improving global cognition among elderly people with cognitive impairment. Another subgroup analysis demonstrated that exergames (a category of serious games that includes physical exercises) are as effective as no intervention and conventional exercises (P=.38) for improving global cognition among elderly people with cognitive impairment. Although some studies found adverse events from using serious games, the number of adverse events (ie, falls and exacerbations of pre-existing arthritis symptoms) was comparable between the serious game and control groups.
CONCLUSIONS
Serious games and specifically cognitive training games have the potential to improve global cognition among elderly people with cognitive impairment. However, our findings remain inconclusive because the quality of evidence in all meta-analyses was very low, mainly due to the risk of bias raised in the majority of the included studies, high heterogeneity of the evidence, and imprecision of total effect sizes. Therefore, psychologists, psychiatrists, and patients should consider offering serious games as a complement and not a substitute to existing interventions until further more robust evidence is available. Further studies are needed to assess the effect of exergames, the safety of serious games, and their long-term effects.
PubMed: 35266877
DOI: 10.2196/34592 -
JAMA Psychiatry May 2022Socioeconomic factors are associated with the prevalence of depression, but their associations with prognosis are unknown. Understanding this association would aid in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
IMPORTANCE
Socioeconomic factors are associated with the prevalence of depression, but their associations with prognosis are unknown. Understanding this association would aid in the clinical management of depression.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether employment status, financial strain, housing status, and educational attainment inform prognosis for adults treated for depression in primary care, independent of treatment and after accounting for clinical prognostic factors.
DATA SOURCES
The Embase, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Cochrane (CENTRAL) databases were searched from database inception to October 8, 2021.
STUDY SELECTION
Inclusion criteria were as follows: randomized clinical trials that used the Revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R; the most common comprehensive screening and diagnostic measure of depressive and anxiety symptoms in primary care randomized clinical trials), measured socioeconomic factors at baseline, and sampled patients with unipolar depression who sought treatment for depression from general physicians/practitioners or who scored 12 or more points on the CIS-R. Exclusion criteria included patients with depression secondary to a personality or psychotic disorder or neurologic condition, studies of bipolar or psychotic depression, studies that included children or adolescents, and feasibility studies. Studies were independently assessed against inclusion and exclusion criteria by 2 reviewers.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
Data were extracted and cleaned by data managers for each included study, further cleaned by multiple reviewers, and cross-checked by study chief investigators. Risk of bias and quality were assessed using the Quality in Prognosis Studies (QUIPS) and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) tools, respectively. This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses-Individual Participant Data (PRISMA-IPD) reporting guidelines.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Depressive symptoms at 3 to 4 months after baseline.
RESULTS
This systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis identified 9 eligible studies that provided individual patient data for 4864 patients (mean [SD] age, 42.5 (14.0) years; 3279 women [67.4%]). The 2-stage random-effects meta-analysis end point depressive symptom scale scores were 28% (95% CI, 20%-36%) higher for unemployed patients than for employed patients and 18% (95% CI, 6%-30%) lower for patients who were homeowners than for patients living with family or friends, in hostels, or homeless, which were equivalent to 4.2 points (95% CI, 3.6-6.2 points) and 2.9 points (95% CI, 1.1-4.9 points) on the Beck Depression Inventory II, respectively. Financial strain and educational attainment were associated with prognosis independent of treatment, but unlike employment and housing status, there was little evidence of associations after adjusting for clinical prognostic factors.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Results of this systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that unemployment was associated with a poor prognosis whereas home ownership was associated with improved prognosis. These differences were clinically important and independent of the type of treatment received. Interventions that address employment or housing difficulties could improve outcomes for patients with depression.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anxiety; Child; Depression; Depressive Disorder, Major; Female; Humans; Male; Prognosis; Socioeconomic Factors
PubMed: 35262620
DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2022.0100 -
BJPsych Open Feb 2022Despite the widespread use of psychotropic medications in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), there is limited evidence to suggest that psychotropic medications... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Despite the widespread use of psychotropic medications in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), there is limited evidence to suggest that psychotropic medications including mood stabilisers are effective in individuals with ASD.
AIMS
To carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the effectiveness of mood stabilisers in people with ASD.
METHOD
We searched the following databases: Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ERIC, DARE, and ClinicalTrials.gov. In addition, we hand-searched 12 relevant journals. We used the Cochrane Risk of Bias and Jadad scores to assess the quality of included RCTs. We carried out a meta-analysis using a random-effects model.
RESULTS
We included eight RCTs (four on valproate, two on levetiracetam, and one each on lamotrigine and topiramate) that included a total of 310 people with ASD, primarily children. Outcomes were based on core and associated ASD symptoms including irritability and aggression but not bipolar disorder. Only two small studies (25%) from the same group showed definite superiority over placebo and one over psychoeducation alone. Meta-analysis of pooled data on the Aberrant Behaviour Checklist-irritability, Clinical Global Impression Scale-improvement, and Overt Aggression Scale (OAS)/OAS-modified did not show any significant inter-group difference. The rates of adverse effects did not show any significant inter-group difference.
CONCLUSIONS
Given the methodological flaws in the included studies and the contradictory findings, it is difficult to draw any definitive conclusion about the effectiveness of mood stabilisers to treat either ASD core symptoms or associated behaviours. Robust large-scale RCTs are needed in the future to address this issue.PROSPERO registration: CRD42021255467 on 18 May 2021.
PubMed: 35197135
DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2022.18 -
Journal of Eating Disorders Feb 2022It is a common misconception that women with active anorexia nervosa (AN) are less likely to conceive. Pregnancies in women with AN are considered high risk. The purpose... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
It is a common misconception that women with active anorexia nervosa (AN) are less likely to conceive. Pregnancies in women with AN are considered high risk. The purpose of this systematic review was to explore pregnancy complications in women with active AN, including maternal, fetal, and neonatal complications.
METHODS
The authors conducted a systematic review in accordance with PRISMA statement guidelines with stringent selection criteria to include studies on patients with active AN during pregnancy.
RESULTS
There were 21 studies included in our review. Anaemia, caesarean section, concurrent recreational substance use, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth, small-for-gestation (SGA) birth, and low birth weight were the most reported pregnancy complications in women with active AN, while the rates of gestational diabetes and postpartum haemorrhage were lower.
DISCUSSION
Women with active AN have a different profile of pregnancy complications comparing to malnourished women and women in starvation. We recommend early discussion with women diagnosed with AN regarding their fertility and pregnancy complications. We recommend clinicians to aim to improve physical and psychological symptoms of AN as well as correction of any nutritional deficiency ideally prior to conception. Management of pregnancies in women with active AN requires regular monitoring, active involvement of obstetricians and psychiatrist. Paediatric follow-up postpartum is recommended to ensure adequate feeding, wellbeing and general health of the infants. Psychiatric follow-up is recommended for mothers due to risk of worsening symptoms of AN during perinatal period.
PubMed: 35172902
DOI: 10.1186/s40337-022-00551-8 -
Journal of Neurology Jun 2022Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) Therapy® is an adjunctive neurostimulation treatment for people with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) who are unwilling to undergo resective... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) Therapy® is an adjunctive neurostimulation treatment for people with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) who are unwilling to undergo resective surgery, have had unsuccessful surgery or are unsuitable for surgery. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to determine the treatment effects of VNS Therapy as an adjunct to anti-seizure medications (ASMs) for the management of adults with DRE. A literature search was performed in August 2020 of the Medline®, Medline® Epub Ahead of Print, Embase, and the Cochrane library databases. Outcomes examined included reduction in seizure frequency, seizure freedom, ASM load, discontinuations, and serious adverse events (SAEs). Comparators included best medical practice, ASMs, low-stimulation or sham VNS Therapy. Four RCTs and six comparative observational studies were identified for inclusion. Against comparators, individuals treated with VNS had a significantly better odds of experiencing a ≥ 50% reduction in seizure frequency (OR: 2.27 [95% CI 1.47, 3.51]; p = 0.0002), a ≥ 75% reduction in seizure frequency (OR: 3.56 [95% CI 1.59, 7.98]; p = 0.002) and a reduced risk for increased ASM load (risk ratio: 0.36 [95% CI 0.21, 0.62]; p = 0.0002). There was no difference in the odds of discontinuation or the rate of SAEs between VNS versus comparators. This meta-analysis demonstrated the benefits of VNS Therapy in people with DRE, which included improvement in seizure frequency without an increase in the rate of SAEs or discontinuations, thereby supporting the consideration of VNS Therapy for people who are not responding to ASMs and those unsuitable or unwilling to undergo surgery.
Topics: Adult; Drug Resistant Epilepsy; Humans; Medication Therapy Management; Seizures; Treatment Outcome; Vagus Nerve Stimulation
PubMed: 35034187
DOI: 10.1007/s00415-022-10967-6 -
Turk Psikiyatri Dergisi = Turkish... 2021Dear Editor, The 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11), including the chapter on mental, behavioural and...
Dear Editor, The 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11), including the chapter on mental, behavioural and neurodevelopmental disorders, has been adopted unanimously by the 72nd World Health Assembly in Geneva on May 25, 2019. The endorsement of the new classification will not come into effect until January 1, 2022. Until that date, the Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) will keep on using the ICD-10 for reporting data. The most significant innovations in the ICD-11 chapter, and the most important differences from the DSM-5, have been detailed elsewhere (Reed et al. 2019). Several issues debated in the process of development of the chapter - including the role of a dimensional component within a system that remains mainly based on categories, and the need for a further clinical characterization of the individual patient, in addition to the diagnosis, in order to guide the formulation of the prognosis and the management plan, have been also covered in the recent literature (Clark et al. 2017, Rebello et al. 2019, Fuss et al. 2019, Gureje et al. 2019, van Os et al. 2019, Fusar-Poli et al. 2019, Forbes et al. 2019, Gaebel et al. 2019, Patel 2019, Kotov et al. 2020, Maj et al. 2020, Sanislow et al. 2020). The training of professionals in the use of the ICD-11 chapter is now ongoing worldwide, under the coordination of a WHO International Advisory Group led by G.M. Reed. Educational courses have been conducted at the 18th and 19th World Congresses of Psychiatry (Mexico City, Mexico, September 27-30, 2018; and Lisbon, Portugal, August 21-24, 2019) (Giallonardo 2019, Pocai 2019, Perris 2020). A more comprehensive online 20-hr training course has been organized by the Naples WHO Collaborating Centre on Research and Training in Mental Health and the European Psychiatric Association from 9 to 30 April, 2021. The course has been coordinated by G.M. Reed and M. Maj, and has covered all the main sections of the ICD-11 chapter on mental disorders. W. Gaebel, M. Cloitre, M. Maj, C.S. Kogan, P. Monteleone, M. Swales, J.B. Saunders and N.A. Fineberg composed the Faculty. The live course has been attended by 120 psychiatrists, selected from almost 500 applicants, representing 78 different countries. A further group of 250 psychiatrists have had access to the course on demand. Two ICD-11 training sessions have been organized by the Psychiatric Association of Turkey within its 24th Clinical Education Symposium, held from 2 to 6 June 2021. One covered psychotic disorders and mood disorders, with the participation of W. Gaebel and M. Maj and the chairmanship of S. Vahip and C. Atbasoglu. The other dealt with trauma-related, fear-related and obsessive-compulsive disorders, with the participation of M. Cloitre and D.J. Stein and the chairmanship of R. Tukel and C. Kilic. Each session had more than 150 participants. An ICD-11 training event has been also organized by the UK Royal College of Psychiatrists from 25 to 26 May 2021. One further educational event is now going to be held by the World Psychiatric Association from 8 to 29 November 2021 (www.wpanet.org). A training course with exclusive access to the members of the WHO Global Clinical Practice Network (https://gcp.network) has been recently set up by the WHO Collaborating Centre on Mental Health at the Columbia University, in collaboration with the WHO Department of Mental Health and Substance Use. The course consists of 15 online training units, each focusing on a different disorder grouping and EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THE ICD-11 CHAPTER ON MENTAL DISORDERS 292 Received: 13.09.2021, Accepted: 15.09.2021, Available Online Date: 30.11.2021 MD., University of Campania L. Vanvitelli, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health, Naples, Italy. Dr. Vincenzo Giallonardo, e-mail: [email protected] https://doi.org/10.5080/u26898 taking from one to one and a half hours. Each unit provides a description of the relevant diagnostic grouping and the main innovations with respect to the ICD-10. Knowledge check questions are included to test the outcome of training. Participants have the opportunity to practice by applying diagnostic guidelines to clinical case examples. This training course is going to be available also in Spanish, and additional translations are planned. The WHO Global Clinical Practice Network now includes more than 16.000 clinicians from 159 countries (51% psychiatrists, 30% psychologists; 40% from Europe, 25% from Western Pacific, 24% from the Americas, 5% from Southeast Asia, 3% from Eastern Mediterranean, and 3% from Africa; 63% from high-income countries, 37% from middle- and low-income countries). The Network contributed significantly to the development of the ICD-11 chapter on mental disorders, in particular through its participation in the Internet field trials of the diagnostic system. It is now further serving as a catalyst for scientific and clinical research collaborations. All health professionals working in mental health or primary care are welcome to join the Network. Vincenzo GİALLONARDO REFERENCES Clark L, Cuthbert B, Lewis-Fernández R et al (2017). Three approaches to understanding and classifying mental disorder: ICD-11, DSM-5, and the National Institute of Mental Health's Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) Psychol Sci Public Interest 18:72-145. Forbes MK, Wright AGC, Markon KE et al (2019) The network approach to psychopathology: promise versus reality. World Psychiatry 18:272-3. Fusar-Poli P, Solmi M, Brondino N et al (2019) Transdiagnostic psychiatry: a systematic review. World Psychiatry 8:192-207. Fuss J, Lemay K, Stein DJ et al (2019) Public stakeholders' comments on ICD-11 chapters related to mental and sexual health. World Psychiatry 18:233-5. Giallonardo V (2019) ICD-11 sessions within the 18th World Congress of Psychiatry. World Psychiatry 18:115-6 Gaebel W, Reed GM, Jakob R (2019) Neurocognitive disorders in ICD-11: a new proposal and its outcome. World Psychiatry 18:232-3. Gureje O, Lewis-Fernandez R, Hall BJ et al (2019) Systematic inclusion of culture-related information in ICD-11. World Psychiatry 18:357-8. Kotov R, Jonas KG, Carpenter WT et al (2020) Validity and utility of Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP): I. Psychosis superspectrum. World Psychiatry 19:151-72. Maj M, Stein DJ, Parker G et al (2020) The clinical characterization of the adult patient with depression aimed at personalization of management. World Psychiatry 19:269-93. Patel V (2019) Reimagining outcomes requires reimagining mental health conditions. World Psychiatry 18:286-7. Perris F (2020) ICD-11 sessions at the 19th World Congress of Psychiatry. World Psychiatry 19:263-4. Pocai B (2019) The ICD-11 has been adopted by the World Health Assembly. World Psychiatry 18:371-2. Rebello TJ, Keeley JW, Kogan CS et al (2019) Anxiety and fear-related disorders in the ICD-11: results from a global case-controlled field study. Arch Med Res 50:490-501. Reed GM, First MB, Kogan CS et al (2019) Innovations and changes in the ICD-11 classification of mental, behavioural and neurodevelopmental disorders. World Psychiatry 18:3-19. Sanislow CA (2020) RDoC at 10: changing the discourse for psychopathology. World Psychiatry 19:311-2. van Os J, Guloksuz S, Vijn TW et al (2019) The evidence-based group-level symptom-reduction model as the organizing principle for mental health care: time for change? World Psychiatry 18:88-96.
Topics: Adult; Anxiety Disorders; Humans; International Classification of Diseases; Mental Disorders; Mental Health; Psychotic Disorders
PubMed: 34964105
DOI: 10.5080/u26898 -
International Journal of Environmental... Dec 2021Smoking is a major public health problem. Although physicians have a key role in the fight against smoking, some of them are still smoking. Thus, we aimed to conduct a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Smoking is a major public health problem. Although physicians have a key role in the fight against smoking, some of them are still smoking. Thus, we aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence of smoking among physicians.
METHODS
PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases were searched. The prevalence of smoking among physicians was estimated and stratified, where possible, by specialties, continents, and periods of time. Then, meta-regressions were performed regarding putative influencing factors such as age and sex.
RESULTS
Among 246 studies and 497,081 physicians, the smoking prevalence among physicians was 21% (95CI 20 to 23%). Prevalence of smoking was 25% in medical students, 24% in family practitioners, 18% in surgical specialties, 17% in psychiatrists, 16% in medical specialties, 11% in anesthesiologists, 9% in radiologists, and 8% in pediatricians. Physicians in Europe and Asia had a higher smoking prevalence than in Oceania. The smoking prevalence among physicians has decreased over time. Male physicians had a higher smoking prevalence. Age did not influence smoking prevalence.
CONCLUSION
Prevalence of smoking among physicians is high, around 21%. Family practitioners and medical students have the highest percentage of smokers. All physicians should benefit from targeted preventive strategies.
Topics: Humans; Male; Physicians; Prevalence; Smoking; Students, Medical; Tobacco Smoking
PubMed: 34948936
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182413328 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2021A considerable body of literature reports that individuals with psychotic disorders often suffer from sexual dysfunctions (SDs), with these representing a major unmet... (Review)
Review
A considerable body of literature reports that individuals with psychotic disorders often suffer from sexual dysfunctions (SDs), with these representing a major unmet need. Long-term antipsychotic drug treatment may be the main cause for SDs in psychotic patients, through a plethora of different mechanisms, including prolactin dyscrasia, histamine-mediated sedation, and serotonin-induced sexual demotivation. However, a few pieces of evidence treat sexuality in patients at risk or the onset of psychosis. For this purpose, we systematically reviewed literature of the last 10 years in order to investigate sexuality in ultra-high risk (UHR) for psychosis and first-episode psychosis (FEP). We included in our review 34 articles fitting our research criteria on SDs in UHR and FEP. Evidence of SDs in the transition from UHR to FEP emerges through the selected studies. In FEP, sexuality is affected by the severity of the psychotic symptoms and, in some cases, by the iatrogenic effects of psychopharmacological treatment. Further experimental and clinical studies should systematically investigate the role of sexual functioning in the transition from UHR to FEP and, consequently, clarify whether or not SDs could be considered a possible marker for the onset of psychosis in at-risk populations. Moreover, psychiatrists and clinical psychologists should take into consideration the role of sexual life in young people with prodromal mental symptoms or at the onset of psychosis. Focusing on a thorough sexual evaluation might be a major challenge that could break down barriers of mental health promotion among young people with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and therefore achieve better clinical outcomes.
PubMed: 34777053
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.750033 -
Seizure Dec 2021This article systematically reviews the literature on the effectiveness of psychological interventions for non-epileptic seizures (NES) in children and adolescents. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
This article systematically reviews the literature on the effectiveness of psychological interventions for non-epileptic seizures (NES) in children and adolescents.
METHODS
Embase, Medline and PsycINFO were searched to December 2020, for articles published in English, which used an objective measure to evaluate the outcome of a psychological intervention for NES. Further studies were identified from reference lists and experts in the field were contacted for unpublished studies.
RESULTS
Twelve studies met inclusion criteria. Of these, four were set up with the primary aim of evaluating an intervention of which two used a control group, two were prospective outcome studies and eight looked at retrospective clinical data. Two studies evaluated a single treatment modality, the others multiple treatment components. Overall, psychoeducation, and top-down psychotherapy, such as cognitive therapies, were the most frequent interventions, with recent studies describing body-oriented (bottom-up) approaches. Analysis across all studies identified a range of additional intervention components which included assessment and/or treatment for co-morbidities, liaison with school and support for parents, highlighting the importance of individualised treatment packages.
CONCLUSIONS
There is a paucity of studies specifically evaluating interventions for NES. Though a range of approaches have been described in managing this patient group, with generally positive outcomes, it is not possible to conclude from the available literature that one treatment approach is superior to another, though the information may be helpful in developing management guidelines.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Humans; Prospective Studies; Psychosocial Intervention; Psychotherapy; Retrospective Studies; Seizures
PubMed: 34656015
DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2021.09.006 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Sep 2021Trichotillomania (TTM; hair-pulling disorder) is a prevalent and disabling disorder characterised by recurrent hair-pulling. Here we update a previous Cochrane Review on... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Trichotillomania (TTM; hair-pulling disorder) is a prevalent and disabling disorder characterised by recurrent hair-pulling. Here we update a previous Cochrane Review on the effects of medication for TTM.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effects of medication for trichotillomania (TTM) in adults, children and adolescents compared with placebo or other medication.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, eleven other bibliographic databases, trial registries and grey literature sources (to 26 November 2020). We checked reference lists and contacted subject experts.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We selected randomised controlled trials of medication versus placebo or other medication for TTM in adults, children and adolescents.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane.
MAIN RESULTS
Twelve studies were included. We identified 10 studies in adults (286 participants) with a mean sample size of 29 participants per trial; one study in children and adolescents (39 participants); and, one study in adults and adolescents (22 participants: 18 adults and 4 adolescents). All studies were single-centre, outpatient trials. Eleven studies compared medication and placebo (334 participants); one study compared two medications (13 participants). Studies were 5 to 13 weeks duration. We undertook meta-analysis only for opioid antagonists as other comparisons contained a single study, or reported insufficient data. Antioxidants versus placebo in adults There was little to no difference in treatment response between antioxidant (35.7%) and placebo groups (28.6%) after six weeks, based on a single trial of silymarin (risk ratio (RR) 2.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.84 to 5.99; 36 participants; low-certainty evidence). We could not calculate differences in number of dropouts as there were no events in either group (18 participants; low-certainty evidence). Antioxidants versus placebo in adolescents There was little to no difference in treatment response between antioxidant (50%) and placebo groups (25%) after six weeks, based on a single trial of silymarin (RR 2.00, 95% CI 0.28 to 14.20; 8 participants; low-certainty evidence). We could not calculate differences in number of dropouts as there were no events in either group (8 participants; low-certainty evidence). Antipsychotics versus placebo in adults There may be greater treatment response in the antipsychotic group (85%) compared to the placebo group (17%) after 12 weeks, based on a single trial of olanzapine (RR 5.08, 95% CI 1.4 to 18.37; 25 participants; low-certainty evidence). We could not calculate differences in number of dropouts as there were no events in either group (25 participants; low-certainty evidence). Cell signal transducers versus placebo in adults There was little to no difference in treatment response between cell signal transducer (42.1%) and placebo groups (31.6%) after 10 weeks, based on a single trial of inositol (RR 1.33, 95% CI 0.57 to 3.11; 38 participants; low-certainty evidence). We could not calculate differences in number of dropouts as there were no events in either group (38 participants; low-certainty evidence). Glutamate modulators versus placebo in adults There is probably greater treatment response in the glutamate modulator group (56%) compared to the placebo group (16%) after 12 weeks, based on a single trial of N-acetylcysteine (RR 3.5, 95% CI 1.34 to 9.17; 50 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). We could not calculate differences in number of dropouts as there were no events in either group (50 participants; low-certainty evidence). Glutamate modulators versus placebo in children and adolescents There was little to no difference in treatment response between the glutamate modulator (25%) and placebo groups (21.1%) in children and adolescents, based on a single trial of N-acetylcysteine (RR 1.19, 95% CI 0.37 to 3.77; 39 participants; low-certainty evidence). There was little to no difference in dropouts due to adverse events between glutamate modulator (5%) and placebo (0%) groups, based on a single trial (RR 2.86, 95% CI 0.12 to 66.11; 39 participants; low-certainty evidence). Opioid antagonists versus placebo in adults There may be little to no difference in treatment response between opioid antagonist (37.5%) and placebo groups (25%) after six to eight weeks, based on two studies of naltrexone, but the evidence is very uncertain (RR 2.14, 95% CI 0.25 to 18.17; 2 studies, 68 participants; very low-certainty evidence). No data were available regarding dropouts due to adverse events. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) versus placebo in adults There were no data available for treatment response to SSRIs. There was little to no difference in dropouts due to adverse events in the SSRI group (5.1%) compared to the placebo group (0%) after 6 to 12 weeks, based on two trials of fluoxetine (RR 3.00, 95% CI 0.33 to 27.62; 2 studies, 78 participants; low-certainty evidence). Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) with predominantly serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) actions versus placebo in adults There may be greater treatment response in the TCAs with predominantly SRI actions group (40%) compared to the placebo group (0%) after nine weeks, but the evidence is very uncertain, based on a single trial of clomipramine (RR 5.73, 95% CI 0.36 to 90.83; 16 participants; very low-certainty evidence). There may be increased dropouts due to adverse events in the TCAs with predominantly SRI actions group (30%) compared to the placebo group (0%), but the evidence is very uncertain (RR 4.45, 95% CI 0.27 to 73.81; 16 participants; very low-certainty evidence). TCAs with predominantly SRI actions versus other TCAs in adults There may be greater treatment response in the TCAs with predominantly SRI actions group compared to the other TCAs group after five weeks, based on a single trial comparing clomipramine to desipramine (mean difference (MD) -4.00, 95% CI -6.13 to -1.87; 26 participants; low-certainty evidence). We could not calculate differences in number of dropouts as there were no events in either group (26 participants; low-certainty evidence).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
There was insufficient evidence from meta-analysis to confirm or refute the efficacy of any agent or class of medication for the treatment of TTM in adults, children or adolescents. Preliminary evidence suggests there may be beneficial treatment effects for N-acetylcysteine, clomipramine and olanzapine in adults based on four trials, albeit with relatively small sample sizes.
Topics: Adolescent; Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; Antipsychotic Agents; Clomipramine; Humans; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; Trichotillomania
PubMed: 34582562
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007662.pub3