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JMIR MHealth and UHealth Jun 2024Rising rates of psychological distress (symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress) among adults in the United States necessitate effective mental wellness...
BACKGROUND
Rising rates of psychological distress (symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress) among adults in the United States necessitate effective mental wellness interventions. Despite the prevalence of smartphone app-based programs, research on their efficacy is limited, with only 14% showing clinically validated evidence. Our study evaluates Noom Mood, a commercially available smartphone-based app that uses cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based programming. In this study, we address gaps in the existing literature by examining postintervention outcomes and the broader impact on mental wellness.
OBJECTIVE
Noom Mood is a smartphone-based mental wellness program designed to be used by the general population. This prospective study evaluates the efficacy and postintervention outcomes of Noom Mood. We aim to address the rising psychological distress among adults in the United States.
METHODS
A 1-arm study design was used, with participants having access to the Noom Mood program for 16 weeks (N=273). Surveys were conducted at baseline, week 4, week 8, week 12, week 16, and week 32 (16 weeks' postprogram follow-up). This study assessed a range of mental health outcomes, including anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, perceived stress, well-being, quality of life, coping, emotion regulation, sleep, and workplace productivity (absenteeism or presenteeism).
RESULTS
The mean age of participants was 40.5 (SD 11.7) years. Statistically significant improvements in anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and perceived stress were observed by week 4 and maintained through the 16-week intervention and the 32-week follow-up. The largest changes were observed in the first 4 weeks (29% lower, 25% lower, and 15% lower for anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and perceived stress, respectively), and only small improvements were observed afterward. Reductions in clinically relevant anxiety (7-item generalized anxiety disorder scale) and depression (8-item Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale) criteria were also maintained from program initiation through the 16-week intervention and the 32-week follow-up. Work productivity also showed statistically significant results, with participants gaining 2.57 productive work days from baseline at 16 weeks, and remaining relatively stable (2.23 productive work days gained) at follow-up (32 weeks). Additionally, effects across all coping, sleep disturbance (23% lower at 32 weeks), and emotion dysregulation variables exhibited positive and significant trends at all time points (15% higher, 23% lower, and 25% higher respectively at 32 weeks).
CONCLUSIONS
This study contributes insights into the promising positive impact of Noom Mood on mental health and well-being outcomes, extending beyond the intervention phase. Though more rigorous studies are necessary to understand the mechanism of action at play, this exploratory study addresses critical gaps in the literature, highlighting the potential of smartphone-based mental wellness programs to lessen barriers to mental health support and improve diverse dimensions of well-being. Future research should explore the scalability, feasibility, and long-term adherence of such interventions across diverse populations.
Topics: Humans; Prospective Studies; Male; Female; Adult; Middle Aged; Surveys and Questionnaires; Mobile Applications; Health Promotion; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Program Evaluation; United States; Mindfulness; Quality of Life
PubMed: 38935946
DOI: 10.2196/54634 -
Psychiatria Polska Jan 2024The study aimed to provide information on the psychometric properties of the MCQ-A for Polish adolescents; confirm the factor structure of the instrument relative to the...
OBJECTIVES
The study aimed to provide information on the psychometric properties of the MCQ-A for Polish adolescents; confirm the factor structure of the instrument relative to the original scale; and present the intensity of dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs of adolescents during the pandemic.
METHODS
A total of 375 adolescents aged 1218 (M = 15.38; SD = 1.63) completed a questionnaire on their well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDI-2 questionnaire for the diagnosis of depression in children and adolescents; the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Polish version of the MCQ-A.
RESULTS
Structural validity was tested using confirmatory factor analyzes. The best results were obtained using a model that had a five-factor scale structure without a higher-order factor. The obtained psychometric properties are comparable to the results presented by the authors of the English version of MCQ-A30.
CONCLUSIONS
This research has shown that the Polish adaptation of MCQ-A is a reliable tool for studying metacognitive beliefs in adolescents.
PubMed: 38935852
DOI: 10.12740/PP/OnlineFirst/168298 -
Revista de Neurologia Jul 2024The presence of psychiatric comorbidity in some neurological disorders is common. A bi-directional influence between some psychiatric and neurological disorders has been...
INTRODUCTION
The presence of psychiatric comorbidity in some neurological disorders is common. A bi-directional influence between some psychiatric and neurological disorders has been discussed, but not widely studied. There is an absence of literature on the typology and rates of neurology consultations in different types of psychiatric inpatients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Cross-sectional study based on real world data on patients who had a neurological consultation during hospitalization on a psychiatric ward.
RESULTS
The most frequent reasons for visits to neurologists in our study were cluster 'Epilepsy/other types of non-epileptic seizures' (n = 177, 36.44%), followed by cluster 'Movement disorders' (n = 77, 20.48%), 'Cognitive disorder' (n = 69, 18.35%), and finally cluster 'Neuropathy' (n = 21, 5.59%). The most frequent type of psychiatric patient who required neurologic consultation presented a psychotic disorder (n = 100, 26.60%), follow by problem behavior (n = 82, 21.81%), bipolar disorder (n = 78, 20.78%), depressive disorder (n = 42, 11.17%) and autism spectrum disorder (n = 20, 5.32%). We found a statistically significant relationship between (problem behavior and intellectual disability) and neurologic consultation for epilepsy/other types of non-epileptic seizures, and between (depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability) and neurologic consultation for movement disorders.
CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study in the literature which analyzes the rates and typology of neurologic consultations in people hospitalized with psychiatric disorders. A deep knowledge of epilepsy, movement disorders and cognitive disorders should be required for health professionals to treat psychiatric inpatients appropriately. Patients with particular psychiatric disorders seem to require a higher number of neurologic consultations than others during their hospitalization.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Mental Disorders; Male; Spain; Nervous System Diseases; Middle Aged; Referral and Consultation; Adult; Comorbidity; Neurology; Inpatients; Aged; Epilepsy
PubMed: 38934945
DOI: 10.33588/rn.7901.2024054 -
Neural Regeneration Research Jun 2024In the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder, chronic stress-related neuroinflammation hinders favorable prognosis and antidepressant response. Mitochondrial DNA may...
In the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder, chronic stress-related neuroinflammation hinders favorable prognosis and antidepressant response. Mitochondrial DNA may be an inflammatory trigger, after its release from stress-induced dysfunctional central nervous system mitochondria into peripheral circulation. This evidence supports the potential use of peripheral mitochondrial DNA as a neuroinflammatory biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment of major depressive disorder. Herein, we critically review the neuroinflammation theory in major depressive disorder, providing compelling evidence that mitochondrial DNA release acts as a critical biological substrate, and that it constitutes the neuroinflammatory disease pathway. After its release, mitochondrial DNA can be carried in the exosomes and transported to extracellular spaces in the central nervous system and peripheral circulation. Detectable exosomes render encaged mitochondrial DNA relatively stable. This mitochondrial DNA in peripheral circulation can thus be directly detected in clinical practice. These characteristics illustrate the potential for mitochondrial DNA to serve as an innovative clinical biomarker and molecular treatment target for major depressive disorder. This review also highlights the future potential value of clinical applications combining mitochondrial DNA with a panel of other biomarkers, to improve diagnostic precision in major depressive disorder.
PubMed: 38934398
DOI: 10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-23-01878 -
Cureus May 2024Background Motivation dysregulation is common in several psychiatric disorders. However, little is known about the relationships between motivation and the regional...
Background Motivation dysregulation is common in several psychiatric disorders. However, little is known about the relationships between motivation and the regional brain areas involved. We evaluated the relationships between brain microstructural features and causality orientation in patients with schizophrenia, major depressive disorder (MDD), and bipolar disorder (BD) using diffusional kurtosis imaging (DKI) techniques. Methods Forty patients with MDD, 36 with BD, and 30 with schizophrenia underwent DKI and assessment using the General Causality Orientation Scale (GCOS). We analyzed the DKI index and the GCOS subscales. Results The psychiatric patients showed significant positive correlations between the GCOS-autonomy orientation score and the mean kurtosis (MK) values in the prefrontal regions, orbitofrontal regions, and posterior cingulate cortex. When the analyses were performed separately by disease and gender, a positive correlation was found between the GCOS-autonomy orientation score and the MK values in the left prefrontal regions transdiagnostically, especially among female patients with MDD, BD, and schizophrenia. Conclusions A similar association between intrinsic motivation and MK value in the left prefrontal cortex was suggested in patients with schizophrenia, MDD, and BD. The commonality of this association among these disorders might lead to the discovery of a new biomarker for psychiatric clinical research.
PubMed: 38933632
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.61138 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2024It is known that exposure to the natural environment may positively modulate mental processes and behaviors; in particular, it can reduce stress, anxiety, and depressive...
INTRODUCTION
It is known that exposure to the natural environment may positively modulate mental processes and behaviors; in particular, it can reduce stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. This suggests a potential integration of "nature experience" into the treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) since various types of addiction are associated with anxiety and depression. Considering that only one study has been reported to date in patients with alcohol use disorder, the effect of nature experience in SUD patients' needs to be further investigated. This study aimed to test the effects of exposure to a natural lagoon environment on craving and measures of wellbeing in SUD patients in comparison to exposure to an urban environment.
METHODS
Twenty-four SUD patients were divided into three groups of eight participants and exposed to two walking sessions (interspersed with a 1-week wash-out period) in a natural environment typical of the Venetian lagoon, an Urban walk, or staying at the residential center based on a Latin-square design. Before and after each session, drug craving, mood, wellbeing, agency, openness to the future, and restorativeness were assessed.
RESULTS
The Nature walk significantly decreased craving in participants compared to their pre-walk values, and compared to craving after the Urban walk, with the latter significantly increased vs. pre-walk values. The Nature walk significantly decreased negative mood and increased wellbeing and agency. Openness to the future and restorativeness measures showed significant improvement after the Nature walk compared to the Urban walk. On the other hand, craving scores after the Urban Walk positively correlated with negative mood and a Sense of Negative Agency values and negatively correlated with wellbeing scores.
DISCUSSION
Our results confirm that "nature experience" may improve mood, wellbeing, attention, stress relief, openness, and sense of being active in SUD patients. Moreover, we also showed a specific effect on drug craving-a key symptom of SUD.
PubMed: 38933590
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1356446 -
Nature and Science of Sleep 2024Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with cognitive impairment through unclear mechanisms. We examined the relationship between sleep electroencephalogram (EEG)...
PURPOSE
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with cognitive impairment through unclear mechanisms. We examined the relationship between sleep electroencephalogram (EEG) power and attention level in MDD.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Forty-seven untreated patients with MDD and forty-seven age- and sex-matched controls were included. We examined relative EEG power during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep by fast Fourier transform. The Attention Network Test (ANT) was performed to evaluate attention levels.
RESULTS
Compared to controls, patients with MDD had lower theta power during NREM ( = 0.018) and REM ( = 0.002) sleep, while higher beta power ( = 0.050) during NREM sleep and delta power ( = 0.018) during REM sleep. Regarding attention level, patients with MDD had lower levels of accuracy ( = 0.021), longer mean reaction time ( < 0.001), poorer manifestations of the alerting effect ( = 0.038) and worse executive control ( = 0.048). Moreover, decreased theta power during NREM sleep was correlated with worsened accuracy ( = 0.329, = 0.040), decreased theta power during REM sleep was correlated with worsened alerting effect ( = 0.355, = 0.020), and increased delta power during REM sleep was correlated with longer mean reaction time ( = 0.325, = 0.022) in patients with MDD. No association between ANT performance and other frequency bands was observed in patients with MDD.
CONCLUSION
Our findings suggest that patients with MDD manifest impaired selective attention function that is associated with decreased theta power during NREM/REM sleep and increased delta power during REM sleep.
PubMed: 38933526
DOI: 10.2147/NSS.S464055 -
Health Science Reports Jun 2024Lung cancer is ranked as the second most prevalent form of cancer worldwide. Nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents the predominant histological subtype. Research...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Lung cancer is ranked as the second most prevalent form of cancer worldwide. Nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents the predominant histological subtype. Research suggests that one-third of lung cancer patients also experiencing depression. Antidepressants play an indispensable role in the management of NSCLC. Despite significant advancements in treatment, lung cancer patients still face a high mortality rate. Major depressive disorder (MDD) and related antidepressants involved in treatment efficacy and prognosis of NSCLC. However, there has been a lack of screening and analysis regarding genes and networks associated with both NSCLC and MDD.
METHODS
To investigate the correlation between MDD and NSCLC, our discovery and validation analysis included four datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus database from NSCLC or MDD. Differential gene expression (DEGs) analysis, GO and KEGG Pathway, and protein-protein interaction network analyzes to identify hub genes, networks, and associated observations link between MDD and NSCLC.
RESULTS
The analysis of two datasets yielded a total of 84 downregulated and 52 upregulated DEGs. Pathway enrichment analyzes indicated that co-upregulated genes were enriched in the regulation of positive regulation of cellular development, collagen-containing extracellular matrix (ECM), cytokine binding, and axon guidance. We identified 20 key genes, which were further analyzed using the MCODE plugin to identify two core subnetworks. The integration of functionally similar genes provided valuable insights into the potential involvement of these hub genes in diverse biological processes including angiogenesis humoral immune response regulation inflammatory response organization ECM network.
CONCLUSION
We have identified a total of 136 DEGs that participate in multiple biological signaling pathways. A total of 20 hub genes have demonstrated robust associations, potentially indicating novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets for both diseases.
PubMed: 38933422
DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.2167 -
Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment 2024The aim of our study was to explore the relation between serum levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants, thyroid function with the risk of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in...
PURPOSE
The aim of our study was to explore the relation between serum levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants, thyroid function with the risk of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in depressed adolescents.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
We retrospected the electronic records of 454 hospitalized patients aged 13-17 years old with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (239 patients with NSSI and 215 subjects without NSSI), and collected their demographic and clinical information, including serum levels of total bilirubin (Tbil), uric acid (UA), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
RESULTS
The incidence of NSSI was 52.6% among depressed adolescents aged 13-17, 57.1% in female and 38.5% in male. After using the propensity scoring method to exclude the influence of age between the two groups, it was found that patients with NSSI showed lower levels of Tbil (P=0.046) and UA (P=0.015) compared with those without NSSI. Logistic regression results showed that serum UA was associated with NSSI behavior in female patients (OR=0.995, 95% CI: 0.991-0.999, P=0.014), and TSH was associated with NSSI in male participants (OR=0.499, 95% CI: 0.267-0.932, P=0.029).
CONCLUSION
Female and male may have different pathological mechanisms of NSSI. NSSI is more likely to be related to antioxidant reaction in female adolescent patients, while more likely to be related to thyroid function in male depressed adolescent patients.
PubMed: 38933097
DOI: 10.2147/NDT.S452643 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2024Major depressive disorder (MDD) pathogenesis may involve metalloids in a significant way. The aim of our study was to identify potential links between MDD and metalloid...
BACKGROUND
Major depressive disorder (MDD) pathogenesis may involve metalloids in a significant way. The aim of our study was to identify potential links between MDD and metalloid elements [boron (B), germanium (Ge), arsenic (As), antimony (Sb)].
METHODS
A total of 72 MDD cases and 75 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited from Zhumadian Second People's Hospital in Henan Province, China. The levels of four metallic elements (B, Ge, As, and Sb) in the serum and urine were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).
RESULTS
In comparison to the HCs, the B, As, and Sb levels were considerably lower in the MDD group ( < 0.05) in the serum; the MDD group had significantly higher ( < 0.05) and significantly lower ( < 0.001) B and Sb levels in the urine. After adjusting for potential confounders, serum B (OR = 0.120; 95% CI, 0.048, 0.300; < 0.001) and Sb (OR = 0.133; 95% CI, 0.055, 0.322; < 0.001) showed a negative correlation with MDD. Urine B had a negative correlation (OR = 0.393; 95% CI, 0.193, 0.801; = 0.01) with MDD, while urine Sb had a positive correlation (OR = 3.335; 95% CI, 1.654, 6.726; = 0.001) with MDD.
CONCLUSION
Our current research offers insightful hints for future investigation into the function of metalloids in connection to MDD processes.
PubMed: 38932939
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1403852