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Journal of Traumatic Stress Oct 2022Previous research suggests that the effect of therapist factors on patient outcomes is significant. Yet, to date, no reviews have explored the potential effects of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Associations between therapist factors and treatment efficacy in randomized controlled trials of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy for children and youth: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Previous research suggests that the effect of therapist factors on patient outcomes is significant. Yet, to date, no reviews have explored the potential effects of therapist characteristics on treatment outcomes for children and youth with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the professional characteristics of trial therapists delivering trauma-focused cognitive behavioral interventions (TF-CBT) for child PTSD in clinical trials and understand the association between treatment efficacy and therapist factors. Systematic searches for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published through November 3, 2020, were conducted; 40 RCTs were included in the full review. PTSD treatment outcome data were extracted from each publication along with any available data regarding trial therapists. Subgroup analyses were conducted to compare the outcomes of interventions conducted by different types of therapists. All therapist groups yielded significant effects for TF-CBT relative to active and passive control conditions, with the largest effect size, Hedges' g = -1.11, for RCTs that used clinical psychologists and psychiatrists. A significant moderating effect was found when comparing the treatment outcomes of clinical psychologists and psychiatrists versus other professionals, p = .044; however, this effect was no longer apparent when only studies with an active control arm were included. Further moderator analyses demonstrated no significant differences regarding therapists' educational and professional backgrounds and PTSD treatment outcomes. The current RCT evidence for TF-CBT for children and youth with PTSD does not suggest that therapist educational or professional background influences treatment efficacy. Limitations and implications for future research are discussed.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35478465
DOI: 10.1002/jts.22840 -
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 -
BJPsych Bulletin Mar 2019Aims and methodThe concept of personal resilience is relevant to physician well-being, recruitment and retention, and to delivering compassionate patient care. This...
Aims and methodThe concept of personal resilience is relevant to physician well-being, recruitment and retention, and to delivering compassionate patient care. This systematic review aims to explore factors affecting personal resilience among psychiatrists, in particular, those that may impair well-being and those that facilitate resilience practice. A literature search was performed of the Ovid®, Embase®, CINAHL and PsycINFO databases, using keywords to identify empirical studies involving psychiatrists that examined resilience, stress and burnout from the past 15 years. RESULTS: Thirty-three international English language studies were included, showing that a combination of workplace, personal and non-workplace factors negatively and positively influenced well-being and resilience.Clinical implicationsGiven that workplace factors were the most commonly cited, it would appear that any resilience package that predominantly targets interventions at the workplace level would be particularly fruitful. Future research, however, needs to address the absence of a universal measurement of well-being and its moderators so that any potential interventions are better evaluated.Declaration of interestNone.
PubMed: 30855001
DOI: 10.1192/bjb.2019.12 -
BMJ Open Jul 2015To identify variables that predict health service utilisation (HSU) by adults with mental disorders in the UK, and to determine the evidence level for these predictors. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
To identify variables that predict health service utilisation (HSU) by adults with mental disorders in the UK, and to determine the evidence level for these predictors.
DESIGN
A narrative synthesis of peer-reviewed studies published after the year 2000. The search was conducted using four databases (ie, PsycINFO, CINAHL Plus with full text, MEDLINE and EMBASE) and completed on 25 March 2014.
SETTING
The majority of included studies were set in health services across primary, secondary, specialist and inpatient care. Some studies used data from household and postal surveys.
PARTICIPANTS
Included were UK-based studies that predicted HSU by adults with mental disorders. Participants had a range of mental disorders including psychotic disorders, personality disorders, depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders and dementia.
PRIMARY OUTCOME
A wide range of HSU outcomes were examined, including general practitioner (GP) contacts, medication usage, psychiatrist contacts, psychotherapy attendances, inpatient days, accident and emergency admissions and 'total HSU'.
RESULTS
Taking into account study quality, 28 studies identified a range of variables with good preliminary evidence supporting their ability to predict HSU. Of these variables, comorbidity, personality disorder, age (heterogeneous age ranges), neurotic symptoms, female gender, a marital status of divorced, separated or widowed, non-white ethnicity, high previous HSU and activities of daily living, were associated with increased HSU. Moreover, good preliminary evidence was found for associations of accessing a primary care psychological treatment service and medication use with decreased HSU.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings can inform decisions about which variables might be used to derive mental health clusters in 'payment by results' systems in the UK. The findings also support the need to investigate whether combining broad diagnoses with care pathways is an effective method for mental health clustering, and the need for research to further examine the association between mental health clusters and HSU.
Topics: Activities of Daily Living; Age Factors; Anxiety Disorders; Comorbidity; Dementia; Depressive Disorder; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Female; Health Services; Hospitalization; Humans; Male; Marital Status; Mental Disorders; Mental Health Services; Personality Disorders; Primary Health Care; Psychotherapy; Psychotic Disorders; Risk Factors; Secondary Care; Sex Factors; Tertiary Healthcare; United Kingdom
PubMed: 26150142
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-007575 -
Implementation Science : IS Jul 2022Many strategies aimed at deprescribing benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZRA) in older adults have already been evaluated with various success rates. There is so far no... (Review)
Review
Barriers and enablers for deprescribing benzodiazepine receptor agonists in older adults: a systematic review of qualitative and quantitative studies using the theoretical domains framework.
BACKGROUND
Many strategies aimed at deprescribing benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZRA) in older adults have already been evaluated with various success rates. There is so far no consensus on which strategy components increase deprescribing the most. Yet, despite an unfavourable benefit-to-risk ratio, BZRA use among older adults remains high. We systematically reviewed barriers and enablers for BZRA deprescribing in older adults.
METHODS
Two reviewers independently screened records identified from five electronic databases-Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL and the Cochrane library-and published before October 2020. They searched for grey literature using Google Scholar. Qualitative and quantitative records reporting data on the attitudes of older adults, caregivers and healthcare providers towards BZRA deprescribing were included. Populations at the end of life or with specific psychiatric illness, except for dementia, were excluded. The two reviewers independently assessed the quality of the included studies using the mixed-methods appraisal tool. Barriers and enablers were identified and then coded into domains of the theoretical domains framework (TDF) using a combination of deductive and inductive qualitative analysis. The most relevant TDF domains for BZRA deprescribing were then identified.
RESULTS
Twenty-three studies were included 13 quantitative, 8 qualitative and 2 mixed-method studies. The points of view of older adults, general practitioners and nurses were reported in 19, 9 and 3 records, respectively. We identified barriers and enablers in the majority of TDF domains and in two additional themes: "patient characteristics" and "BZRA prescribing patterns". Overall, the most relevant TDF domains were "beliefs about capabilities", "beliefs about consequences", "environmental context and resources", "intention", "goals", "social influences", "memory, attention and decision processes". Perceived barriers and enablers within domains differed across settings and across stakeholders.
CONCLUSION
The relevant TDF domains we identified can now be linked to behavioural change techniques to help in the design of future strategies and health policies. Future studies should also assess barriers and enablers perceived by under-evaluated stakeholders (such as pharmacists, psychiatrists and health care professionals in the hospital setting).
TRIAL REGISTRATION
This work was registered on PROSPERO under the title "Barriers and enablers to benzodiazepine receptor agonists deprescribing".
REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42020213035.
Topics: Aged; Deprescriptions; General Practitioners; Humans; Intention; Pharmacists; Qualitative Research; Receptors, GABA-A
PubMed: 35804428
DOI: 10.1186/s13012-022-01206-7 -
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Jan 2023Inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) are characterized by deficits in metabolic enzymes as a result of an inherited disease, leading to the accumulation or decreased... (Review)
Review
Inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) are characterized by deficits in metabolic enzymes as a result of an inherited disease, leading to the accumulation or decreased excretion of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. Although IEMs are often diagnosed during childhood, adolescent and adult onset variants may be accompanied by less somatic and more psychiatric manifestations, which often hampers recognition by psychiatrists of the distinction between a primary and secondary psychiatric disorder. To help clinicians in the diagnostic process, we aimed to provide an overview of psychiatric manifestations in IEMs. Our literature search yielded 4380 records in total, of which 88 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. Reported psychiatric disorders in adolescent and adult IEMs included depression, anxiety disorder, psychosis, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder as assessed by semi-structured diagnostic interviews and validated questionnaires. A diagnostic screener and multidisciplinary IEM clinics are proposed to help clinicians during the diagnostic process, to prevent diagnostic delay and to raise awareness of the psychiatric manifestations among IEMs.
Topics: Adult; Adolescent; Humans; Metabolism, Inborn Errors; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Delayed Diagnosis; Psychotic Disorders; Bipolar Disorder
PubMed: 36436739
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104970 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2023Psychological factors have been found to be associated with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA); however, their role in the onset or persistence of FHA is still... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Psychological factors have been found to be associated with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA); however, their role in the onset or persistence of FHA is still understudied. The study aims to assess the associations of psychological factors with the presence vs the absence of FHA.
METHODS
A systematic literature search has been conducted across the major databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Embase) to explore the psychological factors associated with FHA. The search was limited to English-written articles published from 2000 onwards. Articles were selected based on stringent inclusion/exclusion criteria. After data extraction, meta-analysis and meta-synthesis were conducted.
RESULTS
Of 349 retrieved articles, eight studies were included. Findings indicate that the main psychological factors associated to FHA seem to be depression and eating attitudes, especially drive for thinness. FHA women present higher levels of anxiety, sleep disorders, dysfunctional attitudes, and alexithymia. The meta-analysis on drive for thinness revealed that the pooled MD across the studies was statistically significant both in the fixed 0.63 (95% CI: 0.31-0.95) and random model 0.70 (95% CI: 0.13-1.26). Likewise, as for depression, the pooled MD across the studies was statistically significant both in the fixed 0.60 (95% CI: 0.36-0.84) and random model 0.61 (95% CI: 0.20-1.01).
DISCUSSION
Findings showed the association of psychological factors and FHA and recognized their involvement in the persistence of the disorder. A multidisciplinary approach should involve a collaborative process between gynecologists, clinical psychologists, and psychiatrists, from diagnosis to treatment. Longitudinal studies should be implemented with a comparison/control group or by including clinical psychologists in the psychological assessment and study design.
Topics: Female; Humans; Amenorrhea; Hypothalamic Diseases; Thinness; Attitude
PubMed: 36777338
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.981491 -
S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) for Neuropsychiatric Disorders: A Clinician-Oriented Review of Research.The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry Jun 2017A systematic review on S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) for treatment of neuropsychiatric conditions and comorbid medical conditions. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
A systematic review on S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) for treatment of neuropsychiatric conditions and comorbid medical conditions.
DATA SOURCES
Searches were conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and Google Scholar databases between July 15, 2015, and September 28, 2016, by combining search terms for SAMe (s-adenosyl methionine or s-adenosyl-l-methionine) with terms for relevant disease states (major depressive disorder, MDD, depression, perinatal depression, human immunodeficiency virus, HIV, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, dementia, anxiety, schizophrenia, psychotic, 22q11.2, substance abuse, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, hepatitis, or cirrhosis). Additional studies were identified from prior literature. Ongoing clinical trials were identified through clinical trial registries.
STUDY SELECTION
Of the 174 records retrieved, 21 were excluded, as they were not original investigations. An additional 21 records were excluded for falling outside the scope of this review. Of the 132 studies included in this review, 115 were clinical trials and 17 were preclinical studies.
DATA EXTRACTION
A wide range of studies was included in this review to capture information that would be of interest to psychiatrists in clinical practice.
RESULTS
This review of SAMe in the treatment of major depressive disorder found promising but limited evidence of efficacy and safety to support its use as a monotherapy and as an augmentation for other antidepressants. Additionally, preliminary evidence suggests that SAMe may ameliorate symptoms in certain neurocognitive, substance use, and psychotic disorders and comorbid medical conditions.
CONCLUSIONS
S-adenosylmethionine holds promise as a treatment for multiple neuropsychiatric conditions, but the body of evidence has limitations. The encouraging findings support further study of SAMe in both psychiatric and comorbid medical illnesses.
Topics: Humans; Mental Disorders; Nervous System Diseases; S-Adenosylmethionine
PubMed: 28682528
DOI: 10.4088/JCP.16r11113 -
BMC Psychiatry Apr 2015Crisis Resolution Teams (CRTs) aim to offer an alternative to hospital admission during mental health crises, providing rapid assessment, home treatment, and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Crisis Resolution Teams (CRTs) aim to offer an alternative to hospital admission during mental health crises, providing rapid assessment, home treatment, and facilitation of early discharge from hospital. CRTs were implemented nationally in England following the NHS Plan of 2000. Single centre studies suggest CRTs can reduce hospital admissions and increase service users' satisfaction: however, there is also evidence that model implementation and outcomes vary considerably. Evidence on crucial characteristics of effective CRTs is needed to allow team functioning to be optimised. This review aims to establish what evidence, if any, is available regarding the characteristics of effective and acceptable CRTs.
METHODS
A systematic review was conducted. MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Web of Science were searched to November 2013. A further web-based search was conducted for government and expert guidelines on CRTs. We analysed studies separately as: comparing CRTs to Treatment as Usual; comparing two or more CRT models; national or regional surveys of CRT services; qualitative studies of stakeholders' views regarding best practice in CRTs; and guidelines from government and expert organisations regarding CRT service delivery. Quality assessment and narrative synthesis were conducted. Statistical meta-analysis was not feasible due to the variety of design of retrieved studies.
RESULTS
Sixty-nine studies were included. Studies varied in quality and in the composition and activities of the clinical services studied. Quantitative studies suggested that longer opening hours and the presence of a psychiatrist in the team may increase CRTs' ability to prevent hospital admissions. Stakeholders emphasised communication and integration with other local mental health services; provision of treatment at home; and limiting the number of different staff members visiting a service user. Existing guidelines prioritised 24-hour, seven-day-a-week CRT service provision (including psychiatrist and medical prescriber); and high quality of staff training.
CONCLUSIONS
We cannot draw confident conclusions about the critical components of CRTs from available quantitative evidence. Clearer definition of the CRT model is required, informed by stakeholders' views and guidelines. Future studies examining the relationship of overall CRT model fidelity to outcomes, or evaluating the impact of key aspects of the CRT model, are desirable.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Prospero CRD42013006415 .
Topics: Adult; Crisis Intervention; Delivery of Health Care; England; Humans; Mental Disorders; Mental Health Services; Models, Organizational; State Medicine
PubMed: 25879674
DOI: 10.1186/s12888-015-0441-x -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Sep 2022People diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) frequently present to healthcare services in crisis, often with suicidal thoughts or actions. Despite this,... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
People diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) frequently present to healthcare services in crisis, often with suicidal thoughts or actions. Despite this, little is known about what constitutes effective management of acute crises in this population and what type of interventions are helpful at times of crisis. In this review, we will examine the efficacy of crisis interventions, defined as an immediate response by one or more individuals to the acute distress experienced by another individual, designed to ensure safety and recovery and lasting no longer than one month. This review is an update of a previous Cochrane Review examining the evidence for the effects of crisis interventions in adults diagnosed with BPD.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effects of crisis interventions in adults diagnosed with BPD in any setting.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, nine other databases and three trials registers up to January 2022. We also checked reference lists, handsearched relevant journal archives and contacted experts in the field to identify any unpublished or ongoing studies.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing crisis interventions with usual care, no intervention or waiting list, in adults of any age diagnosed with BPD.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane.
MAIN RESULTS
We included two studies with 213 participants. One study (88 participants) was a feasibility RCT conducted in the UK that examined the effects of joint crisis plans (JCPs) plus treatment as usual (TAU) compared to TAU alone in people diagnosed with BPD. The primary outcome was self-harm. Participants had an average age of 36 years, and 81% were women. Government research councils funded the study. Risk of bias was unclear for blinding, but low in the other domains assessed. Evidence from this study suggested that there may be no difference between JCPs and TAU on deaths (risk ratio (RR) 0.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.06 to 14.14; 88 participants; low-certainty evidence); mean number of self-harm episodes (mean difference (MD) 0.30, 95% CI -36.27 to 36.87; 72 participants; low-certainty evidence), number of inpatient mental health nights (MD 1.80, 95% CI -5.06 to 8.66; 73 participants; low-certainty evidence), or quality of life measured using the EuroQol five-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D; MD -6.10, 95% CI -15.52 to 3.32; 72 participants; very low-certainty evidence). The study authors calculated an Incremental Cost Effectiveness Ratio of GBP -32,358 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY), favouring JCPs, but they described this result as "hypothesis-generating only" and we rated this as very low-certainty evidence. The other study (125 participants) was an RCT conducted in Sweden of brief admission to psychiatric hospital by self-referral (BA) compared to TAU, in people with self-harm or suicidal behaviour and three or more diagnostic criteria for BPD. The primary outcome was use of inpatient mental health services. Participants had an average age of 32 years, and 85% were women. Government research councils and non-profit foundations funded the study. Risk of bias was unclear for blinding and baseline imbalances, but low in the other domains assessed. The evidence suggested that there is no clear difference between BA and TAU on deaths (RR 0.49, 95% CI 0.05 to 5.29; 125 participants; low-certainty evidence), mean number of self-harm episodes (MD -0.03, 95% CI -2.26 to 2.20; 125 participants; low-certainty evidence), violence perpetration (RR 2.95, 95% CI 0.12 to 71.13; 125 participants; low-certainty evidence), or days of inpatient mental health care (MD 0.70, 95% CI -14.32 to 15.72; 125 participants; low-certainty evidence). The study suggested that BA may have little or no effect on the mean number of suicide attempts (MD 0.00, 95% CI -0.06 to 0.06; 125 participants; very low-certainty evidence). We also identified three ongoing RCTs that met our inclusion criteria. The results will be incorporated into future updates of this review.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
A comprehensive search of the literature revealed very little RCT-based evidence to inform the management of acute crises in people diagnosed with BPD. We included two studies of two very different types of intervention (JCP and BA). We found no clear evidence of a benefit over TAU in any of our main outcomes. We are very uncertain about the true effects of either intervention, as the evidence was judged low- and very low-certainty, and there was only a single study of each intervention. There is an urgent need for high-quality, large-scale, adequately powered RCTs on crisis interventions for people diagnosed with BPD, in addition to development of new crisis interventions.
Topics: Adult; Borderline Personality Disorder; Crisis Intervention; Female; Hospitalization; Humans; Male; Quality of Life; Self-Injurious Behavior
PubMed: 36161394
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD009353.pub3