scholarly journals Randomised controlled trial of the new short-term online emotion focused training for self-compassion and self-protection in a nonclinical sample

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 333-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Júlia Halamová ◽  
Martin Kanovský ◽  
Karolína Varšová ◽  
Nuriye Kupeli
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Clinical Population ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Self Protection

AbstractThe Emotion Focused Training for Self-Compassion and Self-Protection (EFT-SCP) is an intervention developed to increase skills of self-compassion and protective anger with the aim to decrease self-criticism. This novel intervention was developed on the basis of the latest findings on self-criticism from Emotion-focused therapy and previous programs cultivating compassion (namely Compassion Mind Training and Mindful Self-Compassion Program). According to existing research, simply cultivating self-compassion is not always sufficient in reducing self-criticism. Therefore, the EFT-SCP was designed to build self-compassion whilst developing protective anger to combat self-criticism. Our goal was to investigate the efficacy of this new, short-term, online EFT-SCP program in a non-clinical population. A randomized control trial was conducted with pre- and post-intervention measurements and two-month follow-up of self-compassion and self-criticism/reassurance. Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants through a snowballing technique on social media. A total of 123 participants were randomly allocated to the EFT-SCP intervention or to a control condition. The intervention group were instructed through emails to complete an EFT-SCP task every day for 14 consecutive days. The control group did not complete any tasks. Out of 123 participants, 31 from intervention group and 20 from control group completed all measurements. There was a significant effect of the EFT-SCP on increasing self-compassion and self-reassurance scores as reported at two-month follow-up. The EFT-SCP was also effective at reducing self-uncompassionate responding and self-criticism (specifically Hated self) with changes evident at two months post-intervention. These findings are encouraging and suggest that interventions designed to enhance self-compassion and decrease self-criticism can be delivered to broader populations without the direct contact with mental health professionals.

scholarly journals Randomised controlled trial of an online version of compassion mind training in a nonclinical sample

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 262-279
Author(s):  
Júlia Halamová ◽  
Martin Kanovský ◽  
Alexandra Pačutová ◽  
Nuriye Kupeli
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Online Version ◽  
Clinical Population ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Compassion Mind Training ◽  
Mind Training

Compassion Mind Training (CMT) is a therapeutic approach to guide highly self-critical individuals to generate compassion. The goal was to probe the efficacy of a short-term, online version of the CMT on self-compassion and self-criticism in a non-clinical population. We conducted a randomized controlled trial with pre-, post-measurements and two-month follow-up. Out of 144 randomly allocated participants 26 and 20 of those allocated to the intervention and control groups, respectively, completed the follow-up measures. The intervention group was instructed through email to practice a different CMT exercise every day for 13 consecutive days. There was a significant effect of the intervention on self-criticism, especially Hated-self and the Self-uncompassionate responding. The CMT group reported a reduction in negative thoughts and feelings with effects present at the two-month follow-up. There was no significant effect of the intervention on self-reassurance and self-compassion. Self-criticism is amenable to change following a short-term online intervention of CMT delivered to a non-clinical population with effects lasting at least two months. These findings are promising and suggest that interventions designed to reduce self-criticism can be provided to broader populations without direct involvement of mental health professionals.

scholarly journals A Short Mindfulness Retreat for Students to Reduce Stress and Promote Self-Compassion: Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial Exploring Both an Indoor and a Natural Outdoor Retreat Setting

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 910
Author(s):  
Dorthe Djernis ◽  
Mia S. O’Toole ◽  
Lone O. Fjorback ◽  
Helle Svenningsen ◽  
Mimi Y. Mehlsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Here, we developed and examined a new way of disseminating mindfulness in nature to people without meditation experience, based on the finding that mindfulness conducted in natural settings may have added benefits. We evaluated a 5-day residential programme aiming to reduce stress and improve mental health outcomes. We compared an indoor and an outdoor version of the programme to a control group in a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT). Sixty Danish university students experiencing moderate to high levels of stress were randomised into a residential mindfulness programme indoors (n = 20), in nature (n = 22), or a control group (n = 18). Participants completed the Perceived Stress Scale and the Self-Compassion Scale (primary outcomes) along with additional secondary outcome measures at the start and end of the program and 3 months after. Stress was decreased with small to medium effect sizes post-intervention, although not statistically significant. Self-compassion increased post-intervention, but effect sizes were small and not significant. At follow-up, changes in stress were not significant, however self-compassion increased for both interventions with medium-sized effects. For the intervention groups, medium- to large-sized positive effects on trait mindfulness after a behavioural task were found post-intervention, and small- to medium-sized effects in self-reported mindfulness were seen at follow-up. Connectedness to Nature was the only outcome measure with an incremental effect in nature, exceeding the control with a medium-sized effect at follow-up. All participants in the nature arm completed the intervention, and so did 97% of the participants in all three arms. Overall, the results encourage the conduct of a larger-scale RCT, but only after adjusting some elements of the programme to better fit and take advantage of the potential benefits of the natural environment.

scholarly journals Robot-assisted gait training to reduce pusher behavior

Neurology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 91 (14) ◽  
pp. e1319-e1327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeannine Bergmann ◽  
Carmen Krewer ◽  
Klaus Jahn ◽  
Friedemann Müller
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Gait Training ◽  
Class Ii ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Robot Assisted ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Subacute Stroke ◽  
Post Test

ObjectiveTo determine the effects of 2 weeks of intensive robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) on pusher behavior compared to nonrobotic physiotherapy (nR-PT).MethodsIn a single-blind, randomized, controlled trial with 2 parallel arms, we compared 2 weeks of daily RAGT (intervention group) with the same amount of nR-PT (control group). Patients with subacute stroke who had pusher behavior according to the Scale for Contraversive Pushing (SCP) were included. The primary research questions were whether changes in pusher behavior would differ between groups post intervention, and at a follow-up 2 weeks afterward (SCP and Burke Lateropulsion Scale, Class II evidence). Secondary outcomes included the Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment, the Functional Ambulation Classification, and the Subjective Visual Vertical.ResultsThirty-eight patients were randomized. Thereof, 30 patients received the allocated intervention and were included in the analyses. RAGT led to a larger reduction of pusher behavior than nR-PT at post test (SCP: U = 69.00, r = −0.33, p = 0.037; Burke Lateropulsion Scale: U = 47.500, r = −0.50, p = 0.003) and at follow-up (SCP: U = 54.00, r = −0.44, p = 0.008). Pusher behavior had ceased in 6 of 15 participants in the intervention group and 1 of 15 participants in the control group at post test. At follow-up, 9 of 15 and 5 of 15 participants, respectively, no longer exhibited the behavior.ConclusionsTwo weeks of RAGT seems to persistently reduce pusher behavior, possibly by recalibrating the disturbed inner reference of verticality. The potential benefits of RAGT on pusher behavior and verticality perception require further investigation.Trial registrationGerman Clinical Trials Register (registration number: DRKS00003444).Classification of evidenceThis study provides Class II evidence that RAGT is beneficial to reduce pusher behavior in patients with stroke.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of a mindfulness-oriented substance use prevention program for boys with mild to borderline intellectual disabilities: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucie Waedel ◽  
Anne Daubmann ◽  
Antonia Zapf ◽  
Olaf Reis
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Abstract Background Boys with mild to borderline intellectual disabilities (MBID) are at particular risk to drink in harmful ways once they start to consume alcohol. Interventions based on mindfulness have been proven to be effective in preventing substance use, but mostly for adults with MBID. A mindfulness oriented intervention targeting 11–17 years old boys will be tested in a randomised controlled trial. Study aim is to investigate the benefits of this new intervention compared to an active control condition within a 12 months follow-up. Methods In this randomised controlled proof of concept study, 82 boys with MBID who consumed any alcohol during the last year will be randomised either to the 6 week mindfulness oriented intervention or the control group receiving a control intervention equal in dose and length. The intervention group undergoes mindfulness training combined with interactive drug education, while the control group completes a health training combined with the same education. In the intention-to-treat analysis the primary outcome is the self-reported delay of first post-intervention drunkeness within a 12 months follow-up time span, measured weekly with a short app-based questionnaire. Secondary outcome is the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs within 30 days post-intervention. Changes in neurobiological behavioural parameters, such as impulse control, reward anticipation, and decision making, are also investigated. Other secondary outcomes regard trait mindfulness, emotion regulation, psychopathological symptoms, peer networks, perceived stress, and quality of life. In addition, a prospective registry will be established to record specific data on the population of 11–17 year old boys with MBID without any alcohol experience. Discussion This study offers the opportunity to gain first evidence of the effectiveness of a mindfulness-oriented program for the prevention of substance use for boys with MBID. Trial registration German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00014042. Registered on March 19th 2018.

Enhancing adoptive parenting: A randomized controlled trial

2010 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 529-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Rushton ◽  
Elizabeth Monck ◽  
Morven Leese ◽  
Paul McCrone ◽  
Jessica Sharac
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Adoptive Parents ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Parenting Interventions ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Significant Difference

The aim was to conduct a pragmatic randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate two parenting programmes designed for adopters of children late placed from care. Adoptive parents, with children between 3 and 8 years who were screened to have serious behavioural problems early in the placement, participated in home-based, manualized, parenting programmes delivered by trained and supervised family social workers. The adopters who agreed to join the study were randomly allocated to one of two parenting interventions or to a “services as usual” group. Baseline, immediate post-intervention and six-month follow-ups were assessed using questionnaires and adopter interviews. No cases were lost to follow-up at any point and satisfaction was high with both parenting interventions. At the six-month follow-up, a significant difference ( p < 0.007) was found for “satisfaction with parenting” in favour of the intervention group (Effect Size d = 0.7). Negative parenting approaches were reduced in the intervention group. However, no significant differences in child problems were found between the intervention groups and control group, adjusting for baseline scores. Costs analysis showed that a relatively modest investment in post-adoption support would be well spent in improving adopters’ satisfaction with parenting in the intervention group compared to the routine service group.

scholarly journals Prevention of Depressive Symptoms and Promotion of Well-being in Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Smile Program

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 300-313
Author(s):  
Óscar Sánchez-Hernández ◽  
Francisco X. Méndez ◽  
Manuel Ato ◽  
Judy Garber
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Behavioral Approach ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Intervention Condition

This study addressed the development and evaluation of the Smile Program whose main objective was the prevention of depression and the promotion of well-being in adolescents. The program is based on interventions that have been shown to be efficacious (a cognitive-behavioral approach). Participants were 89 adolescents (mean age = 13.88 years; SD = 0.95) recruited from a sample of 1212 students from seven schools. Results showed a significant reduction in self-reported depressive symptoms in the intervention group (n= 51) as compared to youth in the control group (n= 38). Based on parents’ report (n=56), youth in the intervention group had significantly better self-esteem at post-test as compared to youth in the control group. At four months post intervention, youth in the intervention group had higher psychological well-being than those in the control group; at the 8-month follow-up, youth in the intervention condition reported better family self-concept.

scholarly journals Destress 9-1-1—an online mindfulness-based intervention in reducing stress among emergency medical dispatchers: a randomised controlled trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (10) ◽  
pp. 705-711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Lilly ◽  
Rebecca Calhoun ◽  
Ian Painter ◽  
Randal Beaton ◽  
Scott Stangenes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
Emergency Medical Dispatchers

ObjectivesEmergency medical dispatchers (EMDs) experience significant stress in the workplace. Yet, interventions aimed at reducing work-related stress are difficult to implement due to the logistic challenges associated with the relatively unique EMD work environment. This investigation tested the efficacy of a 7-week online mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) tailored to the EMD workforce.MethodsActive-duty EMDs from the USA and Canada (n=323) were randomly assigned to an intervention or wait list control condition. Participants completed surveys of stress and mindfulness at baseline, post intervention, and 3 months follow-up. Repeated measures mixed effects models were used to assess changes in stress and mindfulness.ResultsDifferences between the intervention group and control group in pre–post changes in stress using the Calgary Symptoms of Stress Inventory were statistically significant, with a difference of −10.0 (95% CI: −14.9, −5.2, p<0.001) for change from baseline to post intervention, and a difference of −6.5 (95% CI: −11.9, −1.1, p=0.02) for change from baseline to 3 months follow-up. Change in mindfulness scores did not differ between groups. However, increases in mindfulness scores were correlated with greater reductions in stress for all participants, regardless of group (r=−0.53, p<0.001).ConclusionsDevelopment of tailored online MBIs for employees working in challenging work environments offer a promising direction for prevention and intervention. This study found that a short, weekly online MBI for EMDs resulted in reductions in reports of stress. Implications of online MBIs in other emergency responding populations and directions for future research are discussed.

scholarly journals Teaching and Practicing Cognitive-Behavioral and Mindfulness Skills in a Web-Based Platform among Older Adults through the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (20) ◽  
pp. 10563
Author(s):  
Stav Shapira ◽  
Ella Cohn-Schwartz ◽  
Daphna Yeshua-Katz ◽  
Limor Aharonson-Daniel ◽  
Avram Mark Clarfield ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Wait List Control

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an acceleration in the development of web-based interventions to alleviate related mental health impacts. The current study explored the effects of a short-term digital group intervention aimed at providing cognitive behavioral and mindfulness tools and skills to reduce loneliness and depression and to increase social support among older adults in Israel. This pilot randomized controlled trial included community-dwelling older adults (n = 82; aged between 65–90 years; 80% female) who were randomized either to an intervention group (n = 64) or a wait-list control group (n = 18). The intervention included seven online sessions, over 3.5 weeks. Depression, loneliness, and social support measures were administered at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at 1-month follow-up. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed statistically and clinically significant reductions in depression in the intervention group, with results maintained at one-month follow-up. Loneliness levels also significantly decreased post-intervention; however, this benefit was not maintained at one-month follow-up. Social support slightly increased both post-intervention and 1-month follow-up—but these changes were not statistically significant. There were no overall changes for the wait-list control group. Our intervention provided promising evidence regarding the effectiveness of an online group intervention to alleviate mental health effects and to promote the coping of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. This relatively simple model can be effectively utilized by communities globally to help connect lonely and isolated older inhabitants, both during the pandemic and in more routine times.

scholarly journals Evaluation of an Ultrasound-Guided Palpation Intervention for Palpation Skill Training: A Single-Blind, Parallel Group, Randomised Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takashi Kitagawa ◽  
Yuma Aoki ◽  
Hotaka Sugimoto ◽  
Natsumi Ozaki
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Parallel Group ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Single Blind

Abstract Although there are increasing reports on the usefulness of sonopalpation with ultrasound imaging, many previous studies have reported interventions without a control group. This single-blind, parallel group randomised controlled trial aimed to determine whether educational instruction with sonopalpation for medical students has a superior effect on skill improvement than traditional instruction without ultrasonography. Twenty-nine medical students participated in the study and were randomised using block randomisation into an ultrasound imaging group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 14). Then, they underwent three training sessions focusing on the shoulder joint. Participants underwent a scoring assessment of their palpation skills at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up 3 months after training. The raters were blinded to the subjects’ group. The Friedman and Mann–Whitney U tests were used for data analysis. The intervention group showed a significant increase in scores at post-intervention and at the 3-month follow-up when compared with the pre-intervention group (p < 0.05); the effect sizes were large (0.849 and 0.849, respectively). A comparison of the scores at different time points after the intervention at the 3-month follow-up revealed that there was no significant difference between the groups. Education using ultrasound images may improve the sonopalpation skills of medical students.

scholarly journals A randomised controlled trial to reduce highest priority critically important antimicrobial prescription in companion animals

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Singleton ◽  
Angela Rayner ◽  
Bethaney Brant ◽  
Steven Smyth ◽  
Peter-John M. Noble ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Prescription Data ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Electronic Prescription ◽  
Randomised Controlled

AbstractRobust evidence supporting strategies for companion animal antimicrobial stewardship is limited, despite frequent prescription of highest priority critically important antimicrobials (HPCIA). Here we describe a randomised controlled trial where electronic prescription data were utilised (August 2018–January 2019) to identify above average HPCIA-prescribing practices (n = 60), which were randomly assigned into a control group (CG) and two intervention groups. In March 2019, the light intervention group (LIG) and heavy intervention group (HIG) were notified of their above average status, and were provided with educational material (LIG, HIG), in-depth benchmarking (HIG), and follow-up meetings (HIG). Following notification, follow-up monitoring lasted for eight months (April–November 2019; post-intervention period) for all intervention groups, though HIG practices were able to access further support (i.e., follow-up meetings) for the first six of these months if requested. Post-intervention, in the HIG a 23.5% and 39.0% reduction in canine (0.5% of total consultations, 95% confidence interval, 0.4-0.6, P = 0.04) and feline (4.4%, 3.4-5.3, P < 0.001) HPCIA-prescribing consultations was observed, compared to the CG (dogs: 0.6%, 0.5-0.8; cats: 7.4%, 6.0-8.7). The LIG was associated with a 16.7% reduction in feline HPCIA prescription (6.1% of total consultations, 5.3-7.0, P = 0.03). Therefore, in this trial we have demonstrated effective strategies for reducing veterinary HPCIA prescription.

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