Development of a standardized training program for the Hamilton Depression Scale using internet-based technologies: results from a pilot study

AbstractObjectiveThis pilot study aims to explore the feasibility and proof of concept of triple chronotherapy (TCT) as a non-pharmacological, adjunctive intervention in the treatment of acute depression and suicidality in the adolescent population.MethodThirty-one adolescents with moderate to severe depression were included in the study. Each participant underwent a 4-day intervention (TCT) which consisted of one night of sleep deprivation followed by three days of sleep phase advancement and daily bright light therapy. Primary outcomes were feasibility and depression, as measured by Hamilton Depression Scale-17 (HAMD-17) scores. Secondary outcomes included severity of illness, anxiety, self-harm, insomnia, and suicidality.ResultsTwenty-nine (94%) adolescents completed the TCT protocol. Twenty-six (84%) of the 31 enrolled patients experienced a reduction in depressive symptoms of at least 50% from baseline; 24 (77%) achieved remission, defined as a HAMD-17 score less than 8. Secondary outcomes showed significant improvement following the 4-day TCT intervention; improvement was sustained through the 7–10 day and 1-month follow-up periods.ConclusionThis pilot study determined TCT to be a feasible, safe, accelerated, and promising adjunctive treatment for acute depression in the adolescent population. This study has been submitted for publication and is currently under review.

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Childhood Maltreatment Was Correlated With the Decreased Cortical Function in Depressed Patients Under Social Stress in a Working Memory Task: A Pilot Study

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2021.671574 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Mengying Ma ◽

Xiao Zhang ◽

Yuyanan Zhang ◽

Yi Su ◽

Hao Yan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Childhood Maltreatment ◽

Social Stress ◽

Memory Task ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Brain Activation ◽

Main Diagnosis ◽

Hamilton Depression Scale ◽

Significant Group

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common psychiatric disorder associated with working memory (WM) impairment. Neuroimaging studies showed divergent results of the WM process in MDD patients. Stress could affect the occurrence and development of depression, in which childhood maltreatment played an important role.Methods: Thirty-seven MDD patients and 54 healthy control subjects were enrolled and completed a WM functional magnetic resonance imaging task with maintenance and manipulation conditions under stress and non-stress settings. We collected demographical and clinical data, using 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17) and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) in MDD patients. In the WM task, we analyzed the main diagnosis effect and explored the correlation of impaired brain regions in MDD patients with CTQ and HAMD-17.Results: No group differences were found in the accuracy rate and reaction time between the two groups. MDD patients had lower brain activation in following regions (PFWE < 0.05). The left fusiform gyrus showed less activation in all conditions. The right supplementary motor area (SMA) exhibited decreased activation under non-stress. The anterior prefrontal cortex showed reduced activation during manipulation under stress, with the β estimations of the peak voxel showing significant group difference negatively correlated with childhood sex abuse (PBonferroni < 0.05).Conclusions: In our pilot study, MDD patients had reduced brain activation, affecting emotional stimuli processing function, executive function, and cognitive control function. Childhood maltreatment might affect brain function in MDD. This work might provide some information for future studies on MDD.

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ASSOCIATION AMONG ITEMS FROM THE SELF-REPORT VERSION OF THE HAMILTON DEPRESSION SCALE (CARROLL RATING SCALE) AND RESPONDENTS' SEX

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.101.5.291-301 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 101 (5) ◽

pp. 291

Author(s):

ANA LUIZA CAMOZZATO

Keyword(s):

Rating Scale ◽

Depression Scale ◽

The Self ◽

Self Report ◽

Hamilton Depression Scale

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Incidence of depression and its influencing factors in 387 patients with asthma from Xinjiang, China

Allergy and Asthma Proceedings ◽

10.2500/aap.2020.41.190034 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (2) ◽

pp. e45-e53 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dilinuer Wufuer ◽

Haidiya Aierken ◽

Yan Fang ◽

Mihereguli Simayi ◽

Kelibiena Tuerxun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Depression Scale ◽

High Morbidity ◽

Hamilton Depression Scale ◽

Multiple Factors ◽

Asthma Symptoms ◽

Depression Status ◽

Treatment Of Depression ◽

Quality Life

Background: Our study aimed to investigate the incidence of depression in 387 patients with asthma. Methods: The Zung self-rating depression scale and the Hamilton depression scale were used to evaluate the depression status in patients with asthma. Results: Results of logistic regression analysis indicated that, severity of asthma symptoms, taking medicine, frequency of asthma onset, and lack of education were the major risk factors for depression in patients with asthma. Conclusion: Depression is a complication with high morbidity in patients with asthma. It largely affects disease control of asthma and the quality life in patients. Multiple factors are relevant for depression in the patient with asthma. This study provided a comprehensive horizon for clinical management and treatment of depression in patients with asthma.

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The Effect of STH Hypersecretion on Neuro-psychic Function

Revista de Chimie ◽

10.37358/rc.19.6.7310 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 70 (6) ◽

pp. 2225-2228

Author(s):

Bogdan Virgil Cotoi ◽

Nikolaos Mavritsakis ◽

Anca Ganescu ◽

Elena Ionescu

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trials ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Endocrine Disorders ◽

Hamilton Depression Scale ◽

Pituitary Dysfunction ◽

Upper Limit ◽

Manic Depressive ◽

Psychic Disorders ◽

Psychological Examination ◽

Psychic Function

C: I: Parhon and his colleagues have drawn attention to the existence of psychic disorders, especially manic-depressive and delusional, in a range of endocrine disorders such as acromegaly, gigantism, adipose-genital dystrophy, highlighting the aggressiveness of patients with acromegaly. A number of clinical trials have shown that pituitary dysfunction can be associated with schizophrenia and even epilepsy. In this study, 19 patients were diagnosed with acromegaly following STH dosing, resulting in values higher than the upper limit (ie above 5 ng / mL in men or over 10 ng / mL in females). These patients had complete neurological examination, electroencephalogram, psychological examination, and the Hamilton depression scale.

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Evaluation of the online-based self-help programme “Selfapy” in patients with unipolar depression: study protocol for a randomized, blinded parallel group dismantling study

Trials ◽

10.1186/s13063-021-05218-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Rico Krämer ◽

Stephan Köhler

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Drop Out ◽

Control Group ◽

Hamilton Depression Scale ◽

Online Interventions ◽

Phone Calls ◽

Self Help ◽

Low Threshold ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Patients with mild to moderate depressive symptoms can have limited access to regular treatment; to ensure appropriate care, low-threshold treatment is needed. Effective online interventions could increase the supply of low-threshold treatment. Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of online interventions. This study aims to evaluate the online-based self-help programme “Selfapy” on a sample of depressive subjects and compares the impact of the programme’s unaccompanied version with its therapeutic accompanied version. Methods A sample of 400 subjects that have a mild to severe depressive episode (Becks Depression Inventory - II and Hamilton Depression Scale) will be used. Subjects are randomly assigned to immediate access to an unaccompanied course (no support from psychologist via weekly phone calls), immediate access to an accompanied course (support from a psychologist via weekly phone calls) or a waiting list control group (access to the intervention after 24 weeks). The intervention will last for a period of 12 weeks. Depressive symptoms as a primary parameter, as well as various secondary parameters, such as life satisfaction, therapeutic relationships, social activation, self-esteem, attitudes towards Internet interventions and drop-out rates, are recorded at four different points in time: at baseline (T1), 6 weeks after the start of the intervention (T2), 12 weeks after the start of the intervention (T3) and 3 months after completion of the treatment follow-up (T4). Conclusion This randomized and controlled, blinded study will make use of a “dismantled” approach to adequately compare the accompanied and unaccompanied versions of the intervention. Positive and meaningful results are expected that could influence the acceptance and implementation of online interventions. Trial registration German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00017191. Registered on 14 June 2019

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411 - Implementing the STrAtegies for RelaTives (START) intervention in Portugal – preliminary findings

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610220002641 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (S1) ◽

pp. 127-127

Author(s):

Fatima Urzal ◽

Ana Quintão ◽

Catarina Santos ◽

Nuno Moura ◽

Ana Banazol ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Family Caregivers ◽

Clinical Training ◽

Unmet Needs ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Subjective Impression ◽

Implementation Challenges ◽

People With Dementia ◽

The Uk

IntroductionAs in other countries, Portuguese family caregivers have unmet needs regarding information and distress. START (STrAtegies for RelaTives) is a manual-based coping intervention for families of people with dementia, including coping strategies and stress-management components, by Livingston and colleagues (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/psychiatry/research/mental-health-older-people/projects/start). In the UK, START has been clinically effective, immediately and continuing even after 6-years, without increasing costs. Clinical training and supervision ensures treatment fidelity. In Portugal, these kind of interventions are less available and, when provided, are mostly supportive and fail to address coping strategies. Paradoxically, recruitment may also prove challenging.ObjectivesWe describe the development of the Portuguese translation of START, incorporating guidance from the UK team, and a pilot study of delivery to family caregivers of people with dementia. We will also discuss the challenges of recruiting participants and delivering the intervention.MethodWe translated the START intervention and recruited family caregivers from neurology and psychiatry outpatients, in a central hospital in Lisbon. Our baseline assessment included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Zarit Burden Interview. The pilot is still ongoing at time of submitting, so we focus on recruitment, baseline assessments and process issues.ResultsDuring a three-month period, we recruited six caregivers. Five were primary caregivers (spouses or adult children) who had been caring for their relatives for 2 up to 10 years. Two caregivers met the international cutoff for clinically relevant affective disorder . The most frequent motivators for taking part were learning to communicate with their relatives and increasing knowledge to build community resources. Overall, the subjective impression of the therapist in charge is that the intervention seems acceptable and promising.Discussion/ConclusionsThis pilot study will eventually lead to an improved version of the Portuguese version of the START manual. So far, the intervention seems appropriate for selected caregivers in Portugal. However, response to striking unmet needs, particularly basic home support, may need to precede interventions like START. We look forward to concluding the intervention study and analyzing the implementation challenges, as a basis to inform a wider-scale trial.

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Computerized Cognitive Training with Learning Disabled Students: A Pilot Study

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.1992.71.3f.1347 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 71 (3_suppl) ◽

pp. 1347-1356 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

F. Talbot ◽

M. Pépin ◽

M. Loranger

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Training Program ◽

Cognitive Training ◽

Cognitive Skills ◽

Mental Arithmetic ◽

Learning Disabled ◽

Skills Development ◽

Control Group ◽

Disabled Students ◽

Computerized Cognitive Training

The effects of practicing computerized exercises in class by 59 learning disabled students who received an 8-hr. training program, 30 min. per week, were evaluated. Six exercises designed to facilitate basic cognitive skills development were used. Twelve subjects were assigned to a control group without any form of intervention. Covariance analysis (pretest scores used as covariates) showed a significant effect of training on mental arithmetic. These results suggest that practicing a computerized exercise of mental arithmetic can facilitate the automatization of basic arithmetic skills (addition, subtraction, and multiplication). The nature, progress, and evaluation of such types of intervention are discussed.

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