FC22-05 - Effectiveness of a home aftercare service for patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: A 12-month randomized controlled study

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 1938-1938
Author(s):  
V. Sharifi ◽  
M. Tehranidoost ◽  
M. Yunesian ◽  
H. Amini ◽  
M. Mohammadi ◽  
...  

IntroductionThe revolving door phenomenon of hospitalization and relapse is very common among psychiatric patients in Iran.ObjectiveTo examine the effectiveness of a home aftercare service for patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders.MethodsPatients admitted to Roozbeh hospital (Tehran, Iran) were consecutively enrolled and were randomized into the home aftercare service and the treatment-as-usual groups. In the home aftercare group, multidisciplinary teams made home visits on a monthly basis that provided education and treatment. The treatment-as-usual group received the existing services. All patients were followed one year after discharge in 4-month intervals in which data about rehospitalisations, symptoms, functioning, quality of life, and service satisfaction were obtained.ResultsA total of 130 patients were enrolled (70 with bipolar disorder and 60 with schizophrenia) and were randomized to receive either home aftercare (66) or treatment-as usual (64). Home aftercare led to greater reduction in mean rehospitalization rate in the follow-up (0.4 in home care vs 0.07 in TAU, p = 0.011). Moreover, patients in the home care group had more improvement in psychotic symptoms (p = 0.003), depressive symptoms (p = 0.003), and clinical global impression of illness severity (p = 0.008), as well as greater patient satisfaction with the service (p < 0.001). In multiple regression analysis, home aftercare and bipolar diagnosis were associated with less rehopsitalization.ConclusionsHome aftercare is an effective service for patients with severe mental disorders after being discharged from the hospital. Its implementation in aftercare services is suggested.

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 275-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Favrod ◽  
S. Rexhaj ◽  
S. Bardy ◽  
P. Ferrari ◽  
C. Hayoz ◽  
...  

AbstractPersistent psychotic symptoms represent a major challenge for psychiatric care. Basic research has shown that psychotic symptoms are associated with cognitive biases. Metacognitive training (MCT) aims at helping patients to become aware of these biases and to improve problem-solving. Fifty-two participants fulfilling diagnostic criteria of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders and persistent delusions and stabilized antipsychotic medication were enrolled in this study. Following baseline assessment patients were randomized either to treatment as usual (TAU) conditions or TAU + MCT. The intervention consisted of eight weekly 1-hour sessions (maximum: 8 hours). Participants were assessed at 8 weeks and 6-months later by blind assessors. Participants were assessed with the Psychotic Symptoms Rating Scales (PSYRATS) and the positive subscale of the PANSS. Between-group differences in post- and pre-test values were significant at a medium effect size in favor of the MCT for the PSYRATS delusion scale and the positive scale of the PANSS both at post and follow-up. The results of this study indicate that MCT training has a surplus antipsychotic effect for patients suffering from schizophrenia-related disorders who demonstrate only a partial response to antipsychotic treatment and that the effect of the intervention persists for at least 6 months after the intervention.


Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 601
Author(s):  
Robert M. Post ◽  
Heinz Grunze

Childhood onset bipolar disorder (CO-BD) presents a panoply of difficulties associated with early recognition and treatment. CO-BD is associated with a variety of precursors and comorbidities that have been inadequately studied, so treatment remains obscure. The earlier the onset, the longer is the delay to first treatment, and both early onset and treatment delay are associated with more depressive episodes and a poor prognosis in adulthood. Ultra-rapid and ultradian cycling, consistent with a diagnosis of BP-NOS, are highly prevalent in the youngest children and take long periods of time and complex treatment regimens to achieve euthymia. Lithium and atypical antipsychotics are effective in mania, but treatment of depression remains obscure, with the exception of lurasidone, for children ages 10-17. Treatment of the common comorbid anxiety disorders, oppositional defiant disorders, pathological habits, and substance abuse are all poorly studied and are off-label. Cognitive dysfunction after a first manic hospitalization improves over the next year only on the condition that no further episodes occur. Yet comprehensive expert treatment after an initial manic hospitalization results in many fewer relapses than traditional treatment as usual, emphasizing the need for combined pharmacological, psychosocial, and psycho-educational approaches to this difficult and highly recurrent illness.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maximilian Pilhatsch ◽  
Thomas J Stamm ◽  
Petra Stahl ◽  
Ute Lewitzka ◽  
Anne Berghöfer ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Symptoms of anxiety co-occur in a variety of disorders including in depressive episodes of bipolar disorder and in patients with thyrotoxicosis. Treatment of refractory bipolar disorder with supraphysiologic doses of levothyroxine (L-T4) has been shown to improve the phenotypic expression of the disorder and is associated with an increase of circulating thyroid hormones. However, it might be associated with somatic and mental adverse effects. Here we report the investigation of the influence of treatment with supraphysiologic doses of L-T4 on symptoms of anxiety in patients with refractory bipolar depression. Methods Post-hoc analysis from a 6-week, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the effects of supraphysiologic L-T4 treatment on anxiety symptoms in bipolar depression. Anxiety symptoms were measured weekly with the Hamilton anxiety/somatization factor (HASF) score of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and the State- and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results Treatment of both groups was associated with a significant reduction in anxiety symptoms (p < 0.001) with no statistical difference between groups (LT-4: from 5.9 (SD = 2.0) at baseline to 3.7 (SD = 2.4) at study end; placebo: from 6.1 (SD = 2.4) at baseline to 4.4 (SD = 2.8) at study end; p = 0.717). Severity of anxiety at baseline did not show a statistically significant correlation to the antidepressive effect of treatment with supraphysiologic doses of L-T4 (p = 0.811). Gender did not show an influence on the reduction of anxiety symptoms (females: from 5.6 (SD = 1.7) at baseline to 3.5 (SD = 2.4) at study end; males: from 6.1 (SD = 2.3) at baseline to 4.0 (SD = 2.4) at study end; p = 0.877). Conclusions This study failed to detect a difference in change of anxiety between bipolar depressed patients treated with supraphysiologic doses of L-T4 or placebo. Comorbid anxiety symptoms should not be considered a limitation for the administration of supraphysiologic doses of L-T4 refractory bipolar depressed patients. Trial registration ClinicalTrials, ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01528839. Registered 2 June 2012—Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT01528839


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Xian-Rong Yu ◽  
Yu-Qing Lei ◽  
Jian-Feng Liu ◽  
Zeng-Chun Wang ◽  
Hua Cao ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: This study explored the clinical effect of employing breast milk oral care for infants who underwent surgical correction of ventricular septal defect. Methods: A prospective randomised controlled study was conducted in a provincial hospital between January, 2020 and July, 2020 in China. Patients were randomly divided into an intervention group (breast milk oral care, n = 28) and a control group (physiological saline oral care, n = 28). The intervention group was given oral nursing using breast milk for infants in the early post-operative period, and the control group was given oral nursing using physiological saline. Related clinical data were recorded and analysed. Results: There were no significant differences in age, gender, weight, operation time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, or aortic cross-clamping time between the two groups. Compared with the physiological saline oral care group, the mechanical ventilation duration, the length of ICU stay in the breast milk oral care group were significantly shorter. The time of start feeding and total enteral nutrition were significantly earlier in the intervention group than those in the control group. The incidence of post-operative pneumonia in the breast milk oral care group was 3.6%, which was significantly lower than that of the physiological saline oral care group. Conclusion: The use of breast milk for oral care in infants who underwent surgical correction of VSD can reduce the incidence of post-operative pneumonia and promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function.


2011 ◽  
Vol 156 (3) ◽  
pp. 370-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela Belmonte Mahon ◽  
Mehdi Pirooznia ◽  
Fernando S. Goes ◽  
Fayaz Seifuddin ◽  
Jo Steele ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
pp. 145507252110078
Author(s):  
Thi-Thuy-Dung Nguyen ◽  
Eleonor Säfsten ◽  
Filip Andersson ◽  
Maria Rosaria Galanti

Aim: This two-arm parallel randomised controlled trial explored the effectiveness of a brief counselling model compared with the usual multi-session counselling at an alcohol telephone helpline. Methods: A total of 320 callers who contacted the Swedish Alcohol Helpline (SAH) because of hazardous or harmful alcohol use were randomised to either brief structured intervention (self-help booklet plus one proactive call) or usual care (multi-session telephone counselling). The primary outcome was a downward shift in risk level at 12-month follow-up compared with baseline, based on self-reports. Sustained risk level reduction throughout the whole follow-up was also assessed as secondary outcome. Results: Both interventions were significantly associated with a shift to a lower level of risky alcohol use (75% among participants in the brief structured intervention, and 70% in the usual care group) after 12 months. There was no difference between the two interventions in the proportions changing alcohol use or sustaining risk level reduction. Conclusion: In the context of telephone helplines, minimal and extended interventions appear to be equally effective in promoting long-term change in alcohol use.


2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (8) ◽  
pp. 557-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.-M. Azorin ◽  
A. Kaladjian ◽  
M. Adida ◽  
E. Fakra ◽  
E. Hantouche ◽  
...  

AbstractObjective:To identify some of the main features of bipolar disorder for both first-episode (FE) mania and the preceding prodromal phase, in order to increase earlier recognition.Methods:One thousand and ninety manic patients (FE=81, multiple-episodes [ME]=1009) were assessed for clinical and temperamental characteristics.Results:Compared to ME, FE patients reported more psychotic and less depressive symptoms but were comparable with respect to temperamental measures and comorbid anxiety. The following independent variables were associated with FE mania: a shorter delay before correct diagnosis, greater substance use, being not divorced, greater stressors before current mania, a prior diagnosis of an anxiety disorder, lower levels of depression during index manic episode, and more suicide attempts in the past year.Conclusion:In FE patients, the diagnosis of mania may be overlooked, as they present with more psychotic symptoms than ME patients. The prodromal phase is characterised by high levels of stress, suicide attempts, anxiety disorders and alcohol or substance abuse. Data suggest to consider these prodromes as harmful consequences of temperamental predispositions to bipolar disorder that may concur to precipitate mania onset. Their occurrence should therefore incite clinicians to screen for the presence of such predispositions, in order to identify patients at risk of FE mania.


2005 ◽  
Vol 186 (4) ◽  
pp. 324-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia R. Valmaggia ◽  
Mark van der Gaag ◽  
Nicholas Tarrier ◽  
Marieke Pijnenborg ◽  
Cees J. Slooff

BackgroundThere is increasing evidence that cognitive–behavioural therapy can be an effective intervention for patients experiencing drug-refractory positive symptoms of schizophrenia.AimsTo investigate the effects of cognitive–behavioural therapy on in-patients with treatment-refractory psychotic symptoms.MethodManualised therapy was compared with supportive counselling in a randomised controlled study. Both interventions were delivered by experienced psychologists over 16 sessions of treatment. Therapy fidelity was assessed by two independent raters. Participants underwent masked assessment at baseline, after treatment and at 6 months' follow-up. Main outcome measures were the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and the Psychotic Symptoms Rating Scale. The analysis was by intention to treat.ResultsParticipants receiving cognitive–behavioural therapy had improved with regard to auditory hallucinations and illness insight at the post-treatment assessment, but these findings were not maintained at follow-up.ConclusionsCognitive–behavioural therapy showed modest short-term benefits over supportive counselling for treatment-refractory positive symptoms of schizophrenia.


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