Tele.TAnDem Increases the Psychosocial Resource Utilization of Dementia Caregivers

GeroPsych ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 173-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nils F. Töpfer ◽  
Gabriele Wilz

Abstract. Tele.TAnDem is a telephone-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention for dementia caregivers which incorporates resource activation as a superordinate heuristic. We investigated whether Tele.TAnDem increased the utilization of psychosocial resources in dementia caregivers. To this end, 273 dementia caregivers were randomly assigned to receive the Tele.TAnDem intervention (n = 139) or usual care (n = 134). Compared to the control group, at posttest caregivers in the intervention group had utilized more resources related to well-being and coping with daily hassles. Treatment effects on the utilization of resources related to social support were only marginally significantly greater at posttest for caregivers with higher baseline resource utilization. Treatment effects were not maintained at 6-month follow-up. Results indicate that Tele.TAnDem can successfully activate the psychosocial resources of dementia caregivers.

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 728 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosario Josefa Marrero ◽  
Mónica Carballeira ◽  
Sabrina Martín ◽  
Miriam Mejías ◽  
Juan Andrés Hernández

<p>The aim of this study was to design and implement a positive intervention combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy to enhance subjective and psychological well-being and other positive functioning constructs in a convenience sample. Participants analysed were 48 university students (mean age 22.25),25 assigned nonrandomized to intervention condition and 23 to no-treatment waiting-list control condition. All participants were assessed pre- and post-intervention to test the treatment program effectiveness. Repeated-measures ANCOVAs, controlling baseline differences between the two groups, indicated that the intervention group reported greater social support after the intervention period than the waiting-list control group. Within-group differences were found for happiness, self-acceptance, positive relations with others, optimism, and self-esteem in the intervention group; these differences did not appear in the waiting-list control group. These findings suggest the limited capacity of this intervention program for improving well-being through positive activities combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy. Future research should analyse what kind of activities could be more effective in promoting well-beingdepending on the characteristics of participants.</p>


2021 ◽  
pp. 019394592110013
Author(s):  
Jane Flanagan ◽  
Kathryn Post ◽  
Rebecca Hill ◽  
John DiPalazzo

This study’s purpose was to determine the feasibility of a nurse coached walking intervention for informal caregivers of persons with dementia. Participants were randomly assigned to a nurse coached intervention or a control group. Five male and 27 female caregivers ( n = 32) participated. Measures included steps, walked well-being, and perceived stress. For steps walked, each group experienced a statistical difference ( p = .01 control; p = .02 intervention) and large effect size (0.90). Neither group had a statistical difference in well-being ( p = .38 control; p = .08 intervention) or perceived stress ( p = .56 control; p = .18 intervention). The intervention group achieved a large effect size in well-being (1.38) and moderate effect size in perceived stress (0.51). A 0.94 pedometer adherence, self-reported user ease with technology and 100% retention rate support feasibility. Many participants described feelings of loneliness and grief, but reported the pedometer motivated them to walk.


Crisis ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 415-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yik-Wa Law ◽  
Paul S. F. Yip ◽  
Carmen C. S. Lai ◽  
Chi Leung Kwok ◽  
Paul W. C. Wong ◽  
...  

Abstract. Background: Studies have shown that postdischarge care for self-harm patients is effective in reducing repeated suicidal behaviors. Little is known about whether volunteer support can help reduce self-harm repetition and improve psychosocial well-being. Aim: This study investigated the efficacy of volunteer support in preventing repetition of self-harm. Method: This study used a quasi-experimental design by assigning self-harm patients admitted to the emergency departments to an intervention group with volunteer support and treatment as usual (TAU) for 9 months and to a control group of TAU. Outcome measures include repetition of self-harm, suicidal ideation, hopelessness, and level of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Results: A total of 74 cases were recruited (38 participants; 36 controls). There were no significant differences in age, gender, and clinical condition between the two groups at the baseline. The intervention group showed significant improvements in hopelessness and depressive symptoms. However, the number of cases of suicide ideation and of repetition of self-harm episodes was similar for both groups at the postintervention period. Conclusion: Postdischarge care provided by volunteers showed significant improvement in hopelessness and depression. Volunteers have been commonly involved in suicide prevention services. Further research using rigorous methods is recommended for improving service quality in the long term.


2021 ◽  
pp. 019394592110207
Author(s):  
Min Wen ◽  
Yaqin Liang ◽  
Qianqian Shen ◽  
Juping Yu ◽  
Pingping He ◽  
...  

This cluster randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the effects of an intervention to teach resourcefulness on depression and coping style of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). A convenience sample of 72 patients in community settings took part. Participants in the intervention group (n = 36) received an 8-week intervention based on the concept of resourcefulness, plus routine health education. Participants in the control group (n = 36) received routine health education only. After the intervention, participants in the intervention group had significantly higher scores on resourcefulness and coping styles, and lower scores on depression than those in the control group (both ps < .001). The findings suggest that a well-developed intervention to teach resourcefulness could help patients with CHD to be more resourceful, improve their level of depression, and choose more effective strategies to cope with stress.


2021 ◽  
pp. 014303432110250
Author(s):  
Celeste Simões ◽  
Anabela C. Santos ◽  
Paula Lebre ◽  
João R. Daniel ◽  
Cátia Branquinho ◽  
...  

Resilience is an individual’s ability to adapt successfully to and persevere during and after significant challenges. Resilience programmes based on a socioemotional learning approach have been associated with an increase in protextive factors (e.g., prosocial competencies), improvements in physical and mental health, and a decrease in internalised and externalised symptoms. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of the RESCUR curriculum implemented in Portuguese schools on students’ academic, behavioural, and socioemotional outcomes, based on child and teacher reports. Participants included 1,084 children (53.2% male) aged 3-15 ( M = 7.24, SD = 2.31). A quasi-experimental study compared outcomes for an experimental intervention group (AIG) with a waiting list control group (WG). The results showed the RESCUR programme decreased mental health difficulties while increasing both prosocial behaviours and well-being. In addition, academic performance increased for those in preschool after implementation. Both teachers and children consistently reported positive behavioural changes in resilience-related competencies after implementing RESCUR. Our findings contribute to the recent research on the potential of RESCUR to address key socioemotional competencies and improve relevant protextive factors. Study limitations and future recommendations are addressed.


Author(s):  
Tzofnat Zadok-Gurman ◽  
Ronit Jakobovich ◽  
Eti Dvash ◽  
Keren Zafrani ◽  
Benjamin Rolnik ◽  
...  

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on teachers professional and personal lives. Our primary aim was to assess the effect of a blended Inquiry-Based Stress Reduction (IBSR), an emerging mindfulness and cognitive reframing intervention on teacher’s well-being. Our secondary aims were to assess the effect of IBSR on resilience, burnout, mindfulness, and stress among teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The study was a prospective controlled trial with an intervention group (N = 35) and a comparison control group (N = 32). The intervention took place in the Jerusalem District throughout the school year from November 2019 to May 2020. The sessions were conducted in blended learning that included traditional learning (face-to-face) and online learning. Data was analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. Results: IBSR blended intervention enhanced the resilience and improved the subjective and psychological well-being of teachers in spite of the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic and the first lockdown in Israel. Simultaneously the control group suffered from enhanced burnout levels and a decline in psychological and subjective well-being. Conclusions: Implementation of IBSR blended intervention during the school year may benefit teachers’ well-being and ability to flourish, even during stressful events such as the COVID-19 pandemic.


Author(s):  
Nasrin Pour Amiri ◽  
Atefeh Ahmadi ◽  
Firoozeh Mirzaee ◽  
Moghadameh Mirzai ◽  
Nader Shahrokhi

Abstract Objective Childbirth is a biological, psychological, and sociological event that can be a positive or negative experience, and, without support, this period may be potentially damaging. Parturition may distort maternal emotions and lead to short- or long-term disorders such as postpartum depression and anxiety. The present research aims to study the effects of dialectic behavioral therapy-based counseling on depression, anxiety symptoms, and postpartum hematocrit level. Methods The current research is a clinical trial study, and the sample was selected using parturients who were referred to the Health General Center with a diagnosis of postpartum depression and anxiety. The sample size consisted of 116 subjects who agreed to participate in the study. The patients in intervention group underwent group dialectic behavioral counseling (10 sessions/one session per week) and the control group did not receive any type of intervention. The patients were assessed in the first and last sessions as well as 2 months after the end of the sessions, using the Beck depression scale and Spielberg anxiety scale as well as the results of hematocrit tests. Data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 21.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) Results The results implied the effectiveness of dialectic behavioral therapy on reduction of the depression score, anxiety symptoms (p-value ≤ 0.0001), and hematocrit level (p-value = 0.04). The participants' depression, anxiety, and hematocrit levels decreased in the experiment group compared to the control group, and this decrease has remained until the 2-month follow-up. Conclusion It seems that dialectic behavioral counseling reduces the levels of postpartum depression, anxiety, and hematocrits.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvina Catuara-Solarz ◽  
Bartlomiej Skorulski ◽  
Inaki Estella ◽  
Claudia Avella-Garcia ◽  
Sarah Shepherd ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Against a long-term trend of increasing demand, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a global rise in common mental disorders. Now more than ever, there is an urgent need for scalable, evidence-based interventions to support mental well-being. OBJECTIVE The aim of this proof-of-principle study was to evaluate the efficacy of a mobile-based app in adults with self-reported symptoms of anxiety and stress in a randomised control trial that took place during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. METHODS Adults with mild to severe anxiety and moderate to high levels of perceived stress were randomised to either the intervention or control arm. Participants in the intervention arm were given access to the app, Foundations, for the duration of the 4-week study. All participants were required to self-report a range of validated measures of mental well-being (10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience scale [CD-RISC-10]; 7-item Generalised Anxiety Disorder scale [GAD-7]; Office of National Statistics Four Subjective Well-being Questions [ONS-4]; World Health Organisation-5 Well-Being Index [WHO-5]) and sleep (Minimal Insomnia Scale [MISS]) at baseline and weeks 2 and 4; and, in addition, on perceived stress weekly (10-item Perceived Stress Score [PSS]). RESULTS 136 participants completed the study and were included in the final analysis. The intervention group (n=62) showed significant improvements compared to the control group (n=74) on measures of anxiety (GAD-7 score, delta from baseline to week 2 in the intervention group: -1.35 [SD 4.43]; control group: -0.23 [SD 3.24]; t134= 1.71 , P=.04), resilience (CD-RISC score, delta from baseline to week 2 in the intervention group: 1.79 [± SD 4.08]; control group: -0.31 [± SD 3.16]; t134 -3.37, P<.001), sleep (MISS score, delta from baseline to week 2 in the intervention group: -1.16 [± SD 2.67]; control group: -0.26 [± SD 2.29]; t134= 2.13, P=.01), and mental well-being (WHO-5 score, delta from baseline to week 2 in the intervention group: 1.53 [5.30]; control group: -0.23 [± SD 4.20]; t134= -2.16, P=.02) within 2 weeks of using Foundations, with further improvements emerging at week 4. Perceived stress was also reduced within the intervention group, although the results did not reach statistical significance relative to the control group (PSS score, delta from baseline to week 2 in the intervention group: -2.94 [± SD 6.84]; control group: -2.05 [± SD 5.34]; t134= 0.84, P=.20). CONCLUSIONS This study provides proof-of-principle that the digital mental health app, Foundations, can improve measures of mental well-being, anxiety, resilience, and sleep within 2 weeks of use, with greater effects after 4 weeks. It therefore offers potential as a scalable, cost-effective, and accessible solution to enhance mental well-being, even during times of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic.


2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Forouzandeh Soleimanian-Boroujeni ◽  
Negin Badihian ◽  
Shervin Badihian ◽  
Vahid Shaygannejad ◽  
Yousef Gorji

Abstract Introduction: Psychological interventions are shown to be effective in migraine, but not utilized routinely yet. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral therapy (TCBT) on people with migraine (PwM). Method: This study was conducted on 40 PwM aged 20-50 years. We randomly assigned participants to two groups of intervention, receiving 10 sessions of TCBT, and control. Days with headache, headache severity, migraine-related disability and effects on daily life, number of pain-relivers taken for headache, depression, and anxiety were assessed pre-intervention, post-intervention (three-month follow-up), and one-month after TCBT termination (four-month follow-up).Results: Thirty-five participants suffering moderate to severe migraine completed the study (16 and 19 in TCBT and control groups, respectively). TCBT improved all measured items between study time-points (p<0.05) in the intervention group, while such an improvement was not observed in the control group. Between group comparisons revealed superiority of TCBT group compared to the control group in most measured items at three- and four-month follow-ups (p<0.05).Conclusion: Ten sessions of TCBT improved migraine severity, associated disability, anxiety, and depression in PwM, with persistent effects after one month of therapy termination. TCBT is an affordable, practical, and feasible intervention to be utilized for PwM.Protocol registration: The study protocol was registered in clinicaltrial.gov (NCT03701477) prior to enrollment.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-87
Author(s):  
Alexandre Buckley de Meritens ◽  
Caitlin Baptiste ◽  
June Y Hou ◽  
William M Burke ◽  
Jason D Wright ◽  
...  

During the initial surgical consult patients may feel overwhelmed by the information they are given regarding their diagnosis and surgical plan. We looked to determine if a preoperative patient educational intervention would improve patient satisfaction and optimize use of medical services after discharge. Methods: We randomized women undergoing major gynecologic surgery by laparoscopy or laparotomy, to standard of care (Control) or a preoperative educational intervention. The pre-operative educational intervention consisted of: 1) a handout with information on inpatient and outpatient recovery and 2) a preoperative phone-call to review the handout and answer questions. At the post-operative visit, patients completed a Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ-18), addressing satisfaction, interpersonal manner, communication, time spent with doctors and physician accessibility. The number of phone calls, emergency department visits and unscheduled post-operative clinic visits were quantified during the first 2 weeks after surgery. Descriptive statistics and t-tests were used for analysis.Results: 62 consecutive patients were randomized: 31 to intervention and 31 to the control group. Within the cohort 35 patients underwent laparoscopy and 21 laparotomy, 6 patients withdrew or cancelled their surgery. Forty postoperative patient satisfaction questionnaires were collected, 20 in the intervention group and 20 in the control group (response rate 71%). Intervention was associated to increased patient satisfaction. In the LSC group, the intervention improved patients’ perception of their physicians’ interpersonal manners, communication and time spent with the doctor (p < 0.05). Only one patient (3.5%) in the intervention group visited the ER post-operatively (laparotomy, wound separation) compared to 5 (17.8%) control patients (4 laparoscopy, 1 laparotomy, p < 0.05), all for minor complaints (pain, anxiety, incision).Conclusions: In our randomized trial this low-cost, feasible pre-operative educational intervention improves patients’ perception of their surgeons’ communication skills and decreased post-operative healthcare resource utilization. The effects are most pronounced in women undergoing minimally invasive surgery.


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