Laser Acupuncture in the Management of Depression

2002 ◽  
Vol 20 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 124-140
Author(s):  
I Quah-Smith ◽  
J Russell ◽  
WM Tang
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Research Team ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Correct Diagnosis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Laser Acupuncture ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Treatment Of Depression

Introduction Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has long recognised the use of acupuncture in psychological medicine. Classically the acupuncture meridians or channels are each linked to particular emotions, for example, joy and sadness (heart channel), panic and anxiety (kidney channel), anger and frustration (liver channel). By correct diagnosis, acupuncture intervention can be useful in the restoration of emotional well-being. Today it is realised that this restoration of emotional health is due to neuromodulation at the higher centres. Results of the NIH funded depression study by Allen, Hitt and Schnyer (1998) were encouraging. The study demonstrated acupoint specificity (p < 0.05) for mood disorders. Unfortunately, the study was single blinded. This study is based on the NIH study. The research team hoped to reproduce the significant results achieved then. With laser as the modality, the advantages were obvious: non-invasive modality, randomised double blind control achievable, no infection risk and ease of training community-based doctors to utilise the technique. Method This pilot study utilised laser acupuncture in an outpatient population with mild to moderately severe depression with Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scale of 12 to 30. Normal was less than or equal to BDI of 10. Recruitment was through family practices (called general practices in Australia) and newspapers. Recruits were each screened by a psychiatrist to confirm their suitability. They were then randomised into sham laser and true laser groups. Each patient received twice a week sessions for a month, followed by once a week sessions for another month. BDI scores were taken fortnightly to ensure none of the patients deteriorated. The acupuncturist was also blinded. BDIs were repeated at one month and three months post laser. Results Thirty patients were recruited and randomised into true and sham laser. Four patients were withdrawn, two from each arm of the study. The rest completed the laser sessions. Of those who completed the study, one patient did not respond to any of the post laser follow up BDI requests. Another patient did not complete the three-month follow up BDI. Results showed a markedly significant improvement in the active group (p< 0.001) at the end of the course of treatment with a sustained difference one month after treatment (p<0.05). Discussion The markedly significant results were unexpected. They do however make laser acupuncture a serious contender as a third standard management option in the treatment of depression in the community. Laser acupuncture could stand alone, or be used together with counselling, psychotherapy or drug therapy. These latter areas of mixed management need to be explored. In the National Institute of Mental Health Treatment of Depression Collaborative Research Programme over 30% of participants terminated treatment early due to adverse effects, lack of improvement or desire to change therapies. These were based on psychological and/or pharmacological treatments. Patients were obviously searching for more satisfactory treatments, non-chemical in nature and without adverse effects. An important point to note from this laser study is that the series of treatments maintained their significance for the month after completion. This suggested that follow-up or maintenance laser acupuncture sessions were important for patient well-being and the one month mark could be indicative of appropriate timing. The research team recommends larger and more specific studies to confirm these findings and explore the wider clinical implications. The team is keen to perform a multicentre study but is restricted by funding issues.

scholarly journals Grandparent Resilience: Improving Self-Efficacy in Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 510-510
Author(s):  
Aimee Fox ◽  
Nathaniel Riggs ◽  
Loriena Yancura ◽  
Christine Fruhauf
Keyword(s):  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Post Test

Abstract Grandparents often protect against childhood trauma and promote resilience through their nurturance, love, and support when raising grandchildren. Despite the beneficial role grandparents have on their grandchildren, grandparents may experience challenges of their own, including physical, mental, and emotional health issues, lack of resources, and social isolation. Few interventions exist to help grandparents successfully adapt to the challenges they face as primary parenting figures. The purpose of this study was to test preliminary efficacy of a strengths-based intervention for grandparents raising grandchildren aimed at increasing self-care behaviors, managing emotions, and connecting to community resources. Grandparents (N = 137) providing primary care to grandchildren were recruited to participate in a single-group, pre- and post-test design, 6-week intervention. Self-efficacy was assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and at a 6-month follow-up. To evaluate who the intervention might be most beneficial for, grandparents’ service knowledge, perceived support from others, and length of care provided, measured at baseline, were analyzed for moderating effects. Results of paired-samples t-tests reveal significant increases in self-efficacy (p = .013) from baseline to post-test, which were maintained at the 6-month follow-up (p = .010). Hierarchical multiple regression showed interaction effects of the hypothesized moderators were not significant, indicating improvements in self-efficacy regardless of individual variability at baseline. As demonstrated, interventions can be effective at increasing self-efficacy in grandparents raising grandchildren and strengths-based approaches have the potential to provide universal benefits to grandparents, thus improving functioning in grandfamilies and promoting the health and well-being of grandparents and their grandchildren.

A Double-Blind Comparison of 0.25% and 0.05% Desoxymethasone, 0.1% Betamethasone Valerate and 1% Hydrocortisone Creams in the Treatment of Eczema

1987 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 160-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Ashton ◽  
M. Catterall ◽  
N. Morley ◽  
G. Fairris ◽  
D. N. Joseph
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Effective Treatment ◽  
The Other ◽  
Betamethasone Valerate ◽  
Clinical Parameters ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Parallel Group ◽  
Blind Comparison

The efficacy and acceptability of 0.25% and 0.05% desoxymethasone, 0.1% betamethasone valerate and 1% hydrocortisone creams were compared in patients with eczema. A double-blind parallel group multi-centre design was employed in which 96 patients were recruited by four centres. Patients used one cream for a 3-week period and follow-up assessment visits were made at weekly intervals. Efficacy variables were: erythema/redness, scaling, itching and extent of area affected. These variables were assessed by both the investigator and the patient. The 0.25% desoxymethasone was the most effective treatment, producing the greatest degree of improvement in all clinical parameters, hydrocortisone was the least effective and 0.05% desoxymethasone was of intermediate effectiveness. The 0.1% betamethasone produced similar results to 0.25% desoxymethasone for half the assessments; for the other half the results were similar to 0.05% desoxymethasone. No adverse effects were reported during the study. The results are discussed in terms of physical properties of the vehicles and corticosteroid potency.

scholarly journals MEDICINAL HERBS AND PHYTOCHEMICALS USED IN THE TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION: A REVIEW

2019 ◽  
pp. 8-14
Author(s):  
APOORVA HA ◽  
SEEMA MEHDI ◽  
KRISHNA KL ◽  
NABEEL K
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Clinical Evidence ◽  
Emotional State ◽  
Well Being ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Treatment Of Depression ◽  
Primary Hypothesis ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Additional Option

Depression is a condition of no mood and loss of interest in any activity that can diminish a person’s thinking, conduct, tendencies, emotional state, and a sense of well-being. Although there is a conventional class of medication which have been beneficial in the treatment of depression, current studies have reported having side effects which can be minimized by the intervention of herbs and phytochemicals. Most of the studies have proven the various mechanisms and have started to research a very ground-breaking method by glancing the ancient treatmen. Where this new approach of using the herbs and phytochemicals has shown better results alone and in combination with conventional drugs which has shown lesser adverse effects. The practice of phytomedicine is an additional option for the treatment of depression. In the various segments of treating the depression, the mainstream can be a breakthrough including phytoconstituents. In this aspect, there are many contributions for the treatment of the depression acting to the neuronal level signaling and the phytoconstituents also have shown some basic mechanisms in the treatment of depression as that of the conventional medications following some primary hypothesis and signaling pathways and life interactions that effects the brain in either way to treat the depression in all sort of way. Clinical evidence is required to provide backing to the safety and effectiveness of herbs and phytochemicals alone or in combination with currently available drugs to overcome the reported side effects during the treatment of depression.

scholarly journals U-Flourish university students well-being and academic success longitudinal study: a study protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. e029854 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Margaret Goodday ◽  
Daniel Rivera ◽  
Hannah Foran ◽  
Nathan King ◽  
Melissa Milanovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Academic Success ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
First Year ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Oxford University ◽  
Queen's University

IntroductionOver 30% of Canadians between the ages of 16 and 24 years attend university. This period of life coincides with the onset of common mental illnesses. Yet, data to inform university-based mental health prevention and early intervention initiatives are limited. The U-Flourish longitudinal study based out of Queen’s University, Canada and involving Oxford University in the UK, is a student informed study funded by the Canadian Institute for Health Research Strategy for Patient Oriented Research (CIHR-SPOR). The primary goal of U-Flourish research is to examine the contribution of risk and resiliency factors to outcomes of well-being and academic success in first year students transitioning to university.Methods and analysisThe study is a longitudinal survey of all first-year undergraduate students entering Queen’s University in the fall term of 2018 (and will launch at Oxford University in fall of 2019). In accordance with the CIHR-SPOR definitions, students represent the target population (ie, patient equivalent). Student peer health educators were recruited to inform the design, content and implementation of the study. Baseline surveys of Queen’s first year students were completed in the fall of 2018, and follow-up surveys at the end of first year in the spring of 2019. Extensive student-led engagement campaigns were used to maximise participation rates. The baseline survey included measures of personal factors, family factors, environmental factors, psychological and emotional health, and lifestyle factors. Main outcomes include self-reported indicators of mental health at follow-up and mental health service access, as well as objective measures of academic success through linkage to university administrative and academic databases. A combination of mixed effects regression techniques will be employed to determine associations between baseline predictive factors and mental health and academic outcomes.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval was obtained by the Health Sciences and Affiliated Teaching Hospitals Research Ethics Board (HSREB) (#6023126) at Queen’s University. Findings will be disseminated through international and national peer-reviewed scientific articles and other channels including student-driven support and advocacy groups, newsletters and social media.

Nefazodone: Its Place among Antidepressants

1996 ◽  
Vol 30 (9) ◽  
pp. 1006-1012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Cyr ◽  
Candace S Brown
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
American Literature ◽  
Antidepressant Activity ◽  
Dry Mouth ◽  
Search Term ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Double Blind Placebo ◽  
Study Selection ◽  
Treatment Of Depression ◽  
Equivalent Efficacy

OBJECTIVE: To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, adverse effects, and drug interactions of nefazodone, as well as to determine its place among currently available antidepressants. DATA SOURCES: A search of European and American literature using EMBASE and MEDLINE was completed. Nefazodone was the search term. DATA SYNTHESIS: Nefazodone is an antidepressant that blocks serotonin type 2 (5-HT2) receptors in addition to inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. In double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, nefazodone demonstrates antidepressant activity at dosages ranging from 400 to 600 mg/d. Sedation, dry mouth, nausea, and dizziness are the more common adverse effects of nefazodone. Nefazodone, an analog of trazodone, has not been associated with priapism at this time, and may have fewer sexual adverse effects than other antidepressants. More studies are needed to determine the potential role of nefazodone in treating anxiety, pain, and premenstrual syndrome. STUDY SELECTION: Only double-blind, placebo-controlled studies designed to establish the efficacy of nefazodone as an antidepressant were reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: Based on placebo-controlled, double-blind, comparative trials, nefazodone demonstrates greater efficacy than placebo, and equivalent efficacy to imipramine. Somnolence, dry mouth, nausea, dizziness, and constipation are the most common adverse effects. Nefazodone appears to have a milder adverse effect profile than the tricyclic antidepressants, causes fewer sexual dysfunctions than the serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors, and may cause less dizziness than trazodone. Nefazodone at dosages of at least 300 mg/d provides another option for the treatment of depression.

Benefit-Finding Intervention Delivered Individually to Alzheimer Family Caregivers: Longer-Term Outcomes of a Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (9) ◽  
pp. 1884-1893 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheung-Tak Cheng ◽  
Emily P M Mak ◽  
Timothy Kwok ◽  
Helene Fung ◽  
Linda C W Lam
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Benefit Finding ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Interaction Terms ◽  
Positive Aspects Of Caregiving ◽  
Secondary Outcomes

Abstract Objectives To examine the longer-term effects of benefit-finding on caregivers’ depressive symptoms (primary outcome), and global burden, role overload, psychological well-being, and positive aspects of caregiving (secondary outcomes). Method Ninety-six Hong Kong Chinese caregivers of relatives with Alzheimer’s disease were randomly assigned to receive the benefit-finding intervention (BFT) or one of the two control conditions, namely, simplified psychoeducation (lectures only; SIM-PE) or standard psychoeducation (STD-PE). Caregivers received four biweekly one-to-one interventions of 3 hours each at their own homes. We focused on outcomes measured at 4- and 10-month follow-ups. The trajectories of intervention effects were modeled by BFT × time and BFT × time2 interaction terms. Results Mixed-effects regression showed significant BFT × time2 interaction effects on depressive symptoms against both control conditions, suggesting diminishing BFT effects over time. Z tests showed that, compared with controls, BFT participants reported substantial reductions in depressive symptoms at 4-month follow-up (d = −0.85 and −0.75 vs. SIM-PE and STD-PE, respectively). For depressive symptoms measured at 10-month follow-up, BFT was indistinguishable from STD-PE, whereas a moderate effect was observed in comparison with SIM-PE (d = −0.52). Moreover, positive aspects of caregiving, but not other secondary outcomes, continued to show intervention effect up to 10-month follow-up. Discussion Benefit-finding is an efficacious intervention for depressive symptoms in Alzheimer caregivers, with strong effects in the medium-term post-intervention and possible moderate effects in the longer-term post-intervention.

scholarly journals Efficacy of Three Low-Intensity, Internet-Based Psychological Interventions for the Treatment of Depression in Primary Care: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margalida Gili ◽  
Adoración Castro ◽  
Azucena García-Palacios ◽  
Javier Garcia-Campayo ◽  
Fermin Mayoral-Cleries ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Interventions ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Treatment Of Depression

BACKGROUND Primary care is a major access point for the initial treatment of depression, but the management of these patients is far from optimal. The lack of time in primary care is one of the major difficulties for the delivery of evidence-based psychotherapy. During the last decade, research has focused on the development of brief psychotherapy and cost-effective internet-based interventions mostly based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Very little research has focused on alternative methods of treatment for depression using CBT. Thus, there is a need for research into other therapeutic approaches. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of 3 low-intensity, internet-based psychological interventions (healthy lifestyle psychoeducational program [HLP], focused program on positive affect promotion [PAPP], and brief intervention based on mindfulness [MP]) compared with a control condition (improved treatment as usual [iTAU]). METHODS A multicenter, 4-arm, parallel randomized controlled trial was conducted between March 2015 and March 2016, with a follow-up of 12 months. In total, 221 adults with mild or moderate major depression were recruited in primary care settings from 3 Spanish regions. Patients were randomly distributed to iTAU (n=57), HLP (n=54), PAPP (n=56), and MP (n=54). All patients received iTAU from their general practitioners. The main outcome was the Spanish version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) from pretreatment (time 1) to posttreatment (time 2) and up to 6 (time 3) and 12 (time 4) months’ follow-up. Secondary outcomes included the visual analog scale of the EuroQol, the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12), the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), and the Pemberton Happiness Index (PHI). We conducted regression models to estimate outcome differences along study stages. RESULTS A moderate decrease was detected in PHQ-9 scores from HLP (β=–3.05; <i>P</i>=.01) and MP (β=–3.00; <i>P</i>=.01) compared with iTAU at posttreatment. There were significant differences between all intervention groups and iTAU in physical SF-12 scores at 6 months after treatment. Regarding well-being, MP and PAPP reported better PHI results than iTAU at 6 months post treatment. PAPP intervention significantly decreased PANAS negative affect scores compared with iTAU 12 months after treatment. CONCLUSIONS The low-intensity, internet-based psychological interventions (HLP and MP) for the treatment of depression in primary care are more effective than iTAU at posttreatment. Moreover, all low-intensity psychological interventions are also effective in improving medium- and long-term quality of life. PAPP is effective for improving health-related quality of life, negative affect, and well-being in patients with depression. Nevertheless, it is important to examine possible reasons that could be implicated for PAPP not being effective in reducing depressive symptomatology; in addition, more research is still needed to assess the cost-effectiveness analysis of these interventions. CLINICALTRIAL ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN82388279; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN82388279 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.1186/s12888-015-0475-0

scholarly journals Efficacy of Three Low-Intensity, Internet-Based Psychological Interventions for the Treatment of Depression in Primary Care: Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/15845 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. e15845 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margalida Gili ◽  
Adoración Castro ◽  
Azucena García-Palacios ◽  
Javier Garcia-Campayo ◽  
Fermin Mayoral-Cleries ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Interventions ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Treatment Of Depression

Background Primary care is a major access point for the initial treatment of depression, but the management of these patients is far from optimal. The lack of time in primary care is one of the major difficulties for the delivery of evidence-based psychotherapy. During the last decade, research has focused on the development of brief psychotherapy and cost-effective internet-based interventions mostly based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Very little research has focused on alternative methods of treatment for depression using CBT. Thus, there is a need for research into other therapeutic approaches. Objective This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of 3 low-intensity, internet-based psychological interventions (healthy lifestyle psychoeducational program [HLP], focused program on positive affect promotion [PAPP], and brief intervention based on mindfulness [MP]) compared with a control condition (improved treatment as usual [iTAU]). Methods A multicenter, 4-arm, parallel randomized controlled trial was conducted between March 2015 and March 2016, with a follow-up of 12 months. In total, 221 adults with mild or moderate major depression were recruited in primary care settings from 3 Spanish regions. Patients were randomly distributed to iTAU (n=57), HLP (n=54), PAPP (n=56), and MP (n=54). All patients received iTAU from their general practitioners. The main outcome was the Spanish version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) from pretreatment (time 1) to posttreatment (time 2) and up to 6 (time 3) and 12 (time 4) months’ follow-up. Secondary outcomes included the visual analog scale of the EuroQol, the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12), the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), and the Pemberton Happiness Index (PHI). We conducted regression models to estimate outcome differences along study stages. Results A moderate decrease was detected in PHQ-9 scores from HLP (β=–3.05; P=.01) and MP (β=–3.00; P=.01) compared with iTAU at posttreatment. There were significant differences between all intervention groups and iTAU in physical SF-12 scores at 6 months after treatment. Regarding well-being, MP and PAPP reported better PHI results than iTAU at 6 months post treatment. PAPP intervention significantly decreased PANAS negative affect scores compared with iTAU 12 months after treatment. Conclusions The low-intensity, internet-based psychological interventions (HLP and MP) for the treatment of depression in primary care are more effective than iTAU at posttreatment. Moreover, all low-intensity psychological interventions are also effective in improving medium- and long-term quality of life. PAPP is effective for improving health-related quality of life, negative affect, and well-being in patients with depression. Nevertheless, it is important to examine possible reasons that could be implicated for PAPP not being effective in reducing depressive symptomatology; in addition, more research is still needed to assess the cost-effectiveness analysis of these interventions. Trial Registration ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN82388279; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN82388279 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.1186/s12888-015-0475-0

scholarly journals LONG-TERM OUTCOMES OF THE BENEFIT-FINDING GROUP INTERVENTION FOR ALZHEIMER’S FAMILY CAREGIVERS: A DOUBLE-BLIND RCT

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S678-S678
Author(s):  
Sheung-Tak Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Benefit Finding ◽  
Role Overload ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Double Blind

Abstract This study examines the long-term effects of benefit-finding on caregivers’ depressive symptoms (primary outcome), and global burden, role overload, and psychological well-being (secondary outcomes). 96 Hong Kong Chinese caregivers of relatives with Alzheimer’s disease were randomly assigned to receive the benefit-finding intervention (BFT) or one of two control conditions, namely, simplified psychoeducation (lectures only; SIM-PE) or standard psychoeducation (STD-PE). Caregivers received four biweekly one-to-one interventions of three hours each at their own homes. Participants and raters were blind to experimental assignment. We focused on outcomes measured at 4- and 10-month follow-ups. The trajectories of intervention effects were modeled by BFT x time and BFT x time2 interaction terms. Mixed-effects regression showed significant BFT x time2 interaction effects on depressive symptoms against both control conditions, suggesting diminishing BFT effects over time. Z tests showed that, compared with controls, BFT participants reported substantial reductions in depressive symptoms at 4-month follow-up (d = -0.85 and -0.75 vs. SIM-PE and STD-PE respectively). At 10-month follow-up, BFT was indistinguishable from STD-PE whereas a moderate effect was observed in the comparison with SIM-PE (d = -0.52). In addition, some inconsistent effects on role overload were observed but no effect was found for the other outcome variables. It is concluded that benefit-finding is an efficacious intervention for depressive symptoms in Alzheimer caregivers, with strong effects in the medium-term post-intervention and possible moderate effects in the long-term.

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