Short report: A quantitative methodological review of participant characteristics in the literature testing mental health interventions for youth with autism spectrum disorder

Autism ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136236132110564
Author(s):  
Kelsey S Dickson ◽  
Megan Ledoux Galligan ◽  
Ho Lok
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Health Treatment ◽  
Current Evidence Base ◽  
Mental Health Interventions ◽  
Treatment Research

There have been significant efforts to develop, adapt, and test interventions targeting the co-occurring mental health conditions common among autistic youth, with several extant narrative and systematic reviews demonstrating the efficacy of these interventions. Yet, a methodological analysis of the literature testing these interventions, particularly the characteristics of the participant samples comprising this evidence base, is needed to contextualize our current understanding of treatment effects and highlight current gaps in the current evidence base to inform future research. This systematic quantitative methodology review characterized participants included in the mental health treatment research for autistic youth. One hundred and thirty-one articles testing mental health interventions for autism spectrum disorder were coded for youth, caregiver, and provider participant demographics. Findings indicated limited representation of females, transition age youth, racial/ethnic minority groups, and youth diverse in cognitive functioning and co-occurring mental health symptoms or conditions. Limited inclusion of providers’ representative of the clinical workforce was also noted. These results illuminate several critical gaps in the current evidence base for mental health interventions for autistic youth and provide recommendations for future research directions. Lay abstract Previous research has highlighted the importance of mental health treatment for autistic youth. In that research base, most studies focus on demonstrating the efficacy of a particular intervention with a sample of autistic youth. However, understanding the characteristics of samples used within these studies (i.e. demographics) is an important avenue for expanding this research to a more diverse, representative sample of autistic youth in community settings. As such, the current review examined and characterized participants included within mental health treatment research. We coded studies for various demographics among the youth sample, caregivers, and providers participants. Results indicated that while efforts have been made to increase diversity in research, very few studies including transition-aged youth, those identifying as female, and/or those identifying as non-Caucasian. Clinically, a few studies included youth with lower cognitive abilities and/or those with specific mental health problems (e.g. trauma and depression) or more than one co-occurring mental health conditions. Overall, our results highlight several critical gaps in our current evidence base regarding mental health treatment for autistic youth, including the limited clinical representativeness of both provider and child participants.

scholarly journals The Gut Microbiome and Mental Health: What Should We Tell Our Patients?: Le microbiote Intestinal et la Santé Mentale : que Devrions-Nous dire à nos Patients?

2019 ◽  
Vol 64 (11) ◽  
pp. 747-760 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary I. Butler ◽  
Sabrina Mörkl ◽  
Kiran V. Sandhu ◽  
John F. Cryan ◽  
Timothy G. Dinan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Health Benefit ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Current Evidence Base

The gut microbiome as a potential therapeutic target for mental illness is a hot topic in psychiatry. Trillions of bacteria reside in the human gut and have been shown to play a crucial role in gut–brain communication through an influence on neural, immune, and endocrine pathways. Patients with various psychiatric disorders including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorder have been shown to have significant differences in the composition of their gut microbiome. Enhancing beneficial bacteria in the gut, for example, through the use of probiotics, prebiotics, or dietary change, has the potential to improve mood and reduce anxiety in both healthy people and patient groups. Much attention is being given to this subject in the general media, and patients are becoming increasingly interested in the potential to treat mental illness with microbiome-based therapies. It is imperative that those working with people with mental illness are aware of the rationale and current evidence base for such treatment strategies. In this review, we provide an overview of the gut microbiome, what it is, and what it does in relation to gut–brain communication and psychological function. We describe the fundamental principles and basic techniques used in microbiome–gut–brain axis research in an accessible way for a clinician audience. We summarize the current evidence in relation to microbiome-based strategies for various psychiatric disorders and provide some practical advice that can be given to patients seeking to try a probiotic for mental health benefit.

An engagement-facilitation intervention (EFI) for increasing uptake and engagement for self-guided online mental health interventions: Consumer-guided development (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amelia Gulliver ◽  
Alison L Calear ◽  
Matthew Sunderland ◽  
Frances Kay-Lambkin ◽  
Louise M Farrer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Health Program ◽  
Mental Health Program ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
Health Programs ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Mental Health Interventions ◽  
Mental Health Programs

BACKGROUND Self-guided online mental health programs are effective in treating and preventing mental health problems. However, both the uptake and engagement with these programs in the community is suboptimal, and there is limited current evidence indicating how to increase the use of existing evidence-based programs. OBJECTIVE The current study aims to investigate the views of people with lived experience of depression and anxiety on the barriers and facilitators to using e-mental health interventions and to use these perspectives to help develop an engagement-facilitation intervention (EFI) to increase uptake and engagement with self-guided online mental health programs. METHODS A total of 24 community members (female = 21; male = 3) with lived experience of depression and/or anxiety participated in four focus groups that discussed: 1) barriers and facilitators to self-guided e-mental health programs, 2) specific details needed to help them decide to use an online program, and 3) the appearance, delivery mode, and functionality of content for the proposed EFI. A total of 14 of the focus group attendees participated in a subsequent follow-up survey to evaluate the resultant draft EFI. Data were thematically analysed using both inductive and deductive methods. RESULTS Participants suggested that the critical component of an EFI was information that would challenge personal barriers to engagement with psychosocial interventions. These were providing personalised feedback about symptoms, information about the content and effectiveness of the e-mental health program, normalisation of participation in e-mental health programs including testimonials, and brief information on data security. Reminders, rewards, feedback about their progress, and coaching were all mentioned as being useful in assisting people to continue to engage with a program once they had started. Feedback on the developed EFI was positive; with participants reporting satisfaction with the content of the EFI and that it would likely positively affect their use of an e-mental health program. CONCLUSIONS EFIs have the potential to improve the uptake of e-mental health programs in the community and should focus on providing information on the content and effectiveness of e-mental health programs, as well as normalising their use. There is strong value in involving people with a lived experience in the design and development of EFIs to maximise their effectiveness.

scholarly journals Encouraging the implementation of clinical standards into practice

2000 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 90-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Palmer ◽  
Paul Lelliott
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Routine Practice ◽  
Clinical Standards ◽  
Current Evidence Base

The articles by Geddes & Wessely (2000, this issue) and Lelliott (2000, this issue) describe the current evidence base and guidelines from which clinical standards can be developed in mental health. They highlight some of the issues and complexity surrounding the development of standards. It could be argued, however, that an even greater challenge lies in getting clinical standards used in routine practice.

scholarly journals Interventions to promote psychiatric patients’ compliance to mental health treatment: A systematic review

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mosidi B. Serobatse ◽  
Emmerentia Du Plessis ◽  
Magdalena P. Koen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Health Treatment

Background: Non-compliance to treatment remains one of the greatest challenges in mental healthcare services, and how to improve this remains a problem.Aim: The aim of this study was to critically synthesise the best available evidence from literature regarding interventions to promote psychiatric patients’ compliance to mental health treatment. The interventions can be made available for mental health professionals to use in clinical practice.Method: A systematic review was chosen as a design to identify primary studies that answered the following research question: What is the current evidence on interventions to promote psychiatric patients’ compliance to mental health treatment? Selected electronic databases were thoroughly searched. Studies were critically appraised and identifid as answeringthe research questions. Evidence extraction, analysis and synthesis were then conducted by means of evidence class rating and grading of strength prescribed in the American Dietetic Association’s manual.Results: The systematic review identifid several interventions that can improve patients’ compliance in mental health treatment, for example adherence therapy and motivational interviewing techniques during in-hospital stay.Conclusions: Conclusions were drawn and recommendations formulated for nursing practice, education and research.Agtergrond: Geen-samewerking met behandeling bly steeds een van die grootste uitdagings in geestesgesondheidsorgdienste, en genoegsame kennis oor hoe om dit te verbeter, is steeds ’n probleem.Doelwit: Die doel van hierdie studie was om die beskikbare bewyse vanuit literatuur aangaande intervensies ter bevordering van psigiatriese pasiënte se samewerking met geestesgesondheidsbehandeling krities te sintetiseer. Hierdie intervensies kan aan professionele gesondheidsorgpersoneel beskikbaar gestel word ter bevordering van psigiatriese pasiënte se samewerking met geestesgesondheidsbehandeling.Metode: ’n Sistematiese literatuuroorsig is gekies as die ontwerp om primêre studieste identifieer wat die volgende navorsingsvraag beantwoord: Wat is die huidige kennis ten opsigte van intervensies wat psigiatriese pasiënte se samewerking met geestesgesondheidsbehandeling bevorder?Resultate: Studies is ingesluit vir kritiese gehalte-beoordeling ten opsigte van metodologie, en is uiteindelik geïdentifieer as bronne van bewyse wat die literatuuroorsigvraag toepaslik beantwoord. Bewysonttrekking, -analise en -sintese is gedoen deur middel van die beoordeling van bewysklas en -gradering van bewyssterkte, soos voorgeskryf in die American Dietetic Association se handleiding. Die sistemiese literatuuroorsig het aangedui datdaar heelparty intervensies is wat psigiatriese pasiënte se samewerking met behandeling kan verbeter, byvoorbeeld samewerkingsterapie en motiveringsonderhoudstegnieke.Gevolgtrekking: Gevolgtrekkings is gemaak en aanbevelings is geformuleer vir die verpleegpraktyk, verpleegonderrig en navorsing in verpleging.

scholarly journals The economics of mental health in the workplace: what do we know and where do we go?

2007 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 294-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
David McDaid
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Economic Evaluations ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Productivity Losses ◽  
Mental Health Interventions

AbstractTo provide an overview of the economic impact of poor mental health in the workplace and assess the extent to which economic evaluation has been used to further the case for investment in workplace based mental health programmes. Rapid scoping review of published and grey literature. The socio-economic costs of poor mental health in the workplace are substantial but conservative, as few studies have included productivity losses from work cutback, as well as absenteeism. While few economic evaluations of workplace based mental health interventions were identified, the available evidence base suggests that they have the potential to be highly cost effective. Much of this evidence may be from the US and be less applicable elsewhere; it may also have been solely published in company documents making assessment of methodological quality difficult. The potential economic case for workplace based mental health interventions appears good. More collaboration between policy makers and the private sector would help facilitate rigorous and transparent economic evaluations. A number of evaluations are planned. The challenge is to build on these initiatives, in order to address what remains a major gap in our knowledge on the economics of mental health.

An update on the growing evidence base for peer support

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 161-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chyrell Bellamy ◽  
Timothy Schmutte ◽  
Larry Davidson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Current Evidence Base ◽  
Peer Support Services

Purpose As peer support services have become increasingly used in mental health settings as a recovery-oriented practice, so has the body of published research on this approach to care. The purpose of this paper is to provide an update on the current evidence base for peer support for adults with mental illness in two domains: mental health and recovery, and physical health and wellness. Design/methodology/approach To provide a robust, non-redundant, and up-to-date review, first the authors searched for meta-analyses and systematic reviews. Second, the authors found individual studies not included in any of the reviews. Findings Peer services are generally equally effective to services provided by non-peer paraprofessionals on traditional clinical outcomes. Although some studies found peer services to be effective at reducing hospitalization rates and symptom severity, as a whole, the current evidence base is confounded by heterogeneity in programmatic characteristics and methodological shortcomings. On the other hand, the evidence is stronger for peer support services having more of a positive impact on levels of hope, empowerment, and quality of life. Research limitations/implications In addition to the need for further high-quality research on peer support in mental and physical health domains, the authors also question whether measures of hope, empowerment, and integration into the community are more relevant to recovery than traditional clinical outcomes. Originality/value This paper provides an original, robust, and up-to-date review of the evidence for peer services.

The Eight Ujarait (Rocks) Model: Supporting Inuit Adolescent Mental Health With an Intervention Model Based on Inuit Ways of Knowing

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gwen Katheryn Healey ◽  
Jennifer Noah ◽  
Ceporah Mearns
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Peer Relationships ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Ways Of Knowing ◽  
Youth Mental Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Mental Health Interventions

<p><strong><em>Objective:</em> </strong>This study responded to a community-identified need to form an evidence base for interventions to promote mental health and wellness among youth in Nunavut. <strong><em>Methods: </em></strong>A literature review was conducted using the terms <em>adolescence </em>and <em>Inuit</em> and <em>intervention </em>or <em>program </em>or <em>camp </em>or <em>land-based</em>. PubMed and Google Scholar databases were used to find peer-reviewed and grey literature on community-based youth programs. The literature review was presented to parents, elders, and youth for discussion over several months in 2009-2010. <strong><em>Results:</em></strong> Key themes included: self-esteem, physical activity, stress and coping, positive peer relationships, Inuit identity, mental health and well-being, and the effects of intergenerational trauma on youth in Nunavut. Themes were incorporated into a model for youth mental health interventions based on Inuit terminology, philosophy, and societal values—the Eight <em>Ujarait</em>/Rocks Model. The model was implemented as a camp program in 6 pilots in 5 communities from 2011 to 2013. Data were collected before and after the camp. Results indicated that the program fostered physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness among youth. Parent observations of participants included an improvement in behaviour and attitude, strong cultural pride, greater confidence in identity, and improved family and community relationships. <strong><em>Conclusion: </em></strong>Evidence-based, community-driven models for youth mental health interventions in the North hold promise. The application of one such model through a camp program had a lasting impact on the individuals involved, beyond their immediate participation. Long-term monitoring of the participants, and ongoing evaluations of camps as they continue to unfold across Nunavut, are needed to contribute to the robust evidence base for this program over time.</p>

scholarly journals Digital Interventions for Depression and Anxiety in Older Adults: Protocol for a Systematic Review

10.2196/22738 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. e22738
Author(s):  
Indira Riadi ◽  
Lucy Kervin ◽  
Kelly Teo ◽  
Ryan Churchill ◽  
Theodore D Cosco
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Digital Interventions ◽  
Mental Health Interventions

Background There is a high prevalence of older adults experiencing depression and anxiety. In response to heightened demands for mental health interventions that are accessible and affordable, there has been a recent rise in the number of digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) that have been developed and incorporated into mental health treatments. Digital interventions are promising in their ability to provide researchers, medical practitioners, and patients with personalized tools for assessing behavior, consultation, treatment, and care that can be used remotely. Reviews and meta-analyses have shown the benefits of DMHIs for the treatment and prevention of depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses, but there is still a lack of studies that focus on the benefits and use of DMHIs in the older population. Objective The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the current evidence for the effect of technology-delivered interventions, such as smartphone/tablet applications, remote monitoring and tracking devices, and wearable technology, for the treatment and prevention of depression and anxiety in adults older than 50 years. Methods The academic databases SCOPUS, PsycINFO, AgeLine (EBSCO), and Medline (PubMed) will be searched from January 1, 2010, to the date of search commencement to provide a review of existing randomized controlled trial studies. The search will include 3 key concepts: “older adults,” “digital intervention,” and “depression/anxiety.” A set of inclusion criteria will be followed during screening by two reviewers. Data will be extracted to address aims and objectives of the review. The risk of bias for each study will be determined using appropriate tools. If possible, a random-effects meta-analysis will be performed, and the heterogeneity of effect sizes will be calculated. Results Preliminary searches were conducted in September 2020. The review is anticipated to be completed by April 2021. Conclusions The data accumulated in this systematic review will demonstrate the potential benefits of technology-delivered interventions for the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders in older adults. This review will also identify any gaps in current studies of aging and mental health interventions, thereby navigating a way to move forward and paving the path to more accessible and user-friendly digital health interventions for the diverse population of older adults. Trial Registration PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42020192532; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020192532 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/22738

Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Cognitive Enhancement

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iulia Dud ◽  
Louise Brennan ◽  
Dene Robertson
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Behavioral Interventions ◽  
Psychosocial Interventions ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Current Evidence Base

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are common neurodevelopmental disorders. Impairments in attention and executive functions are core characteristics of ADHD. ASD is primarily characterized by severe deficits in social communication, but cognitive impairments are common, including in attention and executive functions. Currently, there is only limited evidence for efficacy of either pharmacological or behavioral interventions for the treatment of the cognitive deficits associated with the disorders. This chapter presents the current evidence base for cognitive enhancements for ADHD and ASD. It summarizes evidence from available and experimental pharmacological interventions, as well as behavioral, cognitive, and psychosocial interventions. The chapter also discusses the limitations of current tools and future directions.

Matching clients to CBT self-help resources

2010 ◽  
pp. 113-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebeca Martinez ◽  
Chris Williams
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Research And Development ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Shared Decision ◽  
Mental Health Difficulty ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Current Thinking ◽  
Current Evidence Base

Chapter 9 addresses the range of factors that may inform shared decision making following assessment. Several of these draw upon the current evidence base surrounding the type of mental health difficulty for which self-help CBT is effective, and echo conclusions reached within other chapters in this title and, at times, challenge current thinking concerning LI working. This highlights how there is still much to learn regarding the application of the LI approach, which will hopefully stimulate further research and development in this area.

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