scholarly journals 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 ◽  
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

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

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krämer Rico ◽  
Stephan Köhler
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Unipolar Depression ◽  
Drop Out ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Hamilton Depression Scale ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Parallel Group ◽  
Blinded Study ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: This study aims to evaluate the online-based self-help programme “Selfapy” on a sample of depressive subjects and, furthermore, the impact of an unaccompanied version vs. a therapeutic accompanied version. Subjects are randomly assigned to the unaccompanied course (without weekly calls from a psychologist), an accompanied course (with weekly calls from a psychologist), or the control group. Various secondary parameters related to online self-help programmes, such as life satisfaction, therapeutic relationship, social activation, self-esteem, attitude towards Internet interventions and drop-out rates, are also recorded.Methods: A sample size of 400 subjects will be included. Subjects must have at least a mild to moderate depressive episode (BDI-II and Hamilton Depression Scale) and then will be randomly assigned into one of three groups: (a) immediate access to the unaccompanied depression course of “Selfapy”, (b) immediate access to the accompanied depression course of “Selfapy”, or (c) access to “Selfapy” after a 24-week delay (waiting list). The intervention period will last for a period of 12 weeks. Diagnostic assessments will take place at four different points in time: T1 (at baseline before the treatment), T2 (6 weeks after the start of the intervention), T3 (12 weeks after the start of the intervention; end of program) and T4 (3 months after completion of the treatment follow-up).Conclusion: The effectiveness of the online self-help program "Selfapy" for depression, is to be investigated in a randomized, controlled, blinded study. Additionally, this study will utilize a “dismantled” approach to enable the comparison of the accompanied andTrial registration: Current Controlled Trial DRKS00017191Date of registration: 14.06.2019

scholarly journals Technology in action: Ascertaining the impact of cell phone calls on middle school students placed at risk of drop out

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (40) ◽  
pp. 4224-4233
Author(s):  
Naseem Hyder Rajput
Keyword(s):  
Middle School ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Middle School Students ◽  
Cell Phone ◽  
Drop Out ◽  
School Level ◽  
Control Group ◽  
School Students ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
The Impact

Background/Objectives: Regular attendance at school is essential for allround development of students. The fundamental objective of this study was to utilize low-cost technology of cell phones to report to parents/guardians about the attendance of their children at schools and ascertain the impacts of cell phone calls on the attendance of Middle School students placed at risk of Drop out. Methods/Statistical analysis: This study was Experimental with a PretestPosttest Control Group by design and descriptive by purpose. The participants were 30 eight graders belonging to a Public Middle School of District Shaheed Benazirabad in Pakistan. These participants were then randomly assigned to Control and Experimental Groups (15 each). For intervention of making cell phone calls to parents/guardians to inform and ask them about the reason for the absence of their child, a teacher in each participating school was assigned this responsibility. The intervention lasted for 3 months. The data was analyzed using SPSS repeated measure t-test to calculate the significance of the impact of intervention. Findings: Results of the present study indicated that the attendance of Experimental Group on Posttest (75.07 %) was significantly higher than that on Pretest (62.87%). Novelty : This study utilizes existing technology available to almost everyone and bridges the parents and school administration to get the best outcome quickly; mobile-based intervention is simple and docile to regulate students’ performance at school level; it also improves the safety of the students.

Impact of an educative program on dialysis patients’ knowledge and mental health: controlled before and after program

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 20204
Author(s):  
Laetitia Idier ◽  
Aurélie Untas ◽  
Nicole Rascle ◽  
Michèle Koleck ◽  
Maider Aguirrezabal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Vascular Access ◽  
Educational Program ◽  
Psychological State ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Dialysis Patients ◽  
Emotional Change ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group

Introduction:Psychological impact of Therapeutic Patient Education (TPE) for dialysis patients is rarely evaluated since the focus of many studies is on medical variables (i.e., adherence).Objectives:The aims of this study were: 1) to estimate the impact of a TPE program on knowledge, depression and anxiety, 2) to examine change in knowledge as a mediator of the effects of a TPE program on mental health.Method:This study was conducted in three hemodialysis units and comprised two groups: an experimental group with education and a control group with routine care. The program was based of 5 educative sessions. Knowledge, depressive and anxious symptoms were assessed with self-reported outcomes measured before and 3 months after the program.Results:The sample comprised 125 patients. Knowledge about vascular access and nutrition (p < 0.01) and depressive symptoms increased in the experimental group (p < 0.01). Analysis of mediation showed that changes in knowledge about vascular access were a significant mediator of the effects of the program on depressive symptoms (F = 4.90;p = 0.01).Discussion:Knowledge acquired during an educational program could lead to an emotional change. Improving knowledge often leads to an awareness of the risks that can modify the psychological state of patients by reminding them of their vulnerability. This study shows that it is required to be attentive to the way of transmitting knowledge. It’s necessary adapting this transmission to the needs of patients and promoting the acquisition of psychosocial competence too.Conclusion:This study shows that knowledge acquired during an educational program can lead to an emotional change in the short term. A long-term follow-up of the population should be interesting to observe these emotional effects.

scholarly journals The Impact of Work Hours on Depressive Symptoms among Koreans Aged 45 and Over

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 853
Author(s):  
Juyeong Kim ◽  
Eun-Cheol Park
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Work Hours ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Health Studies ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
The Impact

Background: Given the documented importance of employment for middle-aged and older adults’ mental health, studies of the association between their number of work hours and depressive symptoms are needed. Objectives: To examine the association between the number of work hours and depressive symptoms in Korean aged 45 and over. Methods: We used data from the first wave to fourth wave of the Korea Longitudinal Study of Aging. Using the first wave at baseline, data included 9845 individuals. Depressive symptoms were measured using the 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale. We performed a longitudinal analysis to estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms by work hours. Results: Both unemployed males and females aged 45–65 years were associated with higher depressive symptoms (β = 0.59, p < 0.001; β = 0.32, p < 0.001). Females working ≥ 69 h were associated with higher depressive symptoms compared to those working 41–68 h (β = 0.25, p = 0.013). Among those both middle-aged and older adults, both males and females unemployed were associated with higher depressive symptoms. Those middle-aged female working ≥69 h were associated with higher depressive symptoms. Conclusions: An increase in depressive symptoms was associated with unemployed males and females working ≥69 h compared to those working 41–68 h. Although this association was found among middle-aged individuals, a decrease in depressive symptoms in both sexes was associated with working 1–40 h. Depressive symptoms should decrease by implementing employment policies and social services to encourage employers to support middle-aged and older adults in the workforce considering their sex and age differences.

The impact of cataract surgery on depressive symptoms for bilateral cataract patients in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 307-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kien Gia To ◽  
Lynn B. Meuleners ◽  
Michelle L. Fraser ◽  
Dat Van Duong ◽  
Dung Van Do ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Cataract Surgery ◽  
Contrast Sensitivity ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Ho Chi Minh City ◽  
Bilateral Cataract ◽  
Vietnamese Population ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTBackground:Depression is common among older populations with cataract. However, the impact of cataract surgery on depression in both developed and developing countries remains unclear. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of cataract surgery on depressive symptoms and to examine the association between objective visual measures and change in depressive symptoms after surgery among a Vietnamese population in Ho Chi Minh City.Methods:A cohort of older patients with bilateral cataract were assessed the week before and one to three months after first eye surgery only or first- and second-eye cataract surgeries. Visual measures including visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and stereopsis were obtained. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 20-item Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D). Descriptive analyses and a generalized estimating equations (GEE) analysis were undertaken to determine the impact of cataract surgery on depressive symptoms.Results:Four hundred and thirteen participants were recruited into the study before cataract surgery. Two hundred and forty-seven completed the follow-up assessment after surgery. There was a significant decrease (improvement) of one point in the depressive symptoms score (p = 0.04) after cataract surgery, after accounting for potential confounding factors. In addition, females reported a significantly greater decrease (improvement) of two points in depressive symptom scores (p = 0.01), compared to males. However, contrast sensitivity, visual acuity, and stereopsis were not significantly associated with change in depressive symptoms scores. First-eye cataract surgery or both-eye cataract surgery did not modify the change in depressive symptoms score.Conclusion:There was a small but significant improvement in depressive symptoms score after cataract surgery for an older population in Vietnam.

A neuropsychological group rehabilitation program with institutionalized elderly

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. s235-s235
Author(s):  
L. Lemos ◽  
H. Espírito-Santo ◽  
S. Simões ◽  
F. Silva ◽  
J. Galhardo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Depressive Symptomatology ◽  
Randomized Study ◽  
Geriatric Depression Scale ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Rehabilitation Program ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Institutionalized Elderly ◽  
Group Rehabilitation ◽  
The Impact

IntroductionElderly institutionalization involves an emotional adaptation and the research shows that the risk of depression increases.ObjectivesEvaluate the impact of a neuropsychological group rehabilitation program (NGRP) on depressive symptomatology of institutionalized elderly.AimsNGRP influences the decrease of depressive symptoms.MethodsElderly were assessed pre- and post-intervention with the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and divided into a Rehabilitated Group (RG), a Waiting List Group (WLG), and a Neutral Task Group (NTG).ResultsIn this randomized study, before rehabilitation, 60 elderly people (RG; 80.31 ± 8.98 years of age; 74.2% women) had a mean GDS score of 13.33 (SD = 9.21). Five elderly included in the NTG (80.13 ± 10.84 years; 75.0% women) had a mean GDS score of 10.60 (SD = 4.72). Finally, 29 elderly in the WLG (81.32 ± 6.68 years; 69.0% women) had a mean GDS score of 14.93 (SD = 6.02). The groups were not different in GDS baseline scores (F = 0.74; P = 0.478). ANCOVA has shown significant differences (P < 0.05) in GDS scores between the three groups after 10 weeks. Sidak adjustment for multiple comparisons revealed that elderly in the WLG got worse scores in GDS, comparing with elderly in RG (P < 0.01), and with elderly in NTG (P < 0.05).ConclusionsElderly that are not involved in a task get worse in depressive symptomatology. Being involved in a structured group task means lower depressive symptoms and being in a NGRP means even greater results.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Assessing the Impact of a Hilly Environment on Depressive Symptoms among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4520
Author(s):  
Takafumi Abe ◽  
Kenta Okuyama ◽  
Tsuyoshi Hamano ◽  
Miwako Takeda ◽  
Masayuki Yamasaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Rural Setting ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Although some neighborhood environmental factors have been found to affect depressive symptoms, few studies have focused on the impact of living in a hilly environment, i.e., land slope, on depressive symptoms among rural older adults. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate whether a land slope is associated with depressive symptoms among older adults living in rural areas. Data were collected from 935 participants, aged 65 years and older, who lived in Shimane prefecture, Japan. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and defined on the basis of an SDS score ≥ 40. Land slopes within a 400 m network buffer were assessed using geographic information systems. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of depressive symptoms were estimated using logistic regression. A total of 215 (23.0%) participants reported depressive symptoms. The land slope was positively associated with depressive symptoms (OR = 1.04; 95% CI = 1.01–1.08) after adjusting for all confounders. In a rural setting, living in a hillier environment was associated with depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older adults in Japan.

scholarly journals Some psychological characteristics of children and adolescents with vitiligo: Our results

2006 ◽  
Vol 59 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 265-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonja Prcic ◽  
Dusanka Djurovic ◽  
Verica Djuran ◽  
Dusan Vukovic ◽  
Zorica Gajinov
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Physical Appearance ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Risk Scale ◽  
Prepubertal Age

Introduction. Numerous studies have characterized patients with chronic skin disease as psychologically vulnerable, mainly due to the fact that their condition affects their social relations and all other aspects of life. The purpose of this work was to determine whether there are significant differences in the level of anxiety, severity of depressive symptoms, and presence of stressful life events between adolescent patients with vitiligo and healthy peers. Material and methods. 33 patients with vitiligo aged 10-15 years, and a control group of 60 healthy subjects of the same age, were included in this prospective study. A clinical examination was performed to determine the clinical types of vitiligo, estimate depressive symptoms using the Birleson Depression Scale, and anxiety was evaluated by the Spielberger's scale (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory). For determination of the frequency of stressful events, the Risk Scale was used. Results. Adolescents with vitiligo did not show more pronounced signs of anxiety or depression than healthy subjects; differences were not apparent in the Risk Scale either, considering stressful events. Discussion and conclusion. The lack of differences between the two examined groups might be due to prepubertal age of the majority of subjects. 63.63% of all children included in this study were in the prepubertal age (10-12 years), which is the period when they are still not focused on their own body and changes to physical appearance. It is possible that early onset of vitiligo is a "protective factor", enabling the child to attain compensatory mechanisms to solve the problem of vitiligo through various interests and aspirations, which do not depend on physical appearance. .

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Attachment-Based Family Therapy compared to Treatment as Usual for Depressed Adolescents in Community Mental Health Clinics

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luxsiya Waraan ◽  
Erling W. Rognli ◽  
Nikolai Olavi Czajkowski ◽  
Marianne Aalberg ◽  
Lars Mehlum
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Family Therapy ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Treatment Manual ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Hamilton Depression Scale ◽  
Treatment As Usual

Abstract Background: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a disabling mood disorder, profoundly affecting a large number of adolescent’s quality of life. To date, no obvious treatment of choice for MDD in adolescents is available and progress in the treatment of depressed adolescents will have important public health implications. Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT), as the only empirically supported family therapy model designed to treat adolescent depression, aims to repair interpersonal ruptures and rebuild an emotionally protective parent-child relationship. Objective: To study the effectiveness of ABFT compared with treatment as usual (TAU) delivered within child- and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) to adolescents with MDD.Method: Sixty adolescents (86.7% girls), aged 13-18 years (M = 14.9, SD = 1.35), with MDD referred to two CAMHS were randomized to 16 weeks of ABFT or TAU. ABFT consisted of weekly therapy sessions (family/individual or both) according to the treatment manual. TAU was not monitored. Primary outcomes were assessed by blinded evaluators at baseline and post-treatment with the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD). Self-reported (Beck Depression Inventory-II, BDI-II) depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline, and after 4, 6, 8, 10,12, 14, and 16 weeks. Analyses were performed according to intent-to-treat principles. Results: At post-treatment, clinician-rated remission rates on the HAMD (5 % in ABFT and 3.33% in TAU, p =1, OR=1.54, Fisher’s exact test) and self-reported symptoms of depression on the BDI-II did not differ significantly between groups (X2[2, N = 60] =0.06 , p = 0.97). In both treatment groups participants reported significantly reduced depressive symptoms, but the majority (63.3 %) of adolescents were still in the clinical range after 16 weeks of treatment. Conclusion: ABFT was not superior to TAU. Remission and response rates were low in both groups, suggesting none of the treatments were effective in treating MDD in adolescents. Findings must be viewed in the context of the study’s small sample size, missing data, and implementation challenges. Continued efforts to improve treatment for MDD in outpatient clinics are warranted . Future research should examine moderators of and mechanisms for individual differences to treatment response, as well as the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of implementing treatment models which may require extensive training and expertise to yield clinically meaningful improvements in non-research settings. Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01830088 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01830088?term=Villab%C3%B8&draw=2&rank=1 Date of registration: April 12, 2013

scholarly journals Preventing depression in final year secondary students: School-based randomized controlled trial

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Perry ◽  
A Werner-Seidler ◽  
A Calear ◽  
A Mackinnon ◽  
C King ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Secondary Students ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
School Level ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Control Intervention ◽  
The Impact

Background: Depression often emerges for the first time during adolescence. There is accumulating evidence that universal depression prevention programs may have the capacity to reduce the impact of depression when delivered in the school environment. Objective: This trial investigated the effectiveness of SPARX-R, a gamified online cognitive behavior therapy intervention for the prevention of depression relative to an attention-matched control intervention delivered to students prior to facing a significant stressor-final secondary school exams. It was hypothesized that delivering a prevention intervention in advance of a stressor would reduce depressive symptoms relative to the control group. Methods: A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted in 10 government schools in Sydney, Australia. Participants were 540 final year secondary students (mean 16.7 [SD 0.51] years), and clusters at the school level were randomly allocated to SPARX-R or the control intervention. Interventions were delivered weekly in 7 modules, each taking approximately 20 to 30 minutes to complete. The primary outcome was symptoms of depression as measured by the Major Depression Inventory. Intention-to-treat analyses were performed. Results: Compared to controls, participants in the SPARX-R condition (n=242) showed significantly reduced depression symptoms relative to the control (n=298) at post-intervention (Cohen d=0.29) and 6 months post-baseline (d=0.21) but not at 18 months post-baseline (d=0.33). Conclusions: This is the first trial to demonstrate a preventive effect on depressive symptoms prior to a significant and universal stressor in adolescents. It demonstrates that an online intervention delivered in advance of a stressful experience can reduce the impact of such an event on the potential development or exacerbation of depression.

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