Effectiveness of online versus live multi-family psychoeducation group therapy for children and adolescents with mood or anxiety disorders: a pilot study

Author(s):  
Iman Sapru ◽  
Sarosh Khalid-Khan ◽  
Elaine Choi ◽  
Nazanin Alavi ◽  
Archana Patel ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: [1] To highlight the effectiveness of multi-family psychoeducation group therapy (MFPGT) in children with mood or anxiety disorders; [2] to measure change in knowledge and awareness of mood and anxiety disorders in families and children; and [3] to compare the relative effectiveness of online compared to live MFPGT. Method: Participants included families of children (12 years or younger) referred with a mood or anxiety disorder to the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Queen’s University (n=16) who were on a waitlist to see a psychiatrist. Change was measured through questionnaires for all parents before and after the program. Using SPSS v22, comparisons between the online (n=6) and live (n=10) groups were made using the Mann-Whitney U test and within group comparisons were made using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: The online and live education groups showed similar overall improvements in knowledge acquisition and expressed emotion in participating families. However, statistical significance must be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size. Conclusions: Online MFPGT may be an effective way to increase knowledge, provide resources and support and build on skills thus giving individuals more control and confidence when dealing with a mood or anxiety disorder while on a waitlist. MFPGT showed equal efficacy in live and online groups, indicating that the online program has the potential to be a more convenient and accessible program for families. More research is needed with a greater sample size.

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (20) ◽  
pp. 1425-1432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisa Maria Stroppa ◽  
Ilaria Toscani ◽  
Chiara Citterio ◽  
Elisa Anselmi ◽  
Elena Zaffignani ◽  
...  

Background: We describe cancer patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection treated at the Piacenza’s general hospital (north Italy). Materials & methods: 25 cancer patients infected by COVID-19 admitted at the Piacenza’s general hospital from 21 February to 18 March 2020. Outcome from the infection were compared with infected noncancer patients. Results: 20 patients (80%) were treated with antiviral therapy and hydroxychloroquine and five (20%) received hydroxychloroquine alone. Nine (36%) patients died, while 16 (64%) overcome the infection. In the control group the mortality was 16.13% and the overcome from infection was 83.87%. Conclusion: Mortality for COVID-19 was greater in cancer patients when compared with noncancer patients, worse prognosis for older age, women and patients treated with hydroxychloroquine alone. However, the comparisons did not reach statistical significance in most cases. This could be due to the small sample size that is the main limitation of the study.


2019 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 284-295
Author(s):  
Kristina Penezić ◽  
Marko Porčić ◽  
Jelena Jovanović ◽  
Petra Kathrin Urban ◽  
Ursula Wittwer-Backofen ◽  
...  

The Neolithic way of life was accompanied by an increase in various forms of physiological stress (e.g. disease, malnutrition). Here we use the method of tooth cementum annulation (TCA) analysis in order to detect physiological stress that is probably related to calcium metabolism. The TCA method is applied to a sample of teeth from three Mesolithic and five Neolithic individuals from the Central Balkans. The average number of physiological stress episodes is higher in the Neolithic group – but the statistical significance of this result cannot be evaluated due to the small sample size, therefore these results should be taken as preliminary.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e23552-e23552
Author(s):  
Priscila Barreto Coelho ◽  
Philippos Apolinario Costa ◽  
Andrea P. Espejo Freire ◽  
Deukwoo Kwon ◽  
Emily Jonczak ◽  
...  

e23552 Background: Synovial sarcoma (SS) accounts for 5-10% of all soft tissue sarcoma. SS are aggressive tumors with a median 5-year survival of 60-70% when localized disease but also a propensity for metastatic spread with 40-45% of patients developing metastasis within 5 years. It is considered a chemotherapy-sensitive sarcoma and treatment options are increasing. Herein, we present the outcomes of SS patients by systemic regimen and multimodality approach. Methods: This is a single institution, retrospective cohort of 79 patients with histopathologically confirmed SS treated at from 2004 to 2019. Clinical characteristics, treatment, response and survival were analyzed. We estimated medians of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) using the method of Kaplan-Meier along with the Log-Rank test. All tests were two-sided and statistical significance was considered when p<0.05. Results: Median follow-up was 3.7 years (range 3.13 to 4.33), 59.5% were women and median age at diagnosis was 41 (range 5-77). At presentation, 60 patients (75.9%) had localized disease and 19 (24.1%) presented with metastatic disease. Among the entire cohort the three-year OS rate was 78.9% (95%CI = 66.3-87.3) and five-year OS rate 68.7% (95%CI = 53.5-79.9). OS between localized disease (N = 45) and metastatic (N = 12) was not statistically significant (log-rank p = 0.098). When comparing different regimens, doxorubicin-based regimens (DBR) showed longest median PFS of 10.1 months (95%CI = 3.97-21.16), while pazopanib had a median PFS of 7.45 (95%CI = 2.63-12.3), high dose ifosfamide (HDI) 6.4 months (95%CI = 2.79-15.5) and trabectedin 3.12 months (95%CI = 0.99-6.97). Conversely, patients with metastatic disease treated with pazopanib experienced a median PFS of 11.47 months (95%CI = 2.63-32.9) while those treated with a DBR 8.15 months (95%CI = 1.08-35.8). Conclusions: SS is highly aggressive and, in our cohort, patients with local presentation had non-significant difference in OS to the metastatic disease, this could be due to a small sample size or the high probability for relapse this tumor has. Chemotherapy with DBRs showed superiority to other regimens and pazopanib showed to be slightly superior when evaluating only metastatic disease. Addition of pazopanib maintenance therapy may improve PFS and OS. Continuous evaluation of these patients with further inclusion of SS on immunotherapy is warranted.


Circulation ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 143 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly L Savin ◽  
Linda C Gallo ◽  
Britta A Larsen

Introduction: Pregnant women with diabetes often show low levels of physical activity (PA) and high sedentary behavior (SED). Longitudinal studies with objective measures are needed to understand the relationships of daily PA with daily and next-day blood glucose (BG). Hypothesis: Increased steps or moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) and decreased SED are linked with lower post-meal BG and next day fasting BG in pregnant women. Methods: Participants were 10 pregnant women with diabetes [mean age= 29.3 (SD= 3.6); mean gestational age= 21.9 (SD= 3.9); 90% (9 of 10) Latina] enrolled in a 12-week pilot PA intervention. Participants self-reported demographic and BG data (morning fasting BG, up to 3 daily post-meal BGs). Steps, MVPA (mins/day), and SED (mins/day) were measured using a Fitbit Alta HR. Participants had on average 49 (range: 21 to 77) days with valid PA and BG data, for a total of 469 observations. Multi-level models (MLMs) were fit to examine mean and day-level effects of steps, MVPA, and SED on post-meal and next-day fasting BG after adjusting for age, gestational age, education, and participant mean PA or SED. Due to the small sample size, effect sizes are emphasized in results instead of statistical significance. Results: The mean post-meal BG was 122.5 mg/dL and mean fasting BG was 92.81 mg/dL. After adjustment, an increase of mean steps by 1000 was linked to a lower mean post-meal BG by 11.79 mg/dL (p=0.22) and fasting BG by 7.26 mg/dL (p=0.54), though neither between effect was statistically significant. The within-individual effects of daily steps on post-meal and fasting BG were very small and non-significant (b=-1.78; p=0.59; b=0.72; p=0.30, respectively). A 1-minute increase in mean MVPA was associated with a slight increase in mean post-meal BG by 1.53 mg/dL (p=0.07). The within-individual effect of daily MVPA on daily post-meal BG was negligible and non-significant (b=-0.39, p=0.51). Between-individual effects showed SED had small, positive, non-significant associations with post-meal BG. Specifically, per 60-minute mean SED increase, mean post-meal BG increased by 1.02 mg/dL (p=0.44). Within-individual daily SED increases of 60 minutes were associated with increases of 1.87 mg/dL (p=0.63) in daily post-meal BG. MVPA and SED were not associated with fasting BG. Conclusions: Greater mean steps were linked to lower post-meal and fasting BG while greater SED and MVPA were linked to greater post-meal BG. However, within individual daily increases in MVPA and decreases in SED, were protective for post-meal BG, while controlling for individual mean MVPA and SED. Most effect sizes were small and results were not statistically significant in part due to the small sample size. Participants generally had well-controlled post-meal and fasting BGs, so results may not be generalizable to larger populations.


2019 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 284-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Penezić ◽  
Marko Porčić ◽  
Jelena Jovanović ◽  
Petra Kathrin Urban ◽  
Ursula Wittwer-Backofen ◽  
...  

The Neolithic way of life was accompanied by an increase in various forms of physiological stress (e.g. disease, malnutrition). Here we use the method of tooth cementum annulation (TCA) analysis in order to detect physiological stress that is probably related to calcium metabolism. The TCA method is applied to a sample of teeth from three Mesolithic and five Neolithic individuals from the Central Balkans. The average number of physiological stress episodes is higher in the Neolithic group – but the statistical significance of this result cannot be evaluated due to the small sample size, therefore these results should be taken as preliminary.


2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelo Picardi ◽  
Emanuele Caroppo ◽  
Elisa Fabi ◽  
Serena Proietti ◽  
Giancarlo Di Gennaro ◽  
...  

Background:The literature suggests that dysfunctional parenting and insecure attachment may increase risk of anxiety-related psychopathology. This study aimed at testing the association between anxiety disorders, attachment insecurity and dysfunctional parenting while controlling for factors usually not controlled for in previous studies, such as gender, age, and being ill.Methods:A sample of 32 non-psychotic inpatients with SCID-I diagnosis of an anxiety disorder, either alone or in comorbidity, was compared with two age- and sex-matched control groups consisting of 32 non-clinical participants and 32 in-patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. Study measures included the Experience in Close Relationships questionnaire (ECR) and the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI).Results:The patients with anxiety disorders scored significantly higher on attachment-related anxiety and avoidance than patients with drug-resistant epilepsy and non-clinical participants. These findings were independent of comorbidity for mood disorders. ECR scores did not differ among diagnostic subgroups (generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, other anxiety disorders). Patients with anxiety disorders scored significantly lower on PBI mother’s care and borderline significantly lower on PBI father's care than patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.Conclusions:Although limitations such as the relatively small sample size and the cross-sectional nature suggest caution in interpreting these findings, they are consistent with the few previous adult studies performed on this topic and corroborate Bowlby's seminal hypothesis of a link between negative attachment-related experiences, attachment insecurity, and clinical anxiety. Attachment theory provides a useful theoretical framework for integrating research findings from several fields concerning the development of anxiety disorders and for planning therapeutic interventions.


2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 11056-11056 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. L. Shapiro ◽  
S. P. Povoski ◽  
R. Jiminez ◽  
J. Dehart ◽  
S. Ottman ◽  
...  

11056 Background: Aromatase [CYP19] activity and expression is increased by prostaglandin E2, thus providing a rational for combining the COX-2 inhibitor, CELE, with an aromatase inhibitor. To evaluate the effects of these drugs on proliferation and other biomarkers, we conducted a neoadjuvant trial of EXE alone followed by the combination of EXE and CELE. The primary endpoint was the assessment of biomarkers and the secondary endpoint was toxicity. Methods: Clinical stages II/III, postmenopausal, estrogen [ER] and/or progesterone receptor [PR] positive, previously untreated, ECOG 0–1 were eligible. Excluded were inflammatory breast cancer, history of myocardial infarction, and documented allergy to aspirin, NSAIDs, or sulfonamides. After initial core biopsy pts received 8 weeks (wks) of EXE 25 mg daily. They then received a second core biopsy followed by 8 wks of EXE and CELE 400 mg twice daily. After 16 wks, pts had definitive surgery. Compliance was assessed by pill counts at study visists every 4 wks. At baseline, 8, and 16 wks, pts had tumor measurements by physical exam, mammogram, and ultrasound. A tissue microarray [TMA] was contructed and immunohistochemical [IHC] staining with commercially available antibodies for Ki-67, COX-2, HER-2, ER, and PR was performed. Two independent pathologists scored intensity and percentage of cells staining and were blinded to treatment and the timimg of specimen acquistion. Statistical analyses were performed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test Results: Twenty pts with a median age 62 (range 56–87) were enrolled. CELE was discontinued in 3 (15%) pts for grade 1 rash-1 pt; grade 1 creatinine elevation-1 pt; and grade 1 melena-1 pt. Three (15%) pts-partial response, 16 (80%)-stable disease, and 1 (5%)-progressive disease. None of the differences in biomarkers between 0 and 8 wks and 8 and 16 wks were significant. A trend toward decreasing mean Ki 67 was observed from 0 to 8 wks (20% vs 9%, p=0.19) and 8 to 16 wks (9% vs 7%, p=0.7) Conclusions: Neoadjuvant EXE followed by EXE/CELE was well tolerated with anti-tumor activity. Tumor cell proliferation decreased by about 50% during EXE, but small sample size precluded reaching statistical significance. Frozen tissue was collected and the results of CYP 19 mRNA expression will be presented. [Table: see text]


2001 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 238-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcus Smith ◽  
Rosemary Dyson ◽  
Tudor Hale ◽  
Matthew Hamilton ◽  
John Kelly ◽  
...  

This study examined the effects of serial reductions in energy and fluid intake on two simulated boxing performances separated by 2 days recovery. Eight amateur boxers (age: 23.6 ± 3.2 years; height 175 ± 5 cm; body mass [BM] 73.3 ± 8.3 kg [Mean ± SD]) performed two simulated boxing bouts (BB) under normal (N-trial) and restricted (R-trial) diets in a counterbalanced design over 5 days. The trials were separated by a 9-day period of normal dietary behavior (X-trial). BM was recorded on days 1, 3, and 5 of each trial. Simulated bouts of three, 3-min rounds with 1-min recovery were completed on days 3 (BB1) and 5 (BB2) of each 5-day trial. Punching force (N) was recorded from 8 sets of 7 punches by a purpose-built boxing ergometer. Heart rate (fC) was monitored continuously (PE3000 Polar Sports Tester, Kempele, Finland), and blood lactate (BLa) and glucose (BG) were determined 4-min post-performance (2300 StaPlus, YSI, Ohio). Energy and fluid intakes were significantly lower in the R-trial (p < .05). Body mass was maintained during the N-trial but fell 3% (p < .05) during the R-trial. There were no significant differences in end-of-bout fC or post-bout BG, but BLa was higher in the N- than the R-trial (p < .05). R-trial punching forces were 3.2% and 4.6% lower, respectively, compared to the corresponding N-trial bouts, but the differences did not reach statistical significance. These results suggest that energy and fluid restrictions in weight-governed sports do not always lead to a significant decrease in performance, but because of the small sample size and big variations in individual performances, these findings should be interpreted with care.


Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 5871-5871 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghuzayel Al Dawsari ◽  
Mona Fawzy Ramadan Hassanein ◽  
Walid Rasheed ◽  
Fahad Almohareb ◽  
Naeem A. Chaudhri ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: The use of a Myeloablative (MA) regimen followed bypost-transplantation high dose Cyclophosphamide (PT-CY) has been adopted to overcome the increased relapse risk following nonmyeloablative conditioning regimen and unmanipulated Haploidentical Bone Marrow Transplantation, in patients with high-risk hematological malignancies, with acceptable TRM and risk of GVHD. We added ATG to our Myeloablative regimen with PT-CY after noticing significant incidence of grade II-IV aGVHD with the first few cases. Here we compare the outcomes of the 12 patients who received ATG to the outcomes of the first 11 patients who were transplanted without ATG. Patients and Methods: our haploidentical program was started in 2013 as a phase I/II prospective clinical trial. After reviewing the first 11 cases enrolled on the trial (MA regimen with PT-CY, without ATG), we noticed significant incidence of high grade aGVHD (54.55%). We amended our protocol in early 2015. Rabbit ATG was added at a dose of 3 mg/kg (1.5 mg/kg day -3 and day -2) to our conditioning regimen [thiotepa (5mg/kg/day on day -8 and -7), busulfan (3.2mg/kg/day IV day-6, -5 and -4), fludarabine (50mg/m2/day on day -6, -5 and -4 )] or [TBI 1000 cGy (200cGy twice a day on days -10, -9 and one dose on day -8), fludarabine (30mg/m2/day on Days -7, -6, -5 and -4)]. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis consisted of PT-CY (50mg/kg/day) on days +3 and +5, cyclosporine (starting day +4), and mycophenolate mofetil (starting day +1). Table 1 summarizes the disease-type and disease-status at transplant. Patient characteristics were comparable at baseline between the 2 groups. Results (Table 2): We enrolled patients with high risk hematologic malignancies in need for SCT but have no matched donor (MSD, MUD). Despite the small sample size, our results showed a statistically significant difference in the rate of acute GVHD between the 2 groups (p= 0.0161) in favor of the ATG group, chronic GVHD was more frequent in the non-ATG group however the difference did not reach statistical significance probably due to the small sample size. There was no statistically-significant difference in the risk of relapse, CMV reactivation or Hemorrhagic cystitis between the 2 groups. However, there was a trend of higher relapse rate (33.3% vs 18.18%), a higher rate of Hemorrhagic cystitis (50% vs 18.18%) and a higher rate of CMV reactivation (100% vs 81.82%) in the ATG group. The cumulative incidence of TRM at day 100 was in favor of the ATG group (figure 1), with a trend toward a better DFS in these patients 6 months post-transplant (figure 2). To be noted the follow up period was shorter for the ATG group because ATG was added later on. Figure 3 shows the survival for ATG vs non ATG group. Conclusion: The use of ATG with myeloablative Haplo conditioning can significantly reduce the risk of acute GVHD and early TRM. We have seen more relapses, higher rate of CMV reactivation, and hemorrhagic cystitis with the addition of ATG but these did not reach statistical significance probably due to the small sample size. A lower dose of ATG might be the way to go to strike a careful balance and improve the outcomes of myeloablative haploidentical transplant. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


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