scholarly journals The self-esteem booster: A randomized controlled trial investigating a mobile-based intervention in students with depressive symptoms (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alina Bruhns ◽  
Thies Lüdtke ◽  
Steffen Moritz ◽  
Lara Bücker
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
The Self ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Wait List ◽  
Wait List Control Group ◽  
Wait List Control ◽  
Self Help

BACKGROUND Depressive symptoms are one of the most common and ever increasing mental health problems among students worldwide. Conventional treatment options, particularly psychotherapy, do not reach all students in need for help. Internet- and mobile-based interventions are promising alternatives for narrowing the treatment gap. OBJECTIVE In the framework of a randomized controlled trial, we investigated the effectiveness, acceptance and side effects of a self-help smartphone app (MCT & More) based on techniques of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, acceptance and commitment therapy, and metacognitive training (MCT) in a sample of students with self-reported depressive symptoms. Furthermore, we were interested in examining the influence of treatment expectations and attitudes towards internet- and mobile-based interventions on treatment adherence and effectiveness. METHODS A total of 400 students were recruited via open access websites and randomized to either the intervention group (n = 200), who received access to the self-help smartphone app "MCT & More" for a period of four weeks, or to a wait list control group (n = 200). The PHQ-9 (depression) served as primary outcome parameter, the RSE (self-esteem) and the global item of the WHOQOL-BREF (quality of life) as secondary outcome parameters. The APOI was used to measure attitudes towards internet- and mobile-based interventions. Outcome expectations were assessed with the PATHEV and side effects with the INEP. RESULTS Per-protocol (PP), complete-case (CC) and intention-to-treat (ITT) analyses showed a significantly higher reduction in depressive symptoms (PP: F(1,222) = 3.98, P = .047, d = .26) and a significantly higher increase in self-esteem (PP: F(1,220) = 8.79, P = .003, d = .77) within the intervention group compared to the wait list control group. Most participants used the self-help smartphone app regularly (76 % at least once a week). The more positive the attitude towards internet- and mobile-based interventions (r = .260, P = .004) and the more positive the outcome expectation (r = .236, P = .009), the more frequently the self-help smartphone app was used. CONCLUSIONS The effectiveness of the self-help smartphone app "MCT & More" was demonstrated among students with depressive symptoms compared to a wait list control group. The app could be offered regularly as a low-threshold intervention to enhance students' health. CLINICALTRIAL German Clinical trials Register (DRKS00020941); https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00020941

DigiKnowIt News: Educating youth about pediatric clinical trials using an interactive, multimedia educational website

2021 ◽  
pp. 136749352110037
Author(s):  
Alison E. Parker ◽  
Tracy M. Scull ◽  
Abigail M. Morrison
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Interactive Multimedia ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Wait List ◽  
Wait List Control Group ◽  
Wait List Control ◽  
Satisfaction Questionnaire ◽  
Study Participants

Pediatric clinical trials allow for the testing of appropriate and effective treatments for children. However, some challenges exist with recruitment. This study examined the effectiveness of DigiKnowIt News, an interactive, multimedia website (which includes activities, videos, and comic books) designed to educate children about clinical trials. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 2018 with 91 participants ( M age = 10.92 years; SD = 2.06). Participants were randomly assigned to intervention or wait-list control groups and completed questionnaires at pretest and posttest (1 week later) about their knowledge, attitudes, beliefs about clinical trials, and self-efficacy for participating in clinical trials. Participants in the intervention group received access to DigiKnowIt News between pretest and posttest and completed a satisfaction questionnaire at posttest. At the end of the study, participants in the wait-list control group were offered the option to use the website and complete a satisfaction questionnaire. At posttest, participants in the intervention group, compared to participants in the wait-list control group, had more knowledge about clinical trials and more reported confidence for participating in clinical trials. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with DigiKnowIt News. The findings suggest that an educational website can improve factors related to increasing rates of participation in clinical trials.

scholarly journals Metta-based group meditation and individual cognitive behavioral therapy (MeCBT) for chronic depression: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Trials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Artjom Frick ◽  
Isabel Thinnes ◽  
Ulrich Stangier
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Chronic Depression ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Wait List ◽  
Wait List Control Group ◽  
Wait List Control

Abstract Background Depression is a widespread disorder with severe impacts for individuals and society, especially in its chronic form. Current treatment approaches for persistent depression have focused primarily on reducing negative affect and have paid little attention to promoting positive affect. Previous studies have shown that metta meditation increases positive affect in chronically depressed patients. Results from previous trials provide evidence for the efficacy of a stand-alone metta meditation group treatment in combination with mindfulness-based approaches. Further research is needed to better understand the implementation of meditation practice into everyday life. Therefore, mindfulness and metta meditation in a group setting are combined with individual cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) into a new, low-intensity, cost-effective treatment (“MeCBT”) for chronic depression. Methods/design In this single-center, randomized, observer-blinded, parallel-group clinical trial we will test the efficacy of MeCBT in reducing depression compared to a wait-list control condition. Forty-eight participants in a balanced design will be allocated randomly to a treatment group or a wait-list control group. Metta-based group meditation will be offered in eight weekly sessions and one additional half-day retreat. Subsequent individual CBT will be conducted in eight fortnightly sessions. Outcome measures will be assessed at four time points: before intervention (T0); after group meditation (T1); after individual CBT (T2); and, in the treated group only, at 6-month follow-up (T3). Changes in depressive symptoms (clinician rating), assessed with the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptoms (QIDS-C) are the primary outcome. We expect a significant decline of depressive symptoms at T2 compared to the wait-list control group. Secondary outcome measures include self-rated depression, mindfulness, benevolence, rumination, emotion regulation, social connectedness, social functioning, as well as behavioral and cognitive avoidance. We will explore changes at T1 and T2 in all these secondary outcome variables. Discussion To our knowledge this is the first study to combine a group program focusing on Metta meditation with state-of-the art individual CBT specifically tailored to chronic depression. Implications for further refinement and examination of the treatment program are discussed. Trial registration ISRCTN, ISRCTN97264476. Registered 29 March 2018 (applied on 14 December 2017)—retrospectively registered.

Evaluating Culturally Responsive Group Work with Black Women

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 737-746 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lani V. Jones ◽  
Lynn A. Warner
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Black Women ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Wait List ◽  
Wait List Control Group ◽  
Wait List Control ◽  
Psychosocial Competence

Purpose: This study examined the efficacy of a culturally congruent group treatment model, entitled “Claiming Your Connections” (CYC) aimed at reducing depressive symptoms and perceived stress, and enhancing psychosocial competence (i.e., locus of control and active coping) among Black women. Method: A total of 58 Black women recruited from health and human service community-based organizations were randomly assigned to either the CYC intervention or a wait-list control group. Women in the CYC program attended weekly group intervention sessions over a 10-week period, and the wait-list control group did not receive any treatment for the same duration. Results: At pretreatment both groups indicated moderate levels of depressive symptoms, perceived stress, and psychosocial competence. After the intervention, the CYC group reported a significant reduction in depressive symptoms and perceived stress. There was no statistically significant change on these variables for the control group. Implications: Results suggest that the CYC group intervention program is effective with Black women who report having difficulty managing stressors of daily life.

Mindfulness-based intervention and aggression and rule-breaking behaviours in elementary school boys: a proof of concept trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Maedeh Heidary ◽  
Touraj Hashemi Nosrat Abad ◽  
Wolfgang Linden
Keyword(s):  
Elementary School ◽  
Child Behavior Checklist ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Wait List ◽  
Wait List Control Group ◽  
Wait List Control ◽  
Externalising Disorders ◽  
Rule Breaking

Abstract This study investigated the effect of a mindfulness-based intervention on pathological symptoms in boys with externalised disorders. A total of 24 elementary school students with externalising disorders, diagnosed by completing the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), were randomly assigned to a mindfulness-based intervention for two months. One session per week was offered and each session lasted one hour (n = 12) or as a wait-list control group (n = 12). Data were analysed via a multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) test. Students from the intervention group showed greater reductions in rule-breaking behaviours than those in the wait-list control group. Also, there was clear superiority of the intervention relative to the wait-list control group for reducing both aggression and rule-breaking behaviours (effect size differences were d = −2.52 and d = −1.88 respectively). These positive results on outcome measures provide initial evidence for a mindfulness-based intervention as a treatment option for boys with externalising disorders.

scholarly journals A Digital Intervention to Alleviate Loneliness and Depression Among Older Persons During the COVID-19 Outbreak

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 933-934
Author(s):  
Stav Shapira ◽  
Ella Cohn-Schwartz ◽  
Daphna Yeshua-Katz ◽  
Limor Aharonson-Daniel ◽  
A Mark Clarfield ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Wait List ◽  
Wait List Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Wait List Control

Abstract Social distancing has been proven to be effective in reducing infections but may cause ill effects on the mental health of older adults. We evaluated the effects of a short-term virtual group intervention that provided tools to promote better coping, and mitigate adverse mental health effects during the outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic. A Randomized controlled trial tested the effects of a guided intervention comprised of seven online group sessions in which cognitive-behavioral techniques targeting maladaptive beliefs and appraisals were learned and practiced via ZOOM. A total of 82 community-dwelling adults from Israel, aged between 65 - 90 were randomized to either an intervention group (n=64) or a wait-list control group (n=18). Loneliness (UCLA loneliness scale) and depressive symptoms (PHQ-9) were measured pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at 1-month follow-up. The findings showed a significant decrease in loneliness and depression scores in the intervention group with results maintained at 1-month follow-up. There were no significant changes in the wait-list control group. In addition, ten participants (16%) from the intervention group demonstrated a clinically meaningful decrease in depression between baseline and post-intervention, and this was maintained among 7 participants (10%) at 1-month follow-up, compared to only 1 participant (5%) in the control group. Our intervention presents a simple and easy-to-implement tool. Its relevance extends beyond the current pandemic as the skills acquired can be applied in other forms of social crises and during routine life, in order to promote the mental health of older adults who live alone and/or reside in remote areas.

scholarly journals Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of Tailored Yoga in Survivors of Head and Neck Cancer: A Pilot Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 774-784 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Adair ◽  
Barbara Murphy ◽  
Sujatha Yarlagadda ◽  
Jie Deng ◽  
Mary S. Dietrich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Head And Neck Cancer ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Late Effects ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Hatha Yoga ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Wait List ◽  
Wait List Control Group ◽  
Efficacy Data ◽  
Wait List Control

Purpose: Treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC) results in long-term toxicities and increased physical and psychosocial survivor burden. There are a limited number of treatments for these late effects. Yoga postures, breath work, relaxation, and meditation, may improve these late effects. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of a tailored yoga program in HNC survivors and obtain preliminary efficacy data. Methods: This was a randomized wait-list control study of yoga-naive HNC survivors who were >3 months post–cancer treatment. Baseline data were collected. Participants were randomized to either an 8-week hatha yoga intervention group or a wait-list group. Feasibility and efficacy data were collected. At 4 and 8 weeks, patients underwent a repeat assessment of health. Wait-list control group participants were offered the yoga program after data collection. Descriptive statistics evaluated feasibility. Mixed effects general linear models were used to generate estimates of the efficacy outcomes. Results: Seventy-three individuals were screened and 40 were eligible. All eligible individuals consented and enrolled. Five of the intervention group discontinued early and none in the wait-list control group. Feasibility was affirmed as participants were recruited and retained in the study, there were no adverse events, fidelity to protocol was demonstrated, and satisfaction rates were high. Efficacy measures indicated potential benefit for shoulder range of motion ( d = 0.57-0.86, P < .05), pain ( d = 0.67-0.90, P ≤ .005), and anxiety ( d = 0.59, P = .015). Conclusion: A tailored hatha yoga program is feasible and potentially efficacious for HNC survivors. Preliminary data supports further investigation of yoga in this population is needed.

The Effects of Family-Based Mindfulness Intervention on ADHD Symptomology in Young Children and Their Parents: A Randomized Control Trial

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 667-680 ◽  
Author(s):  
Herman H. M. Lo ◽  
Simpson W. L. Wong ◽  
Janet Y. H. Wong ◽  
Jerf W. K. Yeung ◽  
Eline Snel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intervention Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Wait List ◽  
Adhd Symptoms ◽  
Wait List Control Group ◽  
Wait List Control ◽  
Mindfulness Intervention ◽  
Family Based

Objective: The aim of the study is to investigate the feasibility of a family-based mindfulness intervention in improving children with inattention and hyperactivity symptoms. Method: A total of 100 children aged 5 to 7 years with ADHD symptoms and their parents were randomly assigned to a family-based mindfulness intervention ( n = 50) or a wait-list control group ( n = 50). Results: Families from intervention group had greater improvements in children’s ADHD symptoms, with medium effect sizes of −0.60 for inattention and −0.59 for hyperactivity; overall behaviors; and parenting stress and well-being than those in wait-list control group. Conclusion: The positive results on the child primary outcome measures have provided initial evidence of the family-based mindfulness intervention as a treatment option to ADHD. The reduction of parental stress and increase in psychological well-being has demonstrated the value of mindfulness in enhancing parent’s self-management.

scholarly journals Cultivating mindfulness: evaluation of a community-based mindfulness program for Arabic-speaking women in Australia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilse Blignault ◽  
Hend Saab ◽  
Lisa Woodland ◽  
Cathy O’Callaghan
Keyword(s):  
Intervention Group ◽  
Community Setting ◽  
Mindfulness Practice ◽  
Sign Test ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Wait List ◽  
Wait List Control Group ◽  
Wait List Control ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Arabic Speaking

AbstractArabic-speaking communities in Australia underutilise mental health services. Previous research with Arabic-speakers recruited individually demonstrated that an Arabic Mindfulness Compact Disc (CD) was an acceptable and useful resource for this group. Subsequently, the CD was introduced as part of a 5-week group mindfulness program for Arabic-speaking Muslim women. The intervention was delivered in a community setting by a bilingual (Arabic/English) psychologist with support from a bilingual multicultural health worker. The mixed-methods evaluation incorporated a pre–post study with a wait-list control group. An Arabic translation of the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS21) was administered at baseline and program completion. Pre–post differences were tested using the sign test for paired samples (one-sided). Qualitative methods were used to evaluate the program’s acceptability. After five weeks, the intervention group showed statistically significant improvement on all DASS21 subscales (n = 12, p < .001 for depression and stress and p < .01 for anxiety). For the wait-list control group, only anxiety showed significant improvement (n = 8, p < .05). Qualitative analysis revealed how the women grew in their understanding of mindfulness concepts and mastered the different techniques, how they dealt with painful memories, how mindfulness practice assisted them in their daily lives, and how they related mindfulness to Islam. The in-language mindfulness intervention was shown to be culturally and spiritually relevant, and clinically effective. The group program incorporating the Arabic Mindfulness CD has potential for scaling up. Further research is required to investigate effectiveness for Arabic-speaking men with similar backgrounds.

scholarly journals Effect of Structured Yoga Program on Stress and Professional Quality of Life Among Nursing Staff in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Delhi—A Small Scale Phase-II Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 2515690X2199199
Author(s):  
Suprakash Mandal ◽  
Puneet Misra ◽  
Gautam Sharma ◽  
Rajesh Sagar ◽  
Shashi Kant ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Nursing Staff ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Wait List ◽  
Professional Quality Of Life ◽  
Wait List Control Group ◽  
Wait List Control ◽  
Professional Quality

Background. Nursing staff suffer from various level of stress and burnout. We aimed to assess the effect of 12 weeks of structured yoga on stress and the professional quality of life among nursing staff. Design and method. An open-label, phase-II randomized clinical trial was undertaken considering a sample size of convenience was done. In service nursing staff were randomized (1:1) to intervention group and wait-list control group. Primary outcome was perceived stress which was measured by Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Secondary measures were professional quality measured by Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) scale, blood pressure, serum cortisol, and high-sensitive C-reactive protein. Both the per-protocol and intention to treat analysis was done. Results. Total 113 participants were allocated to intervention group (n = 58, mean = 35 years, SD = 7.9 years) and wait-list control group (n = 55, mean = 32.5 years, SD = 6.8 years). After 12 weeks, 19 participants of intervention group and 32 participants of wait-list control group were included in the per-protocol analysis. Follow-up mean PSS score was 15.4 (95% CI 12.6-18.2, SD 5.8) in intervention group, 20.7 (95% CI 19.7-21.7, SD 2.8) in wait-list control group (p-value < 0.0001). The other parameters didn’t differ between the groups and from baseline to end line too. Conclusions and relevance. The finding showed supervised structured yoga may be efficacious to reduce stress. Studies with larger sample size are needed to confirm the findings. Trial registration. It was approved by the Institute Ethics Committee (Reference no: IECPG-543/20.12.2017, RT-57/31.01.2018) and was registered prospectively in the Clinical Trial Registry of India prospectively (No. CTRI/2018/02/012206).

Combined Memory Training: An Approach for Episodic Memory Deficits in Traumatic Brain Injury

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (2S) ◽  
pp. 920-932
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Cochran D'Angelo ◽  
Beth A. Ober ◽  
Gregory K. Shenaut
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Semantic Memory ◽  
Memory Deficits ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Wait List ◽  
Wait List Control Group ◽  
Wait List Control

Purpose The study aimed to test a combination of semantic memory and traditional episodic memory therapies on episodic memory deficits in adults with traumatic brain injury. Method Twenty-five participants who had been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury and had episodic memory deficits were randomly assigned either to a combined memory treatment group ( n = 16) or to a wait-list control group ( n = 9). Before and after treatment, they completed standardized neuropsychological testing for episodic memory and related cognitive domains, including the California Verbal Learning Test–Second Edition, the Controlled Oral Word Association Test, the University of Southern California Repeatable Episodic Memory Test, the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence–Second Edition Matrices, the Test of Everyday Attention, the Memory Assessment Clinics Self-Rating Scale, the Expressive Vocabulary Test–Second Edition, and the Story Recall subtest from the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test. In addition to a traditional episodic memory therapy, the treatment group received a novel semantic memory–focused therapy, which involved participants finding meaningful connections between diverse concepts represented by sets of two or three words. Results The treatment group demonstrated statistically significant improvement in memory for list learning tasks, and there was a significant difference from pretest to posttest between the treatment group and the wait-list control group. Clinical significance was demonstrated for the treatment group using minimally important difference calculations. Conclusion Combined memory therapy resulted in significant improvements in episodic memory, semantic memory, and attention, in comparison to no treatment. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.14049968

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document