scholarly journals Efficacy and moderation of mobile application-based mindfulness-based training, self-compassion training, and cognitive-behavioral psychoeducation on mental health: A randomized controlled trial (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Winnie Wing Sze Mak ◽  
Alan Chun Yat Tong ◽  
Sindy Ying Chi Yip ◽  
Wacy Wai Sze Lui ◽  
Floria Hin Ngan Chio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Self Compassion

BACKGROUND Mindfulness-based interventions, self-compassion training, and cognitive behavioral therapy have garnered much evidence in its salutary effects on mental health. With increasing application of smartphone and mobile technology on health promotion, the present study investigated the efficacy and possible moderators of mindfulness, self-compassion, and cognitive behavioral psychoeducation training mobile applications in the improvement of mental health. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to examine the efficacy of three mobile application-based programs: mindfulness-based program (MBP), self-compassion program (SCP), and cognitive behavioral psychoeducation control (CBP) in improving well-being and reducing psychological distress. To further delineate the suitability of each program for which type of individuals, individual difference variables (i.e., nonattachment, self-criticism, discomfort with emotion, and tolerance for ambiguity) were explored for potential moderation. METHODS The present study was a three-arm randomized controlled trial examining the efficacy of MBP, SCP with CBP. The course contents of the three programs were composed by a clinical psychologist and the mobile application was fully automated. Participants were recruited online and offline via mass mail, advertisements in newspapers and magazines, and social networking site. They were randomized into either one of the three conditions and completed pre-program survey assessment. Throughout the 4-week, 28-session program, participants spent 10 minutes daily in reviewing the course content and practicing various related exercises. Post-assessment and 3-month follow-up surveys were administered to measure changes over time. Indicators of mental health and psychological distress, as well as proposed moderators were self-assessed online at pre-program, post-program, and 3-month follow-up. RESULTS Among the 2,161 study participants, 508 and 349 completed the post- and 3-month follow-up assessment respectively. All three conditions (MBP, N = 703; CBP, N = 753; SCP, N = 705) were found to be efficacious in improving mental well-being and reducing psychological distress. No significant differences regarding usage and users’ satisfaction were found among the three conditions. None of the proposed moderators were found to be significant. CONCLUSIONS Mindfulness-based, self-compassion, and cognitive behavioral psychoeducation mobile applications were efficacious in improving mental health and reducing psychological distress among young adults at post-program, and such improvements were maintained at 3-month follow-up. Future app-based psychological training programs should consider gamification and personalization of content or feedback to enhance engagement and mitigate the high attrition rate that are common in app-based health promotion programs. CLINICALTRIAL Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR) ChiCTR-TRC-13003468; https://www2.ccrb.cuhk.edu.hk/registry/public/217 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6oaPwga7z).

scholarly journals Efficacy and Moderation of Mobile App–Based Programs for Mindfulness-Based Training, Self-Compassion Training, and Cognitive Behavioral Psychoeducation on Mental Health: Randomized Controlled Noninferiority Trial

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. e60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Winnie WS Mak ◽  
Alan CY Tong ◽  
Sindy YC Yip ◽  
Wacy WS Lui ◽  
Floria HN Chio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral ◽  
Mindful Awareness ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Mental Well Being

Background Mindfulness-based interventions, self-compassion training, and cognitive behavioral therapy have garnered much evidence in its salutary effects on mental health. With increasing application of smartphone and mobile technology on health promotion, this study investigated the efficacy and possible moderators of mindfulness, self-compassion, and cognitive behavioral psychoeducation training mobile apps in the improvement of mental health. Objective The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of 3 mobile app–based programs: mindfulness-based program, self-compassion program, and cognitive behavioral psychoeducation program in improving mental well-being and reducing psychological distress. Changes in mindful awareness and self-compassion were also assessed. To further delineate the suitability of each program for different types of individuals, individual difference variables (ie, discomfort with emotions and tolerance for ambiguity) were explored for potential moderation. Methods This study was a 3-arm, randomized, controlled, noninferiority trial examining the efficacy of mindfulness-based program, self-compassion program, and cognitive behavioral psychoeducation. Participants were randomized into either 1 of the 3 conditions. Throughout the 4-week, 28-session program, participants spent 10-15 min daily reviewing the course content and practicing various related exercises. At preprogram, postprogram, and 3-month follow-up, participants also completed Web-based measures of mental well-being, psychological distress, mindful-awareness, and self-compassion as well as the proposed moderators. Results Among the 2161 study participants, 508 and 349 completed the post- and 3-month follow-up assessment, respectively. All 3 conditions (mindfulness-based program: N=703; cognitive behavioral psychoeducation: N=753; self-compassion program: N=705) were found to be efficacious in improving mental well-being and reducing psychological distress. All conditions enhanced mindful awareness at postprogram. Significant interaction effect was found on self-compassion; cognitive behavioral psychoeducation and self-compassion program, but not mindfulness-based program, significantly enhanced self-compassion at postprogram. No significant differences regarding usage and users’ satisfaction were found among the 3 conditions. None of the proposed moderators were found to be significant. Conclusions Mindfulness-based, self-compassion, and cognitive behavioral psychoeducation mobile apps were efficacious in improving mental well-being and reducing psychological distress among adults at postprogram and 3-month follow-up. Future app-based psychological training programs should consider gamification and personalization of content or feedback to enhance engagement and mitigate the high attrition rates that are common in app-based health promotion programs. Trial Registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR) ChiCTR-TRC-13003468; http://www.chictr.org.cn/hvshowproject.aspx?id=6220 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/734PlOz50)

Effect of psychoeducation website named “Imacoco-care” on improving psychological distress among workers under COVID-19 pandemic: a randomized controlled trial (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kotaro Imamura ◽  
Natsu Sasaki ◽  
Yuki Sekiya ◽  
Kazuhiro Watanabe ◽  
Asuka Sakuraya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Adverse Effect ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Psychoeducational Intervention ◽  
Favorable Effect ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Small Effect Size

BACKGROUND The prolonged coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affected mental health among workers. Psychoeducational intervention via an Internet website could be effective for primary prevention of mental health among workers in the current COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVE The aim of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to examine the effect of a newly developed online psychoeducational website named "Imacoco-care" on reducing psychological distress and fear about COVID-19 infection among workers. METHODS Participants in the present study were recruited from registered members of a web survey company in Japan. Participants who fulfilled the eligibility criteria were randomly allocated to intervention or control groups. Participants in the intervention group were invited to access the Imacoco-care within a month after the baseline survey. Kessler’s Psychological Distress Scale (K6) and The Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) were obtained at baseline, 1-, and 3-month follow-ups. RESULTS A total of 1200 workers were randomly allocated to an intervention or control group (n = 600 for each). In the intention-to-treat (ITT) analyses, the Imacoco-care showed significant favorable effect on K6 (p = 0.03) with small effect size (d = -0.14), and adverse effect on FCV-19S (p = 0.01) with small effect size (d = 0.16) in the intervention group at 3-month follow-up. In the per-protocol analyses (only included participants who have read the Imacoco-care at least one time), the Imacoco-care also showed significant favorable effect on reducing K6 (p = 0.03), while adverse effect on FCV-19S was not significant (p = 0.06) in the intervention group at 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS A web-based psychoeducation approach may be effective on improving psychological distress in a general working population, while it may be important not only distributing information but also encouraging to access and see the contents to prevent the adverse effect of psychoeducational intervention. CLINICALTRIAL The University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR). The registration number is UMIN000042556 (https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000048548).

scholarly journals A Self-Administered Multicomponent Web-Based Mental Health Intervention for the Mexican Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandro Dominguez-Rodriguez ◽  
Anabel De La Rosa-Gómez ◽  
M Jesús Hernández Jiménez ◽  
Paulina Arenas-Landgrave ◽  
Sofía Cristina Martínez-Luna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Behavioral Activation ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
Randomized Controlled

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has become a public health emergency of international concern; it has not only threatened people's physical health but has also affected their mental health and psychological well-being. It is necessary to develop and offer strategies to reduce the psychological impact of the outbreak and promote adaptive coping. OBJECTIVE This study protocol aims to describe a self-administered web-based intervention (Mental Health COVID-19) based on the principles of positive psychology supported by elements of cognitive behavioral therapy and behavioral activation therapy to reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression and increase positive emotions and sleep quality during and after the COVID-19 outbreak through a telepsychology system. METHODS A randomized controlled clinical superiority trial with two independent groups will be performed, with intrasubject measures at four evaluation periods: pretest, posttest, 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: self-administered intervention with assistance via chat or self-administered intervention without assistance via chat. The total required sample size will be 166 participants (83 per group). RESULTS The clinical trial is ongoing. This protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Board of the Free School of Psychology-University of Behavioral Sciences (Escuela libre de Psicología-Universidad de Ciencias del Comportamiento). The aim is to publish the preliminary results in December 2020. A conservative approach will be adopted, and the size effect will be estimated using the Cohen <i>d</i> index with a significance level (α) of .05 (95% reliability) and a conventional 80% power statistic. CONCLUSIONS The central mechanism of action will be to investigate the effectiveness of an intervention based on positive psychology through a web platform that can be delivered through computers and tablets, with content that has been rigorously contextualized to the Mexican culture to provide functional strategies to help the target users cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04468893; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04468893 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/23117

Resilience, Insight, Self-Compassion, and Empowerment (RISE): A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Psychoeducational Group Program for Nurses

2021 ◽  
pp. 107839032110333
Author(s):  
Amanda T. Sawyer ◽  
Amanda K. Bailey ◽  
Jeanette F. Green ◽  
Jingwei Sun ◽  
Patricia Stearnes Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychoeducational Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Mind Set

Background: Nurses tend to be vulnerable to burnout and compassion fatigue due to constant workplace stressors. There is a need to provide advocacy, education, programming, and resources in the areas of positive coping and self-care to reduce burnout symptoms and promote well-being. RISE is an 8-week psychoeducational group intervention for nurses with four themes: resilience, insight, self-compassion, and empowerment. Objectives: This randomized controlled trial examined the effects of RISE on mental well-being. Methods: The sample included 75 registered nurses who work in a hospital-based setting. Outcomes included resilience, insight, self-compassion, empowerment, stress mind-set, perceived stress, and burnout. Independent-samples t tests were conducted to compare outcomes between intervention and wait-list control groups at baseline and 1-month follow-up, as well as at 3-month follow-up. Supplemental analyses included paired-samples t tests and linear mixed models to compare the outcomes of the intervention group participants at baseline to 1-month follow-up, as well as at 3-month and 6-month follow-ups. Results: Participants in the intervention group showed improved levels of insight (i.e., engagement in self-reflection), perceived stress, and burnout (i.e., emotional exhaustion) when compared with the control group and improved levels of resilience, self-compassion, stress mind-set, and perceived stress when compared with their baseline. Conclusions: This study informs how RISE affects nurse well-being and may be an effective intervention for reducing burnout and stress. This type of whole-person intervention can support nurses to improve their well-being and ability to cope amid the complex interplay of factors at the individual, unit, and organizational levels.

scholarly journals A Self-Administered Multicomponent Web-Based Mental Health Intervention for the Mexican Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/23117 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. e23117
Author(s):  
Alejandro Dominguez-Rodriguez ◽  
Anabel De La Rosa-Gómez ◽  
M Jesús Hernández Jiménez ◽  
Paulina Arenas-Landgrave ◽  
Sofía Cristina Martínez-Luna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Behavioral Activation ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has become a public health emergency of international concern; it has not only threatened people's physical health but has also affected their mental health and psychological well-being. It is necessary to develop and offer strategies to reduce the psychological impact of the outbreak and promote adaptive coping. Objective This study protocol aims to describe a self-administered web-based intervention (Mental Health COVID-19) based on the principles of positive psychology supported by elements of cognitive behavioral therapy and behavioral activation therapy to reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression and increase positive emotions and sleep quality during and after the COVID-19 outbreak through a telepsychology system. Methods A randomized controlled clinical superiority trial with two independent groups will be performed, with intrasubject measures at four evaluation periods: pretest, posttest, 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: self-administered intervention with assistance via chat or self-administered intervention without assistance via chat. The total required sample size will be 166 participants (83 per group). Results The clinical trial is ongoing. This protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Board of the Free School of Psychology-University of Behavioral Sciences (Escuela libre de Psicología-Universidad de Ciencias del Comportamiento). The aim is to publish the preliminary results in December 2020. A conservative approach will be adopted, and the size effect will be estimated using the Cohen d index with a significance level (α) of .05 (95% reliability) and a conventional 80% power statistic. Conclusions The central mechanism of action will be to investigate the effectiveness of an intervention based on positive psychology through a web platform that can be delivered through computers and tablets, with content that has been rigorously contextualized to the Mexican culture to provide functional strategies to help the target users cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04468893; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04468893 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/23117

scholarly journals Effectiveness of providing university students with a mindfulness-based intervention to increase resilience to stress: 1-year follow-up of a pragmatic randomised controlled trial

2020 ◽  
pp. jech-2020-214390
Author(s):  
Julieta Galante ◽  
Jan Stochl ◽  
Géraldine Dufour ◽  
Maris Vainre ◽  
Adam Peter Wagner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
University Students ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Workload Management ◽  
Mindfulness Skills ◽  
Randomised Controlled

BackgroundThere is concern that increasing demand for student mental health services reflects deteriorating student well-being. We designed a pragmatic, parallel, single-blinded randomised controlled trial hypothesising that providing mindfulness courses to university students would promote their resilience to stress up to a year later. Here we present 1-year follow-up outcomes.MethodsUniversity of Cambridge students without severe mental illness or crisis were randomised (1:1, remote software-generated random numbers), to join an 8-week mindfulness course adapted for university students (Mindfulness Skills for Students (MSS)), or to mental health support as usual (SAU).ResultsWe randomised 616 students; 53% completed the 1-year follow-up questionnaire. Self-reported psychological distress and mental well-being improved in the MSS arm for up to 1 year compared to SAU (p<0.001). Effects were smaller than during the examination period. No significant differences between arms were detected in the use of University Counselling Service and other support resources, but there was a trend for MSS participants having milder needs. There were no differences in students’ workload management; MSS participants made more donations. Home practice had positive dose–response effects; few participants meditated. No adverse effects related to self-harm, suicidality or harm to others were detected.ConclusionLoss to follow-up is a limitation, but evidence suggests beneficial effects on students’ average psychological distress that last for at least a year. Effects are on average larger at stressful times, consistent with the hypothesis that this type of mindfulness training increases resilience to stress.Trial registration numberACTRN12615001160527.

scholarly journals Feasibility, Effectiveness, and Mechanisms of a Brief Mindfulness- and Compassion-Based Program to Reduce Stress in University Students: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 154
Author(s):  
David Martínez-Rubio ◽  
Jaime Navarrete ◽  
Jesus Montero-Marin
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
University Students ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Wait List ◽  
Mindfulness Skills ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

The mental health of university students is a public health concern, as psychopathology has significantly risen among this population. Mindfulness-based programs may support their mental health, though more research is needed. We used a two-armed pilot randomized controlled trial to study the feasibility, preliminary effectiveness, and potential mechanisms of a brief 6-week instructor-led mindfulness- and compassion-based program (MCBP for University Life) on perceived stress and psychological distress. Thirty undergraduate psychology students participated (15 in the intervention group, and 15 as wait-list controls). Those in the intervention arm engaged well with the course and formal at-home practice, attending at least five sessions and meditating between 4–6 days per week. Significant improvements in perceived stress, psychological distress, mindfulness skills, decentering, self-compassion, and experiential avoidance were found at the end of the intervention, while the wait-list group remained unchanged. There were significant differences between the two groups in those variables at post-test, favoring the intervention arm with major effects. Reductions in stress were mediated by improvements in mindfulness skills, decentering, and self-compassion; meanwhile reductions in psychological distress were mediated by improvements in decentering. These results suggest that this intervention might be feasible and effective for university students, but more high-quality research is needed.

scholarly journals Detection of Domestic Violence and Abuse by Community Mental Health Teams Using the BRAVE Intervention: A Multicenter, Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052110041
Author(s):  
Roos Ruijne ◽  
Cornelis Mulder ◽  
Milan Zarchev ◽  
Kylee Trevillion ◽  
Roel van Est ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Referral Rates ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Cluster Randomized ◽  
And Control ◽  
Domestic Violence And Abuse

Despite increased prevalence of domestic violence and abuse (DVA), victimization through DVA often remains undetected in mental health care. To estimate the effectiveness of a system provider level training intervention by comparing the detection and referral rates of DVA of intervention community mental health (CMH) teams with rates in control CMH teams. We also aimed to determine whether improvements in knowledge, skills and attitudes to DVA were greater in clinicians working in intervention CMH teams than those working in control teams. We conducted a cluster randomized controlled trial in two urban areas of the Netherlands. Detection and referral rates were assessed at baseline and at 6 and 12 months after the start of the intervention. DVA knowledge, skills and attitudes were assessed using a survey at baseline and at 6 and 12 months after start of the intervention. Electronic patient files were used to identify detected and referred cases of DVA. Outcomes were compared between the intervention and control teams using a generalized linear mixed model. During the 12-month follow-up, detection and referral rates did not differ between the intervention and control teams. However, improvements in knowledge, skills and attitude during that follow-up period were greater in intervention teams than in control teams: β 3.21 (95% CI 1.18-4.60). Our trial showed that a training program on DVA knowledge and skills in CMH teams can increase knowledge and attitude towards DVA. However, our intervention does not appear to increase the detection or referral rates of DVA in patients with a severe mental illness. A low detection rate of DVA remains a major problem. Interventions with more obligatory elements and a focus on improving communication between CMH teams and DVA services are recommended.

Transdiagnostic versus Diagnosis-Specific Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety Disorders and Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Nina Reinholt ◽  
Morten Hvenegaard ◽  
Anne Bryde Christensen ◽  
Anita Eskildsen ◽  
Carsten Hjorthøj ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Outpatient Mental Health ◽  
End Of Treatment

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP) delivered in a group format could facilitate the implementation of evidence-based psychological treatments. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> This study compared the efficacy of group UP and diagnosis-specific cognitive behavioral therapy (dCBT) for anxiety and depression in outpatient mental health services. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> In this pragmatic, multi-center, single-blinded, non-inferiority, randomized controlled trial (RCT), we assigned 291 patients with major depressive disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or agoraphobia to 14 weekly sessions in mixed-diagnosis UP or single-diagnosis dCBT groups. The primary test was non-inferiority, using a priori criteria, on the World Health Organisation 5 Well-Being Index (WHO-5) at the end of the treatment. Secondary outcomes were functioning and symptoms. We assessed outcomes at baseline, end-of-treatment, and at a 6-month follow-up. A modified per-protocol analysis was performed. <b><i>Results:</i></b> At end-of-treatment, WHO-5 mean scores for patients in UP (<i>n</i> = 148) were non-inferior to those of patients in dCBT (<i>n</i> = 143; mean difference –2.94; 95% CI –8.10 to 2.21). Results were inconclusive for the WHO-5 at the 6-month follow-up. Results for secondary outcomes were non-inferior at end-of-treatment and the 6-month follow-up. Client satisfaction and rates of attrition, response, remission, and deterioration were similar across conditions. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> This RCT demonstrated non-inferior acute-phase outcomes of group-delivered UP compared with dCBT for major depressive disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and agoraphobia in outpatient mental health services. The long-term effects of UP on well-being need further investigation. If study findings are replicated, UP should be considered a viable alternative to dCBT for common anxiety disorders and depression in outpatient mental health services.

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