scholarly journals Cultural adaptation of CBT for Afghan refugees in Europe: A retrospective evaluation

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (Special Issue) ◽  
Author(s):  
Schahryar Kananian ◽  
Annabelle Starck ◽  
Ulrich Stangier
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Context ◽  
Pilot Trial ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Idioms Of Distress ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Adaptation Process ◽  
Research Strategies ◽  
Afghan Refugees ◽  
Waitlist Control Group ◽  
Adaptation Processes

Background Culturally adapted CBT (CA CBT) is a well-evaluated, culture-sensitive intervention for refugees that utilizes psychoeducation, problem solving training, meditation, and stretching exercises. However, there is a lack of standard procedures for adapting psychotherapeutic interventions to a specific cultural context. Our working group adapted CA CBT for Afghan refugees at two different stages, which yielded promising results from a pilot trial and an RCT with a waitlist control group. This article aimed to illustrate the ongoing adaptation process of CA CBT for Afghan refugees over the course of several trials and to highlight potential limitations by evaluating how systematic adaptations were performed. Method The adaptation process of CA CBT was described in detail, including the methods and rationale for changes to the protocol. This process was analyzed according to a new set of proposed reporting criteria. Results According to the defined target population and based on multiple research strategies, culturally-specific components, such as the rationales for interventions, metaphors, and idioms of distress, were adapted. Relevant surface adaptations were implemented. However, although the steps of our adaptation process corresponded with the reporting criteria, some of the adaptation processes did not follow explicit criteria but resulted from implicit judgments. Conclusion In the future, compliance with and the documentation of adaptation processes following explicit guidelines are crucial for the transfer of evidence-based approaches for managing the diversity of refugee populations.

Feasibility of an Exercise Program for Older Depressive Inpatients

GeroPsych ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 163-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Heissel ◽  
Anou Vesterling ◽  
Stephanie A. White ◽  
Gunnar Kallies ◽  
Diana Behr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Pilot Trial ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Exercise Group ◽  
Neurocognitive Functioning ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Active Control Group ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Older Inpatients ◽  
Relaxation Exercises

Abstract. Twelve older inpatients (M age = 66.8) with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) participated in this controlled pilot trial either in a physical exercise group (PEG; n = 6; aerobic, strength, and coordination exercises) or an active control group (ACG; n = 6; relaxation exercises) twice a week for four weeks. While depressive symptoms decreased in both groups, reduction of symptoms was significantly larger in the PEG. However, the PEG had higher BDI scores compared to the ACG at pretest. Neurocognitive functioning and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentration did not change significantly. A four-week exercise program may be a feasible adjunct therapy in older MDD patients but the efficacy of the program needs to be proven with larger samples.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of a short Yoga Nidra meditation on stress, sleep, and well-being in a large and diverse sample

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther N. Moszeik ◽  
Timo von Oertzen ◽  
Karl-Heinz Renner
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Core Element ◽  
Waitlist Control Group ◽  
Affective Components ◽  
Meditation Group ◽  
Yoga Nidra

Abstract Previous studies have shown that meditation-based interventions can have a significant impact on stress and well-being in various populations. To further extend these findings, an 11-min Yoga Nidra meditation that may especially be integrated in a busy daily schedule by people who can only afford short time for breaks was adapted and analyzed in an experimental online study design. The effects of this short meditation on stress, sleep, well-being and mindfulness were examined for the first time. The meditation was provided as audio file and carried out during a period of 30 days by the participants of the meditation group. A Structural Equation Model (SEM) was used to analyze the data with Full Information Maximum Likelihood (FIML) in order to cope with missing data. As expected, the meditation group (N = 341) showed lower stress, higher well-being and improved sleep quality after the intervention (very small to small effect sizes) compared with a waitlist control group (N = 430). It turned out that the meditation had a stronger impact on the reduction of negative affect than on the increase of positive affect and also a stronger effect on affective components of well-being. Mindfulness, as a core element of the meditation, increased during the study within the meditation group. All effects remained stable at follow-up six weeks later. Overall, a large, heterogeneous sample showed that already a very short dose of meditation can positively influence stress, sleep, and well-being. Future research should consider biological markers as well as active control groups.

scholarly journals THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION TO REDUCE SELF-DESTRUCTIVE NAIL HABITS

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 491-499
Author(s):  
Ilze Upeniece ◽  
Monta Beltiņa
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
General Education ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Nail Changes ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
And Control ◽  
Traumatic Damage

Onychophagia and onychotillomania are rarely seen in clinical practice and are considered undervalued. The study aims were to determine the prevalence of onychophagia and onychotillomania habit in the patient group with hand nail damage and control group, to determine which would be the target population to educate. Patients were interviewed about self-destructive habits. Excel and SPSS were used for data analysis. In the nail damage group, 28.6% of the respondents showed self-destructive habits and past habits – 31.4%. In the control group, the result was 22.9% and 31.4%. For 74.3% of patients the cause of nail damage was skin disease (including 61.54% of respondents with nail damage who have psoriasis), for 5.7% it was age-related nail changes, for 20% traumatic damage and for 57.14% of them it was a result of self-destructive habit. In the nail damage group both – present and past self-destructive habits are higher than in the control group, but it has no statistical significance (p=0.785). 1)The prevalence of onychophagia and onychotillomania does not differ between patients and control group. 2)General education of the population is necessary to actualize this problem, which can worsen nail changes.

scholarly journals Comparison Between Classic and Light Touch Massage on Psychological and Physical Functional Variables in Athletes: a Randomized Pilot Trial

2020 ◽  
pp. 30-37
Author(s):  
Gemma Victoria Espí-López, PT, PhD ◽  
Pilar Serra-Añó, PT, PhD ◽  
Ferran Cuenca-Martínez , PT, MSc ◽  
Luis Suso-Martí, PT, MSc ◽  
Marta Inglés, PT, PhD
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Mood State ◽  
Pilot Trial ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Light Touch ◽  
General Belief ◽  
Massage Group ◽  
Physical Variables ◽  
Hip Flexion

Background: Despite the general belief of the benefits and the widespread use of massage in sport field, there are limited empirical data on possible effectiveness of massage on psychological and physical functional variables. Purpose: The main objective of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of classical and light touch massage on psychological and physical functional variables in athletes. Setting: Athletic club of Valencia Participants: 20 amateur athletes were recruited from two athletic clubs. Research Design: A single-blind, randomized, pilot-placebo trial. Intervention: The subjects were randomly allocated to two different groups: a) Massage group (MG) (n=10); b) Control group (CG) (n=10). The intervention period lasted one month (one session per week). Main Outcome Measures: Assessment of the participants was performed at baseline and 24 hours following the completion of the intervention. Outcome measures included hip flexion, knee extension, and mood state. Results: The results suggest that MG obtained better results on physical variables (p < .05). However, for both groups, trends suggest significant improvements in the overall mood state of the participants (p < .05). Conclusion: Our results suggest that classic massage could be an effective intervention to improve functional physical variables in athletes. However, trends suggest that a light touch intervention could provoke improvements in physiological measures.

scholarly journals Daptomycin treatment impacts resistance in off-target populations of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium

PLoS Biology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. e3000987
Author(s):  
Clare L. Kinnear ◽  
Elsa Hansen ◽  
Valerie J. Morley ◽  
Kevin C. Tracy ◽  
Meghan Forstchen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Enterococcus Faecium ◽  
Evolutionary Dynamics ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Phenotypic Diversity ◽  
Target Selection ◽  
Quantitative Measure ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Antibiotic Exposure ◽  
Hospital System

The antimicrobial resistance crisis has persisted despite broad attempts at intervention. It has been proposed that an important driver of resistance is selection imposed on bacterial populations that are not the intended target of antimicrobial therapy. But to date, there has been limited quantitative measure of the mean and variance of resistance following antibiotic exposure. Here we focus on the important nosocomial pathogen Enterococcus faecium in a hospital system where resistance to daptomycin is evolving despite standard interventions. We hypothesized that the intravenous use of daptomycin generates off-target selection for resistance in transmissible gastrointestinal (carriage) populations of E. faecium. We performed a cohort study in which the daptomycin resistance of E. faecium isolated from rectal swabs from daptomycin-exposed patients was compared to a control group of patients exposed to linezolid, a drug with similar indications. In the daptomycin-exposed group, daptomycin resistance of E. faecium from the off-target population was on average 50% higher than resistance in the control group (n = 428 clones from 22 patients). There was also greater phenotypic diversity in daptomycin resistance within daptomycin-exposed patients. In patients where multiple samples over time were available, a wide variability in temporal dynamics were observed, from long-term maintenance of resistance to rapid return to sensitivity after daptomycin treatment stopped. Sequencing of isolates from a subset of patients supports the argument that selection occurs within patients. Our results demonstrate that off-target gastrointestinal populations rapidly respond to intravenous antibiotic exposure. Focusing on the off-target evolutionary dynamics may offer novel avenues to slow the spread of antibiotic resistance.

scholarly journals Feasibility of an 8-week Yoga Intervention among Middle-aged and Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Neha P. Gothe ◽  
Emily Erlenbach ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Feasibility Studies ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Yoga Intervention ◽  
Enrollment Rates

Feasibility studies play a critical role in determining whether the target population is likely to engage with larger scale efficacy and effectiveness trials. Feasibility data for yoga interventions designed and conducted with older adults is limited. In this paper we present feasibility and acceptability data from an 8-week randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted with middle aged and older adults. Participants n=118 (Mean age: 62.0 years) were randomized to either a Hatha yoga or Stretching Control group with hour long group exercise classes held 3x/week for 8 weeks. Herein we report feasibility and acceptability, including enrollment rates, attendance, attrition and adverse events, participant feedback and satisfaction data. Of the 265 adults screened, 118 were eligible and randomized. Session attendance was high for both groups (80.82 to 81.29 %) and only 10 people were lost to follow-up. Program satisfaction for both groups was high (4.8 and 4.86 out of 5) and no adverse events were reported. Participants’ feedback regarding most and least helpful aspects of the program as well as suggestions for future yoga interventions are summarized. Overall, the yoga intervention was highly feasible and acceptable. The feasibility parameters from this trial can aid researchers in estimating desired sample sizes to successfully recruit, randomize and retain older adults in short- and long-term yoga based RCTs.

scholarly journals Pilot Study of Mindfulness Training on the Self-Awareness of Motor Symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease – A Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timo Marcel Buchwitz ◽  
Franziska Maier ◽  
Andrea Greuel ◽  
Franziska Thieken ◽  
Kenan Steidel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Motor Symptoms ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
Disease Symptoms ◽  
Waitlist Control ◽  
Sleeping Problems ◽  
Waitlist Control Group ◽  
Insight Into

Objective: This study aims to evaluate feasibility and effects of a newly developed mindfulness intervention tailored to specific needs of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD).Background: The phenomenon of impaired self-awareness of motor symptoms (ISAm) in PD might be reduced by increasing patients’ mindfulness. A PD-specific mindfulness intervention has been developed and evaluated as a potential treatment option: IPSUM (“Insight into Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms by using Mindfulness”).Methods: IPSUM’s effectiveness is evaluated by comparing an intervention with a waitlist-control group. Applying a pre-post design, patients were assessed before, directly after and 8weeks after treatment. The primary outcome was the change in a quantitative ISAm score from baseline to post-assessment. Secondary outcome measures were PD-related affective changes and neuropsychological test performance. Feasibility was evaluated via feedback forms.Results: In total, 30 non-depressed and non-demented PD patients were included (intervention: n=14, waitlist-control: n=16). ISAm score did not change significantly, but the training group showed greater performance in sustained attention and language tasks over time. Additional changes included greater mindfulness as well as less sleeping problems and anxiety. Cognitive disturbances, apathy, and sleeping problems worsened only in the waitlist-control group. Patients’ feedback regarding the training concept and material was excellent.Conclusion: Insight into Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms by using Mindfulness has not been capable of reducing ISAm in PD patients but appears to be a feasible and effective concept to, among others, support mental health in the mid-term. It has to be noted though that the study was stopped beforehand because of the SARS CoV-2 pandemic. The lack of findings might therefore be caused by a lack of statistical power. The need for further research to better understand the mechanisms of ISAm and its connection to mindfulness in PD is highlighted.

Toxicity in a double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial with D-penicillamine and metacycline in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis

1998 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 74-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Dubois ◽  
M B D'Hooghe ◽  
K De Lepeleire ◽  
P Ketelaer ◽  
G Opdenakker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Pilot Trial ◽  
Progressive Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Tissue Type ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Gelatinase B ◽  
Double Blind Placebo ◽  
Secondary Progressive

The serine proteinase tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and the metalloproteinase gelatinase B (MMP-9) have recently been demonstrated in MS lesions. Both enzymes are interconnected in an enzyme cascade which contributes to destruction of the blood brain barrier and demyelination and both enzymes are inhibited by D-penicillamine. Metacycline was shown in in vitro experiments to inhibit gelatinase B. The combination of peroral D-penicillamine plus metacycline was evaluated in a double-blind placebo-controlled way in two groups of 10 patients suffering from secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. The major objectives of this pilot trial were to examine the safety of this combination and the possibility of blinding, while the effect on disease progression was considered as a secondary endpoint. Over a follow-up period of 1 year and in this selected patient group, there was no significant improvement in the Expanded Disability Status Scale score (EDSS) as compared with that of the placebo-control group. Toxicity was too high to consider additional trials with this combination of metalloproteinase inhibitors. Although peroral treatment is by most MS patients acknowledged as a major improvement in treatment compliance, one has to await the development of more selective and efficaceous protease inhibitors than those used in the combination therapy described here.

Feasibility of the stress and anger management program on children with high functioning autism spectrum disorder in a sample population from Karachi

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S360-S360
Author(s):  
B. Tauseef ◽  
Z. Zadeh ◽  
B. Fatima
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Anger Management ◽  
High Functioning Autism ◽  
Treatment Protocol ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Sample Population ◽  
Waitlist Control Group

IntroductionResearch shows that individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, struggle with emotional competence as compared to their typically developing counterparts. This leads to internalizing (stress) and externalizing (anger management) problems in the affected population. The stress and anger management program (STAMP) designed by Scarpa et al. is a manualized treatment protocol with good clinical efficacy.ObjectiveThe objective of the present study is to test the feasibility and suitability of STAMP as a systematized treatment protocol in Karachi and to enable the sample population, to become emotionally competent.AimThe aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of STAMP on the reduction of symptoms in the sample population.MethodTen children with high functioning autism spectrum disorder will be selected from various institutes in Karachi, and randomized to experimental and waitlist control group after pre-intervention assessment. Upon completion of the intervention with the experimental group, the waitlist control group will be offered the intervention. Both the groups will be assessed, immediately after the intervention, followed by a one-month follow up assessment.ResultsIt is expected that STAMP will significantly reduce the incidence of problem behaviours as measured by the standardized assessment questionnaires from the manual; as well as significantly reduce the severity of scores on the internalizing and externalizing components of the strength and difficulties questionnaire, in the experimental group as compared to the control group.ConclusionIt is expected that the results of the present study could be utilized to train mental health professionals in Karachi for systematized treatment of ASD and related problems.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Evaluating the effects of a mindfulness mobile application on student pharmacists’ stress, burnout, and mindfulness

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Chu ◽  
Tyler M Rose ◽  
Danielle A Gundrum ◽  
Tressa E McMorris ◽  
Eytan A Klausner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Application ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Intervention Period ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Waitlist Control Group

Abstract Disclaimer In an effort to expedite the publication of articles, AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. Purpose Pharmacists report high levels of burnout. Mindfulness approaches have been demonstrated to have positive results in the general population and in other healthcare professions. However, limited studies have been performed evaluating mindfulness approaches in student pharmacists. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of daily use of a mindfulness mobile application in improving student pharmacists’ perceived stress, burnout, and mindfulness. Methods This study was a randomized, longitudinal, waitlist-controlled trial. The intervention group was asked to meditate using the mindfulness application Headspace daily for at least 6 weeks. The waitlist control group was asked to abstain from using the application for the entire study. Stress, burnout, and mindfulness were assessed using validated survey instruments at baseline, 6 weeks, and 10 weeks. A secondary outcome was to assess the persistence of application use after the intervention period. Results Fifty-six participants completed the study. The intervention group reported significantly lower scores on stress and burnout at 6 weeks compared to the control group. The intervention group also reported significantly higher scores on mindfulness. The differences in stress, burnout, and mindfulness persisted at follow-up. The mean percentage of students in the intervention group who used the application each day was 90% over the intervention period and 62% over the follow-up period. Conclusion A mindfulness mobile application significantly improved student pharmacists’ stress, burnout, and mindfulness with daily use. Most participants continued to use the application for 4 weeks after the end of the intervention. Positive effects on stress and mindfulness persisted even with decreased use.

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