Systematic Review on the Mental Health and Treatment Impacts of COVID-19 on Neurocognitive Disorders

Objectives. The COVID-19 pandemic has had many public health impacts, especially on vulnerable individuals including adults with neurocognitive disorders (NCD). With increasing literature, this systematic literature review aimed to address the mental health effects of COVID-19 on people with NCD in addition to examine the impact of the pandemic on treatments/resources for NCD. Methods. A literature search was conducted in the electronic databases of PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science and Google Scholar. Studies were included so long as they assessed the mental health or therapeutic effects of COVID-19 on NCD. Results. Among the retrieved articles, 59 met eligibility criteria. First, the pandemic and resulting self-isolation led to many detrimental effects on psychological well-being. Exacerbation and relapses of neurocognitive and behavioral symptoms were observed, as well as emergences of new psychological symptoms (i.e., depression, anxiety). Second, therapeutic and community services for individuals suffering from NCD, such as social support services and outpatient clinics, were disrupted or reduced leading to postponed appointments and evaluations, as well as reduced access to medications. These issues were somewhat palliated with the growth of telemedicine. Conclusion. This systematic review highlights the extent of the effects of the pandemic, and the topics addressed should be taken into consideration by healthcare practitioners, institutions, and policymakers to ensure that proper measures are employed to protect this population from additional harm.

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Scoping review of mental health in prisons through the COVID-19 pandemic

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046547 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. e046547

Author(s):

Luke Johnson ◽

Kerry Gutridge ◽

Julie Parkes ◽

Anjana Roy ◽

Emma Plugge

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Impact ◽

Poor Quality ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Prison Staff ◽

The Impact

ObjectiveTo examine the extent, nature and quality of literature on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of imprisoned people and prison staff.DesignScoping review.Data sourcesPubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Global Health, Cochrane, PsycINFO, PsychExtra, Web of Science and Scopus were searched for any paper from 2019 onwards that focused on the mental health impact of COVID-19 on imprisoned people and prison staff. A grey literature search focused on international and government sources and professional bodies representing healthcare, public health and prison staff was also performed. We also performed hand searching of the reference lists of included studies.Eligibility criteria for selection of studiesAll papers, regardless of study design, were included if they examined the mental health of imprisoned people or prison staff specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic. Imprisoned people could be of any age and from any countries. All languages were included. Two independent reviewers quality assessed appropriate papers.ResultsOf 647 articles found, 83 were eligible for inclusion, the majority (58%) of which were opinion pieces. The articles focused on the challenges to prisoner mental health. Fear of COVID-19, the impact of isolation, discontinuation of prison visits and reduced mental health services were all likely to have an adverse effect on the mental well-being of imprisoned people. The limited research and poor quality of articles included mean that the findings are not conclusive. However, they suggest a significant adverse impact on the mental health and well-being of those who live and work in prisons.ConclusionsIt is key to address the mental health impacts of the pandemic on people who live and work in prisons. These findings are discussed in terms of implications for getting the balance between infection control imperatives and the fundamental human rights of prison populations.

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The impact of leishmaniasis on mental health and psychosocial well-being: A systematic review

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0223313 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (10) ◽

pp. e0223313 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Malini Pires ◽

Barry Wright ◽

Paul M. Kaye ◽

Virgínia da Conceição ◽

Rachel C. Churchill

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Well Being ◽

The Impact

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Self-compassionate Aging: A Systematic Review

The Gerontologist ◽

10.1093/geront/gny108 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 59 (4) ◽

pp. e311-e324 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Lydia Brown ◽

Jeff C Huffman ◽

Christina Bryant

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Older Adults ◽

Psychological Symptoms ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Later Life ◽

Well Being ◽

Physical Symptoms ◽

Search Term ◽

Self Compassion ◽

The Impact

Abstract Abstract Background and Objectives There is considerable heterogeneity in experiences of aging, with some experiencing greater well-being and adapting more successfully to the challenges of aging than others. Self-compassion is a modifiable psychological skill that might help explain individual differences in well-being and adjustment in later life. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature on self-compassion and well-being outcomes in studies of older adults aged 65 and older. Research Design and Methods This systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, using databases PsycINFO, Medline, and Embase. The search term self-compassion was paired with terms relating to well-being, psychological symptoms, and adjustment. Meta-analysis was used to synthesize results on the relationship between self-compassion and four outcomes including depression, anxiety, hedonic well-being, and eudaimonic well-being. Results Eleven studies met inclusion criteria for this review. Meta-analysis revealed that self-compassion was associated with lower levels of depression (r = −.58, 95% CI [−.66, −.48]) and anxiety (r = −.36, 95% CI [−.60, −.07]), and higher levels of hedonic (r = .41, 95% CI [.15, .62]) and eudaimonic (r = .49, 95% CI [.41, .57]) well-being. Further, three studies found self-compassion weakened the impact of physical symptoms on well-being outcomes. Discussion and Implications We found preliminary evidence that self-compassion is associated with well-being outcomes in older adults, and that self-compassion may buffer the psychological sequelae of health symptoms in later life. Higher quality studies with uniform outcome measures are needed to replicate and extend these results.

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The Impact of Childhood Psychological Maltreatment on Mental Health Outcomes in Adulthood: A Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

10.21203/rs.3.rs-102460/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Zhuoni Xiao ◽

Mina Murat Baldwin ◽

Franziska Meinck ◽

Ingrid Obsuth ◽

Aja Louise Murray

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Emotional Abuse ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Psychological Maltreatment ◽

Future Research ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background: Research suggests that childhood psychological maltreatment (i.e., emotional abuse and emotional neglect) is associated with mental and physical health problems that persist into adulthood, for example anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicidal ideation, and aggression; however, a systematic review and meta-analysis of the existing literature would help clarify the magnitude and moderators of these associations, and the extent to which they may be affected by publication bias, as well as the methodological strengths and weakness of studies in this area.Method: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guideline will be employed to structure the review. Several searches will be carried out via databases including Web of Science, Medline, PubMed, PsycINFO, Applied Social Science Index and Abstract, ERIC and EMBASE. Empirical peer reviewed research articles that fit pre-specified eligibility criteria will be included in the review. This review will include literature written in either English or Chinese. Two independent reviewers will screen and assess studies for inclusion in the review as well as extract the data, with consensus reached through discussion in cases of discrepancy. A third reviewer will be consulted to resolve any discrepancies that cannot be resolved through discussion between the original reviewers. The relevant Newcastle-Ottawa scales will be used for assessing the quality of studies. If a sufficient number of comparable studies are retrieved, a meta-analysis will be conducted using a random effects model. Discussion: This systematic review will provide an understanding of the long-term effects of childhood psychological maltreatment on adult mental health, which adds to previous reviews focusing primarily on the effects of physical and sexual abuse. The results of the review will help inform clinical practice in approaches to treating those with a history of psychological maltreatment in childhood. The gaps and weaknesses in the evidence identified will also inform recommendations for future research.

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Bereavement care interventions for children under the age of 18 following the death of a sibling: a systematic review

Palliative Medicine ◽

10.1177/0269216320947951 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 34 (10) ◽

pp. 1340-1350

Author(s):

Ashley Ridley ◽

Sandra Frache

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Community Services ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Childhood Bereavement ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Effective Response ◽

Socioeconomic Outcomes ◽

Bereaved Children ◽

Bereavement Care ◽

The Impact

Background: Childhood bereavement after sibling death is common, but often unrecognized. The psychosomatic and socioeconomic outcomes of bereaved children can be compromised if appropriate care is unavailable during the formative years leading into adulthood. Aim: This review aims to describe the methods, structures and procedures of bereavement care for children and adolescents after the loss of a sibling, and the impact on the families benefiting from these interventions. Design: A systematic review without restriction on study design was conducted. Data sources: Four databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Cochrane Library) were searched for articles published from 2000 to 2019. The search was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines and the protocol is registered on PROSPERO under number CRD42019124675. Articles were assessed against eligibility criteria by both authors, and quality was appraised using CASP checklists and NHMRC grading guidelines. Results: Twenty-three studies met inclusion criteria. Bereavement care was most often accessed by children ages 6–18 who lost a sibling to cancer 6–12 months prior. The interventions were typically group sessions or weekend camps, run predominantly by unpaid staff from a variety of backgrounds. Some staff members received priori specific training. Grief education is taught through mediated discussion and bereavement-centered activities balanced with playful and relaxed activities. Several services have effectuated evaluations of their interventions, and preliminary results show a positive effect for families. Conclusion: Existing literature most likely gives an incomplete picture of appropriate childhood bereavement care, and many interventions possibly remain unpublished or published in other non-scientific sources. An effective response to childhood grief would involve collaboration between medical resources and community services, reinforced through the development of outreach and training programs.

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The impact of polygamy on women's mental health: a systematic review

Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences ◽

10.1017/s2045796012000121 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 47-62 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

L. D. Shepard

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Work Practice ◽

Personal Communication ◽

Social Work Practice ◽

Future Research ◽

Health Issues ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Mental Health Issues ◽

The Impact

Aims.The purpose of this systematic review is to identify and appraise the present state of prevalence research on the mental health of polygynous women, or plural wives, and to summarize its implications for future research and social work practice.Methods.PsycInfo (1967 to November 2011) and Medline (1985 to November 2011) databases, systematic bibliography hand-searches, personal communication with a leading expert, and gray literature searching were applied in a systematic literature search of the prevalence of mental-health issues in polygynous women compared to monogamous women. Twenty-two studies meeting eligibility criteria were identified. Study characteristics, methods and findings were systematically extracted and appraised for quality.Results.The identified studies are of mixed methodological quality, but generally suggest a more significant prevalence of mental-health issues in polygynous women compared to monogamous women. Individual studies report a higher prevalence of somatization, depression, anxiety, hostility, psychoticism and psychiatric disorder in polygynous wives as well as reduced life and marital satisfaction, problematic family functioning and low self-esteem.Conclusions.The current state of the research reveals with moderate confidence, a more significant prevalence of mental-health issues in polygynous women as compared to monogamous women. Implications for practice and research are indicated.

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Mental Health of Children and Adolescents Amidst COVID-19 and Past Pandemics: A Rapid Systematic Review

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18073432 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (7) ◽

pp. 3432

Author(s):

Salima Meherali ◽

Neelam Punjani ◽

Samantha Louie-Poon ◽

Komal Abdul Rahim ◽

Jai K. Das ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Behavioral Problems ◽

Well Being ◽

School Closure ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Psychosocial Services ◽

The Impact

Background: The COVID‑19 pandemic and associated public health measures have disrupted the lives of people around the world. It is already evident that the direct and indirect psychological and social effects of the COVID‑19 pandemic are insidious and affect the mental health of young children and adolescents now and will in the future. The aim and objectives of this knowledge-synthesis study were to identify the impact of the pandemic on children’s and adolescent’s mental health and to evaluate the effectiveness of different interventions employed during previous and the current pandemic to promote children’s and adolescents’ mental health. Methodology: We conducted the systematic review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and included experimental randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials, observational studies, and qualitative studies. Results: Of the 5828 articles that we retrieved, 18 articles met the inclusion criteria. We thematically analyzed them and put the major findings under the thematic areas of impact of the pandemic on children’s and adolescents’ mental health. These studies reported that pandemics cause stress, worry, helplessness, and social and risky behavioral problems among children and adolescents (e.g., substance abuse, suicide, relationship problems, academic issues, and absenteeism from work). Interventions such as art-based programs, support services, and clinician-led mental health and psychosocial services effectively decrease mental health issues among children and adolescents. Conclusion: Children and adolescents are more likely to experience high rates of depression and anxiety during and after a pandemic. It is critical that future researchers explore effective mental health strategies that are tailored to the needs of children and adolescents. Explorations of effective channels regarding the development and delivery of evidenced-based, age-appropriate services are vital to lessen the effects and improve long-term capacities for mental health services for children and adolescents. Key Practitioner Message: The COVID-19 pandemic’s physical restrictions and social distancing measures have affected each and every domain of life. Although the number of children and adolescents affected by the disease is small, the disease and the containment measures such as social distancing, school closure, and isolation have negatively impacted the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents. The impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of children and adolescents is of great concern. Anxiety, depression, disturbances in sleep and appetite, as well as impairment in social interactions are the most common presentations. It has been indicated that compared to adults, this pandemic may continue to have increased long term adverse consequences on children’s and adolescents’ mental health. As the pandemic continues, it is important to monitor the impact on children’s and adolescents’ mental health status and how to help them to improve their mental health outcomes in the time of the current or future pandemics.

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Mentoring as an intervention to promote gender equality in academic medicine: a systematic review

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040355 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. e040355

Author(s):

Allan House ◽

Naila Dracup ◽

Paula Burkinshaw ◽

Vicky Ward ◽

Louise D Bryant

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Gender Equality ◽

Academic Medicine ◽

Academic Career ◽

Extended Period ◽

Well Being ◽

Healthcare Organisation ◽

Gender Inequalities ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

The Impact

BackgroundMentoring is frequently suggested as an intervention to address gender inequalities in the workplace.ObjectivesTo systematically review evidence published since a definitive review in 2006 on the effectiveness of mentoring interventions aimed at achieving gender equality in academic medicine.DesignSystematic Review, using the Template for Intervention Description and Replication as a template for data extraction and synthesis.SampleStudies were included if they described a specific mentoring intervention in a medical school or analogous academic healthcare organisation and included results from an evaluation of the intervention.Eligibility criteriaMentoring was defined as (1) a formally organised intervention entailing a supportive relationship between a mentor, defined as a more senior/experienced person and a mentee defined as a more junior/inexperienced person; (2) mentoring intervention involved academic career support (3) the mentoring relationship was outside line management or supervision of performance and was defined by contact over an extended period of time.OutcomesThe impact of mentoring was usually reported at the level of individual participants, for example, satisfaction and well-being or self-reported career progression. We sought evidence of impact on gender equality via reports of organisation-level effectiveness, of promotion or retention, pay and academic performance of female staff.ResultsWe identified 32 publications: 8 review articles, 20 primary observational studies and 4 randomised controlled trials. A further 19 discussed mentoring in relation to gender but did not meet our eligibility criteria. The terminology used, and the structures and processes reported as constituting mentoring, varied greatly. We identified that mentoring is popular with many who receive it; however, we found no robust evidence of effectiveness in reducing gender inequalities. Primary research used weak evaluation designs.ConclusionsMentoring is a complex intervention. Future evaluations should adopt standardised approaches used in applied health research to the design and evaluation of effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.

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Anxiety and depressive symptomatology among children and adolescents exposed to the COVID-19 pandemic - meta-analysis

Vojnosanitetski pregled ◽

10.2298/vsp210521092d ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 92-92

Author(s):

Sanja Djurdjevic ◽

Ghigliazza Conde ◽

Vesna Dukanac ◽

Ana Djurdjevic

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Depressive Symptomatology ◽

Well Being ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Strong Impact ◽

Positive Correlations ◽

The Impact

Background/Aim: Children and adolescents are the sensitive groups for the development of mental disorders during the crisis. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic regarding anxiety and depressive symptomatology in this population. Method: Investigation is based on a Systematic Review followed by PRISMA protocol including Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Global Health and APA Psyc Info data bases to identify relevant studies reporting anxiety and depressive symptoms among children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. 27 articles were included. Results: Anxiety symptoms increased from 28.3% before the pandemic to 49.5% during confinement (GAD-7 ? 11) (McNemar test p <0.0001). More depression symptomatology was found as well; weight and sleep changes are disturbances in children and adolescents? mental health. Additionally, female teenagers were experiencing grater declines in mood disorders than male teenagers during the COVID-19 crisis. On one hand, different positive correlations between anxiety and other variables, were found, such as clinical depressive symptoms and anxiety (3/14), smartphone and internet addiction (2/14), lower levels of family income (2/14), perceived threats (2/14), higher grades at school (2/14), loneliness (1/14). On the other hand, positive correlations were reported between depression and children and adolescents that were socially disconnected (3/17). Finally, mothers with higher levels of education and income were associated with more happiness (2/17). Conclusions: COVID-19 has a strong impact in children?s and adolescents? mental health regarding depression and anxiety symptoms. Prevention programs focused on coping strategies should also be considered to be delivered in elementary schools, middle schools and high schools. Mental health should become a priority matter for governments and the current pandemic could be an opportunity to highlight the importance of mental well-being and to invest in the betterment of clinical trainings, treatments and mental health research.

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Digital Technologies for Mental Health Improvements in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Systematic Review (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.34856 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jinhui Li

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Digital Technologies ◽

Well Being ◽

Cultural Groups ◽

Intervention Participant ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Theoretical Approaches ◽

Automatic Search ◽

The Impact

BACKGROUND Digital technologies have been used to support mental health services for two decades, but the COVID-19 pandemic creates a unique opportunity for greater utilization and more data-driven assessment of these digital technologies. OBJECTIVE This research aims to provide a systematic review of the characteristics and effectiveness of digital inventions that were employed to improve mental health in the real context of COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS A combination of search terms was applied for automatic search of publications in the relevant databases. The key features of included studies were extracted, including the intervention, participant, and study details. RESULTS A total of 14 eligible studies were included in the final review, which were conducted across different geographic regions and among diverse cultural groups. Ten studies mainly examined the impact of digital technologies on healthy individuals, while only one study developed specific interventions for the isolated COVID-19 depressed patients in hospitals. Digital technologies identified in this study mainly include web-based interventions, smartphone or social media applications such as SMS messages, mobile games, and even video conferencing app. But only five of them were aligned with theoretical approaches from standardized psychological treatments. Most of the studies have reported positive effects of digital technologies, either on improving general mental and emotional well-being or addressing specific conditions (e.g., depression, loneliness). CONCLUSIONS This systematic review suggests that digital technologies hold promise in bridging the mental health-care gap during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and calls for more rigorous studies to identify pertinent features that are likely to achieve more effective mental health outcomes.

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