scholarly journals An open trial of individualized face-to-face cognitive behavior therapy for psychological distress in parents of children after end of treatment for childhood cancer including a cognitive behavioral conceptualization

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Ljungman ◽  
Martin Cernvall ◽  
Ata Ghaderi ◽  
Gustaf Ljungman ◽  
Louise von Essen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Childhood Cancer ◽  
Psychological Treatment ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Core ◽  
End Of Treatment ◽  
Post Assessment

ObjectiveA subgroup of parents of children who have been treated for childhood cancer report high levels of psychological distress. To date there is no empirically supported psychological treatment targeting cancer-related psychological distress in this population. The aim of the current study was to test the feasibility and preliminarily evaluate the effect of individualized face-to-face cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for parents of children after the end of treatment for childhood cancer. A secondary aim was to present a cognitive behavioral conceptualization of cancer-related distress for these parents.MethodsAn open trial was conducted where 15 parents of children who had completed successful treatment for cancer three months to five years earlier and who reported psychological distress related to a child’s previous cancer disease were provided CBT at a maximum of 15 sessions. Participants were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and three-month follow-up using self-reported psychological distress (including posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), depression, and anxiety) and the diagnostic Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Feasibility outcomes relating to recruitment, data collection, and delivery of the treatment were also examined. Individual case formulations for each participant guided the intervention and these were aggregated and presented in a conceptualization detailing core symptoms and their suggested maintenance mechanisms.ResultsA total of 93% of the participants completed the treatment and all of them completed the follow-up assessment. From baseline to post-assessment, parents reported significant improvements in PTSS, depression, and anxiety with medium to large effect sizes (Cohen’sd= 0.65–0.92). Results were maintained or improved at a three-month follow-up. At baseline, seven (47%) participants fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder and four (29%) fulfilled the criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder, compared to none at a post-assessment and a follow-up assessment. The resulting cognitive behavioral conceptualization suggests traumatic stress and depression as the core features of distress, and avoidance and inactivity is suggested as the core maintenance mechanisms.ConclusionThe treatment was feasible and acceptable to the participants. Significant improvements in distress were observed during the study. Overall, results suggest that the psychological treatment for parents of children after end of treatment for childhood cancer used in the current study is promising and should be tested and evaluated in future studies.

Alprazolam and Exposure for Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia

1994 ◽  
Vol 164 (5) ◽  
pp. 652-659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Metin Başoglu ◽  
Isaac M. Marks ◽  
Cengiz Kiliç ◽  
Richard P. Swinson ◽  
Homa Noshirvani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Panic Disorder ◽  
Drug Treatment ◽  
Psychological Treatment ◽  
Illness Severity ◽  
Withdrawal Symptoms ◽  
Severe Withdrawal ◽  
End Of Treatment

Patients with panic disorder plus agoraphobia had 8 weeks of drug treatment (alprazolam or placebo) plus psychological treatment (exposure or relaxation). At the end of treatment at week 8, 40 patients who had become much/very much improved rated how much their gains were attributable to medication or to their own efforts. During the tapering-off to week 16, and treatment-free follow-up to week 43, patients who at week 8 had attributed their gains to medication and felt less confident in coping without tablets had more severe withdrawal symptoms and greater loss of gains than did patients who at week 8 had attributed their gains to their own efforts during treatment. Baseline illness severity, greater age, higher expectations from drug treatment, and more side-effects of drugs during treatment all predicted more external attributions (i.e. to the effect of drugs) but did not independently predict relapse. Patients on alprazolam compared with placebo had more drug attributions. Though drug attributions predicted relapse in both alprazolam and placebo groups, predictions were stronger in the alprazolam group.

scholarly journals The Effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Intervention on Inflammation and Stress Biomarkers: a Randomized Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 539-555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elina Järvelä-Reijonen ◽  
Sampsa Puttonen ◽  
Leila Karhunen ◽  
Essi Sairanen ◽  
Jaana Laitinen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽  
Systemic Inflammation ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Stress Biomarkers ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment ◽  
Acceptance And Action Questionnaire ◽  
The Face

Abstract Background Psychological processes can be manifested in physiological health. We investigated whether acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), targeted on psychological flexibility (PF), influences inflammation and stress biomarkers among working-age adults with psychological distress and overweight/obesity. Method Participants were randomized into three parallel groups: (1) ACT-based face-to-face (n = 65; six group sessions led by a psychologist), (2) ACT-based mobile (n = 73; one group session and mobile app), and (3) control (n = 66; only the measurements). Systemic inflammation and stress markers were analyzed at baseline, at 10 weeks after the baseline (post-intervention), and at 36 weeks after the baseline (follow-up). General PF and weight-related PF were measured with questionnaires (Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire for Weight-Related Difficulties). Results A group × time interaction (p = .012) was detected in the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) level but not in other inflammation and stress biomarkers. hsCRP decreased significantly in the face-to-face group from week 0 to week 36, and at week 36, hsCRP was lower among the participants in the face-to-face group than in the mobile group (p = .035, post hoc test). Age and sex were stronger predictors of biomarker levels at follow-up than the post-intervention PF. Conclusion The results suggest that ACT delivered in group sessions may exert beneficial effects on low-grade systemic inflammation. More research is needed on how to best apply psychological interventions for the health of both mind and body among people with overweight/obesity and psychological distress. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01738256, Registered 17 August, 2012

Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Couple Therapy on Reducing Depression and Anxiety Symptoms and Increasing Dyadic Adjustment and Marital Social Skills: An Exploratory Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 344-355
Author(s):  
Ricardo Silva Santos Durães ◽  
Tatiana Cohab Khafif ◽  
Francisco Lotufo-Neto ◽  
Antonio de Pádua Serafim
Keyword(s):  
Social Skills ◽  
Marital Conflict ◽  
Couple Therapy ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Dyadic Adjustment ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Communication Problems ◽  
Group 2

Several kinds of marital conflict might be solved through constructive communication, development of interaction skills, and behavioral and thought modification. The aim of this study was to show results of the application of a protocol based on cognitive behavioral couple therapy (CBCT) on dyadic adjustment, marital social skills, depression, and anxiety symptoms. The sample consisted of 32 participants (16 couples) divided in two groups by length of marriage: Group 1 (1–7 years) and Group 2 (8–12 years). All subjects recruited were older than 18 and reported having communication problems in their relationship. The ages were M = 30.4, SD = 4.13. The measures were Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), Beck Depression Inventory–II (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Marital Social Skills Inventory (Inventário de Habilidades Sociais Conjugais [IHSC]), and the Sociodemographic Questionnaire. Participants were assessed pre- and postintervention and had a 6-month follow-up. The intervention consisted of twelve 50-min sessions per couple. Based on three time analyses, both groups obtained the following results: DAS ( p = .001), BDI-II ( p = .000), BAI ( p = .000), and IHSC ( p = .001). We conclude that the CBCT protocol developed for this study, resulted in statistically significant improvements in the couple’s relationship for all variables studied in both groups.

Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Group Intervention on Acculturation

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia-Yan Pan ◽  
Petrus Ng ◽  
Daniel Kim-Wan Young ◽  
Schoepf Caroline
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
University Students ◽  
Acculturative Stress ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral ◽  
Positive Effects

Objective: This study examined the effectiveness of group cognitive behavioral intervention (CBI) in improving mental health and promoting postmigration growth for Mainland university students in Hong Kong. Methods: Thirty-six Mainland students with mild-to-moderate levels of psychological distress have completed a 8-session CBI group. Various mental health measures have been administered at the pre-, post-, and 3-month follow-up tests. Results: The levels of psychological distress, acculturative stress, and negative emotions and negative thoughts of the participants were significantly reduced, while their positive emotions and postmigration growth were significantly increased upon completion of the CBI group. The positive effects were maintained at 3-month follow-up. Conclusions: CBI group appears to be an effective intervention approach for improving the mental health and promoting postmigration growth for Mainland university students in Hong Kong. Implications for social work practices when engaging with Chinese international students were provided.

scholarly journals Randomized Controlled Trial of a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Plus Hypnosis Intervention to Control Fatigue in Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 557-563 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy H. Montgomery ◽  
Daniel David ◽  
Maria Kangas ◽  
Sheryl Green ◽  
Madalina Sucala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Muscle Weakness ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Attention Control ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral ◽  
Control Group ◽  
End Of Treatment ◽  
Vas Scores

Purpose The objective of this study was to test the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy plus hypnosis (CBTH) to control fatigue in patients with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy. We hypothesized that patients in the CBTH group receiving radiotherapy would have lower levels of fatigue than patients in an attention control group. Patients and Methods Patients (n = 200) were randomly assigned to either the CBTH (n = 100; mean age, 55.59 years) or attention control (n = 100; mean age, 55.97 years) group. Fatigue was measured at four time points (baseline, end of radiotherapy, 4 weeks, and 6 months after radiotherapy). Fatigue was measured using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT) –Fatigue subscale and Visual Analog Scales (VASs; Fatigue and Muscle Weakness). Results The CBTH group had significantly lower levels of fatigue (FACIT) at the end of radiotherapy (z, 6.73; P < .001), 4-week follow-up (z, 6.98; P < .001), and 6-month follow-up (z, 7.99; P < .001) assessments. Fatigue VAS scores were significantly lower in the CBTH group at the end of treatment (z, 5.81; P < .001) and at the 6-month follow-up (z, 4.56; P < .001), but not at the 4-week follow-up (P < .07). Muscle Weakness VAS scores were significantly lower in the CBTH group at the end of treatment (z, 9.30; P < .001) and at the 6-month follow-up (z, 3.10; P < .02), but not at the 4-week follow-up (P < .13). Conclusion The results support CBTH as an evidence-based intervention to control fatigue in patients undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer. CBTH is noninvasive, has no adverse effects, and its beneficial effects persist long after the last intervention session. CBTH seems to be a candidate for future dissemination and implementation.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Text Messaging for the Management of Psychological and Somatic Distress in Depressed and Anxious Outpatients

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-19
Author(s):  
Roberto Truzoli ◽  
Cecilia Rovetta ◽  
Eliana Nola ◽  
Luca Matteucci ◽  
Caterina Viganò
Keyword(s):  
Group Therapy ◽  
Patient Compliance ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy ◽  
Treatment Of Depression ◽  
Behavioral Group

Background:Cognitive behavioral group therapy has developed several techniques in order to make the treatment of depressive and anxiety disorders more effective. Particularly, the “homework” is a tool in order to practice therapeutic skills in ecological settings. When working with this aim, it is often necessary to support patient compliance.Researches have shown the efficacy of sending a text to the patients in order to support the patient compliance, but only a few data are available on the effectiveness of sending text in the treatment of depression and anxiety.Objective:Verify the effectiveness of sending text in the treatment of depression and anxiety in order to support patient compliance.Methods:Participants were enrolled for cognitive behavioral group therapy. Once completed the treatment, a sub-group of participants (Yes SMS group) was reached by a weekly text message for the whole 3 months time between the end of the intervention and the scheduled follow-up session.All the participants were assessed for the overall psychopathological symptoms, depression, and anxiety before and after the group intervention, and at the 3 months follow up.Results:Both groups improved from pre to post-treatment in all the assessed dimensions; the enhancement endures up to the 3 months follow up.Comparing the two groups regardless of the diagnosis, the Yes SMS group shows significant better outcomes in depression at follow-up and in anxiety both at post-treatment and at follow-up.Conclusion:The weekly SMS as prompt seems to enhance the patient’s compliance.

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 Effects of an Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia Program on Work Productivity: A Secondary Analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly M Shaffer ◽  
Eric A Finkelstein ◽  
Fabian Camacho ◽  
Karen S Ingersoll ◽  
Frances Thorndike ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Work Productivity ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral ◽  
Activity Impairment ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Post Assessment

Abstract Background Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) may improve productivity along with insomnia symptoms, but the long-term duration of productivity gains is unknown. Purpose In this secondary analysis, effects of Internet-delivered CBT-I on work-related and daily activity productivity were examined through 1 year post-treatment. Methods Adults with chronic insomnia (N = 303) were randomized to Internet-delivered CBT-I (Sleep Healthy Using the Internet [SHUTi]) or to patient education (PE). Participants reported interference with attendance (absenteeism) and productivity (presenteeism) at paid employment and in daily activities outside work on the Work Productivity Activity Impairment scale at baseline, 9 weeks later for postintervention assessment (post-assessment), and 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Results Participants randomized to SHUTi were about 50% less likely than those in the PE condition to report any absenteeism (logistic regression odds ratio [OR] = 0.48 [95% confidence intervals {CI} = 0.24,0.96]), total impairment (OR = 0.52 [95% CI = 0.29,0.93]), or activity impairment (OR = 0.50 [95% CI = 0.30,0.85]) at post-assessment; however, differences were not detected at 6- or 12-month follow-ups. SHUTi participants also reported lower overall levels of presenteeism (constrained longitudinal data analysis MDiff = −6.84 [95% CI = −11.53, −2.15]), total impairment (MDiff = −7.62 [95% CI = −12.50, −2.73]), and activity impairment (MDiff = −7.47 [95% CI = −12.68, −2.26]) at post-assessment relative to PE participants. Differences were sustained at 6-month follow-up for presenteeism (MDiff = −5.02 [95% CI = −9.94, −0.10]) and total impairment (MDiff = −5.78 [95% CI = −10.91, −0.65]). No differences were detected by 12-month follow-up. Conclusions Findings suggest that Internet-based CBT-I may help accelerate improvement in work-related and daily activity impairment corroborating prior research, but did not find that CBT-I has persistent, long-term benefits in productivity relative to basic insomnia education. Trial Registration NCT00328250 “Effectiveness of Internet Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention for Treating Insomnia” (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00328250).

Effectiveness of psychological distress reduction with cognitive behavioral therapy for oncological patients: A one-year follow-up study.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 11624-11624
Author(s):  
Alessandro Rossi ◽  
Maria Marconi ◽  
Stefania Mannarini ◽  
India Minelli ◽  
Monica Anderboni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral ◽  
Chemotherapy Treatment ◽  
Psychological Suffering ◽  
Oncological Patients ◽  
One Year

11624 Background: Distress has a negative impact on medical treatment (Di Matteo, Lepper & Croghan, 2006) and it is considered one of the most important indexes of psychological suffering in oncological patients (NCCN, 2015). Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the long term effectiveness of brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for patients with cancer (CBT-C) compared with a control group (CG) of oncological patients without any psychotherapy intervention - at one year after a chemotherapy treatment. Methods: Participants ( n = 80; mean age = 63.3, SD = 13.4; 54 female) enrolled at the Oncology Day Hospital at the “Presidio Ospedaliero” of Saronno, ASST Valle Olona, Italy who undertook (CBT-C: n = 40) or non-undertook (CG: n = 40) a psychotherapy intervention. Individual psychotherapy sessions strictly followed the IPOS guidelines (Watson & Kissane, 2017). Participants were tested with the Psychological distress Inventory (PDI) at the baseline (T1; Cronbach α = .88) at the end of the chemotherapy treatment (T2; Cronbach α = .87), at the end of the psychotherapy intervention (T3; Cronbach α = .88), 6-month follow-up (T4; Cronbach α = .85), and 1-year follow-up (T5; Cronbach α = .84). Results: Multilevel growth curve modeling – controlling for age, number of sessions, type and localization of tumor – showed a sharper reduction of distress for CBT-C participants that continue after posttreatment until 1-year follow-up ( p < .001); whereas for CG participants it reduced more gradually from pretreatment to 1-year follow-up ( p < .001). The results revealed a significant difference between the linear slopes for each treatment condition ( p < .001). The overall Hedges’ g comparing the two groups for distress reduction between pretreatment and 1-year follow-up was 2.14 (p < .001) in favor of CBT-C. Conclusions: Given that psychological distress occurs frequently among oncological patients this study is into an important area of study. Results suggest that CBT-C is statistically and clinically effective in treating psychological distress 1 year after the chemotherapy treatment. These findings revealed a kind of long-term effectiveness psychological intervention able both to reduce psychological suffering and improve a better quality of life in oncological settings.

scholarly journals Depression symptoms as longitudinal predictors of the psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic in hypertensive patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco D’Addario ◽  
Francesco Zanatta ◽  
Roberta Adorni ◽  
Andrea Greco ◽  
Francesco Fattirolli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
The Impact

AbstractCOVID-19 has brought considerable changes and caused critical psychological responses, especially among frail populations. So far, researchers have explored the predictive effect of diverse factors on pandemic-related psychological distress, but none have focused on the impact of prior depression and anxiety symptomatology adopting an extended (10-year) longitudinal design. 105 patients aged over 60, affected by hypertension who participated in a previous longitudinal study were assessed through a follow-up telephone structured interview. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) were used for assessing depression and anxiety symptoms and the psychological impact of COVID-19, respectively. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. At the assessment, participants did not report clinically relevant depression, anxiety, and psychological pandemic-related distress symptoms. However, significant mean differences between baseline and current follow-up evaluations for both depression and anxiety were found, reflecting a decrease in symptomatology over time (p < .001). Baseline depression symptoms (β = 1.483, p = .005) significantly predicted the psychological impact of COVID-19 after 10 years. Conversely, their decrease (β = −1.640, p < .001) and living with others (β = −7.274, p = .041) significantly contributed to lower psychological distress scores. Our findings provide insight into the predisposing influence of depressive symptoms on pandemic-related psychological distress ten years later. Preventive interventions and strategies considering these factors are needed to better pre-empt the severe mental consequences of the pandemic.

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