The Effectiveness of Group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Therapy on Alexithymia and Marital Boredom, Case study: Women Affected by Marital Infidelity in Mashhad, Iran

Introduction: The aim of current paper was to compare the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment group therapy (ACT) and group cognitive therapy (GCT) on Alexithymia and marital boredom (MB) among women affected by marital infidelity in Mashhad. Method: This clinical trial was a double- blind study with a pretest-posttest design in which two intervention groups and one control group were investigated. The study performed on women who realized their spouse infidelity and referred to Azad University Counseling Center in Mashhad in 2018. The sample consisted of 30 women who were selected by purposive sampling and were randomly assigned to two intervention groups and a control group (n=10 per group). The intervention groups were put under ACT training (twelve 90-minute sessions) and GCT training (twelve 90-minute sessions), but the control group did not receive any intervention. Data was obtained by the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 and Pines Marital Boredom Scale and was analyzed by multivariate analysis of covariance with SPSS (version 22) software. Results: The results showed a significant reduction in the mean score of MB in the ACT group, also there was a significant reduction in the mean score of Alexithymia in the GCT group (P <0.05). So comparing both therapies, ACT was more influential on reducing marital boredom whereas GCT was more effective on reducing alexithymia. Conclusion: Although both intervention methods were effective on Alexithymia and Marital Boredom in women affected by marital infidelity, it was demonstrated that ACT and GCT have more effect on Marital Boredom and Alexithymia, respectively.

A Randomized Clinical Trial to Assess the Efficacy of Online-Treatment with Trial-Based Cognitive Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Health Promotion and Positive Psychotherapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Study Protocol

Background: Research suggests the use of different forms of therapy as a way of decreasing dropout rates in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The psychotherapies to be assessed in this study are trial-based cognitive therapy (TBCT), mindfulness-based health promotion (MBHP) and positive psychotherapy (PPT). Objectives: (1) to assess the online efficacy of TBCT compared to MBHP and PPT to reduce the symptoms of PTSD in the context of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic; (2) to compare the efficacy of these psychotherapies in improving anxiety, depression, guilt and in promoting well-being; and (3) to describe how professionals perceive online treatment. Methods: A randomized, multicenter, single-blind clinical trial will be conducted, with three separate arms. An estimated sample of 135 patients will receive either TBCT, MBHP or PPT and will be treated through online, individual, weekly visits, totaling 14 sessions. The primary outcome will be CAPS-5 and secondary outcomes will be HADS and WHO-5. The variables used to mediate these outcomes will be the Trauma-Related Guilt Inventory (TRGI), Negative Core Beliefs Inventory (NCBI) and the California Psychotherapy Alliance Scale (CALPAS-P). Expected results: PTSD symptoms are expected to be reduced after TBCT, MBHP and PPT. No statistical difference is expected to be found among the three. Discussion: The present study will evaluate and contribute towards the development of new psychotherapeutic options for patients with PTSD. The results of this study will allow the dissemination of new effective and adaptable interventions for patients with PTSD.

Efficacy of cognitive therapy and behavior therapy for menopausal symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background T long-term effects of cognitive therapy and behavior therapy (CTBT) for menopausal symptoms are unknown, and whether the effects are different between natural menopause and treatment-induced menopause are currently unclear. Therefore, we sought to conduct an accurate estimate of the efficacy of CTBT for menopausal symptoms. Methods We conducted searches of Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Web of Science databases for studies from 1 January 1977 to 1 November 2021. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing intervention groups to control groups for menopausal symptoms were included. Hedge's g was used as the standardized between-group effect size with a random-effects model. Results We included 14 RCTs comprising 1618 patients with a mean sample size of 116. CTBT significantly outperformed control groups in terms of reducing hot flushes [g = 0.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.23–0.55, I2 = 45], night sweats, depression (g = 0.50, 95% CI 0.34–0.66, I2 = 51), anxiety (g = 0.38, 95% CI 0.23–0.54, I2 = 49), fatigue, and quality of life. Egger's test indicated no publication bias. Conclusions CTBT is an effective psychological treatment for menopausal symptoms, with predominantly small to moderate effects. The efficacy is sustained long-term, although it declines somewhat over time. The efficacy was stronger for natural menopause symptoms, such as vasomotor symptoms, than for treatment-induced menopause symptoms. These findings provide support for treatment guidelines recommending CTBT as a treatment option for menopausal symptoms.

Aversive inhibition in adult ADHD and its restoration by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy: A behavioral pilot study

Background: Control over the tendency to make or withhold responses based on contextual Pavlovian information, might play a key role in understanding impulsivity/hyperactivity in ADHD. Here we set out to assess (1) the understudied relation between Pavlovian inhibitory control and hyperactivity/impulsivity in adults with ADHD and (2) whether this inhibition can be enhanced by mindfulness based cognitive therapy (MBCT).Methods: 50 Adult ADHD patients were assessed before and after 8 weeks of treatment as usual (TAU) with (n=24) or without (n=26) MBCT. We employed a sophisticated, well-established Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer task that quantifies Pavlovian control over instrumental behavior. Results: Task results revealed (1) less aversive Pavlovian inhibition in patients with clinical hyperactivity/impulsivity; and (2) enhanced inhibition after TAU+MBCT compared with TAU. Conclusions: Aversive Pavlovian inhibition plays a role in clinically relevant hyperactivity/impulsivity in adult ADHD and MBCT can be used to enhance this form of inhibition.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Stress Reduction in Family Carers of People Living with Dementia: A Systematic Review

The prevalence of dementia is increasing and the care needs of people living with dementia are rising. Family carers of people living with dementia are a high-risk group for psychological and physical health comorbidities. Mindfulness-based interventions such as mindfulness-based cognitive therapy show potential for reducing stress experienced by family carers of people living with dementia. This study aims to systematically assess the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in reducing stress experienced by family carers of people living with dementia. Electronic databases including MEDLINE, APA PsycINFO, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, AMED, ICTRP, and ALOIS were searched for relevant studies up to August 2020. All types of intervention studies were included. Quantitative findings were explored. Seven studies were eligible for inclusion. The analysis showed that there was a statistically significant reduction in self-rated carer stress in four studies for the mindfulness-based cognitive therapy group compared to controls. One study that was adequately powered also showed reductions in carer burden, depression, and anxiety compared to control. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy appears to be a potentially effective intervention for family carers of people living with dementia, but large, high-quality randomized controlled trials in ethnically diverse populations are required to evaluate its effectiveness.

Psychological Status, Compliance, Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, and Nerve Growth Factor Levels of Patients with Depression after Augmented Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy

Objective. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a cost-effective psychosocial program that prevents relapse/recurrence in major depression. The present study aimed to analyze the effects of augmented MBCT along with standard treatment dominated by pharmacotherapy on psychological state, compliance, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and nerve growth factor (NGF) expression levels in patients with depression. Methods. A total of 160 eligible patients with depression in The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were included in this study. The study randomly assigned the patients to the experimental group (n = 80) and control group (n = 80). All participants were assessed with the questionnaires including the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17), Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSES), Self-Acceptance Questionnaire (SAQ), and Stigma Scale (Scale of Stigma in People with Mental Illness, SSPM). The serum levels of BDNF and NGF were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results. After 8 weeks of treatment, the experimental group showed significant lower HAMD-17 score, higher RSES, and SAQ score, as well as lower SSPM score compared with the control group ( P < 0.01 ). Furthermore, ELISA revealed that the serum levels of BDNF and NGF remarkably increased in the experimental group after treatment ( P < 0.001 ). Conclusions. Our data showed that augmented MBCT combined with pharmacotherapy contributed to improvement on patients’ psychological state, compliance, and disease recurrence.

Achtsamkeit

Achtsamkeit ist das Bemühen, sich den Erfahrungen im Hier und Jetzt mit möglichst großer Bewusstheit und Offenheit zuzuwenden. Dieses ursprünglich aus dem Bereich östlicher Meditationsansätze stammende Prinzip wurde in den letzten Jahren vermehrt in die Behandlung von Depressionen und unterschiedlichen anderen psychischen und körperlichen Störungen integriert. Der Band gibt einen praxisorientierten Einblick in die Hintergründe und die Methoden achtsamkeitsbasierter therapeutischer Arbeit. Der Band stellt die Grundzüge achtsamkeitsbasierter Behandlungsverfahren wie Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) oder Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) sowie zentrale Modelle zur Wirkungsweise achtsamkeitsbasierter Verfahren dar. Weiterhin gibt er einen Überblick über wichtige Forschungsergebnisse zur Wirksamkeit von achtsamkeitsbasierten Verfahren. Neben der Anwendung in der Rückfallprophylaxe bei Depressionen wird auch auf die Integration von Achtsamkeit bei der Therapie anderer Störungsbilder und in unterschiedlichen therapeutischen Settings eingegangen. Der Schwerpunkt des Bandes liegt auf der konkreten Darstellung der Behandlungsmethoden. Dabei wird das Vorgehen bei einzelnen Achtsamkeitsübungen, wie z.B. beim Body-Scan oder bei der Sitzmeditation, beschrieben und der Umgang mit möglichen Schwierigkeiten thematisiert. Die Neuauflage referiert aktuelle Forschungsbefunde und stellt ausführlich die achtsamkeitsbasierte Arbeit im Einzelsetting vor. Zudem werden in der Neubearbeitung kritische Aspekte im Kontext von Achtsamkeit diskutiert, wie z.B. die Frage von „Nebenwirkungen“ von Achtsamkeitsübungen oder das Problem einer „Kommerzialisierung“ und „Verflachung“ von Achtsamkeit.

Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of brief Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for the improvement of productivity in the workplace: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of Mindfulness Based Programs’ (MBPs) among both clinical and non-clinical populations. These data document positive impacts in the workplace, including reducing perceived stress and burnout and increasing wellbeing. However, the effectiveness for productivity, which is of most interest to managers and administrators, is still unclear. In addition, MBPs in the workplace tend to be modified by reducing the number of the program sessions or delivering content online to improve accessibility. To date, however, the impact on productivity of MBPs in the workplace that feature these modifications has not been investigated. OBJECTIVE The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the online-delivered brief Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (bMBCT) for improving productivity and other work related outcomes. METHODS We conduct a four-week RCT with a six-month follow-up. Employees are included in the study if they 1) are between the ages of 20-65 and 2) work longer than 30 hours weekly. Employees were randomly allocated to either the bMBCT group or wait-list control group. The primary outcome of the study is the mean difference of productivity measured by World Health Organization Health and Work Performance Questionnaire (WHO-HPQ) between the groups at 4, 16, 28 weeks. Secondary outcomes include several clinical outcomes and health economics evaluation. RESULTS Recruitment began in August 2021. 104 participants have been enrolled in the study as of October 2021. The intervention is ongoing and scheduled to be completed in December 2023. Data collection will be completed by March 2024. CONCLUSIONS The novelty of the study is that 1) it will investigate the bMBCTs’ effectiveness on productivity, which is still unclear, 2) samples are recruited from three companies in different industries, etc. The limitations of the study are 1) all measures assessed are self-report format, 2) we lack an active control group. This study has the potential to provide new data on the relationship between MBPs and occupational health and productivity. CLINICALTRIAL UMIN Clinical Trials Registry: UMIN000044721

Terapi kognitif pada permasalahan hubungan sosial

One of the tasks of child development is to establish and build social relationships with friends and their environment. Individuals who have been socially excluded will withdraw by not having relationships with others because of the fear of the negative evaluation feom others. The assessment methods used were interview, observation and psychological tests namely were graphic tests, and the Intelligenz Structure Test (IST). The intervention used to change the subject's negative thoughts to become more positive is cognitive therapy. The cognitive therapy process that was given as many as 6 sessions with the target subject was able to change his negative thoughts into more positive ones. The results of the intervention show that the subject was able to replaces his negative thoughts with positive thoughts which ultimately makes the subject feel no guilt anymore.

Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Peripheral Markers of Stress and Inflammation in Older-Adults With Depression and Anxiety: A Parallel Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Depression and anxiety are prevalent in older-adults and often difficult to treat: up to 55% of patients are unresponsive to pharmacotherapy. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a promising treatment, however, its biological mechanisms remain unknown in older-adults.Methods: We examined if, in older-adults, decreased depression and anxiety symptoms after MBCT are associated with changes in the expression levels of C-reactive protein, Interleukin-1β, Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and mineralocorticoid receptor compared to treatment as usual (TAU). Older-adults (age ≥60) with depression and anxiety were randomized to MBCT or treatment as usual. Gene expression levels from blood samples were measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (n = 37) at baseline and after 8-weeks of MBCT or TAU.Results: As previously published, we found a significant reduction in symptoms of depression F (1, 35) = 10.68, p = 0.002, partial η2 = 0.23 and anxiety F (1, 35) = 9.36, p = 0.004, partial η2 = 0.21 in geriatric participants following MBCT compared to TAU. However, the expression levels of measured genes were not significantly different between groups and were not associated with changes in depression and anxiety symptoms.Conclusion: Our results suggest that the symptom reduction following MBCT in older-adults may not be accompanied by changes in the stress-response and inflammatory pathways. Future research should address other potential biological alterations associated to MBCT that may be responsible for the reduction of symptoms.