Disorders - anxiety disorders
Vallury, K. D., Jones, M., Oosterbroek, C.
Background: People living in rural and remote communities have greater difficulty accessing mental health services and evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), than their urban counterparts. Computerized CBT (CCBT) can be used to effectively treat depression and anxiety and may be particularly useful in rural settings where there are a lack of suitably trained practitioners.; Objective: To systematically review the global evidence regarding the clinical effectiveness and acceptability of CCBT interventions for anxiety and/or depression for people living in rural and remote locations.; Methods: We searched seven online databases: Medline, Embase Classic and Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library. We also hand searched reference lists, Internet search engines, and trial protocols. Two stages of selection were undertaken. In the first, the three authors screened citations. Studies were retained if they reported the efficacy, effectiveness or acceptability of CCBT for depression and/or anxiety disorders, were peer reviewed, and written in English. The qualitative data analysis software, NVivo 10, was then used to run automated text searches for the word "rural," its synonyms, and stemmed words. All studies identified were read in full and were included in the study if they measured or meaningfully discussed the efficacy or acceptability of CCBT among rural participants.; Results: A total of 2594 studies were identified, of which 11 met the selection criteria and were included in the review. The studies that disaggregated efficacy data by location of participant reported that CCBT was equally effective for rural and urban participants. Rural location was found to both positively and negatively predict adherence across studies. CCBT may be more acceptable among rural than urban participants - studies to date showed that rural participants were less likely to want more face-to-face contact with a practitioner and found that computerized delivery addressed confidentiality concerns.; Conclusions: CCBT can be effective for addressing depression and anxiety and is acceptable among rural participants. Further work is required to confirm these results across a wider range of countries, and to determine the most feasible model of CCBT delivery, in partnership with people who live and work in rural and remote communities.;
Journal of Medical Internet Research, 17(6) : e139-e139
- Year: 2015
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Systematic reviews
-
Stage: Universal prevention
, At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
, Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Psychological Interventions (any)
, Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT)
, Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)
Weaver, L. L., Darragh, A. R.
Objective: Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent psychological disorders among children and youths. There is growing interest in intervention options for anxiety. Yoga is widely used in clinical, school, and community settings, but consolidated sources outlining its effectiveness in reducing anxiety are limited.; Method: This systematic review examined the evidence base (1990-2014) for yoga interventions addressing anxiety among children and adolescents (ages 3-18 yr).; Results: We identified 2,147 references and found 80 articles that were eligible for full-text review. The final analysis included 16: 6 randomized controlled trials, 2 nonrandomized preintervention-postintervention control-group designs, 7 uncontrolled preintervention-postintervention studies, and 1 case study.; Conclusion: Nearly all studies indicated reduced anxiety after a yoga intervention. However, because of the wide variety of study populations, limitations in some study designs, and variable outcome measures, further research is needed to enhance the ability to generalize and apply yoga to reduce anxiety.; Copyright © 2015 by the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.
The American Journal of Occupational Therapy: Official Publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 69(6) : 6906180070p1-9
- Year: 2015
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Systematic reviews
-
Stage: Universal prevention
, At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative Interventions (CAM)
, Mind-body exercises (e.g. yoga, tai chi, qigong)
Robert-Mccomb, J. J., Chyu, M. C., Tacon, A., Norman, R.
Background The biological response (heart-rate variability; HRV) to an acute psychological stressor, as well as cognitive changes in anxiety and coping style following tai chi (TC) in healthy male college students, has not been investigated in the literature. Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of TC on: (1) HRV biomarkers of acute psychological stress, (2) state anxiety, and (3) coping style in healthy male college students. Methods The study was an RCT, in which the experimental group (n=9) received TC (twice a week for 8 weeks) and the control (C) group (n=11) did not receive treatment. Reactions to an acute psychological stressor were measured by the HRV's standard deviation of normal to normal intervals (SDNN), and Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Four 'trials' (baseline; stressor; recovery 1 and recovery 2) were conducted, with pre-tests/post-tests performed for both study groups. The Problem-Focused Styles of Coping (PFSOC) questionnaire was used to examine coping styles pre-test/post-test for both groups. Results Significant differences were found: (1) for group, test, and trial, the interaction of trial by group, and the interaction of test by trial for SDNN, P<0.05; (2) for test, trial, and the interaction of test by group for STAI (P<0.05); and (3) for the interaction of group and test for the suppressive coping style (P<0.05). Conclusions Tai chi affects biological reactions to an acute psychological stressor, perceptions of anxiety to an acute stressor and coping styles in healthy male college students.
Focus on Alternative & Complementary Therapies, 20(2) : 89-96
- Year: 2015
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative Interventions (CAM)
, Mind-body exercises (e.g. yoga, tai chi, qigong)
Rodgers, A., Dunsmuir, S.
Background: Anxiety constitutes the most common form of psychopathology in childhood and adolescence. Methods: This randomised controlled study evaluated the 'FRIENDS for Life' school-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy programme on overall anxiety, anxiety subtypes and school adjustment. Sixty-two students aged 12-13 completed measures of anxiety and school adjustment before, immediately after and 4 months after completing the programme. Parents and teachers also rated the students on overall anxiety levels and school adjustment respectively. Results: The intervention group's 'overall anxiety' and specifically 'separation anxiety' reduced significantly during the programme and continued to decrease at the 4-month follow-up. Conclusions: A significant negative correlation was found between anxiety and school adjustment (r = -.464, p < .01). The professional implications of these findings are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract).
Child & Adolescent Mental Health, 20(1) : 13-19
- Year: 2015
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions (any)
, Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT)
Ruggiero, K. J., Price, M., Adams, Z., Stauffacher, K., McCauley, J., Danielson, C. K., Knapp, R., Hanson, R. F., Davidson, T. M., Amstadter, A. B., Carpenter, M. J., Saunders, B. E., Kilpatrick, D. G., Resnick, H. S.
Objective: To assess the efficacy of Bounce Back Now (BBN), a modular, Web-based intervention for disaster-affected adolescents and their parents. Method: A population-based randomized controlled trial used address-based sampling to enroll 2,000 adolescents and parents from communities affected by tornadoes in Joplin, MO, and several areas in Alabama. Data collection via baseline and follow-up semi-structured telephone interviews was completed between September 2011 and August 2013. All families were invited to access the BBN study Web portal irrespective of mental health status at baseline. Families who accessed the Web portal were assigned randomly to 1 of 3 groups: BBN, which featured modules for adolescents and parents targeting adolescents' mental health symptoms; BBN plus additional modules targeting parents' mental health symptoms; or assessment only. The primary outcomes were adolescent symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Results: Nearly 50% of families accessed the Web portal. Intent-to-treat analyses revealed time × condition interactions for PTSD symptoms (B = -0.24, SE = 0.08, p <.01) and depressive symptoms (B = -0.23, SE = 0.09, p <.01). Post hoc comparisons revealed fewer PTSD and depressive symptoms for adolescents in the experimental versus control conditions at 12-month follow-up (PTSD: B = -0.36, SE = 0.19, p =.06; depressive symptoms: B = -0.42, SE = 0.19, p = 0.03). A time × condition interaction also was found that favored the BBN versus BBN + parent self-help condition for PTSD symptoms (B = 0.30, SE = 0.12, p =.02) but not depressive symptoms (B = 0.12, SE = 0.12, p =.33). Conclusion: Results supported the feasibility and initial efficacy of BBN as a scalable disaster mental health intervention for adolescents. Technology-based solutions have tremendous potential value if found to reduce the mental health burden of disasters. Clinical trial registration information: Web-based Intervention for Disaster-Affected Youth and Families; http://clinicaltrials.gov; NCT01606514.
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 54(9) : 709-717
- Year: 2015
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Psychological Interventions (any)
, Psychoeducation, Self-help
, Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)
Soleimani, M., Mohammadkhani, P., Dolatshahi, B., Alizadeh, H., Overmann, K. A., Coolidge, F. L.
Objective: This study compared the effectiveness of two group treatments, behavioral activation (BA) and cognitive therapy (CT), in reducing subsyndromal anxiety and depressive symptoms in a sample of Iranian university students. Method: Twenty-seven Iranian university students who scored 18 or higher on the depression subscale and 16 or higher on the anxiety subscale of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-42) were randomly assigned into treatment groups. One group received 8 sessions of BA (n = 14), and the other received 8 sessions of group CT (n = 13). Result: Analysis of covariance revealed that the BA group had a significantly greater reduction in depressive symptoms than the CT group. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups in the levels of anxiety, stress symptoms or functional impairment after treatment. Conclusion: This study found evidence for the effectiveness of BA in reducing anxiety, depressive and stress symptoms and functional impairment compared to CT. BA was more effective than CT in improving depressive symptoms and was as effective as CT in decreasing anxiety, stress and functional impairment. BA is also a cost-effective intervention, particularly in group formats.
Iranian Journal of Psychiatry, 10(2) : 71-78
- Year: 2015
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions (any)
, Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT)
Song, C., Ikei, H., Igarashi, M., Takagaki, M., Miyazaki, Y.
In recent times, attention has been focused on the role of urban green spaces in promoting human health and well-being. However, there is a lack of evidence-based research on the physiological effects of walking in urban green areas. This study aimed to clarify the physiological and psychological effects of walking in urban parks during fall. Twenty-three males (mean age 22.3 ± 1.2 years) were instructed to walk predetermined 15-min courses in an urban park and in a nearby city area (control). Heart rate and heart rate variability were measured to assess physiological responses, and the semantic differential method, Profile of Mood States, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were used to measure psychological responses. We observed that walking in an urban park resulted in a significantly lower heart rate, higher parasympathetic nerve activity, and lower sympathetic nerve activity than walking through the city area. In subjective evaluations, participants were more "comfortable," "natural," "relaxed," and "vigorous" after a walk in the urban park. Furthermore, they exhibited significantly lower levels of negative emotions and anxiety. These findings provide scientific evidence for the physiological and psychological relaxation effects of walking in urban parks during fall.
International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health, 12(11) : 14216-14228
- Year: 2015
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative Interventions (CAM)
, Physical activity, exercise
Song, Y., Lindquist, R.
Background: Nursing students often experience depression, anxiety, stress and decreased mindfulness which may decrease their patient care effectiveness. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) effectively reduced depression, anxiety and stress, and increased mindfulness in previous research with other populations, but there is sparse evidence regarding its effectiveness for nursing students in Korea.; Objectives: To examine the effects of MBSR on depression, anxiety, stress and mindfulness in Korean nursing students.; Design: A randomized controlled trial.; Participants/setting: Fifty (50) nursing students at KN University College of Nursing in South Korea were randomly assigned to two groups. Data from 44 students, MBSR (n=21) and a wait list (WL) control (n=23) were analyzed.; Methods: The MBSR group practiced mindfulness meditation for 2 h every week for 8 weeks. The WL group did not receive MBSR intervention. Standardized self-administered questionnaires of depression, anxiety, stress and mindfulness were administered at the baseline prior to the MBSR program and at completion (at 8 weeks).; Results: Compared with WL participants, MBSR participants reported significantly greater decreases in depression, anxiety and stress, and greater increase in mindfulness.; Conclusion: A program of MBSR was effective when it was used with nursing students in reducing measures of depression, anxiety and stress, and increasing their mindful awareness. MBSR shows promise for use with nursing students to address their experience of mild depression, anxiety and stress, and to increase mindfulness in academic and clinical work, warranting further study.; Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Nurse Education Today, 35(1) : 86-90
- Year: 2015
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions (any)
, Mindfulness based therapy
Zhang, S., Wang, H., Chen, C., Zhou, J., Wang, X.
This randomized controlled study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Williams LifeSkills Training (WLST) as a means of improving the psychological health of Chinese male juvenile violent offenders. Sixty-six participants were assigned randomly to receive the usual intervention plus 8 weeks of WLST (study group, n = 33) or only the usual intervention (control group, n = 33). We found that the study group exhibited significantly decreased State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI X-1, X-2) STAX2 scores and Trait Coping Style Questionnaire (TCSQ) negative scores, and increased Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL) tangible scores from baseline to 9 weeks later (P <0.01). In addition, a between-group difference in changes of TCSQ negative score was observed at the end of week 9 (P <0.05). These fndings suggest that WLST can improve trait anxiety, coping style, and interpersonal support in male Chinese juvenile violent offenders.
Neuroscience Bulletin, 31(1) : 53-60
- Year: 2015
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions (any)
, Skills training
Rooksby, M., Elouafkaoui, P., Humphris, G., Clarkson, J., Freeman, R.
Aim: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature to assess efficacy of internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for child anxiety disorder. Method: A systematic search of 7 electronic databases was conducted to assess CBT intervention for children with anxiety problems with remote delivery either entirely or partly via technology. Six articles reporting 7 studies were included. Results: The findings together suggested that CBT programmes involving computerised elements were well received by children and their families, and its efficacy was almost as favourable as clinic-based CBT. The mixture of children and adolescents included the studies, diverse range of programmes, and lack of consistency between study designs made it difficult to identify key elements of these programmes or draw conclusions on the treatment efficacy. Conclusions: Analysis supports online delivery for wider access of this evidence-based therapy. Areas in need of improvement for this new method are indicated. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract).
Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 29 : 83-92
- Year: 2015
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Systematic reviews
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
, Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Psychological Interventions (any)
, Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT)
, Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)
Sancassiani, F., Pintus, E., Holte, A., Paulus, P., Moro, M. F., Cossu, G., Angermeyer, M. C., Carta, M. G., Lindert, J.
Background: The acquisition of social and emotional skills is associated with positive youth development, character education, healthy lifestyle behaviours, reduction in depression and anxiety, conduct disorders, violence, bullying, conflict, and anger. School-based interventions aimed to enhance these skills go beyond a problem-focused approach to embrace a more positive view of health; they could also improve the youth's wellbeing. Aim: To describe the main features and to establish the effectiveness of universal school-based RCTs for children and the youth, aimed to promote their psychosocial wellbeing, positive development, healthy lifestyle behaviours and/or academic performance by improving their emotional and social skills. Methods: Systematic review by searching for relevant papers in PubMed/Medline with the following key words: "mental health" OR "wellbeing" OR "health promotion" OR "emotional learning" OR "social learning" OR "emotional and social learning" OR "positive youth development" OR "life skills" OR "life skills training" AND "school". Interval was set from January 2000 to April 2014. Results: 1,984 papers were identified through the search. Out of them 22 RCTs were included. While most interventions were characterized by a whole-school approach and SAFE practices, few studies only used standardized measures to assess outcomes, or had collected follow-up data after ≥ 6 months. The results of all these trials were examined and discussed. Conclusion: Universal school-based RCTs to enhance emotional and social skills showed controversial findings, due to some methodological issues mainly. Nevertheless they show promising outcomes that are relatively far-reaching for children and youth wellbeing and therefore are important in the real world.
Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health, 11 : 21-40
- Year: 2015
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Systematic reviews
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions (any)
Sandler, I., Wolchik, S. A., Cruden, G., Mahrer, N. E., Ahn, S., Brincks, A., Brown, C. H.
This review presents findings from an overview of meta-analyses of the effects of prevention and promotion programs to prevent mental health, substance use, and conduct problems. The review of 48 meta-analyses found small but significant changes that reduce depression, anxiety, antisocial behavior, and substance use. Furthermore, the results were sustained over time. Meta-analyses often found that the effects were heterogeneous. A conceptual model is proposed to guide the study of moderators of program effects in future meta-analyses, and methodological issues in synthesizing findings across preventive interventions are discussed.;
Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 10 : 243-273
- Year: 2014
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders, Substance Use Disorders (any)
- Type: Systematic reviews
-
Stage: Universal prevention
, At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions (any)