Servicios psicológicos afirmativos para personas LGTBIQA+ en Ecuador: cambios en el malestar psicológico / Affirmative psychological services for LGTBIQA+ persons in Ecuador: changes in psychological distress

Resumen: Antecedentes: Aunque en el mundo anglosajón la Terapia Afirmativa tiene un amplio recorrido con un respaldo empírico contundente, en Iberoamérica su desarrollo es reciente. Objetivo: Analizar la Evidencia Basada en la Práctica de una red de servicios de psicología afirmativa para personas LGTBIQA+ en Ecuador. Método: Estudio naturalístico en el que se analiza la Evidencia Basada en la Práctica generada usando el Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation - Outcome Measure como herramienta de evaluación rutinaria para monitorizar los resultados de 101 consultantes que recibieron Terapia Afirmativa entre 2018 y 2020 en una red de servicios de psicología afirmativa para personas LGTBIQA+. Se evaluó el cambio estadísticamente significativo y el cambio confiable y clínicamente significativo. Resultados: Lxs participantes tenían en promedio 27.14 años. La mediana de sesiones fue seis. Hubo cambios estadísticamentes significativos para quienes completaron el cuestionario al menos dos veces. Se encontró un tamaño del efecto grande para el puntaje total y todas las dimensiones, a excepción de Riesgo. El 68% de los participantes presentaron mejoría. Conclusiones: Los resultados sugieren que la Terapia Afirmativa minimiza el riesgo que trae consigo el estrés de minorías. Se invita a estudiantes, terapeutas y usuarios a aprender, adoptar y acudir a Terapia Afirmativa, respectivamente.

Abstract: Background: Although in the Anglo-Saxon world Affirmative Therapy has a long history with strong empirical support, in Ibero-America its development is recent. Objective: To analyze the Practice-Based Evidence of a network of affirmative psychology services for LGTBIQA+ persons in Ecuador. Methods: This is a naturalistic study analyzing Practice-Based Evidence generated using the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation - Outcome Measure as a routine evaluation tool to monitor the outcomes of 101 clients who received Affirmative Therapy between 2018 and 2020 in a network of affirmative psychology services for LGTBIQA+ people. Statistically significant change and reliable, clinically meaningful change were assessed. Results: Participants were on average 27.14 years old. The median number of sessions was six. There were statistically significant changes for those who completed the questionnaire at least twice. A large effect size was found for the total score and all dimensions except for Risk. Sixty-eigth percent participants showed improvement. Conclusions: The results suggest that Affirmative Therapy minimizes the risk brought on by minority stress. Students, therapists, and clients are encouraged to learn, adopt, and use Affirmative Therapy, respectively.

Appraising psychotherapy case studies in practice-based evidence: introducing Case Study Evaluation-tool (CaSE)

Abstract Systematic case studies are often placed at the low end of evidence-based practice (EBP) due to lack of critical appraisal. This paper seeks to attend to this research gap by introducing a novel Case Study Evaluation-tool (CaSE). First, issues around knowledge generation and validity are assessed in both EBP and practice-based evidence (PBE) paradigms. Although systematic case studies are more aligned with PBE paradigm, the paper argues for a complimentary, third way approach between the two paradigms and their 'exemplary' methodologies: case studies and randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Second, the paper argues that all forms of research can produce 'valid evidence' but the validity itself needs to be assessed against each specific research method and purpose. Existing appraisal tools for qualitative research (JBI, CASP, ETQS) are shown to have limited relevance for the appraisal of systematic case studies through a comparative tool assessment. Third, the paper develops purpose-oriented evaluation criteria for systematic case studies through CaSE Checklist for Essential Components in Systematic Case Studies and CaSE Purpose-based Evaluative Framework for Systematic Case Studies. The checklist approach aids reviewers in assessing the presence or absence of essential case study components (internal validity). The framework approach aims to assess the effectiveness of each case against its set out research objectives and aims (external validity), based on different systematic case study purposes in psychotherapy. Finally, the paper demonstrates the application of the tool with a case example and notes further research trajectories for the development of CaSE tool.

Evidencia basada en la práctica en psicoterapia: el reto en Latinoamérica / Practice-based evidence in psychotherapy: the challenge in Latin America

Resumen El artículo presenta una revisión teórica sobre el paradigma de la Práctica Basada en la Evidencia y sobre el de la Evidencia Basada en la Práctica en el ámbito de la psicoterapia; se profundiza especialmente en este último paradigma y su asociación con la investigación de la efectividad en psicoterapia. Posteriormente, se contextualiza el funcionamiento de este último paradigma en los sistemas de salud y en particular en la atención en salud mental, haciendo hincapié en su aplicabilidad en la evaluación rutinaria y su potencial para contribuir al campo de la investigación en psicoterapia. Finalmente, se presentan algunas conclusiones sobre cómo promover la investigación orientada a la Evidencia Basada en la Práctica en contextos psicoterapéuticos, a partir de Redes de Investigación en la Práctica en los países latinoamericanos.

Abstract This article presents a theoretical review of the Evidence-Based Practice and the Practice-Based Evidence in psychotherapy, the latter is explained in depth considering its association with the research of the effectiveness in psychotherapy. Subsequently, the functioning of this last paradigm in health systems, particularly in mental health care is contextualized, emphasizing its applicability in routine evaluation and its potential to contribute to the field of research in psychotherapy. Finally, some conclusions are presented on how to promote research based on the paradigm of Practice-Based Evidence in psychotherapeutic contexts, based on Practice Research Networks in Latin American countries.

Rehabilitative potential of Ayurveda for neurological defi cits caused by traumatic spinal cord injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with worst outcomes and requires a prolonged rehabilitation. Ayurvedic indigenous methods of rehabilitation are often utilized to treat such conditions. A case of SCI was followed up for 3 months upon an Ayurvedic composite intervention and subsequently reported. The composite treatment plan involved Ayurvedic oral medications as well as a few selected external and internal pancha karma procedures. A substantial clinical and patient centered outcome improvement in existing neurological defi cits and quality of life was observed after 3 months of the Ayurvedic treatment given to this case.