Assessing the feasibility and acceptability of a cluster-randomized study of cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic insomnia in a primary care setting.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic insomnia (CBT-i) is the treatment of choice for this condition but is underutilized in patients who attend primary care. The purpose of the present feasibility-pilot study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a cluster-randomized study of CBT-i in a primary care setting. METHODS: This study, performed at two primary health care centers in Majorca, Spain, was a mixed methods feasibility-pilot study of a parallel cluster-randomized design comparing CBT-i and usual care (UC). Patients were included if they were 18 to 65 years-old; had diagnoses of chronic insomnia according to the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI ≥ 8); had insomnia for more than 3 months. Twenty-five GPs and nurses and 32 patients were randomly allocated to two groups. The main outcome of the intervention was improvement of dimensions of sleep quality, measured using the Spanish version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, at baseline and at 3 months after the intervention. Other primary outcomes of the study were the feasibility and applicability of the intervention, collected through nominal groups. A thematic analysis was performed to classify primary care provider (PCP) proposals. Additionally, we assessed the recruitment process, compliance with the intervention sessions, and patient retention. RESULTS: We adapted the CBT-i approach of Morin to a primary care context. After intervention training, PCPs expressed the need for more extensive training in the different aspects of the therapy and the discussion of more cases. PCPs considered the intervention as adequate but wanted fewer but longer sessions as well as to discard the cognitive restructuring component. PCPs considered it crucial to prepare each session in advance and to establish a specific agenda for the CBT-i. Regular reminders given to PCPs and patients were suggested to improve study participation. Compared to the UC group, higher proportions of patients in the intervention group had short sleep latency, slept for longer than 5 h, and had fewer sleep disruptions. CONCLUSIONS: This feasibility-pilot study identified several key issues that must be addressed before performing a CBT-i intervention in future clinical trial in a primary care setting. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04565223 . (Clinical trials.gov) Registered 1 September 2020-Retrospectively registered.

Sensibilidad química múltiple: evaluación clínica de la gravedad y perfil psicopatológico / Multiple chemical sensitivity: Clinical evaluation of the severity and psychopathological profile

Introducción y objetivo: La sensibilidad química múltiple (.SQM) es un trastorno multisistémico de etiología controvertida que afecta a algunos sujetos al exponerse a productos químicos a concentraciones no perjudiciales. El objetivo de este trabajo es describir las características epidemiológicas, clínicas y psicológicas de una muestra de pacientes con SQM, para un posterior tratamiento grupal específico. Pacientes y método: Estudio descriptivo de los pacientes diagnosticados de SQM en una unidad de toxicología, mediante la administración del cuestionario Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory, junto con la entrevista estructurada SCID-II, la escala de ansiedad HAS y el test de personalidad tipo A, PCTA. Resultados: Se incluyeron 73 pacientes, con una edad media de 52,6 años (rango 33-77; DE 9,29), siendo 66 mujeres (90,4%). El 53% estaban clasificados como grado i-ii y ii. Sesenta y un pacientes (83%) presentaron algún tipo de comorbilidad, fundamentalmente dolor crónico, fibromialgia y fatiga crónica, con niveles de ansiedad mayores (puntuación media 19,2), predominio de rasgos de personalidad fóbico-evitativo y patrón de conducta tipo A (31,1%). Conclusiones: La SQM afecta principalmente a mujeres de mediana edad, con comorbilidades (dolor crónico, fibromialgia y fatiga crónica), elevada ansiedad y conductas de evitación. Este análisis previo debería ayudar a ofrecer un abordaje psicoterapéutico específico a estos pacientes (AU)

Introduction and objective: Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a multisystem disorder of controversial etiology, affecting some subjects when exposed to chemicals at no harmful concentrations. The objective of this paper is to describe the epidemiological, clinical and psychological features of a sample of patients with MCS for further specific group treatment. Patiens and method: Descriptive study of patients diagnosed with MCS in a toxicology unit. We administered the Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory, the structured interview SCID-II, the anxiety scale HAS and the type A personality test, PCTA. Results: Seventy-three patients were included. The mean age was 52,6 years (range 33-77; SD 9.29). Sixty-six were females (90.4%). Fifty-three percent were classified as i-ii and ii grade. Sixty-one patients (83%) presented some type of comorbidity, mainly chronic pain, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. They exhibited higher levels of anxiety (average score of 19.2), prevalence of phobic-avoidant traits of personality and type A behavior in 31.1%. Conclusions: MCS affects middle-aged women with comorbidities (chronic pain, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue) and high anxiety and avoidance behaviors. This preliminary analysis should help provide a specific therapeutic approach to these patients (AU)

[Multiple chemical sensitivity: Clinical evaluation of the severity and psychopathological profile]. / Sensibilidad química múltiple: evaluación clínica de la gravedad y perfil psicopatológico.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a multisystem disorder of controversial etiology, affecting some subjects when exposed to chemicals at no harmful concentrations. The objective of this paper is to describe the epidemiological, clinical and psychological features of a sample of patients with MCS for further specific group treatment. PATIENS AND METHOD: Descriptive study of patients diagnosed with MCS in a toxicology unit. We administered the Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory, the structured interview SCID-II, the anxiety scale HAS and the type A personality test, PCTA. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients were included. The mean age was 52,6 years (range 33-77; SD 9.29). Sixty-six were females (90.4%). Fifty-three percent were classified as i-ii and ii grade. Sixty-one patients (83%) presented some type of comorbidity, mainly chronic pain, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. They exhibited higher levels of anxiety (average score of 19.2), prevalence of phobic-avoidant traits of personality and type A behavior in 31.1%. CONCLUSIONS: MCS affects middle-aged women with comorbidities (chronic pain, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue) and high anxiety and avoidance behaviors. This preliminary analysis should help provide a specific therapeutic approach to these patients.