Effectiveness of technology-assisted vs face-to-face cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety and depression in children and young people: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has been proven to be effective for anxiety and depression in children and young people (CYP). Over the past 20 years there have been several attempts at delivering CBT through apps, online software, videogames, but also with a therapist via phone or videoconferencing platforms, with promising results for the "technology-assisted" versions. However, most research, have compared online CBT to waiting lists, and not many studies looked at the effectiveness of face-to-face (f2f) CBT versus technology-assisted CBT. METHODS: Adopting the PRISMA guidelines, we evaluated 1849 citations and identified 10 eligible studies. Studies were identified through the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PsycINFO, PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus. RESULTS: Ten studies met our inclusion criteria. The studies included a variety of technology-assisted forms of CBT, including videoconferencing and online CBT. Of these, seven looked at the effectiveness of technology-assisted CBT for anxiety in CYP, and seven looked at depression. The meta-analyses had low heterogeneity and showed that technology-assisted CBT was non-inferior to f2f CBT for anxiety and depression in CYP (d = 0.06 and 0.12 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Technology-assisted CBT may be a valid alternative for the treatment of anxiety and depression in CYP. Future studies should consider what specific delivery modalities are most cost-effective.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has been proven to be effective for anxiety and depression in children and young people (CYP). Over the past 20 years there have been several attempts at delivering CBT through apps, online software, videogames, but also with a therapist via phone or videoconferencing platforms, with promising results for the "technology-assisted" versions. However, most research, have compared online CBT to waiting lists, and not many studies looked at the effectiveness of face-to-face (f2f) CBT vs technology-assisted CBT. Adopting the PRISMA guidelines, we evaluated 1849 citations and identified 10 eligible studies. Studies were identified through Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PsycINFO, PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus. Ten studies met our inclusion criteria. The studies included a variety of technology-assisted forms of CBT, including videoconferencing and online CBT. Of these, seven looked at the effectiveness of technology-assisted CBT for anxiety in CYP, and seven looked at depression. The meta-analyses had low heterogeneity and showed that technology-assisted CBT was non-inferior to f2f CBT for anxiety and depression in CYP. Technology-assisted CBT is a valid alternative for the treatment of anxiety and depression in CYP. Future studies should consider what specific delivery modalities are most cost-effective.

An evaluation of an open group for depressed mood on a stroke rehabilitation ward: three years of clinical data.

PURPOSE: An open group intervention for stroke inpatients, based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, is evaluated using retrospective clinical service data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants were included unless severely unwell or unable to provide informed consent. 117 participants attended at least two sessions in a non-controlled, repeated measures design. Two session protocols were delivered on alternating weeks by an Assistant Psychologist and Trainee Psychologist, covering values, committed action, and acceptance. Participants rated their mood each session using the Depression Intensity Scale Circles (DISCs). RESULTS: Attended sessions ranged from 1 to 11 (Md: 2). Significant reductions in DISCs scores with medium effect sizes were found among those scoring above the cut-off for depression at baseline, Χ2(3) = 20.87, p < .001. The likelihood of scoring below the cut-off for depression did not change between participants' first and last sessions, X2(1, N = 117) = 1.36, p = .24. The number of sessions attended did not predict outcome, rs(117) = .09, p = .33. CONCLUSIONS: Design limitations prevented inferences of clinical effectiveness, but the group met several clinical utility criteria by providing a flexible intervention on a rehabilitation ward with competing demands. We highlight the importance of contrasting findings of clinical trials with data from clinical services.

In an uncontrolled, within-subjects analysis, we found that attendance of an open-group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) based intervention was associated with reduced depressive symptoms in stroke rehabilitation inpatientsOpen-group psychological interventions may be an accessible and low-cost option for stroke clinicians on inpatient wards where flexibility is important.

Impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of children and young people: an umbrella review.

BACKGROUND: Over the past 3 years, a multitude of studies have highlighted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of children and young people (CYP). In this umbrella review, we synthesise global evidence on the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of CYP from existing systematic reviews with and/or without meta-analysis. METHODS: Adopting the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we evaluated 349 citations and identified 24 eligible reviews with medium to high methodological quality to be reviewed narratively. RESULTS: Most of the reviews reported a high prevalence of anxiety disorders, depression, suicidal behaviour, eating disorders and other mental health problems. Most studies that used data at multiple time points indicate a significant increase in mental health problems in CYP, particularly in females and older adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: Multipronged psychosocial care services, policies and programmes are needed to alleviate the burden of mental health problems in CYP as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated global health measures. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42021276312.

Excluding autism or excluding everything? The problem of broad definitions in the England and Wales Draft Mental Health Bill.

The recent Draft Mental Health Bill for England and Wales proposes changes to the Mental Health Act 1983 which will include, for the first time, a legal definition of autism. This article explores the specific potential issue that the definition, owing to its breadth, potentially encompasses a number of conditions other than autism, consequently leaving the definitionally dependent concept of 'psychiatric disorder' significantly narrowed in scope. The potential implications of this - primarily the concern that a range of other conditions and presentations could be unintentionally excluded from the scope of the civil powers in the Mental Health Act - are discussed.

Interrater reliability of criterion A of the alternative model for personality disorder (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition-Section III): A meta-analysis.

The alternative model for personality disorder (AMPD) is currently included in Section III of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). This review sought to summarize the literature concerning the interrater reliability (IRR) of the AMPD. Despite high heterogeneity, meta-analysis provided tentative support for the IRR of Criterion A of the AMPD, with pooled intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for the Level of Personality Functioning Scale (LPFS) and its domains falling above DSM acceptability levels. Subgroup analysis of the LPFS suggested IRR scores could be improved by using a specific AMPD Structured Clinical Interview (SCI). Further research should in particular consider the IRR of Criterion B elements of the AMPD and overall PD diagnosis, where insufficient data were available to draw conclusions in the present study. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

A systematic review of the efficacy of psychological treatments for people detained under the Mental Health Act.

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: International reviews have looked at therapy outcomes for patients on mental health wards, showing it is associated with reduced emotional distress and readmission. Reviews have not looked at which specific treatments are most effective. No review has been done in England and Wales for patients detained specifically under the Mental Health Act. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE: The paper gives an overview of the limited evidence in England and Wales. The paper shows which therapies have been measured. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: Larger studies are needed across all types of patient wards in England and Wales with random allocation to types of therapy and longer-term follow-up. More studies are needed where researchers are not aware of the therapy being delivered. More studies need to use a mixture of patient and clinician outcome measures. Outcomes should also measure incident, readmission and reoffending rates. More evidence is needed from patients who are female, non-white and who are diagnosed with depression and anxiety. ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: The efficacy of psychological interventions delivered under the Mental Health Act (1983) (MHA) in England and Wales is unclear. While meta-analyses have reviewed acute and forensic psychological interventions in wider geographical areas, there has been no review specifically in the unique MHA context. AIM: A systematic review was conducted of psychological outcomes for inpatients detained under the MHA in England and Wales. METHOD: Diagnoses and type of psychological intervention were not restricted, provided a psychological outcome measure was used. Studies were identified through APA PsychInfo, MEDLINE, CINAHL and Academic Search using a combination of key terms. Data extraction included effect direction, statistical significance, intervention type, format and duration, study size, inpatient setting, control group and study quality. RESULTS: High-quality evidence was sparse. Some improvements were found in overall well-being, self-esteem, social functioning, problem-solving, substance use, anger, offending attitudes, fire-setting, violence, anxiety, depression, personality disorder and psychosis. However, the overall evidence base is lacking. DISCUSSION: Larger-scale randomized controlled trials are needed across secure, acute and learning disability inpatient settings in England and Wales with longer term follow-up, blind assessors and both self-report and clinician-rated measures, as well as incident, readmission and reoffending rates. Greater representation is needed of females, non-white groups and affective disorders. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The efficacy of psychological interventions for inpatients detained under the MHA in England and Wales remains unclear. Clinicians are encouraged to use relevant outcome measures in relation to treatment goals, to monitor the efficacy of interventions being offered to this client group. RELEVANCE TO MENTAL HEALTH NURSING: This paper highlights the current body of evidence for psychological interventions in inpatient settings within England and Wales, which is an environment in which mental health nursing plays an important role in patients' recovery. This evidence is also particularly important as there is a shift in clinical practice to training nursing staff to deliver some of the low-intensity psychological interventions, such as behavioural activation, solution-focussed therapy and motivational interviewing.

Judging Personality Disorder: A Systematic Review of Clinician Attitudes and Responses to Borderline Personality Disorder.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that the diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD) is associated with particularly stigmatizing connotations, particularly among mental health professionals. The goal of this study was to synthesize quantitative studies investigating the attitudes and responses of clinicians to BPD and to appraise the methodological quality of these studies. METHODS: A systematic search was carried out using MEDLINE Complete, CINAHL Complete, PsychoINFO, PsychARTICLES, Scopus, Social Sciences Citation Index, and Academic Search Complete. Study quality was rated using an adapted tool. RESULTS: This review included 37 papers involving an estimated 8196 participants: 21 cross-sectional survey studies, 5 studies assessing training workshops, 5 studies assessing countertransference, and 6 experimental studies. The methodological quality of the studies was mixed, with many differing measures with questionable validity used. CONCLUSIONS: Negative attitudes toward BPD continue to be a problem to differing degrees among clinical staff. Although this issue is most prominent among psychiatric nurses, the results of this review highlight evidence of negative attitudes across all mental health professions as well as potentially in professionals working in physical health settings. Various clinician-level factors may play a role in the development and maintenance of such attitudes. Greater exposure to patients with BPD and attendance at training programs have been found to be associated with improved attitudes. Professionals require regular training concerning BPD that is sufficiently evidence-based.

Juror decision-making regarding a defendant diagnosed with borderline personality disorder.

Stigma is an established consequence of the Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) diagnosis. This diagnosis is subject to revision in the International Classification of Diseases-11th Revision (ICD-11). Using the legal issue of diminished responsibility, this study applied an experimental mock-jury methodology to explore the impact of diagnostic stigma of BPD on jury decision-making. Participants were allocated to one of two versions of a simplified fictitious homicide trial. The group whose defendant was described as having a 'severe personality disorder, borderline pattern' rated the defendant as more dangerous, and more in need of segregation and coercive treatment, than controls where the defendant was described as having a 'complex mental health problem'. Between-group differences in other measures, including the decision to agree a verdict of diminished responsibility, were not found. The ICD-11 'severe personality disorder, borderline pattern' diagnosis may adversely impact the attitudes of jurors considering the question of diminished responsibility.

A meta-analysis of dropout from evidence-based psychological treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children and young people.

Background: Despite the established evidence base of psychological interventions in treating PTSD in children and young people, concern that these trauma-focused treatments may 'retraumatise' patients or exacerbate symptoms and cause dropout has been identified as a barrier to their implementation. Dropout from treatment is indicative of its relative acceptability in this population. Objective: Estimate the prevalence of dropout in children and young people receiving a psychological therapy for PTSD as part of a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Methods: A systematic search of the literature was conducted to identify RCTs of evidence-based treatment of PTSD in children and young people. Proportion meta-analyses estimated the prevalence of dropout. Odds ratios compared the relative likelihood of dropout between different treatments and controls. Subgroup analysis assessed the impact of potential moderating variables. Results: Forty RCTs were identified. Dropout from all treatment or active control arms was estimated to be 11.7%, 95% CI [9.0, 14.6]. Dropout from evidence-based treatment (TFCBTs and EMDR) was 11.2%, 95% CI [8.2, 14.6]. Dropout from non-trauma focused treatments or controls was 12.8%, 95% CI [7.6, 19.1]. There was no significant difference in the odds of dropout when comparing different modalities. Group rather than individual delivery, and lay versus professional delivery, were associated with less dropout. Conclusions: Evidence-based treatments for children and young people with PTSD do not result in higher prevalence of dropout than non-trauma focused treatment or waiting list conditions. Trauma-focused therapies appear to be well tolerated in children and young people.

Antecedentes: A pesar de la base de evidencia establecida de intervenciones psicológicas en el tratamiento del TEPT en niños y gente joven, la preocupación por el que estos tratamientos focalizados en el trauma puedan 'retraumatizar' a los pacientes o exacerbar sus síntomas y causar abandono, ha sido identificada como una barrera para su implementación. El abandono del tratamiento es indicador de su aceptabilidad relativa en esta población.Objetivo: Estimar la prevalencia de abandono en niños y gente joven que reciben una terapia psicológica para el TEPT como parte de un ensayo aleatorizado controlado (RCT en su sigla en inglés).Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática de la literatura para identificar RCTs de tratamientos basados en evidencia para el TEPT en niños y gente joven. Mediante metaanálisis de proporción se estimó la prevalencia de abandono. Los Odds Ratio compararon la probabilidad relativa de abandono entre diferentes tratamientos y controles. Mediante análisis de subgrupo se evaluó el impacto de potenciales variables moderadoras.Resultados: Se identificaron cuarenta RCTs. El abandono de todas las ramas de tratamiento o control activo se estimó en 11.7%, IC de 95% [9.0, 14.6]. El abandono de tratamientos basados en la evidencia (TF-CBTs y EMDR) fue de 11.2%, IC de 95% [8.2, 14.6]. El abandono de tratamientos sin foco en trauma o controles fue de 12.8%, IC de 95% [7.6, 19.1]. No hubo diferencia significativa en la probabilidad de abandono al comparar las diferentes modalidades. La entrega en grupos Individual y por legos versus profesionales, se asociaron a menor abandono.Conclusiones: Los tratamientos basados en evidencia para niños y gente joven con tept no resultan en una mayor prevalencia de abandono que los tratamientos sin foco en trauma o condiciones de lista de espera. las terapias focalizadas en el trauma parecen ser bien toleradas en niños y gente joven.

Pathways to care in at-risk mental states: A systematic review.

AIM: Pathways to care are well studied in the First Episode Psychosis field, but less attention has been given to At-Risk Mental States or prodromal psychosis. This is important because accessing appropriate help at the earliest opportunity is likely to improve outcomes, particularly for those who make transition to psychosis. The present systematic review aimed to synthesize the available literature on pathways to care in ARMS or prodromal psychosis, and investigate the barriers and facilitators to receiving care for ARMS. METHODS: The CINAHL Complete, EMBASE, Medline Complete, PsycINFO and PubMED databases were searched. Studies were included if they were published in English between 1985 and 2019, where reported data came exclusively from an At-Risk Mental State population, and the study described or related to pathways to care. RESULTS: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 8 were quantitative. Screening tools and pathways to care instruments varied. Mental health professionals, and general practitioners played a key role in help seeking. Family involvement was also found to be an important factor. CONCLUSIONS: Pathways to care research in At-Risk Mental States are more scarce than in the field of First Episode Psychosis. More research is warranted, especially concerning the role of patient-level characteristics on pathways to care. A validated measure of pathways to care may also be of benefit.

Being in a Seclusion Room: The Forensic Psychiatric Inpatients' Perspective.

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT: Existing qualitative research has found inpatient service users to experience seclusion as highly distressing, with feelings of vulnerability, abuse and neglect often featuring in participants' accounts. The physical environment of the seclusion room and the interaction with clinical staff shape service users' personal seclusion experience. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE: The majority of research on this topic focuses on seclusion within other restrictive practices. This paper provides new knowledge on one specific component of seclusion, the experience of being in the room, and draws attention to the specific psychological needs of service users during that aspect of their experience. This research provides new knowledge by exclusively exploring forensic inpatients' experience of the seclusion room, an under researched and often stigmatized population. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS TO PRACTICE: The findings support the need for a caring and non-threatening therapeutic interaction with a secluded service user for the duration of time they are in the seclusion room. The findings suggest that necessary nursing procedures, such as observations, should be carried out discretely and sensitively to avoid service users feeling abused and frightened. ABSTRACT: Introduction Contemporary qualitative research has explored service users' experience of seclusion and has found it to be a highly distressing and potentially traumatizing experience for service users. The majority of the existing literature has researched seclusion within the context of other restrictive practices, resulting in findings that can only be considered an overview of the experience. The studies also rarely access participants with histories of considerable violence and imprisonment. Question What is forensic psychiatric inpatients' experience of being in a seclusion room? Method Seven inpatients in a medium secure hospital were interviewed, and interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to analyse the data. Results Four superordinate themes were identified: "intense fear," 'not getting the care I needed," 'I am being abused" and "power struggle." Discussion While participants were in the seclusion room, they experienced extreme fear. Staff interaction played a considerable role in shaping the participants' experience. Staff actions were interpreted as neglectful and abusive. Participants experienced struggling for power with staff, seeking out power when left in a powerless position. Implications for practice These findings suggested that a carefully tailored therapeutic interaction is required during seclusion in order to safeguard the mental health of forensic inpatients.

What are adult psychiatric inpatients' experience of seclusion: A systematic review of qualitative studies.

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Seclusion involves isolating a patient in a room away from other patients in order to contain aggressive behaviour, and it is used in psychiatric hospitals. Research has found that seclusion is often viewed by patients as negative; however, there is limited in-depth understanding of the deeply personal experience. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: This systematic review found that the published research may have flaws with the quality of analysis, mainly due to limited researcher reflexivity. The review of qualitative research revealed that during seclusion, patients feel vulnerable, neglected and abused, disconnected from the experience and that it is dangerous to their mental health. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: For clinicians facilitating the seclusion process to use their therapeutic skills to provide patients with a sense of being cared for. For clinical supervision to allow space to explore interpersonal dynamics during seclusion in order to enhance therapeutic staff-patient interaction. Abstract Introduction There is limited understanding of patients' seclusion experience. A 2013 systematic review provides some insight; however, more knowledge is required in order to improve patient care. This is a systematic review of qualitative research into the patient experience of seclusion. The qualitative focus enables the phenomena to be the central focus. Question "What are adult psychiatric inpatients' experience of seclusion?" and "What is the quality of the applicable research?" Method Electronic searches for qualitative research published between 2006 and 2017 were undertaken. Data were excluded if it was not explicitly related to seclusion. Research was appraised using three standardized appraisal criterion. Themes were generated through thematic synthesis. Results Eight papers met inclusion criteria; four had been translated into English. Four themes were identified: "feeling vulnerable," "feeling neglected and abused," "disconnecting" and "seclusion is dangerous to mental health." Participants felt vulnerable and without control. They experienced staff and room as neglectful and abusive. Participants mentally disconnected. The experience threatened participants' mental health. Discussion Participants' experience is an amalgamation of interpersonal experience and the environment. Disconnecting may be a coping strategy. Implications for practice The findings have implications for seclusion practice, staff training and clinical supervision. Specific attention needs to be paid to the staff-patient interaction.

Brief Report: An Evaluation of the Social Communication Questionnaire as a Screening Tool for Autism Spectrum Disorder in Young People Referred to Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services.

The SCQ is a widely used screening measure for the assessment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, its sensitivity and specificity when used with older children in the context of community Child & Adolescent Mental Health services is unclear. Seventy-seven (Mean age = 12.8 years) young people with suspected ASD were screened using parent- and teacher-reported SCQ's before completing a comprehensive diagnostic assessment. Of the 77 young people included, 44 (57%) met criteria for an ASD diagnosis. Our results indicated that regardless of informant, SCQ scores did not significantly predict the outcome of the diagnostic assessment. Based on the published cut-off score for the SCQ, Receiver Operating Characteristic curve analyses revealed a lower than expected sensitivity and specificity. This suggests that the SCQ is not an effective screening tool when used in the context of community Child & Adolescent Mental Health services.

Motivating inpatients to engage with treatment: the role of depression and ward atmosphere.

BACKGROUND: Although a number of effective treatments are available for patients on inpatient psychiatric units, the motivation of patients to engage with these treatments is frequently poor. Unmotivated patients may be more likely to drop out of treatment, or discontinue treatment after discharge. AIM: The present study examined the relationship of depression and ward atmosphere in influencing motivation. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, 60 patients at a South London Medium Secure Unit completed the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, the Ward Atmosphere Scales and the Patient Motivation Inventory. RESULTS: Regression analyses demonstrated that depression predicts motivation in a relationship that is mediated by ward atmosphere. In addition, ward atmosphere predicts motivation in a relationship that is mediated by depression. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest a reciprocal relationship between depression and ward atmosphere, and both factors are important in influencing a patient's motivation to engage with treatment. Improving motivation of psychiatric inpatients seems to require both factors to be addressed.