Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for the Management of Postsurgical Pain: Study Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial (SPINE-ACT Study).

Research on the use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for patients with degenerative lumbar pathology awaiting surgery are limited. However, there is evidence to suggest that this psychological therapy may be effective in improving pain interference, anxiety, depression, and quality of life. This is the protocol for a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the effectiveness of ACT compared to treatment as usual (TAU) for people with degenerative lumbar pathology who are candidates for surgery in the short term. A total of 102 patients with degenerative lumbar spine pathology will be randomly assigned to TAU (control group) or ACT + TAU (intervention group). Participants will be assessed after treatment and at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. The primary outcome will be the mean change from baseline on the Brief Pain Inventory (pain interference). Secondary outcomes will include changes in pain intensity, anxiety, depression, pain catastrophizing, fear of movement, quality of life, disability due to low back pain (LBP), pain acceptance, and psychological inflexibility. Linear mixed models will be used to analyze the data. Additionally, effect sizes and number needed to treat (NNT) will be calculated. We posit that ACT may be used to help patients cope with the stress and uncertainty associated with their condition and the surgery itself.

Verbal de-escalation to reduce the use of mechanical restraint during nonvoluntary ambulance transfers. / Utilización de la desescalada verbal para reducir la contención mecánica durante los traslados no voluntarios en ambulancia.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the usefulness of annual training in verbal de-escalation techniques for reducing the use of mechanical restraints during nonvoluntary ambulance transfers of patients with mental health problems who need emergency care. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Quasi-experimental before-after study. Patients with mental diseases treated by a psychiatric team and transferred from home without their consent were included from January through December 2008 in Barcelona. Since 2013, the team had been attending annual training sessions in verbal de-escalation based on the recommendations of the BETA project (Best Practices in the Evaluation and Treatment of Agitation). We compared the prevalence of the use of mechanical restraint before and after the team started verbal de-escalation training. We also analyzed variables associated with the need to use restraints. RESULTS: Patients in 633 nonvoluntary transfers were included. Mechanical restraints were used in 42.0% of transfers before de-escalation training and in 20.6% of transfers afterwards, reflecting a 50.1% reduction. Logistic regression identified younger age and the presence of psychotic symptoms as factors associated with the use of restraints; the use of verbal de-escalation was a protective factor (P 0.005). CONCLUSION: Annual training in verbal de-escalation techniques following the BETA project's recommendations led to a 50% reduction in the need to use mechanical restraint during nonvoluntary ambulance transfers of patients with mental health problems.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la efectividad de la formación anual en desescalada verbal (DV) en la reducción de las contenciones mecánicas (CM) durante los traslados no voluntarios en ambulancia a urgencias de pacientes con enfermedad mental. METODO: Estudio cuasiexperimental antes-después. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes con enfermedad mental trasladados de manera no voluntaria en Barcelona por un equipo de atención psiquiátrica en domicilio, desde enero de 2008 hasta diciembre de 2020. En el año 2013 el equipo al completo inició una formación anual en DV en base a las recomendaciones del proyecto BETA (Best Practices in the Evaluation and Treatment of Agitation). Se ha comparado la prevalencia de CM durante dichos traslados, antes y después de iniciar la formación en DV. Asimismo se han analizado los factores asociados a la necesidad de CM. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 633 traslados no voluntarios. Antes de la formación en DV hubo un 42,0% de CM y después fue del 20,6%, lo que supone una reducción del 50,1%. La regresión logística mostró que los factores asociados a la necesidad de CM son una menor edad y la existencia de síntomas psicóticos como factores de riesgo y uso de la DV como factor protector (p 0,005). CONCLUSIONES: La formación anual en DV siguiendo las recomendaciones del proyecto BETA ha permitido una reducción del 50% de la necesidad de CM durante el traslado no voluntario en ambulancia de pacientes con enfermedad mental.

Utilización de la desescalada verbal para reducir la contención mecánica durante los traslados no voluntarios en ambulancia / Verbal de-escalation to reduce the use of mechanical restraint during nonvoluntary ambulance transfers

Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad de la formación anual en desescalada verbal (DV) en la reducción de las contenciones mecánicas (CM) durante los traslados no voluntarios en ambulancia a urgencias de pacientes con enfermedad mental. Método: Estudio cuasiexperimental antes-después. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes con enfermedad mental trasladados de manera no voluntaria en Barcelona por un equipo de atención psiquiátrica en domicilio, desde enero de 2008 hasta diciembre de 2020. En el año 2013 el equipo al completo inició una formación anual en DV en base a las recomendaciones del proyecto BETA (Best Practices in the Evaluation and Treatment of Agitation). Se ha comparado la prevalencia de CM durante dichos traslados, antes y después de iniciar la formación en DV. Asimismo se han analizado los factores asociados a la necesidad de CM. Resultados: Se incluyeron 633 traslados no voluntarios. Antes de la formación en DV hubo un 42,0% de CM y después fue del 20,6%, lo que supone una reducción del 50,1%. La regresión logística mostró que los factores asociados a la necesidad de CM son una menor edad y la existencia de síntomas psicóticos como factores de riesgo y uso de la DV como factor protector (p < 0,005). Conclusiones: La formación anual en DV siguiendo las recomendaciones del proyecto BETA ha permitido una reducción del 50% de la necesidad de CM durante el traslado no voluntario en ambulancia de pacientes con enfermedad mental. (AU)

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of annual training in verbal de-escalation techniques for reducing the use of mechanical restraints during nonvoluntary ambulance transfers of patients with mental health problems who need emergency care. Methods: Quasi-experimental before-after study. Patients with mental diseases treated by a psychiatric team andtransferred from home without their consent were included from January through December 2008 in Barcelona. Since 2013, the team had been attending annual training sessions in verbal de-escalation based on the recommendations of the BETA project (Best Practices in the Evaluation and Treatment of Agitation). We compared the prevalence of the use of mechanical restraint before and after the team started verbal de-escalation training. We also analyzed variables associated with the need to use restraints. Results: Patients in 633 nonvoluntary transfers were included. Mechanical restraints were used in 42.0% of transfers before de-escalation training and in 20.6% of transfers afterwards, reflecting a 50.1% reduction. Logistic regression identified younger age and the presence of psychotic symptoms as factors associated with the use of restraints; the use of verbal de-escalation was a protective factor (P < 0.005). Conclusions: Annual training in verbal de-escalation techniques following the BETA project’s recommendations led to a 50% reduction in the need to use mechanical restraint during nonvoluntary ambulance transfers of patients with mental health problems. (AU)

Sleep study in Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder and Bipolar children.

INTRODUCTION: Decreased need for sleep has been proposed as a core symptom of mania and it has been associated with the pathogenesis of Bipolar Disorder. The emergence of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) as a new diagnostic has been controversial and much has been speculated about its relationship with the bipolar spectrum. REM sleep fragmentation could be a biomarker of affective disorders and it would help us to differentiate them from other disorders. METHOD: Polysomnographic cross-sectional study of children with DMDD, bipolar disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). All participants underwent a psychiatric semi-structured interview to obtain the diagnosis, comorbidities and primary sleep disorders. DMDD’s sample was performed following DSM5 criteria. GOALS: Perform polysomnography in a sample of bipolar, DMDD and ADHD children and compare their profiles to provide more evidence about the differences or similarities between bipolar disorder and DMDD. RESULTS: Bipolar group had the highest REM density values while ADHD had the lowest. REM density was not statiscally different between bipolar phenotypes. REM density was associated with antidepressant treatment, episodes of REM and their interaction. REM latency was associated with antipsychotic treatment and school performance. Bipolar patients had higher scores on the depression scale than DMDD and ADHD groups. CONCLUSIONS: No significant differences between the two compared affective disorders were found. However there were differences in REM density between bipolar and ADHD groups. REM sleep study could provide a new theoretical framework to better understand the pathogenesis of pediatric bipolar disorder.

Estudio del sueño en niños con Trastorno de Disregulación Disruptivo del Estado de Ánimo y Bipolares / Sleep study in Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder and Bipolar children

Introducción. La disminución de la necesidad de sueño ha sido propuesta como síntoma nuclear de manía y ha sido relacionada con la etiopatogenia del Trastorno Bipolar. La irrupción del Trastorno de Disregulación Disruptivo del Estado de Ánimo (TDDEA) como nueva categoría diagnóstica en el DSM5 ha sido controvertida y mucho se ha especulado acerca de su relación con el espectro bipolar. La fragmentación del sueño REM podría ser un biomarcador de los trastornos afectivos y ayudarnos a diferenciarlos de otros trastornos. Metodología. Estudio transversal polisomnográfico en niños con TDDEA, bipolaridad y con Trastorno por Déficit de Atención e Hiperactividad (TDAH). A todos los participantes se les realizó una entrevista psiquiátrica semi-estructurada para la obtención del diagnóstico, la detección de posibles comorbilidades y de los trastornos primarios del sueño. La obtención de la muestra TDDEA se realizó siguiendo los criterios recomendados por el DSM5. Objetivos. Realizar un estudio polisomnográfico en una muestra de niños TDDEA, Trastorno Bipolar Pediátrico (TBP) y TDAH y comparar sus perfiles, para aportar mayor evidencia acerca de las diferencias o semejanzas entre el TBP y el TDDEA. Resultados. El grupo bipolar presentó los valores más altos de densidad REM mientras que el grupo TDAH presentó los más bajos. La densidad REM no presentó diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los distintos fenotipos bipolares. La densidad REM se asoció con el tratamiento antidepresivo, los episodios de REM y su interacción. La latencia REM se asoció con el tratamiento antipsicótico y el rendimiento escolar. Los pacientes bipolares presentaron mayores puntuaciones en la escala de depresión que los grupos TDDEA y TDAH. Conclusiones. No se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los dos trastornos afectivos comparados aunque sí se hallaron diferencias en la densidad REM entre los grupos bipolar y TDAH. El estudio del sueño REM podría proporcionar un nuevo marco teórico para comprender mejor la etiopatogenia del trastorno bipolar pediátrico

Introduction. Decreased need for sleep has been proposed as a core symptom of mania and it has been associated with the pathogenesis of Bipolar Disorder. The emergence of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) as a new diagnostic has been controversial and much has been speculated about its relationship with the bipolar spectrum. REM sleep fragmentation could be a biomarker of affective disorders and it would help us to differentiate them from other disorders. Method. Polysomnographic cross-sectional study of children with DMDD, bipolar disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). All participants underwent a psychiatric semi-structured interview to obtain the diagnosis, comorbidities and primary sleep disorders. DMDD’s sample was performed following DSM5 criteria. Goals. Perform polysomnography in a sample of bipolar, DMDD and ADHD children and compare their profiles to provide more evidence about the differences or similarities between bipolar disorder and DMDD. Results. Bipolar group had the highest REM density values while ADHD had the lowest. REM density was not statiscally different between bipolar phenotypes. REM density was associated with antidepressant treatment, episodes of REM and their interaction. REM latency was associated with antipsychotic treatment and school performance. Bipolar patients had higher scores on the depression scale than DMDD and ADHD groups. Conclusions. No significant differences between the two compared affective disorders were found. However there were differences in REM density between bipolar and ADHD groups. REM sleep study could provide a new theoretical framework to better understand the pathogenesis of pediatric bipolar disorder

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo in a Child and Adolescent Clinical Outpatient Setting.

Sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) symptoms have largely emerged from investigations of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Recent research has demonstrated the relevance of SCT symptoms in the field of clinical child and adolescent psychiatry. The goal of this research was to study the symptoms of SCT in a clinical child and adolescent sample and to define its features and comorbid conditions. We reviewed 834 clinical records of patients referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and examined SCT symptoms and their relation with sociodemographic data, clinical diagnosis, comorbid conditions, Child Behavior Checklist dimensions, and intelligence quotient. Of the 515 patients (age range, 4 to 17 y, 62.5% male) for whom a fully completed Child Behavior Checklist for Children and Adolescents was available, 20.8% showed high levels of SCT symptoms. SCT symptoms were strongly associated with age, internalizing symptoms, learning disabilities, and ADHD inattentive subtype (ADHD-I). No significant correlations with intelligence quotient were found. We concluded that SCT symptoms are highly prevalent in a clinical sample, and that these symptoms might be related to the difficulties that some individuals have in responding to demands in their environments, such as academic or social demands, as they increase over time.

DETECTION OF ANXIETY DISORDERS IN PRIMARY CARE: A META-ANALYSIS OF ASSISTED AND UNASSISTED DIAGNOSES.

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that general practitioners (GPs) fail to diagnose up to half of common mental disorder cases. Yet no previous research has systematically summarized the evidence in the case of anxiety disorders. The aim of this review was to systematically assess and meta-analyze the diagnostic accuracy of GPs' assisted (i.e., using severity scales/diagnostic instruments) and unassisted (without such tools) diagnoses of anxiety disorders. METHODS: Systematic review (PROSPERO registry CRD42013006736) was conducted. Embase, Ovid Journals--Ovid SP Medline, Pubmed, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, and Science Direct were searched from January 1980 through June 2014. Seven investigators, working in pairs, evaluated studies for eligibility. The quality of included studies was assessed with the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool version 2 (QUADAS-2). The main outcome measures were sensitivity and specificity of clinical diagnoses of any anxiety disorder. We pooled sensitivity and specificity levels from included studies using bivariate meta-analyses. RESULTS: Twenty-four studies were included in the meta-analysis with a total sample of 34,902 patients. Pooled sensitivity and specificity were estimated at 44.5% (95% CI 33.7-55.9%) and 90.8% (95% CI 87-93.5%). GPs' sensitivity was higher when diagnoses were assisted (63.6%, 95% CI 50.3-75.1%) than when unassisted (30.5%, 95% CI 20.7-42.5%) to the expense of some specificity loss (87.9%, 95% CI 81.3-92.4% vs. 91.4%, 95% CI 86.6-94.6%, respectively). Identification rates remained constant over time (P-value = .998). CONCLUSIONS: The use of diagnostic tools might improve detection of anxiety disorders in "primary care."

Hikikomori in Spain: A descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: Social withdrawal behaviour is a major health problem that is becoming increasingly important, being necessary studies that investigate its psychopathology and existence in different cultures. AIMS: To describe the clinical and socio-demographic characteristics of hikikomori individuals in Spain. METHOD: Participants were 200 subjects referred to the Crisis Resolution Home Treatment (CRHT) because of social isolation. The definition of hikikomori was the state of avoiding social engagement with generally persistent withdrawal into one's residence for at least 6 months. Socio-demographic and clinical data were analysed, including Severity of Psychiatric Illness (SPI), Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), Clinical Global Impression (CGI) and World Health Organization Disability Assessment (WHODAS) scales. RESULTS: A total of 164 cases were evaluated. Hikikomori were predominantly young male, with the mean age at onset of hikikomori of 40 years old and a mean socially withdrawn period of 3 years. Only three people had no symptoms suggestive of mental disorder. Psychotic and anxiety were the most common comorbid disorders. The scales administered describe the presence of serious symptoms and impairment in social functioning, with a high prevalence of poor collaboration with treatment. CONCLUSION: This study shows the existence of hikikomori in Spain. Its difficult detection and treatment highlights the need for specialized domiciliary teams. The high comorbidity leads us to conclude that it may not be a new diagnosis, but rather a severe syndrome associated with multiple mental illnesses. Primary hikikomori also exist, but less commonly. Future cross-national studies are needed in order to describe its definition and psychopathology.

¿Toman los pacientes deprimidos el tratamiento prescrito? Estudio descriptivo sobre el cumplimiento del tratamiento antidepresivo / Do depressed patients comply with treatments prescribed? A cross-sectional study of adherence to the antidepressant treatment

Introducción. El cumplimiento del tratamiento antidepresivo es un aspecto importante en la evolución de los trastornos depresivos. El mal cumplimiento se ha asociado a una peor evolución, a un mayor número de recaídas y mayor coste económico. El objetivo de este estudio es describir el cumplimiento del tratamiento antidepresivo en una muestra de pacientes de atención primaria (AP) con diagnóstico de depresión durante el año 2007. Método. Se realizó un muestreo aleatorio de pacientes con diagnóstico de depresión y tratamiento con antidepresivos atendidos en dos equipos de (AP) y se revisaron las historias clínicas. En ellas consta el número de recetas prescritas y el número de recetas recogidas en la farmacia. Se calculó la diferencia entre recetas prescritas y recogidas. Una diferencia de + 2 se consideró un buen cumplimiento. Se mostraron los resultados en porcentajes y se realizaron comparaciones Ji cuadrado, t-student y ANOVA cuando procedía. Resultados. La muestra estaba compuesta de 212 pacientes. La edad media era de 63,2 años (DE =15,27). El 66,5% estaba en tratamiento con un antidepresivo y el 24,1% con dos. El porcentaje de pacientes no cumplidores era del 33,96% [IC 95% (27,35-40,57)]. Los pacientes cumplidores presentaban un menor porcentaje de tratamiento con otros fármacos crónicos. En los cumplidores el porcentaje de mujeres era superior que en el de no cumplidores (p = 0,015). No había diferencias en el cumplimiento en los pacientes atendidos en el centro de salud mental. Conclusiones. Un tercio de los pacientes en tratamiento farmacológico antidepresivo no eran cumplidores puesto que no lo retiraban de forma adecuada de las farmacias. Es necesario desarrollar estrategias de mejora de la adherencia terapéutica de los pacientes (AU)

Introduction. Compliance with antidepressant treatment is a very relevant factor in the outcome of depressive disorders. Poor compliance has been associated with worse outcome, increased rate of relapses and greater cost. This study has aimed to describe adherence to antidepressant treatment in a sample of primary care patients with a diagnosis of depression in 2007. Methods. Randomized sampling was made of patients with depression and antidepressant treatment attended in two primary care teams. Their medical records were reviewed to obtain the total number of prescriptions given to patients and the total number of prescriptions dispensed in the pharmacies. The difference between prescriptions written and collected was calculated. A difference of ± 2 was considered as good compliance. Results are shown as percentages. Comparisons were made with the chi-square, Student’s T and ANOVA tests, where appropriate. Results. The simple was made up of 212 patients. Mean age was 63.2 years (SD 15.27). In the sample, 66.5% were treated with only one antidepressant and 24.1% with two. The percentage of non-compliance was 33.96% (95% CI: 25.35–40.57). Treatment-adherent patients have a lower percentage of long-term treatment with other drugs. The percentage of treatment-adherent women was higher than non-adherent (p=0.015). No differences were found in compliance among patients treated in the mental health center. Conclusions. One third of patients on antidepressant drug treatment were non-compliers because the drugs were not picked up properly from the pharmacies. We need to develop strategies to improve the therapeutic adherence of patients (AU)

[Do depressed patients comply with treatments prescribed?: a cross-sectional study of adherence to the antidepressant treatment]. / ¿Toman los pacientes deprimidosel tratamiento prescrito? Estudiodescriptivo sobre el cumplimientodel tratamiento antidepresivo.

INTRODUCTION. Compliance with antidepressant treatment is a very relevant factor in the outcome of depressive disorders. Poor compliance has been associated with worse outcome, increased rate of relapses and greater cost. This study has aimed to describe adherence to antidepressant treatment in a sample of primary care patients with a diagnosis of depression in 2007. METHODS. Randomized sampling was made of patients with depression and antidepressant treatment attended in two primary care teams. Their medical records were reviewed to obtain the total number of prescriptions given to patients and the total number of prescriptions dispensed in the pharmacies. The difference between prescriptions written and collected was calculated. A difference of ± 2 was considered as good compliance. Results are shown as percentages. Comparisons were made with the chi-square, Student's T and ANOVA tests, where appropriate. RESULTS. The simple was made up of 212 patients. Mean age was 63.2 years (SD 15.27). In the sample, 66.5% were treated with only one antidepressant and 24.1% with two. The percentage of non-compliance was 33.96% (95% CI: 25.35­40.57). Treatment-adherent patients have a lower percentage of long-term treatment with other drugs. The percentage of treatment-adherent women was higher than non-adherent (p=0.015). No differences were found in compliance among patients treated in the mental health center. CONCLUSIONS. One third of patients on antidepressant drug treatment were non-compliers because the drugs were not picked up properly from the pharmacies. We need to develop strategies to improve the therapeutic adherence of patients.

The strategy of combining antidepressants in the treatment of major depression: clinical experience in spanish outpatients.

Introduction. The combination of antidepressants is a useful tool in the treatment of major depression, especially in cases where there is a partial response to antidepressant monotherapy. However, the use of this strategy is a matter of controversy, and its frequency of use in clinical practice is not clear. The aim of our study is to assess the use of antidepressants combination in Spain by reviewing three databases used between 1997 and 2001. Methods. Databases pertain to patients who are study subjects of major depression treatment. These databases are a result of studies performed in Spain and in which 550 psychiatrists participated. The total studied sample was comprised of N = 2, 842 patients, aged over 18, fitting DSM-IV criteria for Major Depressive Episode. The percentage of patients who received more than one antidepressant and the types of combinations used was described. Subsequently, a comparative study between the group which received a combination of antidepressants (N = 64) and the group which received antidepressant monotherapy (N = 775) was performed. Results. 27.1% of patients were on antidepressive monotherapy treatment, and 2.2% were on combination therapy. In the comparison of patients on combination therapy and monotherapy, there were significant differences only in episode duration (P = 0.001). The most frequent combinations are SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants. The active principle most widely combined is fluoxetine. Conclusions. The prevalence of use of antidepressant combination therapy is 2.2% of the global sample and 8.3% of treated patients. Other than duration of the depressive episode, no clinical characteristics exclusive to patients who received combination rather than monotherapy were found. Our study found that the most frequent combination is SSRIs + TCAs, also being the most studied.