Efficacy of personalized psychological interventions: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of different approaches to personalization in psychological therapy. METHOD: This was a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that compared the mental health outcomes of personalized treatment with standardized treatment and other control groups. Eligible studies were identified through three databases (Scopus, APA PsycInfo, and Web of Science). We conducted a narrative synthesis and random effects meta-analysis of available outcomes date, including subgroup analyses to investigate sources of effect size heterogeneity. The review protocol was preregistered in the Open Science Framework. RESULTS: Seventeen studies (N = 7,617) met inclusion criteria for the review, nine of which (N = 5,134) provided sufficient data for inclusion in meta-analysis. Eight studies were classed as having high risk of bias, eight had moderate risk, and one had low risk. There was no significant evidence of publication bias. A statistically significant effect size was found in favor of personalized treatment relative to standardized treatment (d = 0.22, 95% CI [0.05, 0.39], p = .011). When studies with a high risk of bias were removed, this effect size was smaller but remained statistically significant (d = 0.14, 95% CI [0.08, 0.20], p < .001). CONCLUSION: Current evidence indicates that personalization is an effective strategy to improve outcomes from psychological therapy, and the seemingly small effect size advantage of personalization could have an important impact at a clinical population level. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Predictors of relapse and recurrence following cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety-related disorders: a systematic review.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an effective psychological treatment for anxiety-related disorders (anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder). However, relapse of anxiety symptoms is common following completion of treatment. This study aimed to identify predictors of relapse of anxiety after CBT for adult (18+) patients to enable the identification of "at-risk" patients who could potentially benefit from relapse prevention interventions. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted, including studies found in PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, and through hand-searches of references lists and reverse citations. Nine studies met eligibility criteria (N = 532 patients). On average, 23.8% of patients experienced relapse following completion of CBT. A total of 21 predictors were identified and grouped into seven categories: residual symptoms; personality disorders; medication; clinical features; stressful life-events; degree of improvement; and demographics. A meta-analysis of residual symptoms as a predictor of relapse yielded a moderate but non-significant-pooled effect size (r = 0.35; 95% CI -0.21, 0.74, p =.08). Further research with adequately powered samples and standardised operationalisations of relapse are required to identify robust predictors.

The Provision of Patient Information about Nystagmus.

AIMS: The aims of this study were to evaluate the current provision of patient information about nystagmus in orthoptic clinics in the UK and Ireland and to develop a standardised information pack about nystagmus. METHODS: A questionnaire was circulated to orthoptists in the UK and Ireland asking whether they had information to provide to patients with nystagmus, what was included in this information and how it could be improved. Orthoptists were also asked what should be included in a standardised information pack about nystagmus. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty three orthoptists completed the questionnaire. One-third of responding orthoptists did not have information to provide to patients with nystagmus. Most reported the information available to them included details of support services and physical symptoms. Including information about living with nystagmus at different ages and long-term prognosis were the most common suggestions to improve information about nystagmus. More than half of orthoptists selected all the suggested topics to be included in a standardised information pack, with support services and long-term prognosis most frequently selected. CONCLUSIONS: Only 67% of responding orthoptists had information about nystagmus to give to patients or their families. Ways to improve the current information and content considered important by orthoptists were taken into account to create a nystagmus information pack, which is now available online.