The mental health of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a narrative review
Purpose of review
Mental health (MH) problems among healthcare workers (HCWs) have the potential to impact negatively on the capacity of health systems to respond effectively to COVID-19. A thorough understanding of the factors that degrade or promote the MH of HCWs is needed to design and implement suitable intervention strategies to support the wellbeing of this population.
Recent findings
MH problems among HCWs were elevated prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Accumulating evidence indicates that this public health crisis has had a disproportionately negative impact on the MH of specialised populations, including...
Source: Current Opinion in Psychiatry - July 30, 2022 Category: Psychiatry Tags: PSYCHIATRY, MEDICINE AND THE BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCES: Edited by Mohan Isaac and Igor Filipcic Source Type: research
The physical and mental health consequences of social isolation and loneliness in the context of COVID-19
Purpose of review
Social isolation and loneliness are known contributors to all-cause mortality as well as a range of physical and mental health conditions. Therefore, this article reviews current literature pertaining to the effects of social isolation and loneliness on physical and mental health during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Recent findings
Social isolation and loneliness contribute to a myriad of physical and mental health conditions. Specifically social isolation and loneliness contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and cancer. However, most research indicated tha...
Source: Current Opinion in Psychiatry - July 30, 2022 Category: Psychiatry Tags: PSYCHIATRY, MEDICINE AND THE BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCES: Edited by Mohan Isaac and Igor Filipcic Source Type: research
Editorial: The mental health in post-COVID-19 era: challenges and consequences
No abstract available (Source: Current Opinion in Psychiatry)
Source: Current Opinion in Psychiatry - July 30, 2022 Category: Psychiatry Tags: PSYCHIATRY, MEDICINE AND THE BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCES: Edited by Mohan Isaac and Igor Filipcic Source Type: research
Editorial introductions
No abstract available (Source: Current Opinion in Psychiatry)
Source: Current Opinion in Psychiatry - July 30, 2022 Category: Psychiatry Tags: EDITORIAL INTRODUCTIONS Source Type: research
Return-to-work interventions for persons/employees with mental illnesses
Purpose of review
Mental illnesses are among the most common diseases worldwide. Cases of inability to work caused by mental illness are frequent and the related economic burden is immense. A successful reintegration into their work environment of those patients who were on sick leave due to a mental illness is an important prognostic factor for the further course of the disease and helps reducing financial consequences. It was the aim of the present review to give an overview of the status quo of return-to-work interventions in the international literature.
Recent findings
Main themes of interventions addressin...
Source: Current Opinion in Psychiatry - July 1, 2022 Category: Psychiatry Tags: PROVISION OF SERVICES TO PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESSES: Edited by Giovanni de Girolamo and Thomas Becker Source Type: research
Multidomain interventions for risk reduction and prevention of cognitive decline and dementia: current developments
Purpose of review
The potential for dementia prevention is deemed substantial if modifiable risk factors were addressed. First large-scale multidomain lifestyle interventions aiming at reducing risk of cognitive decline and dementia have yielded mixed but promising evidence.
Recent findings
Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on trials conduction, causing interruptions and delays, the research landscape on multidomain interventions is growing rapidly. The successful Finish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER) has led to an adaptation of the FINGER model in ...
Source: Current Opinion in Psychiatry - July 1, 2022 Category: Psychiatry Tags: PROVISION OF SERVICES TO PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESSES: Edited by Giovanni de Girolamo and Thomas Becker Source Type: research
Cardiovascular disease risk in people with severe mental disorders: an update and call for action
Purpose of review
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of premature death in people with severe mental disorders (SMDs). This review provides an update on the level of CVD mortality and morbidity, as well as the socioeconomic, psychosocial and genetic factors associated with the comorbidity, and offer directions for improved interventions to reduce CVD in SMDs.
Recent findings
The level of CVD mortality and morbidity has sustained high in people with SMDs during the past decades, but the causal mechanism must be further elucidated. Psychosocial and socioeconomic challenges are frequent in SMDs as well a...
Source: Current Opinion in Psychiatry - July 1, 2022 Category: Psychiatry Tags: PROVISION OF SERVICES TO PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESSES: Edited by Giovanni de Girolamo and Thomas Becker Source Type: research
Promoting physical activity for mental health: an updated evidence review and practical guide
Purpose of review
The aim of this study was to provide psychiatrists with the knowledge, tools and guidance to support physical activity promotion in clinical practice. The review also aims to provide an up-to-date summary of the evidence regarding physical activity in the prevention and treatment of mental disorders in adults.
Recent findings
There is emerging evidence demonstrating that physical activity can protect against incident anxiety and depression. There is robust evidence showing that physical activity is an effective adjunct treatment strategy for depressive disorders and anxiety and stress-related d...
Source: Current Opinion in Psychiatry - July 1, 2022 Category: Psychiatry Tags: PROVISION OF SERVICES TO PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESSES: Edited by Giovanni de Girolamo and Thomas Becker Source Type: research
Telehealth treatment for gambling disorder in the COVID-19 era: seismic shifts and silver linings
Purpose of review
Gambling disorder is a serious mental health condition and the only behavioral addiction currently recognized by the American Psychiatric Association. Though prevalence and treatment seeking for gambling disorder have been stable for decades, the global COVID-19 pandemic has created a seismic shift in societal factors that influence gambling disorder and treatment availability. At the same time, the increasing availability of telehealth therapy for gambling disorder offers a new way to provide specialized treatment nationwide.
Recent findings
The present review discusses the seismic shifts in u...
Source: Current Opinion in Psychiatry - July 1, 2022 Category: Psychiatry Tags: ADDICTIVE DISORDERS: Edited by John B. Saunders and Linda B. Cottler Source Type: research
Digital approaches to continuing care
Purpose of review
To provide an update of studies on the effectiveness of digital and telephonic approaches to providing remote continuing care for substance use disorders.
Recent findings
Effective continuing care can be provided via smartphone apps, text messaging, interactive voice response, and structured telephone counseling. The remote continuing care interventions with the strongest evidence of efficacy are the Addiction Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System app and Telephone Monitoring and Counseling. Positive effects for these intervention on drinking outcomes in patients with alcohol use diso...
Source: Current Opinion in Psychiatry - July 1, 2022 Category: Psychiatry Tags: ADDICTIVE DISORDERS: Edited by John B. Saunders and Linda B. Cottler Source Type: research
Virtual recruitment and participant engagement for substance use research during a pandemic
Purpose of review
The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic resulted in cataclysmic changes to the research enterprise, causing a forced shutdown or rapid pivot to virtual methods. Adapting studies to the virtual environment also impacted recruitment and retention strategies. This review elucidated challenges and offered pragmatic recommendations, drawing on published literature and our prior work, to assist researchers in re-evaluating and amending best-practice techniques to bolster inclusive recruitment and study engagement of people using substances, particularly for virtual interviews or focus groups.
Recent findin...
Source: Current Opinion in Psychiatry - July 1, 2022 Category: Psychiatry Tags: ADDICTIVE DISORDERS: Edited by John B. Saunders and Linda B. Cottler Source Type: research
Recent advances in digital health interventions for substance use disorders
Purpose of review
The purpose of this review is to provide an update of the recently published randomized controlled trials in the field of digital health interventions for substance use disorders.
Recent findings
Over the past 2 years, five cannabis-specific and seven polysubstance-focused randomized controlled trials were published. No studies were found that focused on opioid or psychostimulant use disorders. Most studies examined feasibility but were underpowered to assess effectiveness. Given the optimistic results of the studies in regards to feasibility more fully powered trials should be conducted. In ad...
Source: Current Opinion in Psychiatry - July 1, 2022 Category: Psychiatry Tags: ADDICTIVE DISORDERS: Edited by John B. Saunders and Linda B. Cottler Source Type: research
The current evidence for substance use disorder apps
Purpose of review
New mHealth (smartphone) apps for substance use disorders (SUD) are emerging at an accelerated rate, with consumer choice typically guided by app-store user ratings rather than their effectiveness. The expansive reach, low-cost and accessibility of mHealth apps have driven their popularity and appeal as alternatives to traditional treatment; as such, rigorously establishing their effectiveness is of paramount importance.
Recent findings
Several systematic reviews conclude that the evidence-base for mHealth SUD apps is weak, inconclusive and hampered by substantial heterogeneity in study designs...
Source: Current Opinion in Psychiatry - July 1, 2022 Category: Psychiatry Tags: ADDICTIVE DISORDERS: Edited by John B. Saunders and Linda B. Cottler Source Type: research
Telemedicine in the treatment of addictions
Purpose of review
The purpose of this update is to provide an overview of recent research publications (January 2020–January 2022) on real-time telemedicine solutions for the management of addictions (alcohol, tobacco, opioids, and other drugs).
Recent findings
Motivational interviewing by real-time telemedicine showed effectiveness in youth and adults for risky alcohol use and alcohol use disorders, even when a concurrent mental health disorder exists. Live telemedicine is well accepted for managing tobacco use disorders. The range of interventions for treating opioid use disorder by real-time telemedicine is...
Source: Current Opinion in Psychiatry - July 1, 2022 Category: Psychiatry Tags: ADDICTIVE DISORDERS: Edited by John B. Saunders and Linda B. Cottler Source Type: research
Editorial introductions
No abstract available (Source: Current Opinion in Psychiatry)
Source: Current Opinion in Psychiatry - July 1, 2022 Category: Psychiatry Tags: EDITORIAL INTRODUCTIONS Source Type: research
