Cognitive-behavioural group therapy for youth with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders demonstrates modest effects on social responsiveness
ABSTRACT FROM: Freitag CM, Jensen K, Elsuni L, et al.. Group-based cognitive–behavioural psychotherapy for children and adolescents with ASD: the randomised, multicentre, controlled SOSTA—net trial. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2016;57:596–605. What is already known about this topic? Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) occur in ~1 in 63 children/adolescents1 and are characterised by impairments in cognition, communication and/or social responsiveness and interaction. A number of interventions have been developed and studied to target the social skills of children and adolescents with ASD.2 One particularly prom...
Source: Evidence-Based Mental Health - January 19, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Storch, E. A. Tags: Psychological interventions Source Type: research
Antipsychotic adjunctive therapy to mood stabiliser should be continued for 6 months after remission of a manic episode
ABSTRACT FROM: Yatham LN, Beaulieu S, Schaffer A, et al.. Optimal duration of risperidone or olanzapine adjunctive therapy to mood stabilizer following remission of a manic episode: a CANMAT randomized double-blind trial. Mol Psychiatry 2016;21:1050–6. What is already known on this topic Recently, clinical guidelines about treatment of mania have been published by important scientific societies.1 Atypical antipsychotic adjunctive therapy to lithium or valproate is effective in treating acute mania; however, antipsychotics should not be continued unless the benefits of reducing relapse outweigh the risks such as weigh...
Source: Evidence-Based Mental Health - January 19, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Hatta, K. Tags: Pharmacological interventions Source Type: research
Evidence of ocular side effects of SSRIs and new warnings
ABSTRACT FROM: Chen H, Lin C, Lai S, et al.. Association of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor use and acute angle-closure glaucoma. J Clin Psychiatry 2016;77:e692–6. What is already known on this topic Acute angle-closure glaucoma (AACG) may cause symptoms including eye pain, changes in vision, or swelling and redness and can rapidly lead to permanent blindness if not treated.1 Medications can precipitate AACG through adrenergic or anticholinergic-mediated pupillary dilation that results in the physical obstruction of the outflow of intraocular fluid in susceptible individuals. Case reports and a previous large ...
Source: Evidence-Based Mental Health - January 19, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Kirkham, J., Seitz, D. Tags: Outcomes Source Type: research
Involvement of patients in planning their future treatment may reduce compulsory admissions to hospital
ABSTRACT FROM: de Jong MH, Kamperman AM, Oorschot M, et al.. Interventions to reduce compulsory psychiatric admissions: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry 2016;73:657–64. What is already known on this topic? The use of coercion in the treatment of psychiatric patients is of growing concern, particularly in the context of United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (http://www.un.org/disabilities/convention/conventionfull.shtml). Increasing rates of compulsory admission are one example. It is therefore important to find interventions that can prevent compulsory admission to...
Source: Evidence-Based Mental Health - January 19, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Kisely, S. Tags: Outcomes Source Type: research
Impact of gun law reforms on rates of homicide, suicide and mass shootings in Australia
ABSTRACT FROM: Chapman S, Alpers P, Jones M. Association between gun law reforms and intentional firearm deaths in Australia, 1979–2013. JAMA 2016;316:291–299. What is already known on this topic Gun control is a highly topical yet polarising political issue.1 To date, there is limited evidence on the impact of gun law reforms on firearm-related violence and suicide.2 In Australia, substantial changes in gun laws that significantly restrict the use and ownership of weapons were introduced in 1996 following the Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania. In 2006, Chapman et al analysed the 10-year impact of this reform on...
Source: Evidence-Based Mental Health - January 19, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Brown, P. Tags: EBMH Forensic Psychiatry Source Type: research
Exploratory trials in mental health: anything to learn from other disciplines?
Conclusions
Although often not directly applicable, borrowing (study) design ideas from other medical disciplines has the potential to improve exploratory trials in the mental health field. At the same time, more explicit use of study designs specifically designed for exploratory trials will help to improve the transparency of such trials. (Source: Evidence-Based Mental Health)
Source: Evidence-Based Mental Health - January 19, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Trelle, S. Tags: Editor's choice, EBMH Statistics in Practice Source Type: research
Cognitive-behavioural therapy for non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease: a clinical review
Neuropsychiatric symptoms are common in Parkinson's disease (PD) and have a disproportionate impact on quality of life and carer burden. Pharmacological treatment is the main approach in dealing with these symptoms, but it is limited by variable efficacy and risk of drug interactions. Non-pharmacological approaches using the cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) model are viable alternatives and in this review paper we summarise the evidence of CBT for three of the most common psychiatric manifestations of PD: depression and anxiety, impulse-control disorders and insomnia. Most studies modified the usual CBT format to ...
Source: Evidence-Based Mental Health - January 19, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Koychev, I., Okai, D. Tags: Editor's choice Old age psychiatry Source Type: research
Current status of electroconvulsive therapy for mood disorders: a clinical review
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective treatment for mood disorders and a viable treatment option especially when urgency of clinical situation requires a prompt treatment response. After acute series of ECT, the ECT long-term treatment may be considered, although this practice may vary significantly between countries or even within the same country, because there is no universal consensus about its indications, duration and frequency of administration. Continuation or maintenance ECT is common in routine clinical practice and clinicians should be aware of the risks of using ECT long term. Neuropsychological asses...
Source: Evidence-Based Mental Health - January 19, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Kolar, D. Tags: Clinical review Source Type: research
Reduced all-cause mortality with antipsychotics and antidepressants compared to increased all-cause mortality with benzodiazepines in patients with schizophrenia observed in naturalistic treatment settings
ABSTRACT FROM: Tiihonen J, Mittendorfer-Rutz E, Torniainen M, et al.. Mortality and cumulative exposure to antipsychotics, antidepressants, and benzodiazepines in patients with schizophrenia: an observational follow-up study. Am J Psychiatry 2016;173:600–6. What is already known on this topic Individuals with schizophrenia die ~15–20 years prematurely compared to the general population, mostly due to cardiovascular disease, obesity-related cancer, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.1 Owing to the known metabolic effects of antipsychotics,2 clarifying their role in increased mortality is imp...
Source: Evidence-Based Mental Health - January 19, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Rubio, J. M., Corell, C. U. Tags: Electronic pages Source Type: research
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy delays depressive relapse across demographic subgroups
ABSTRACT FROM: Kuyken W, Warren FC, Taylor RS, et al.. Efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in prevention of depressive relapse: an individual patient data meta-analysis from randomized trials. JAMA Psychiatry 2016;73:565–74. What is already known on this topic Several meta-analyses of about 20 year’s work on randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression (MBCT)1 have concluded that MBCT is efficacious in reducing relapse/recurrence where people have had at least three major depressive episodes (MDEs). Methods of the study In an update to a previous m...
Source: Evidence-Based Mental Health - January 19, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Meadows, G., Shawyer, F. Tags: Electronic pages Source Type: research
Short web-based guided self-help intervention prevents the onset of a major depressive disorder in adults with subthreshold depression
ABSTRACT FROM: Buntrock C, Ebert DD, Lehr D, et al.. Effect of a web-based guided self-help intervention for prevention of major depression in adults with subthreshold depression: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA 2016;315:1854–63. What is already known on this topic The available treatments can only moderately reduce the enormous burden of disease associated with depression.1 Prevention of the transition from subthreshold depression to a full-blown disorder is therefore highly needed. Offering accessible and affordable preventive interventions at a large scale, such as web-based interventions, could be an indispensa...
Source: Evidence-Based Mental Health - January 19, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Bolier, L., Boon, B. Tags: Electronic pages Source Type: research
Pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of adults with ADHD: a meta-review
In conclusion, while available evidence addressed mainly the efficacy and tolerability of psychostimulants and non-psychostimulants for ADHD core symptoms in the short term, we still need further empirical support for the non-pharmacological and multimodal treatments. A comprehensive evidence-informed hierarchy of ADHD drugs based on their efficacy and tolerability is not yet available but it should be the next research priority in the field. (Source: Evidence-Based Mental Health)
Source: Evidence-Based Mental Health - January 19, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: De Crescenzo, F., Cortese, S., Adamo, N., Janiri, L. Tags: Editor's choice Clinical reviews Source Type: research
More ACTIONS needed to reach a consensus on adjunctive antidepressant therapy for negative symptoms of schizophrenia
ABSTRACT FROM: Barnes TR, Leeson VC, Paton C, et al.. Antidepressant Controlled Trial For Negative Symptoms In Schizophrenia (ACTIONS): a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trial. Health Technol Assess 2016;20:1–46. What is already known on this topic? Persistent negative symptoms which do not respond to antipsychotic regimens are experienced by 15–20% of patients with schizophrenia.1 Antidepressants have been the most studied augmentation strategy in these patients;2 however, previous findings are inconsistent in terms of their potential benefits. Methods of the study In this double-blind, p...
Source: Evidence-Based Mental Health - January 19, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Akhondzadeh, S., Moazen-Zadeh, E. Tags: Electronic pages Source Type: research
Disruptive behaviour may hinder the acquisition of daily living skills for youth with autism spectrum disorder
ABSTRACT FROM: Scahill L, Bearss K, Lecavalier L, et al.. Effect of parent training on adaptive behavior in children with autism spectrum disorder and disruptive behavior: results of a randomized trial. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2016;55:602–9. What is already known on this topic Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by impaired social communication and restricted/repetitive behaviours.1 Although arguably less cited, delayed adaptive functioning and disruptive behaviours are also considered hallmark features of this disorder. Parent training (PT) is a common treatment f...
Source: Evidence-Based Mental Health - January 19, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Laugeson, E. A. Tags: Electronic pages Source Type: research
Prevention of depression and anxiety: is the whole better than the sum of the parts?
ABSTRACT FROM: Stockings EA, Degenhardt L, Dobbins L, et al.. Preventing depression and anxiety in young people: a review of the joint efficacy of universal, selective and indicated prevention. Psychological Medicine 2016;46:11–26. What is already known on this topic Depression and anxiety in young people are major causes of disability. There is potential for prevention by using effective treatment strategies for the disorders, but previously effects for depression and anxiety have not been aggregated. In this paper, the combined effects of prevention programmes on depression and anxiety are examined. Methods of the ...
Source: Evidence-Based Mental Health - January 19, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Merry, S., Hetrick, S. Tags: Electronic pages Source Type: research
