BackgroundInternet-based cognitive–behavioural therapy (iCBT) is effective for subthreshold depression. However, iCBT has problems with adherence, especially when unaccompanied by human guidance. Knowledge on how to enhance adherence to iCBT without human involvement can contribute to improving the effectiveness of iCBT.ObjectiveThis is an implementation study to examine the effect of an automated chatbot to improve the adherence rate of iCBT.MethodsWe developed a chatbot to increase adherence to an existing iCBT programme, and a randomised controlled trial was conducted with two groups: one group using iCBT plus chatbot (iCBT+chatbot group) and one group not using the chatbot (iCBT group). Participants were full-time employees with subthreshold depression working in Japan (n=149, age mean=41.4 (SD=11.1)). The primary endpoint was the completion rate of the iCBT programme at 8 weeks.FindingsWe analysed data from 142 participants for the primary outcome. The completion rate of the iCBT+chatbot group was 34.8% (24/69, 95% CI 23.5 to 46.0), that of the iCBT group was 19.2% (14/73, 95% CI 10.2 to 28.2), and the risk ratio was 1.81 (95% CI 1.02 to 3.21).ConclusionsCombining iCBT with a chatbot increased participants’ iCBT completion rate.Clinical implicationsEncouraging messages from the chatbot could improve participation in an iCBT programme. Further studies are needed to investigate whether chatbots can improve adherence to the programme in the long term and to assess their impact on depression, anxiety and well-being.Trial registration numberUMIN000047621.

BackgroundMental health services are available for young people involved with the criminal justice system. However, they have unmet mental health needs after the expiration of criminal justice supervision.ObjectiveTo determine the incidence rate and identify predictors of psychiatric hospitalisations within 24 months after the expiration of criminal justice supervision among young people involved with the New South Wales (NSW) criminal justice system.MethodsRetrospective data from 1556 individuals aged 14–22 years who participated in four surveys of justice-involved young people in NSW were harmonised and linked to four NSW data collections. We calculated the incidence rates of psychiatric hospitalisations within 24 months postsupervision and identified predictors of these hospitalisations using a competing risks regression analysis.ResultsWithin 24 months postsupervision, 11.4% had a psychiatric hospitalisation compared with 3.5% during supervision. 20.7% of those admitted had a known history of mental illness and engaged with community-based and outpatient mental health services postsupervision. Predictors of psychiatric hospitalisations were: female sex (adjusted subdistribution HR (asHR) 1.84, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.73); previous incarceration (highest asHR for ≥4 episodes 1.67, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.78); head injury (asHR 1.63, 95% CI 1.20 to 2.21); personality disorder (asHR 3.66, 95% CI 2.06 to 6.48) and alcohol and substance use disorder (asHR 1.89, 95% CI 1.29 to 2.77).ConclusionJustice-involved youth have higher rates of psychiatric admissions after criminal justice supervision. Engagement with mental health services postsupervision is important in addressing emerging or persisting mental health needs.

QuestionWe examined the effect of study characteristics, risk of bias and publication bias on the efficacy of pharmacotherapy in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).Study selection and analysisWe conducted a systematic search of double-blinded, placebo-controlled, short-term RCTs with selective serotonergic reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or clomipramine. We performed a random-effect meta-analysis using change in the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (YBOCS) as the primary outcome. We performed meta-regression for risk of bias, intervention, sponsor status, number of trial arms, use of placebo run-in, dosing, publication year, age, severity, illness duration and gender distribution. Furthermore, we analysed publication bias using a Bayesian selection model.FindingsWe screened 3729 articles and included 21 studies, with 4102 participants. Meta-analysis showed an effect size of −0.59 (Hedges’ G, 95% CI −0.73 to −0.46), equalling a 4.2-point reduction in the YBOCS compared with placebo. The most recent trial was performed in 2007 and most trials were at risk of bias. We found an indication for publication bias, and subsequent correction for this bias resulted in a depleted effect size. In our meta-regression, we found that high risk of bias was associated with a larger effect size. Clomipramine was more effective than SSRIs, even after correcting for risk of bias. After correction for multiple testing, other selected predictors were non-significant.ConclusionsOur findings reveal superiority of clomipramine over SSRIs, even after adjusting for risk of bias. Effect sizes may be attenuated when considering publication bias and methodological rigour, emphasising the importance of robust studies to guide clinical utility of OCD pharmacotherapy.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42023394924.

BackgroundApproximately 30% of patients experience substantial improvement in depression after 2 months without treatment, and 45% with antidepressants. The smallest worthwhile difference (SWD) refers to an intervention’s smallest beneficial effect over a comparison patients deem worthwhile given treatment burdens (harms, expenses and inconveniences), but is undetermined for antidepressants.ObjectiveEstimating the SWD of commonly prescribed antidepressants for depression compared to no treatment.MethodsThe SWD was estimated as a patient-required difference in response rates between antidepressants and no treatment after 2 months. An online cross-sectional survey using Prolific, MQ Mental Health and Amazon Mechanical Turk crowdsourcing services in the UK and USA between October 2022 and January 2023 garnered participants (N=935) that were a mean age of 44.1 (SD=13.9) and 66% women (n=617).FindingsOf 935 participants, 124 reported moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms but were not in treatment, 390 were in treatment and 495 reported absent-to-mild symptoms with or without treatment experiences. The median SWD was a 20% (IQR=10–30%) difference in response rates for people with moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms, not in treatment, and willing to consider antidepressants, and 25% (IQR=10–35%) for the full sample.ConclusionsOur observed SWDs mean that the current 15% antidepressant benefit over no treatment was sufficient for one in three people to accept antidepressants given the burdens, but two in three expected greater treatment benefits.ImplicationsWhile a minority may be satisfied with the best currently available antidepressants, more effective and/or less burdensome medications are needed, with more attention given to patient perspectives.

BackgroundHypersexuality (HS) accompanying neurological conditions remains poorly characterized despite profound psychosocial impacts.ObjectiveWe aimed to systematically review the literature on HS in patients with neurological disorders.Study selection and analysisWe conducted a systematic review to identify studies that reported HS in neurological disorders. HS was defined as a condition characterized by excessive and persistent preoccupation with sexual thoughts, urges, and behaviors that cause significant distress or impairment in personal, social, or occupational functioning. Data on demographics, assessment techniques, associated elements, phenotypic manifestations, and management strategies were also extracted.FindingsThe final analysis included 79 studies on HS, encompassing 32 662 patients across 81 cohorts with neurological disorders. Parkinson's disease was the most frequently studied condition (55.6%), followed by various types of dementia (12.7%). Questionnaires were the most common assessment approach for evaluating HS, although the techniques varied substantially. Alterations in the dopaminergic pathways have emerged as contributing mechanisms based on the effects of medication cessation. However, standardized treatment protocols still need to be improved, with significant heterogeneity in documented approaches. Critical deficiencies include risks of selection bias in participant sampling, uncontrolled residual confounding factors, and lack of blinded evaluations of reported outcomes.Conclusions and clinical implicationsDespite growth in the last decade, research on HS remains limited across neurological conditions, with lingering quality and methodological standardization deficits. Key priorities include advancing assessment tools, elucidating the underlying neurobiology, and formulating management guidelines.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42017036478.

BackgroundNew National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance endorses the prescription of statins in larger population groups for the prevention of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality, especially in people with severe mental illness. However, the evidence base for their safety and risk/benefit balance in depression is not established.ObjectivesThis study aims to assess the real-world mortality and adverse events of statins in depressive disorders.MethodsPopulation-based, nationwide (England), between-subject, cohort study. We used electronic health records (QResearch database) of people aged 18–100 years with first-episode depression, registered with English primary care practices over January 1998–August 2020 for 12(+) months, divided into statin users versus non-users.Primary safety outcomes included all-cause mortality and any adverse event measured at 2, 6 and 12 months. Multivariable logistic regression was employed to control for several potential confounders and calculate adjusted ORs (aORs) with 99% CIs.FindingsFrom over 1 050 105 patients with depression (42.64% males, mean age 43.23±18.32 years), 21 384 (2.04%) died, while 707 111 (67.34%) experienced at least one adverse event during the 12-month follow-up. Statin use was associated with lower mortality over 12 months (range aOR2–12months 0.66–0.67, range 99% CI 0.60 to 0.73) and with lower adverse events over 6 months (range aOR2–6months 0.90–0.96, range 99% CI 0.91 to 0.99), but not at 1 year (aOR12months 0.99, 99% CI 0.96 to 1.03). No association with any other individual outcome measure (ie, any other neuropsychiatric symptoms) was identified.ConclusionsWe found no evidence that statin use among people with depression increases mortality or other adverse events.Clinical implicationsOur findings support the safety of updated NICE guidelines for prescribing statins in people with depressive disorders.

BackgroundAlthough lifestyle-based treatment approaches are recommended as important aspects of depression care, the quantitative influence of aggregated healthy lifestyles on depression recurrence and mortality remains unknown.ObjectiveTo investigate the association between healthy lifestyle and the risks of first-time hospitalisation for recurrent depression and mortality.Methods26 164 adults with depression (mean (SD) age, 56.0 (7.9) years) were included from UK Biobank between 2006 and 2010 and followed up until 2022. Depression was defined as a physician’s diagnosis in hospital admissions or the use of prescribed antidepressant medication. A weighted healthy lifestyle score (HLS) was calculated based on smoking, alcohol consumption, diet, sleep pattern, physical activity, social health, employment status and greenspace interaction.FindingsOver a 13.3-year follow-up, 9740 cases of first-time hospitalisation due to depression recurrence and 1527 deaths were documented. Compared with the lowest HLS tertile, the highest tertile was associated with a 27% lower risk (HR=0.73, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.77) of first-time hospitalisation for depression recurrence and a 22% (HR=0.78, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.91) lower risk of mortality among adults with depression. Lower risks of first-time hospitalisation for depression recurrence were observed among those who smoked less, drank more alcohol, followed healthier diets and sleep patterns, spent more time employed in current job or had greater exposure to greenspace.Conclusion and implicationsGreater adherence to healthy lifestyle was associated with a lower risk of hospitalisation and mortality among adults with pre-existing depression. Incorporating behaviour modification as an essential part of clinical practice for depressed patients could complement medication-based therapies.

BackgroundIncreasing data suggest emergent affective symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic.ObjectivesTo study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on affective symptoms and suicidal ideation in Thai adults.MethodsThe Collaborative Outcomes Study on Health and Functioning during Infection Times uses non-probability sampling (chain referring and voluntary response sampling) and stratified probability sampling to identify risk factors of mental health problems and potential treatment targets to improve mental health outcomes during pandemics.FindingsAnalysing 14 271 adult survey participants across all four waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand, covering all 77 provinces from 1 June 2020 to 30 April 2022, affective symptoms and suicidality increased during COVID-19 pandemic. Affective symptoms were strongly predicted by pandemic (feelings of isolation, fear of COVID-19, loss of social support, financial loss, lack of protective devices) and non-pandemic (female sex, non-binary individuals, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), negative life events, student status, multiple mental health and medical conditions, physical pain) risk factors. ACEs, prior mental health conditions and physical pain were the top three risk factors associated with both increased affective symptoms and suicidal ideation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Partial least squares analysis showed that ACEs were the most important risk factor as they impacted most pandemic and non-pandemic risk factors.Clinical implicationsRational policymaking during a pandemic should aim to identify the groups at highest risk (those with ACEs, psychiatric and medical disease, women, non-binary individuals) and implement both immediate and long-term strategies to mitigate the impact of ACEs, while effectively addressing associated psychiatric and medical conditions.

BackgroundMindfulness-based programmes (MBPs) are increasingly offered at work, often in online self-guided format. However, the evidence on MBPs’ effect on work performance (WP) is inconsistent.ObjectiveThis pragmatic randomised controlled feasibility trial assessed procedural uncertainties, intervention acceptability and preliminary effect sizes of an MBP on WP, relative to an alternative intervention.Methods241 employees from eight employers were randomised (1:1) to complete a 4-week, self-guided, online MBP or a light physical exercise programme (LE)(active control). Feasibility and acceptability measures were of primary interest. WP at postintervention (PostInt) was the primary outcome for preliminary assessment of effect sizes. Secondary outcomes assessed mental health (MH) and cognitive processes hypothesised to be targeted by the MBP. Outcomes were collected at baseline, PostInt and 12-week follow-up (12wFUP). Prospective trial protocol: NCT04631302.Findings87% of randomised participants started the course. Courses had high acceptability. Retention rates were typical for online trials (64% PostInt; 30% 12wFUP). MBP, compared with the LE control, offered negligible benefits for WP (PostInt (d=0.06, 95% CI −0.19 to 0.32); 12wFUP (d=0.02, 95% CI −0.30 to 0.26)). Both interventions improved MH outcomes (ds=−0.40 to 0.58, 95% CI −0.32 to 0.18); between-group differences were small (ds=−0.09 to 0.04, 95% CI −0.15 to 0.17).ConclusionThe trial is feasible; interventions are acceptable. Results provide little support for a later phase trial comparing an MBP to a light exercise control. To inform future trials, we summarise procedural challenges.Clinical implicationsResults suggest MBPs are unlikely to improve WP relative to light physical exercise. Although the MBP improved MH, other active interventions may be just as efficacious.Trial registration numberNCT04631302.

BackgroundPost-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) are frequently observed in those who have experienced trauma events like the COVID-19 outbreak. The cognitive model of PTSS highlights the relationship between PTSS and negative interpretation bias.ObjectiveThe present study aimed to modify interpretation bias and to improve PTSS as well as PTSS-related fear.Methods59 participants with high PTSS levels were recruited and randomly allocated to either the interpretation modification programme (IMP) intervention group or the interpretation control condition (ICC) control group. PTSS, negative interpretation bias, fear of COVID-19, and depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed before and after training.FindingsIntention-to-treat analyses showed that compared with ICC, participants receiving IMP generated fewer negative interpretations for ambiguous scenarios, and the group-by-time interaction effect was significant. IMP also illustrated a more significant change in fear after training compared with ICC. Although no effects of training conditions were found on PTSS, the interaction of training conditions with fear reduction could predict PTSS improvement.ConclusionsIMP could improve negative interpretations and fear related to COVID-19 and might help to ameliorate PTSS.Clinical implicationsThe role of PTSS-related emotion should be considered when exploring the effectiveness of IMP. IMP is a flexible approach that can be tailored to the specific characteristics of the traumatic event, which makes it suitable for a broader range of traumatised individuals.