Beck Depression Inventory Research Articles

Prevalence of restless genital syndrome and its impact on quality of life in women with restless legs syndrome

ABSTRACT Background Restless genital syndrome (RGS), also known as persistent genital arousal disorder, is a distressing condition characterized by unwanted genital arousal in the absence of sexual desire. This study explores the prevalence of RGS in women with restless legs syndrome (RLS), investigates the associated psychological impacts, and assesses the overall effect on quality of life. Methods This retrospective study included 69 female patients who were diagnosed with RLS at two university medical centers. Data were collected via the RGS diagnostic form, Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and WHOQOL-BREF quality of life scale. Statistical analyses were used to assess the correlation between RGS and psychological health measures. Results Approximately 44.9% of the participants with RLS also reported symptoms of RGS. Significant findings included increased nighttime and rest-related exacerbation of RGS symptoms. Compared with those without RGS, participants with RGS presented significantly higher anxiety and depression scores. Moreover, RGS significantly impacted physical health and social relationships, as indicated by lower WHOQOL-BREF scores. Conclusion This study highlights a significant overlap between RGS and RLS, with substantial impacts on psychological well-being and quality of life. These findings underscore the importance of considering RGS in the clinical management of RLS, suggesting a need for integrated treatment strategies to address both the neurological and the psychological aspects of these conditions.

The impact of acupuncture on the brain function of patients with mild to moderate major depressive disorder: a randomized controlled trial protocol

IntroductionMajor depressive disorder (MDD) is a common mental disease that significantly impact the daily lives of those affected. Acupuncture has shown promising therapeutic effects in the treatment of MDD, but its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to evaluate the influence of acupuncture on the brain function of patients with MDD and it’s therapeutic effects on MDD.MethodsThis study plans to recruit 112 participants, who will be randomly allocated to either the acupuncture group or the sham acupuncture group in a 1:1 ratio. Both groups will undergo 8 weeks of treatment, consisting of three sessions per week, with each session lasting for 30 min. A follow-up period of 3 months will be conducted after the treatment. Assessments will be conducted at weeks 0, 8, 12, 16, and 20 in this study. The primary outcome measure will be functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) brain imaging, while secondary outcome measures will include Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), 36-Item Short Form Survey Instrument (SF-36), Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome score scale, and symptom elimination rate.DiscussionWhile acupuncture has been confirmed to have a certain degree of therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of MDD, research on the mechanisms underlying acupuncture’s treatment of MDD remains limited, particularly with regards to its impact on the brain function of individuals with MDD. This study aims to explore both the clinical effectiveness and treatment mechanisms of acupuncture for MDD, with a specific focus on its influence on brain function. This research endeavors to provide new insights into the potential of acupuncture as a therapeutic approach for the treatment of MDD in the future.Trial Registrationwww.chictr.org.cn, ID: ChiCTR2300076292. Registered on 28 September 2023.

Assessing cognitive impairment in chronic pain: a cross-sectional study with healthy controls

Purpose The aim of this study is to clarify inconsistencies in the literature regarding the neuropsychological impact of chronic pain and determine how pain catastrophizing and pain intensity may explain cognitive impairment. Methods This cross-sectional study involved 30 participants with chronic primary musculoskeletal pain and 30 healthy controls without pain. The instruments used were the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, the Visual Analogue Scale, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory–II, the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, the Stroop Test, and the Working Memory Index of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. Results Chronic pain patients showed slight cognitive impairments in selective attention, sustained attention, working memory, problem solving, planning, abstract reasoning, inhibition, and resistance to interference. The data also indicate that higher levels of pain catastrophizing and pain intensity were independently associated with greater cognitive impairment in patients with pain, specifically in attention and executive functioning. Additionally, the interaction between these pain-related variables predicted further cognitive impairment. Conclusions This research has contributed to establishing the neuropsychological profile of patients with chronic primary musculoskeletal pain and reinforces evidence of the impact of chronic pain on cognition. These findings may help guide the design of programs aimed at improving cognitive performance.

Measuring the outcomes of support provided to people after a suicide or other sudden bereavement: A scoping review

Systematic collection of outcome measures within suicide bereavement support is vital in building the sector’s evidence base. However, there is currently limited understanding around the appropriate and sensitive use of outcome measures. Following the scoping review methodology, a literature review was undertaken to map how programs and interventions that assist individuals bereaved by suicide or other sudden, traumatic deaths gather outcome measures. The search strategy identified 1145 papers, of which 49 met the inclusion criteria. The review identified many ways that outcomes are captured, with custom tools being commonplace. Among standardized tools, the Grief Experience Questionnaire (GEQ) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) emerged as frequently used. Most articles provided some form of justification for their chosen outcome measure methodology, often citing psychometric robustness over consideration of the impact on service users. The review underscores the need for careful consideration when selecting outcome measure tools or approaches in sudden death bereavement interventions.

Pain beliefs and their relationship with pain, psychological distress and catastrophizing in individuals with Parkinson’s disease

ABSTRACT In Parkinson’s disease (PD), a large number of individuals are confronted with pain. This issue has been receiving increasing attention in literature in recent years, as the complexity of pain in this disease makes its evaluation and treatment challenging. However, psychological variables related to the pain experience have received limited attention, especially when it comes to the exploration of beliefs regarding pain which, to our knowledge, remains unexplored in PD. Pain beliefs are defined as a subset of a patient’s belief system which represents a personal understanding of the pain experience. Four dimensions of pain beliefs have been isolated in literature: mystery, pain permanence, pain constancy and self-blame. Thus, the goal of this study was first to describe pain beliefs in individuals with PD and second, to explore the relationships between pain beliefs and clinical and psychological variables. One hundred and sixty-nine international individuals with PD completed an online survey with socio-demographic and medical data. Participants completed self-report instruments to assess their pain (King’s Parkinson’s Disease Pain Questionnaire, McGill Pain Questionnaire and Brief Pain Inventory), psychological distress (Beck Depression Inventory, short-form and Parkinson Anxiety Scale), pain catastrophizing (Pain Catastrophizing Scale) and pain beliefs catastrophizing (Pain Beliefs and Perception Inventory). The study’s findings revealed that most participants’ beliefs are marked by the dimension of permanence, suggesting that individuals with PD perceive the pain experience as chronic and enduring. Meanwhile, pain is minimally perceived as constant, mysterious, or a source of guilt. Our finding concerning the permanence dimension deserves specific attention: even though this belief is prevalent in our population, it is not, or only weakly, associated with an impact on mood or pain catastrophizing. These results bring forth several hypotheses for understanding, highlighting the role of acceptance, and offer new perspectives toward improving clinical practices in terms of assessing and managing pain in PD.

Phase 2b program with sonlicromanol in patients with mitochondrial disease due to m.3243A>G mutation.

Mitochondrial disease is a group of rare conditions, with no approved treatment to date, except for Leber hereditary optic neuropathy. Therapeutic options to alleviate the symptoms of mitochondrial disease are urgently needed. Sonlicromanol is a promising candidate, as it positively alters the key metabolic and inflammatory pathways associated with mitochondrial disease. Sonlicromanol is a reductive and oxidative distress modulator, selectively inhibiting microsomal prostaglandin E1 synthase activity. This Phase 2b program, aiming at evaluating sonlicromanol in adults with m.3243A>G mutation and primary mitochondrial disease, consisted of a randomized controlled (RCT) study (dose-selection) followed by a 52-week open-label extension study (EXT, long-term tolerability, safety, and efficacy of sonlicromanol). Patients were randomized (1:1:1) to receive 100- or 50-mg sonlicromanol, or placebo twice daily (bid) for 28 days with ≥2-week wash-out period between treatments. Patients who completed the RCT study entered the EXT study wherein they received 100-mg sonlicromanol bid. Overall, 27 patients were randomized (24 RCT patients completed all periods). 15 patients entered the EXT, and 12 patients were included in the EXT analysis set. All patients reported good tolerability and favourable safety, with pharmacokinetic results comparable to the earlier Phase 2a study. The RCT primary endpoint (change from placebo in the attentional domain of cognition score [IDN: visual identification, Cogstate]) did not reach statistical significance. Using a categorisation of the subject's period baseline a treatment effect over placebo was observed if their baseline was more affected (p=0.0338). Using this approach, there were signals of improvements over placebo in at least one dose in the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI, p=0.0143), Cognitive Failure Questionnaire (CFQ, p=0.0113), and the Depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (p=0.0256). Statistically and/or clinically meaningful improvements were observed in the patient- and clinician-reported outcome measures at the end of the EXT study (Test of attentional performance [TAP] with alarm, p=0.0102; TAP without alarm, p=0.0047; BDI somatic, p=0.0261; BDI Total, p=0.0563; SF12 physical component score, p=0.0008). Seven of nine domains of RAND-Short form-36 like SF-36 pain improved (p=0.0105). Other promising results were observed in Neuro QoL-Fatigue-SF (p=0.0036), MiniBESTest (p=0.0009), McGill Pain Questionnaire (p=0.0105), EQ-5D-5L-VAS (p=0.0213) and EQ-5D-5L-index (p=0.0173). Most patients showed improvement in the 5× sit-to-stand test. Sonlicromanol was well-tolerated and demonstrated a favourable benefit/risk ratio for up to one year. Sonlicromanol was efficacious in patients when affected at baseline, as seen across a variety of clinically relevant domains. Long-term treatment showed more pronounced changes from baseline.

Investigating the impact of Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety symptoms in female victims of domestic violence.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of CPT on PTSD, depression, and anxiety symptoms in female victims of domestic violence. A two-arm randomized clinical trial was conducted in Bandar-Abbas involving 62 female victims of domestic violence referred from private gynecology and obstetrics clinics. Initial screening for domestic violence was based on the World Health Organization violence questionnaire. Participants were randomly assigned to either a control group (n=32) or an intervention group (n=28) for a study duration of six months in 2022. Twelve group CPT sessions were conducted. The domestic violence questionnaire, Beck's Depression Inventory, Beck's Anxiety Inventory, and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised were completed in three time points: pre-test, post-test, and follow-up. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean scores of depression, PTSD, and domestic violence (P less than .001) between the two groups; however, no significant difference was found in anxiety scores (P greater than .050). CPT is recommended for female victims of domestic violence to reduce symptoms of depression, PTSD, and domestic violence.

Focused Ultrasound Pallidothalamic Tractotomy in Cervical Dystonia: A Pilot Study.

No clinical trials have been reported on the use of focused ultrasound (FUS) for treating cervical dystonia. We aimed to confirm the efficacy and safety of FUS pallidothalamic tractotomy for cervical dystonia. This was a prospective, open-label, non-controlled pilot study. The primary outcome was defined as a change in the score for the Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS) from baseline to 6 months after FUS pallidothalamic tractotomy. The secondary outcomes included a change in the neck scale for the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS), mood scales including Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Apathy Evaluating Scale (AES), and adverse events. Patients were assessed for TWSTRS, BFMDRS, and adverse events at baseline, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after treatment. BDI, BAI, and AES were assessed at baseline and 6 months after treatment. Ten patients were enrolled in this study. The mean age of onset of dystonia was 51.6 ± 10.2 years. The TWSTRS at 6 months (29.9 ± 16.0, range: 3-55) was significantly improved by 43.4% (P < 0.001) from baseline. The BFMDRS-Neck scales at 6 months (4.2 ± 2.8) were significantly improved by 38.2% (P < 0.001) from baseline. The BDI, BAI, and AES at 6 months were improved by 23.2%, 10.9%, and 30.3%, respectively from baseline. Reduced hand dexterity in three patients and weight gain in two patients were confirmed at the last evaluation. This study suggests that FUS pallidothalamic tractotomy may be an effective treatment option for patients with cervical dystonia. © 2024 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Depressive symptoms and quality of life in patients with benign essential blepharospasm under long-term therapy with botulinum toxin.

Regular and long-term injections of botulinum toxin (BoNT) are considered the first line therapy for essential blepharospasm (BEB), but no data exists on the long-term effect of this therapy on depressive symptoms and quality of life. This study aims to prospectively evaluate the long-term effects of BoNT therapy on depressive symptoms as well as on daily activities, emotional well-being and quality of life using validated questionnaires (BEB-scale, Beck`s Depression Inventory (BDI)). 86 patients diagnosed with BEB were followed up for a median of 4 years. Clinical symptoms improved significantly after BoNT-injections. Everyday activities and subjective assessment of the overall situation improved gradually under long-term BoNT therapy. Significant correlations (p < 0.0001; r-values between 0.498 and 0.706) were found between the BDI and items of the BEB-scale. No significant antidepressive effect of long-term BoNT therapy was found with a low median BDI total score (5/max. 63), but up to 31.3% of BEB patients had a BDI score ≥ 11, indicating clinically relevant depressive symptoms. Of these, 65.4% had no known history of depression. Although, several studies reported an antidepressant effect of botulinum toxin injections in patients with major depression, this effect does not seem to be present in patients with BEB despite clinical improvement of symptoms. A high prevalence of previously undetected depressive symptoms was found in BEB patients. As this may influence BoNT therapy success, identifying potential depressive symptoms at the time of BEB diagnosis and initiating appropriate treatment seems important.

Syncope in Migraine: A Genome-Wide Association Study Revealing Distinct Genetic Susceptibility Variants Across Subtypes.

Syncope is characterized by the temporary loss of consciousness and is commonly associated with migraine. However, the genetic factors that contribute to this association are not well understood. This study investigated the specific genetic loci that make patients with migraine more susceptible to syncope as well as the genetic factors contributing to syncope and migraine comorbidity in a Han Chinese population in Taiwan. A genome-wide association study was applied to 1,724 patients with migraine who visited a tertiary hospital in Taiwan. The patients were genotyped using the Affymetrix Axiom Genome-Wide TWB 2.0 array and categorized into the following subgroups based on migraine type: episodic migraine, chronic migraine, migraine with aura, and migraine without aura. Multivariate regression analyses were used to assess the relationships between specific single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the clinical characteristics in patients with syncope and migraine comorbidity. In patients with migraine, SNPs were observed to be associated with syncope. In particular, the rs797384 SNP located in the intron region of LOC102724945 was associated with syncope in all patients with migraine. Additionally, four SNPs associated with syncope susceptibility were detected in the nonmigraine control group, and these SNPs differed from those in the migraine group, suggesting distinct underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, the rs797384 variant in the intron region of LOC102724945 was associated with the score on the Beck Depression Inventory. The novel genetic loci identified in this study will improve our understanding of the genetic basis of syncope and migraine comorbidity.

Evaluation of Anxiety, Depression, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Female and Male Patients With Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes

Introduction: Depending on the disease’s stage, type 2 diabetes can impact anxiety, depression, and health-related quality of life. This study aimed to compare the health-related quality of life, anxiety, and depression of men and women recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes to that of healthy controls. Methods: There were 100 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients (50 females and 50 males), as well as 100 healthy controls (50 females and 50 males). Each participant receives three questionnaires: the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Results: Compared to controls, patients’ scores on the SF-36 for total, physical, and mental health were lower for both genders. Compared to controls, the female patients’ BAI and BDI scores were greater. Both male and female diabetes patients had a negative correlation between their SF-36 total score and fasting plasma glucose. Additionally, the female patients’ fasting plasma glucose and BDI score showed a positive correlation. Conclusions: In both genders, patients with recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes had a lower health-related quality of life compared to controls. However, the anxiety and depression levels of only female diabetic patients worsened when compared to controls. We suggest considering gender differences in the symptomatology of anxiety and depression among newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients to develop more effective ways to manage their condition, such as comprehensive and early intervention.

A holistic intervention for alleviating anxiety, depression, and fatigue in cervical cancer

ObjectiveEvaluate how well an intervention program reduces anxiety, depression, and fatigue. MethodsThe study was carried out at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education in a hospital in Lebanon. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted with 30 patients undergoing radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Participants were randomized into two groups of 15 each using an approach for comprehensive enumeration sampling. The Zung Anxiety Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and Fatigue Scale were among the research instruments. The study approach involved counseling, home care, and the Progressive Muscle Relaxation technique. ResultsBoth groups had comparable sociodemographic and clinical profiles. The study comprised 30 participants, averaging 32 years in the experimental group and 28 years in the control group. Most of the participants were married (74 % experimental, 60 % control), with a significant proportion identified as housewives (87 % control, 60 % experimental). In addition, many had limited education, with 74 % of the experimental group and 67 % of the control group below the primary level. The intervention group, which received counseling, home care and Progressive Muscle Relaxation, experienced significantly greater reductions in anxiety, depression, and fatigue, with p-values below 0.001 for all variables. Statistical analyzes, including paired and independent t-tests, confirmed these findings. ConclusionsThe therapeutic program significantly reduced anxiety, depression, and fatigue in patients undergoing cancer treatment, with p-values less than 0.001. These findings highlight the importance of tailored support, suggesting that integrating such interventions into standard care can improve patients’ mental and emotional well-being

The relation of cluster headache to alexithymia, depression, and anxiety.

The pathophysiology of cluster headaches (CHs) involves the trigeminovascular system, the parasympathetic nervous system, and the hypothalamus. Because of the affected hypothalamus, there may be limbic system involvement in CH. To investigate the relationship between depression, anxiety, and alexithymia in CH, to demonstrate that the limbic system is affected. A total of 18 patients with CHs who were outside of cluster period and 18 healthy controls were included. Participants were administered the Beck depression inventory (BDI), Beck anxiety inventory (BAI), and Toronto alexithymia scale-20 (TAS-20). Patients with CHs had significantly higher rates of alexithymia (p = 0.003) and depression (p = 0.014) than controls. There was no significant difference in anxiety levels (p = 0.297) between groups. It was shown that, in addition to previously identified psychiatric disorders, alexithymia can accompany CHs in patients.

Association of bone turnover markers and craving reduction in patients with alcohol use disorder during withdrawal: Exploring the role of bone-brain axis.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is associated with imbalanced bone turnover and psychological symptoms, but the relationship between bone and brain remains unclear. The study analyzed serum levels of a bone formation marker, procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), and bone resorption marker, C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-1), in AUD patients before and after 2 weeks of alcohol withdrawal and investigated their correlation with psychological symptoms. Ninety patients with AUD and 117 healthy controls were recruited. P1NP and CTX-1 levels were measured using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. The Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were assessed in the AUD group at baseline, week 1, and week 2 of withdrawal. Baseline CTX-1 levels, along with the CTX-1/P1NP and P1NP/CTX-1 ratio, were higher in the AUD group than controls. Over the 2-week withdrawal, PACS, BDI, and BAI scores demonstrated significant reductions. P1NP (p < 0.001) and P1NP/CTX-1 ratio increased (p < 0.001), while CTX-1/P1NP ratio decreased (p < 0.001), indicating a propensity toward bone formation. Univariate analysis revealed that reductions in PACS, BDI, and BAI scores during withdrawal correlated with increased P1NP levels and decreased CTX-1/P1NP ratios. However, multivariate analysis indicated that only PACS score reductions correlated with these changes. Bone metabolism shifted toward increased bone formation and decreased bone resorption during 2-week alcohol withdrawal. The correlation between improvements in bone turnover markers and reduction in craving scores during withdrawal supports the concept of the bone-brain axis.

Association between CD20+ T lymphocytes and neuropsychological findings in multiple sclerosis.

CD20+ T lymphocytes are a subset of circulating T cells presenting the CD20+ receptor, a molecular marker of B lineage. CD20+ T lymphocytes are thought to play a pivotal role in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathology, especially at progressive stages. We aimed to investigate the correlation between CD20+ T lymphocytes and neuropsychological features (i.e., cognition, depression, anxiety, fatigue, and sleep quality) in MS patients. We enrolled 90 MS patients. Each patient underwent cognitive assessment (Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis) and psychometric assessment (modified Fatigue Impact Scale, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index). Cognitive status was defined through the cerebral functional score. Forty-four of 90 patients were relapsing-remitting (49%) and 46 were progressive patients (51%). Seventy patients (18.9%) showed CD20+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood with a mean level of 0.38 ± 1.2%. Patients with CD20+ T lymphocytes were more likely to be at progressive phases (76.5% vs. 23.5%, p = 0.02) and showed a higher Expanded Disability Status Scale score (median [range] = 6.0 [1.5-7.5] vs. 3.5 [1-7.5], p = 0.001). Moreover, patients with CD20+ T lymphocytes showed worse cognitive functioning (p = 0.004), higher global fatigue symptoms (p = 0.02), higher cognitive fatigue (p = 0.01), higher psychosocial fatigue (p = 0.005), and a trend toward worse sleep quality (p = 0.06). The presence of CD20+ T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of MS patients was associated with worse neuropsychological functioning and progressive disease stages. Peripheral CD20+ T lymphocytes could potentially serve as markers for both disease progression and development of fatigue in MS patients.

Psychometric evaluation of the persian version of Existential Concern Questionnaire (ECQ) in Iranian general population: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundExistential anxiety is the anxiety that goes beyond objective threats and is related to a person’s existence. Due to the lack of appropriate instrument to measure all five domains of existential anxiety in the Iranian population, this study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Existential Concern Questionnaire (ECQ) in the Iranian general population.MethodsThis online cross-sectional survey was conducted from October 9 to December 11, 2023 in Tehran, Iran. We used an Internet-based data collection method. A total of 549 participants completed the questionnaires. The research instruments included the Existential Concern Questionnaire, Existential Anxiety Questionnaire, Meaning in Life Questionnaire, Short version of the Beck Depression Inventory, Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale-12, and Death Attitude Profile Revised. Confirmatory factor analysis, convergent validity, and concurrent validity were used to measure the validity of ECQ. Cronbach’s alpha and split-half methods were employed to assess the reliability of the ECQ.ResultsConfirmatory factor analysis showed a good fit of the unidimensional model (CMIN/DF: 2.802, RMR: 0.066, GFI: 0.914, NFI: 0.911, CFI: 0.941, PNFI: 0.769, PCFI: 0.794, RMSEA: 0.057). Also, the correlation of ECQ with other variables was as expected except for the search for meaning in life (r: 0.010, P = 0.808), which indicates the validity of this questionnaire. The reliability of the questionnaire was also acceptable (Cronbach’s Alpha: 0.935).ConclusionsThe results supported the validity and reliability of the ECQ. The mentioned questionnaire can be used in Iranian general population. Considering the importance of existential anxiety in etiology of some disorders, it is suggested that the future studies focus on validation of the ECQ in different clinical samples and cultures.

Evaluation of a probiotic blend on psychosocial health and biomarkers of inflammatory, immune and stress response in adults with subthreshold depression: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

This study examined the efficacy of a probiotic in reducing depressive symptom severity in people with subthreshold depression. In a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial, a probiotic (1 × 10^9 live cells per strain: Limosilactobacillus fermentum LF16 (DSM26956), Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LR06 (DSM21981), Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LP01 (LMG P-21021) and Bifidobacterium longum 04 (DSM23233)) or placebo was taken daily for 12 weeks. Data were collected at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks including psychological symptom severity (Beck Depression Inventory, BDI; Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ; Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, HADS; and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale, DASS). Biomarkers of glycaemia, inflammation (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, hs-CRP), antioxidant status (total glutathione (GSH)) and stress (cortisol awakening response, CAR) were also measured. Thirty-nine participants (nineteen probiotic;twenty placebo) were enrolled. There were no significant between-group differences in the examined psychological symptom severity scores, despite certain significant within-group changes observed in both groups from baseline to 6 and/or 12 weeks of follow-up. Regarding biomarkers, the probiotic group showed reduced hs-CRP (-1520; 95 % CI -273·7, -2766·2 ng/dl) and CAR (-0·28; 95 % CI -0·05, -0·51 μg/dl) at 12 weeks, but increased total GSH (3·9; 95 % CI 0·1, 7·5 ng/dl) at 6 weeks, compared with the placebo. The current study reported favourable decreases in depressive symptoms in both groups. Although the within-group changes observed in the probiotic group were supported by favourable inflammatory, antioxidant status and stress biomarker changes compared with the placebo, further research is required to shed more light on the role of gut microbiota modulation on emotional regulation.

Suicidal ideations: The role of emotional intelligence and hopelessness among police in Malaysia

Suicide has become an alarming phenomenon among the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) with reported cases showing an increase each year. This cross-sectional study examines the association between depression, emotional intelligence (EI), hopelessness, and the prediction of suicidal ideation among police officers in Malaysia. A total of 2,508 police officers in 15 police contingents and the Royal Malaysia Police Head Quarters completed the questionnaires. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to measure depression, and the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS) was employed to calculate overall emotional intelligence. The hopelessness variable was measured via the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS). The Revised Suicide Ideation Scale (R-SIS) was used to measure the tendency and severity of suicidal intention. The data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29.0. The study found that emotional intelligence showed a significant negative correlation with suicidal ideation. Depression and hopelessness were significantly positively correlated with suicidal ideation. Further analysis using the logistic regression approach (stepwise) revealed that both depression, and hopelessness, were risk factors that influenced suicidal ideation among the police. Mediation analyses show that emotional intelligence and hopelessness act as mediators in the relationship between depression and suicidal ideation. Therefore, mental health professionals can design appropriate prevention and intervention programmes for those with suicidal ideation.

The effectiveness of acupressure on depressive symptoms among nursing students

Background: The post-pandemic period of covid 19, the biggest cause of loss of income for parents of students, this can make students experience distress and depression. Symptoms of depressive disorders in adolescent students will have an impact on almost all activities on campus and will get worse if left untreated. the recommended form of treatment is complementary therapy such as acupressure therapy. Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of acupressure on depressive symptoms among nursing students. Method: Quasi-experiment with pretest-posttest one group design measuring depression using Beck Depression Inventory parameters, sample calculation using the Slovin formula, the number of samples used in this study were 20 participants. Results: The average BDI score before acupressure was 26.80 in the moderate depression category, the average BDI score after acupressure was 19.00 in the mild depression category. The results of the statistical test obtained a p value = 0.001 &lt;0.05 which means that acupressure is effective in reducing depression levels. Conclusion: After undergoing acupressure tonification massage therapy 30 times per session, 3 sessions per week for 4 consecutive weeks, it can reduce the level of depression.

Vitamin C intake, psychological distress and health outcomes in patients with heart failure

Abstract Background Patients with heart failure (HF) have lower dietary vitamin C intake than healthy adults, which may increase oxidative stress and worsen important patient-reported health outcomes (functional status and quality of life [QOL]). Patients with HF are more likely to have higher levels of psychological distress (anxiety and depressive symptoms). However, it is not known whether psychological distress is a link in the association of dietary vitamin C with health outcomes. Objective To examine the inter-relationships among dietary vitamin C intake, psychological distress (anxiety and depressive symptoms), and health outcomes (functional status and QOL) in patients with HF. Method We performed a secondary analysis of baseline data from 206 adults with HF (female: 33%, age: 61±12, NYHA class III/IV: 44%) with complete data on dietary vitamin C intake, anxiety, depressive symptoms, functional status, and QOL. Dietary vitamin C intake was assessed using a 4-day food diary and analyzed using the Nutrition Data System for Research software program. Low dietary vitamin C intake was defined as averaged daily intake below the estimated average requirement (EAR) from the Institute of Medicine of 75 mg/day for men and 60 mg/day for women. Anxiety was assessed using the Brief Symptom Inventory Anxiety subscale. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory II. Functional status was measured using the Duke Activity Status Index. Quality of life was measured using the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire. Linear regression was conducted using the PROCESS macro in SPSS. Results Eighty-four patients (41%) had low dietary vitamin C intake based on the EAR standard. In bivariate analyses, patients with low dietary vitamin C intake had higher levels of anxiety, depressive symptoms, poorer functional status, and worse QOL (all p &amp;lt;.005). In the mediation regression model, low dietary vitamin C intake was directly associated with higher levels of anxiety, but not with depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms were directly associated with functional status and QOL. Dietary vitamin C intake was not directly associated with functional status or QOL. Low dietary vitamin C intake was indirectly associated with poor functional status through higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms (Figure 1). Similarly, low dietary vitamin C intake was indirectly associated with worse QOL (Figure 2). Conclusion Anxiety and depressive symptoms link the relationship between dietary vitamin C intake and functional status and between dietary vitamin C intake and QOL. Our findings highlight the importance of including interventions to enhance diet quality and psychological well-being as part of HF treatment to improve health outcomes.Vitamin C and functional statusVitamin C and quality of life