Cognitive-behavioral Program Research Articles

Cognitive-behavioral rehabilitation in patients with cardiovascular diseases: a randomized controlled trial (CBR-CARDIO, DRKS00029295)

BackgroundDepression, generalized and cardiac anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder negatively affect disease severity, participation, and mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease. Psychological treatments within cardiac rehabilitation may improve the outcomes of these patients. We therefore developed a cognitive-behavioral rehabilitation program for patients with cardiovascular disease and mild or moderate mental illness or stress or exhaustion. In Germany, similar programs are well established in musculoskeletal rehabilitation and cancer rehabilitation. However, no randomized controlled trials have evaluated if such programs achieve better outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease compared with standard cardiac rehabilitation.MethodsOur randomized controlled trial compares cognitive-behavioral cardiac rehabilitation with standard cardiac rehabilitation. The cognitive-behavioral program complements standard cardiac rehabilitation with additional psychological and exercise interventions. Both rehabilitation programs last for four weeks. We enroll 410 patients with cardiovascular disease and mild or moderate mental illness or stress or exhaustion aged 18 to 65 years. Half of the individuals are randomly assigned to cognitive-behavioral rehabilitation and the other half to standard cardiac rehabilitation. Our primary outcome is cardiac anxiety 12 months after the end of rehabilitation. Cardiac anxiety is assessed with the German 17-item version of the Cardiac Anxiety Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes cover outcomes assessed by clinical examinations and medical assessments and a range of patient-reported outcome measures.DiscussionThis randomized controlled trial is designed to determine the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral rehabilitation at decreasing cardiac anxiety in patients with cardiovascular disease and mild or moderate mental illness or stress or exhaustion.Trial registrationGerman Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00029295, June 21, 2022).

Effect of Immediate Referral vs a Brief Problem-solving Intervention for Screen-Detected Peripartum Depression

The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening adults for depression in settings with programs in place to ensure receipt of appropriate care. Best practices regarding how to ensure such care are unknown, particularly for pregnant and postpartum persons. To compare the effectiveness of 2 strategies for the initial management of screen-detected peripartum depressive symptoms. This randomized comparative effectiveness trial was performed from February 1, 2018, to June 30, 2020, at the prenatal clinic, postpartum unit, and pediatric clinic within an urban safety-net hospital. Participants included peripartum persons with positive depression screen results. Data were analyzed from July 6, 2020, to September 21, 2022, based on intention to treat. Engagement-focused care coordination (EFCC), which used shared decision-making and motivational techniques to refer patients to outside mental health services, and problem-solving education (PSE), a brief cognitive-behavioral program delivered at the screening site. The primary outcome consisted of severity of depressive symptoms; secondary outcomes included severity of anxiety symptoms and engagement with care, each measured bimonthly over 12 months. Rates of symptom elevations were modeled using negative binomial regression; rates of symptom trajectories were modeled using treatment × time interactions. Among the 230 participants (mean [SD] age, 29.8 [5.8] years), 125 (54.3%) were Black and 101 (43.9%) were Hispanic or Latina. At baseline, 117 participants (50.9%) reported at least moderately severe depressive symptoms (Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology score ≥11), and 56 (24.3%) reported clinically significant anxiety symptoms (Beck Anxiety Inventory score ≥21). Across 6 assessment time points, the mean (SD) number of moderately severe depressive symptom episodes in EFCC was 2.2 (2.2), compared with 2.2 (2.1) in PSE, for an adjusted rate ratio (aRR) of 0.95 (95% CI, 0.77-1.17). The mean (SD) number of anxiety symptom elevations in EFCC was 1.1 (1.8), compared to 1.1 (1.6) in PSE, for an aRR of 0.98 (95% CI, 0.69-1.39). There were significant treatment × time interactions relative to mean depressive symptom scores (-0.34 [95% CI, -0.60 to -0.08]; P = .009 for interaction term), favoring EFCC. There were no differences in engagement with care. In this randomized comparative effectiveness trial, there were no differences in depressive or anxiety symptom burden across comparators; however, the evidence suggested improved depressive symptom trajectory with immediate referral. Further work is necessary to guide approaches to management following depression screening for peripartum persons. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03221556.

Effect of a novel telehealth device for dietary cognitive behavioral intervention in overweight or obesity care

Obesity has become a major public health issue which relate to numerous physical problems and highly comorbid with depression and anxiety. Recently, some studies of technology-based interventions for weight reduction emerged to overcome the barriers from time, cost and distance. Mood component and eating behavior related to obesity are less discussed so far with technology-based intervention though. This pilot study was aimed to investigate the effect of telehealth assisted intervention on weight reduction, mood status, and eating behavior change under a smartphone application (app) with novel 3D food picture recognition and incorporated with cognitive behavioral training programs. Adult aged 30–60 years old with overweight were recruited and randomly assigned to control-first group and intervention-first group. In period 1, control-first group had regular life and intervention-first group underwent app intervention; in period 2, two groups went crossover. Body composition and psychological/behavioral questionnaires were collected at baseline, end of period 1, and end of period 2. Nonparametric statistics was performed for data analyzing. A total of 20 participants were enrolled. In control-first group, there were statistically significant reduction in body weight (− 0.55 kg, p = 0.02) and change of body weight percentage (− 0.6%, p = 0.02) after App use. In intervention-first group, the fat percentage decreased by 0.4% after App use in period 1, and increased by 0.05% in period 2. The integrated crossover data revealed that subjects of App group had significant improvements in mindful eating behavior. This pilot study showed the effectiveness in using CogniNU app for weight control and eating behavior. The difference of short-term and long-term effectiveness of technology-based weight control intervention deserves more investigation in the future.Clinical Trial Registration: ISRCTN16082909.

Influence of Stress to Achievement Motivation and SWB: Basis for a CBT-Based Program

The college years are stressful for many students. Their sources of stress include pressure from academic, family problems, and social, emotional, and physical stressors. Lack of ability to withstand stress leads to new behavioral patterns, resulting in further stress and problems. Thus, the student’s failure to resolve problems causes ongoing emotional conflicts that affect their wellbeing and reduce achievement motivation. This study investigated the relationship of stress on achievement motivation and subjective well-being among twenty-two student scholars from the De La Salle University in Manila and Laguna, Philippines. Using quantitative correlational research design, three assessment tools were used to measure the variables: Revised-Achievement Motivation Scale, Satisfaction with Life Scale [SWLS], and Positive Affect-Negative Affect Scale [PANAS]. The Stress data was culled from the SAS1000 Course Module containing a Stress Test. Data analysis revealed a nonsignificant and positive relationship between stress and achievement motivation (r=.093; P=.681); a significant negative relationship between stress and satisfaction with life (r=-.474; P=.026), a nonsignificant negative relationship between stress and Positive Affect (r=-.056; P=.805); and a nonsignificant positive relationship between stress and Negative Affect (r= .178; P=.428). Findings showed that the student scholars’ stress is significantly related to satisfaction with life which is the cognitive component of SWB. These data will serve as a basis for developing a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-based program for the Student Scholars.

The effectiveness of a cognitive behavioral counseling program in improving the level of social skills and reducing isolation behaviors among university students

Introduction. Social skills are considered an influential factor in the adaptation of individuals and their enjoyment of mental health, and the lack of these skills negatively affects the individual’s various performances: professional, academic, family, and societal, which may lead individuals to isolation, introversion and a feeling of inferiority and inferiority. Cognitivebehavioral therapy contributes to developing communication skills, training to solve problems in an effective manner, and reducing behavioral problems in particular, represented by isolation and introversion. The current study aimed at investigating the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral counseling program in improving the level of social skills and reducing isolation behaviors among university students. Study participants and methods. The study sample consisted of (24) first-year students who obtained high scores on the isolation scale and low scores on the social skills scale used in the current study. The study sample was divided into two groups: an experimental group (n=12), and its members received a group counseling program based on cognitive behavioral therapy for a period of (7) weeks, with two sessions per week, and a control group (n=12) students, whose individuals did not receive the cognitive behavioral counseling program. The performance of members of the experimental and control groups was measured on the social skills scale and the isolation scale pre and post the counseling intervention. Results. The results of the study showed the effectiveness of the counseling program in improving the level of social skills and reducing isolation behaviors in favor of the members of the experimental group. The results of the study showed that there were significant statistical difference between the experimental group and the control group in the post-measurement of the social skills (p=0.04) and the isolation behaviors (p=0.05) in favor of the experimental group who received the cognitive behavioral training program. Based on these results, the researcher recommends working on developing and building counseling programs aimed at improving the level of social skills and reducing Isolation on the basis of other therapeutic and counseling approaches, such as narrative therapy, emotion-centered therapy, and psychological drama, and work on building counseling programs targeting parents and families with the aim of educating parents and teachers about the importance of developing social skills, and the seriousness of the shortcomings of those social skills. Practical significance. This study investigated the effectiveness of a cognitive behavioral program on improving social skills and reducing isolation behaviors among university students. The significance of this study stems from providing an interventional procedure that might improve the social skills and the adjustment of a significant category in the community, which is the youth category in higher education institutions.

The effectiveness of a сognitive behavioral counseling program in improving the level of social skills and reducing isolation behaviors among university students

Introduction. Social skills are considered an influential factor in the adaptation of individuals and their enjoyment of mental health, and the lack of these skills negatively affects the individual’s various performances: professional, academic, family, and societal, which may lead individuals to isolation, introversion and a feeling of inferiority and inferiority. Cognitive-behavioral therapy contributes to developing communication skills, training to solve problems in an effective manner, and reducing behavioral problems in particular, represented by isolation and introversion. The current study aimed at investigating the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral counseling program in improving the level of social skills and reducing isolation behaviors among university students. Study participants and methods. The study sample consisted of (24) first-year students who obtained high scores on the isolation scale and low scores on the social skills scale used in the current study. The study sample was divided into two groups: an experimental group (n=12), and its members received a group counseling program based on cognitive behavioral therapy for a period of (7) weeks, with two sessions per week, and a control group (n=12) students, whose individuals did not receive the cognitive behavioral counseling program. The performance of members of the experimental and control groups was measured on the social skills scale and the isolation scale pre and post the counseling intervention. Results. The results of the study showed the effectiveness of the counseling program in improving the level of social skills and reducing isolation behaviors in favor of the members of the experimental group. The results of the study showed that there were significant statistical difference between the experimental group and the control group in the post-measurement of the social skills (p=0.04) and the isolation behaviors (p=0.05) in favor of the experimental group who received the cognitive behavioral training program. Based on these results, the researcher recommends working on developing and building counseling programs aimed at improving the level of social skills and reducing Isolation on the basis of other therapeutic and counseling approaches, such as narrative therapy, emotion-centered therapy, and psychological drama, and work on building counseling programs targeting parents and families with the aim of educating parents and teachers about the importance of developing social skills, and the seriousness of the shortcomings of those social skills. Practical significance. This study investigated the effectiveness of a cognitive behavioral program on improving social skills and reducing isolation behaviors among university students. The significance of this study stems from providing an interventional procedure that might improve the social skills and the adjustment of a significant category in the community, which is the youth category in higher education institutions.

I-TREAT: Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED) in Danish Adolescents and Adults – Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

IntroductionEating disorders severely impair psychosocial functioning, physical health, and quality of life. In particular, Anorexia Nervosa has the highest mortality rate among all psychiatric diseases. Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders have the highest lifetime prevalence with weighted means of 7.64% for women. Eating disorders are considered hard-to-treat, and studies have indicated that people suffering from eating disorders prefer low-threshold interventions compared to traditional mental health care. International studies show promising results of internet-based interventions for Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders.ObjectivesTo test the effectiveness of an internet-based psychologist-guided cognitive behavioral treatment program (I-TREAT) to reduce eating disorder symptoms in Danish adolescents and adults with Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders.MethodsThis study is a randomized controlled trial with two arms: 1) an intervention group and 2) an active control group. Participants are adolescents from the age of 15 or above, as well as adults, diagnosed with Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders. The intervention group receives the I-TREAT program while the control group receives self-guided mindfulness exercises. I-TREAT comprises 12 text-based treatment sessions with psychoeducation and treatment-related tasks, based on cognitive behavioral therapy and elements of compassion-focused therapy. The treatment duration is approximately 12 to 36 weeks. Videos, pictures, and animations support the treatment content and the program is accessible by web-browser and app. A specialist in eating disorders guides the patient through treatment with task-related feedback and asynchronous written communication. Patients will answer questionnaires regarding eating disorder symptoms, quality of life, and motivational states before, during, and after treatment, with follow-up measures at 3, 6, and 12 months. We expect to include 63 patients to each group and commence recruitment in August 2023. Preliminary results from a feasibility study on I-TREAT show good evaluations from clinicians and patients (N=30).ResultsNo results have yet been obtained. The results will be submitted to international scientific journals and presented at conferences.ConclusionsThe internet-based cognitive behavioral treatment program I-TREAT may be a promising tool for effectively treating adolescents and adults with Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders in Denmark.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Effect of Cognitive Behavioral Counseling Program on Psychological Distress, Coping Strategies, and Sense of Cohesion among Autistic Children’s Mothers

Effect of Cognitive Behavioral Counseling Program on Psychological Distress, Coping Strategies, and Sense of Cohesion among Autistic Children’s Mothers

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL COUNSELING IN REDUCING ANGER LEVELS IN JUVENILE OFFENDERS

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is based on the assumption that adaptive behavior and thoughts can be changed. Therefore, this study aims to analyze and examine the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral counseling in enabling the juvenile delinquent to develop ways to deal with anger by providing them with the necessary skills to successfully handle various anger provoking situations. The study sample consisted of 20 male juveniles who were divided into two groups: • The experimental group consists of 10 individuals • The control group consists of 10 individuals First the anger scale was applied to the totality of the sample (20 juvenile delinquents) In the second phase a collective cognitive-behavioral program was implemented in the experimental sample group. In the third and final phase, the anger scale was again applied to the entire sample, i.e., the experimental and control group. The results found that there was a noticeable decrease in the anger levels in the experimental group compared to the control group which did not experience any change.

The Effect of a cognitive behavioral program based on an interactive application on serum glucose levels and HbA1C of family members of patients with type 2 diabetes: a study protocol for a randomized clinical trial

The Effect of a cognitive behavioral program based on an interactive application on serum glucose levels and HbA1C of family members of patients with type 2 diabetes: a study protocol for a randomized clinical trial

Pediatric Emergency Department Management in Acute Poisoning-A 2-Year Retrospective Study.

(1) Background: Poisonings in children are common reasons for addressing ED and can potentially have serious complications. Our research aims to review risk factors leading to poisoning in children. (2) Methods: A retrospective review of all pediatric poisoning cases addressing the Children's emergency department of St Mary Hospital over a two-year period was performed. (3) Results: We collected data on 797 children admitted for acute poisoning. The highest incidence identified was in the 12-18 and 1-3-year-old age groups. The distribution of voluntary versus unintentional poisonings was relatively balanced: 50.19% versus 47.43% (for some cases the type of intoxication remained unknown). Exposure to the toxic substance by ingestion was significant compared to the other routes, with an incidence of 87.1%. Acute poisoning happened at home in 70.4% of cases. A known risk factor before reaching the ED was present in 13.04%. (4) Conclusions: Our study showed a greater risk for acute poisoning in children between 1-3 years of age, and adolescents over 12 years. Identifying and documenting epidemiological aspects and other variables is important for establishing preventive measures and for therapeutic conduct. Adequate risk stratification and preventive measures involving closer supervision of minors or cognitive-behavioral programs can prevent voluntary intoxication.

Pre-post changes in a child-to-parent violence psychoeducational intervention program

Child-to-parent violence assessment has raised much concern in the last decade. The Child-to-Parent Violence Risk (CPVR) assessment tool is a recently developed guide, designed to anticipate violence recidivism, that can be used during therapy, pretrial assessment, and other circumstances were professionals need support to determinate needs and risks of cases. This study aimed to provide empirical data on the use of the CPVR in a therapeutic context, describing the prevalence of risk factors of youth attending a cognitive-behavioral program, comparing scores on CPVR in a pre-post assessment, and analyzing its ability to predict treatment results. A total of 118 youths were assessed using the CPVR before treatment, and 66 also had a post-treatment assessment. Significant changes in risk (reduction) and protective (increase) factors after program participation (due to the program or due to the professional’s consideration in post-treatment assessment) were observed, but the CPVR was not able to predict the success coded by clinicians. Future research should include recidivism data to confirm the real success after the treatment program (regardless of the professional’s opinion) and the predictive validity of the CPVR for recidivism.

The Effectiveness of a Counseling Cognitive- Behavioral Program in Improving Psychological Well- Being among Al- Quds Open University Students

Objectives: This study aims to reveal the effectiveness of a counseling cognitive behavioral program in improving the psychological well-being among Al- Quds Open University Students. 
 Methods: The researcher used the semi-experimental approach. The study sample comprised (30) university students (males/females) who have low degree of psychological well-being. The study sample was divided into two groups, experimental and control groups. The researcher applied for the counseling program to the experimental group, while the control group did not receive any kind of counseling. The counseling program included (15) sessions, with two sessions per week, and the duration of each session has lasted for (90) minutes. 
 Results: The study showed the mean scores of psychological well-being according to the post-measurement in favor of the experimental group with a (0.922) value. The differences were also significant in the experimental group concerning the pre and post-measurement in favor of the post-measurement. The results indicated the effectiveness of the counseling program in improving psychological well- being among university students and the effectiveness of the counseling program. 
 Conclusions: The study recommends the need to invest in the cognitive-behavioral counseling program used in the current study on other groups in society and evaluate its effectiveness with each category of society. Additionally, it recmmends taking care of the preparation of counseling programs in universities to deal with problems and mental disorders that lead to a decrease psychological well-being among university students.

The effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral program for developing psychological capital as an entrance to reduce future anxiety among university student

يهدف البحث لمعرفة فاعلية برنامج معرفي سلوكي في تنمية رأس المال النفسي كمدخل لخفض قلق المستقبل لدى طلاب الجامعة، وتكونت عينة الدراسة من (20) طالبًا ممَنْ حصلوا على درجات منخفضة على مقياس رأس المال النفسي ودرجات مرتفعة على مقياس قلق المستقبل؛ حيث تم تقسيمهم بالتساوي إلى مجموعتين تجريبية وضابطة، واعتمد البحث على المنهج التجريبي، كما اعتمد البحث من الأدوات مقياس رأس المال النفسي ومقياس قلق المستقبل والبرنامج المعرفي السلوكي واستمارة المستوى الاقتصادي، وكلاهما من إعداد الباحث، وتوصلت نتائج البحث إلى وجود فروق بين القياسين القبلي والبعدي لدى طلاب المجموعة التجريبية في رأس المال النفسي وقلق المستقبل لصالح القياس البعدي، ووجود فروق بين المجموعة التجريبية والضابطة في رأس المال النفسي وقلق المستقبل في القياس البعدي لصالح المجموعة التجريبية، وعدم وجود فروق بين القياسين البعدي والتتبعي لدى طلاب المجموعة التجريبية في رأس المال النفسي وقلق المستقبل. كلمات مفتاحية: رأس المال النفسي، قلق المستقبل، العلاج المعرفي السلوكي، طلاب الجامعة. Abstract This research aims to know the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral program in developing psychological capital as an entrance to reduce future anxiety among university students. The study sample consisted of (20) students who obtained low scores on the psychological capital scale and high scores on the future anxiety scale. It was divided into two experimental and control groups, and the research relied on the experimental method, and the research also relied on the psychological capital scale, future anxiety scale, cognitive-behavioral program, and economic level form, both of which were prepared by the researcher. Psychological money and future anxiety in favor of the dimensional measurement, and there are differences between the experimental and control group in psychological capital and future anxiety in the dimensional measurement in favor of the experimental group, and there are no differences between the post and follow-up measurements for students of the experimental group in psychological capital and future anxiety. Keywords: psychological capital, future anxiety, cognitive behavioral therapy, university students.

School-based cognitive behavioural intervention programme for addressing anxiety in 10- to 11-year-olds using short classroom activities in Japan: a quasi-experimental study

BackgroundAlthough several school-based cognitive behavioural intervention programmes have been developed in Japan to prevent and improve children’s anxiety disorders, the substantial time required for their completion remains a problem.MethodsA brief version of the cognitive behavioural programme called ‘Journey of the Brave’, developed for Japanese children was conducted among 90 children aged 10‒11 years using 20-min short classroom activities, and its effectiveness was examined. The children were divided into two groups: the intervention (n = 31) and control groups (n = 59). The control group did not attend any programme sessions and followed regular school curriculum. We conducted 14 weekly programme sessions and assessed children at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 2-month follow-up (6 months after the beginning). The primary and secondary outcome measures were the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale (SCAS) to assess children’s anxiety symptoms and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) to measure behaviour problems, respectively.ResultsA statistically significant reduction in the SCAS score in the intervention group was found at 2-month follow-up compared with the control group. A significant reduction was also observed in the SDQ score.ConclusionsOur findings suggested that the ‘Journey of the Brave’ programme, which requires only 5 h of short classroom activities, demonstrates promising results compared with previous programmes. A larger randomised control trial would be desirable.Trial registrationUMIN, UMIN000009021, Registered 10 March 2012.

Systems training for emotional predictability and problem solving in older adults with personality disorders: a pilot study.

Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving (STEPPS) is a cognitive behavioural therapy-based group treatment programme for patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). STEPPS has demonstrated its effectiveness for (younger) adults. However, there are no studies into the effects of STEPPS for older adults. The aim was to explore the outcome of STEPPS in older adults with personality disorders. In this naturalistic pre- vs post-treatment study, older patients with a personality disorder, reporting emotion regulation difficulties, were included. The primary outcome was BPD symptoms. Secondary outcomes included psychological distress and maladaptive personality functioning. Twenty-four patients, with a mean age of 63.9 years (SD=4.6), completed the 19-week programme. Nine patients (23.1%) did not complete the treatment. There were no significant differences in age, gender or global severity between completers and patients dropping out. There was a significant pre- vs post-treatment decrease of BPD symptoms, with a large effect size (Cohen's d=1.577). Self-control improved significantly and demonstrated a large effect size (r=.576). Furthermore, identity integration improved significantly, with a medium effect size (Cohen's d=.509). No significant differences were reported for most domains of psychological distress and maladaptive interpersonal personality functioning. The findings in this pilot study suggest STEPPS is a feasible treatment programme for older adults with personality disorders and emotion regulation difficulties. Adaptations to the program, for a better fit for older adults, however, might be needed.

Application of computerized cognitive behavioral therapy in patients with persistent postural-perceptual dizziness

Objective:A computerized cognitive behavioral therapy intervention program was constructed for patients with persistent postural-perception dizziness（PPPD） and its effects on dizziness symptoms, negative emotions and balance function were investigated. Methods:A randomized controlled trial design was used to select 86 patients with PPPD who were seen in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from July 2020 to July 2021. Randomly assigned to the control group（43 patients） and the experimental group（43 patients）. The control group was routinely treated with medication and vestibular rehabilitation, while the experimental group underwent computerized cognitive behavioral therapy for a total of 9 sessions over 8 weeks; their dizziness symptoms（DHI）, negative affect（GAD-7, PHQ-9） and balance function（BBS） were compared at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks later. Results:After 4 and 8 weeks of intervention, the improvement of dizziness symptoms and negative mood in both groups had a between-group effect, time effect, and interaction effect（P<0.05）. The improvement of balance function had only a time effect and interaction effect（P<0.05）, and no difference in between-group effect was seen（P>0.05）. Conclusion:Computerized cognitive behavioral therapy can be used as an adjunctive treatment to alleviate patients' dizziness, negative affect, and balance function, but no additional benefit has been seen in terms of balance function improvement.

EFFECTIVENESS OF AN ONLINE COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL COACHING PROGRAM ON CAREGIVER STRAIN AND GOAL ATTAINMENT AMONG CHILDREN IN THE UNITED STATES

There is no easy way for parents to obtain evidence-based mental health care for their children; a primary barrier is the lack of trained pediatric mental health providers. Task shifting the delivery of evidence-based treatment to trained behavioral health coaches can reduce the care gap. This study evaluates the effectiveness, in the context of real-world telepsychiatry services, of an online cognitive behavioral coaching program on caregiver strain and goal attainment.

A randomized controlled trial evaluating the effect of an internet-based cognitive-behavioral program on anxiety symptoms in a community-based sample of adolescents

Adolescents’ use of online resources to self-manage anxiety is growing. The objective of the current trial was to assess the effectiveness of an online, primarily self-led cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program in reducing anxiety symptoms compared to an active comparator, access to anxiety resources on a static website. A total of 563 adolescents (13–19 years) with self-identified anxiety concerns were enrolled. Self-reported anxiety symptoms were assessed pre- and post-intervention (6 weeks). Adolescents were further assessed 3 months post-intervention. Other outcomes assessed at the three time-points were quality of life (QOL) and healthcare utilization. Both interventions reduced anxiety symptoms after use. Group differences in symptom change were not significant post-intervention (p = 0.16), but were at 3 months (favouring online CBT; p = 0.04) with male participants reporting more symptom change (p = 0.03). Across time-points, as anxiety symptoms decreased, QOL increased (p < 0.001). Among participants that provided healthcare utilization before and after intervention use, the greatest changes in use were among online CBT users particularly for mental health provider visits (psychiatrist, –41.0 % vs. +18.5 %; social worker, –42.5 % vs. –22.1 %), hospital-based care (emergency department visits, –80.0 % vs. +79.4 %; hospital admissions, –76.1 % vs. +42.9 %), and use of self-help or alternative treatments (–60.0 % vs. +6.6 %). Results suggest that, over time, use of online CBT by adolescents can result in improved anxiety symptoms and fewer use of other healthcare resources compared to traditional online information seeking.

Evaluation of an inpatient sex offender treatment programme for men with intellectual disabilities

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report on an inpatient cognitive behavioural sex offender treatment group programme developed and provided to people with intellectual disabilities detained in medium and low security hospital settings. The programme was delivered five times between 2012 and 2020. This paper describes the integration of the programme within a wider treatment pathway model and provides analysis of outcome data. Design/methodology/approach The programme was evaluated over five group programmes using self-report psychometric measures related to treatment targets in the reduction of sexual offending risk, including cognitive distortions, sexual attitudes and knowledge and locus of control; recidivism data spanning up to 7 years post discharge is also provided. The treatment pathway and a description of the programme are provided. Findings The results of this paper showed improvements in sexual knowledge, cognitive distortions and locus of control, however not to a statistically significant degree. No recidivism was observed in the follow-up period. Originality/value This paper adds to the evidence base of interventions focused on cognitive behavioural approaches to the treatment and risk reduction of sexual offending in men with intellectual disabilities and adds to the debate regarding the effectiveness of such programmes with offenders with intellectual disabilities.