Completion Of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Research Articles

Feasibility of a pioneer social service treatment for gambling disorder—The first 6-month follow-up data

Gambling disorder can be treated with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), but treatment is under-dimensioned in many settings. For example, in Sweden, a setting with mixed responsibility for addiction treatment between health care and social services, treatment for gambling disorder has only recently been introduced in the responsibilities of public institutions. After the introduction of gambling in treatment legislation in 2018, few studies have assessed the real-world feasibility of such treatment. In addition, treatment in social services specifically has not been documented or evaluated, and therefore, in a pioneer gambling treatment facility in such a setting, this study aimed to investigate treatment outcome in patients with gambling disorder six months after completed CBT treatment within a social service setting. Twenty patients receiving CBT treatment during 2018–2020 were followed with respect to gambling habits at end of treatment and at follow-up six months after treatment. The National Opinion Research Center DSM Screen for Gambling Problems (NODS) was used as screening tool. Rates of gambling abstinence, as well as subjective experience of the treatment, are reported. Ninety percent of the patients were abstinent from gambling at six-month follow-up, and 95 percent of the patients no longer fulfilled criteria of a gambling disorder. In conclusion, these pilot results suggest that CBT treatment is a feasible method for treatment of gambling disorder also in a social service setting. However, due to the limited sample size of this pilot study, and the limited background information of clients who could not be reached, future studies with larger sample sizes are needed.

Characteristics of substance-addicted mothers that predict graduation from the family treatment court.

In the United States, substance addiction is a major contributing factor to incarceration of mothers and separation of children from their families. Five hundred Family Treatment Courts (FTC) operate across the country to combat the growing problem of women addicted to drugs. The FTC model provides mothers with substance addiction treatment, intensive judicial monitoring, repeated drug testing, counseling, incentives or sanctions, and case management with the goal of reaching long-term sobriety and reunification with their children. This retrospective study examined the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and substance use characteristics, in predicting participants' graduations from the FTC program. Data were gathered from 317 participants from five Family Treatment Courts in the southeastern United States and analyzed using logistic regression. Participants who completed the FTC program were more likely to be older, completed Cognitive Behavioral Training, completed high school, and Caucasian. Age and completion of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy were the greatest predictors of graduating from the Family Treatment Court. These results convey the need for development of interventions tailored to each participant's age to maximize the success of the FTC participants. In addition, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy should be integrated into all FTC programs. The findings from this study will offer research scholars a foundation for designing future studies, aid researchers in creating interventions to increase success in substance addiction treatment programs, and contribute to the framework for theory development. In addition, understanding characteristics that may influence graduation from the Family Treatment Court will provide valuable information on developing interventions to support participants' success.

Neural correlates of emotional reactivity predict response to cognitive-behavioral therapy in obsessive-compulsive disorder

BackgroundExamining predictive biomarkers to identify individuals who will likely benefit from a specific treatment is important for the development of targeted interventions. The late positive potential (LPP) is a neural marker of attention and elaborated stimulus processing, and increased LPP responses to negative stimuli are characteristic of pathological anxiety. The present study investigated whether LPP reactivity would prospectively predict response to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), the first-line treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). MethodsTo this end, the LPP in response to negative as compared to neutral pictures was examined in 45 patients with OCD, who underwent CBT in a naturalistic outpatient setting. LPP amplitudes were used as predictors of symptom reduction after CBT. ResultsWe found that higher LPP amplitudes to negative relative to neutral stimuli were predictive of lower self-reported OCD symptoms after completion of CBT, controlling for pre-treatment symptoms. Further, LPP reactivity was negatively correlated with self-reported habitual use of suppression in everyday life. LimitationsSome participants had already begun treatment at the time of study participation. Overall, results need further replication in larger samples and standardized therapy settings. ConclusionsThe current findings suggest that patients with increased emotional reactivity benefit more from CBT, possibly through less avoidance of anxiety-provoking stimuli during exposure with response prevention, a crucial component in CBT for OCD. Although its clinical utility still needs to be evaluated further, the LPP constitutes a promising candidate as a prognostic marker for CBT response in OCD.

A National Survey of Patient Completion of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain: The Role of Therapist Characteristics, Attempt Rates, and Modification.

The current study explores therapists' decisions to offer a particular evidence-based psychotherapy (cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain; CBT-CP), whether and how they modify CBT-CP, and the relationship between these decisions and patient completion rates. The study utilized survey responses from 141 Veterans Affairs therapists certified in CBT-CP. Therapists reported attempting CBT-CP with a little less than one half of their patients with chronic pain (mean = 48.8%, s.d.=35.7). Therapist were generally split between reporting modifying CBT-CP for either very few or most of their patients. After controlling for therapist characteristics and modification, therapist-reported percentage of patients with attempted CBT-CP was positively associated with completion rates, t (111) = 4.57, p<.001. Therapists who attempt CBT-CP more frequently may experience better completion rates, perhaps due to practice effects or contextual factors that support both attempts and completion. Future research should examine this relationship using objective measures of attempt rates and completion.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Reducing Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Patients With Locally Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Receiving Reirradiation

<h3>Purpose/Objective(s)</h3> We hypothesized that the addition of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to reirradiation significantly reduced depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients with locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The purpose of this randomized trial was to compare the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy versus treatment as usual (TAU) on anxiety and depression, and acute adverse events in patients with locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma receiving reirradiation. <h3>Materials/Methods</h3> A total of 150 patients with diagnosis of locally recurrent T3 to T4 NPC were randomly assigned to receive CBT plus reirradiation (CBT group, n = 75) or treatment as usual (TAU) plus reirradiation (TAU group, n = 75). All patients received reirradiation using Volume Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT). The recurrent gross tumor volume of nasopharynx (PGTVnx) was irradiated at DT 60 Gy/30 Fx in 2.0 Gy per fraction. Patients in the CBT group received a series of six CBT sessions for 6 weeks during VMAT. Depression and anxiety were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) score at baseline, the completion of reirradiation, 1 and 3 months after reirradiation. Acute adverse events were also evaluated. <h3>Results</h3> Patients in the CBT group showed significantly less depression and anxiety than patients in the TAU group after the completion of CBT (<i>P</i> < 0.01). Compared with the TAU group, the CBT group showed a significantly lower incidence of acute adverse events including fatigue, insomnia, anemia, and weight losing (<i>P</i> < 0.05). <h3>Conclusion</h3> The addition of cognitive behavioral therapy to reirradiation significantly reduced depressive and anxiety symptoms. CBT combined with VMAT is associated with reduced incidence of acute toxic effects in patients with locally recurrent T3 to T4 nasopharyngeal carcinoma. This trial is registered with chictr.org.cn, number ChiCTR2000034701.

A randomized controlled trial of cognitive behavior therapy for reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms in patients with locoregional advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

12121 Background: The purpose of this randomized trial was to compare the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) versus treatment as usual (TAU) on anxiety and depression, response rates and acute adverse events in patients with locoregional advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) receiving chemoradiotherapy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first randomized trial evaluating the effect of CBT for depression and anxiety in patients with locoregional advanced NPC treated with chemoradiotherapy. Methods: A total of 202 patients with diagnosis of stage III-IVa (8th AJCC) NPC were randomly assigned to receive CBT plus chemoradiotherapy (CBT group, n = 101) or treatment as usual (TAU) plus chemoradiotherapy (TAU group, n = 101). Patients in the CBT group received a series of six CBT sessions for 6 weeks during concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Depression and anxiety were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) score at baseline, the completion of chemoradiotherapy, 1 and 3 months after chemoradiotherapy. Response rates and adverse events were also evaluated. This trial is registered with chictr.org.cn, number ChiCTR2000034701. Results: Patients in the CBT group showed significantly less depression and anxiety than patients in the TAU group after the completion of CBT (P &lt; 0.01). Complete response (CR) rate was significantly higher in CBT group than in TAU group (100% vs. 93.1%，P = 0.014). Compared with the TAU group, the CBT group showed a significantly lower incidence of acute adverse events including anemia, fatigue, mucositis, insomnia and weight losing (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusions: The addition of CBT to chemoradiotherapy significantly reduced depressive and anxiety symptoms. CBT combined with chemoradiotherapy is associated with improved response rates, with reduced incidence of acute toxic effects in patients with locoregional advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Clinical trial information: ChiCTR2000034701.

Frontline yet at the back of the queue – improving access and adaptations to CBT for Black African and Caribbean communities

AbstractThis paper focuses on the Black minority ethnic population (Black British, Black African, Black Caribbean) and uses the term BME in reference to this group. Only 6.2% of BME people access psychological intervention for common mental disorders. In provision of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) the diversity in global majority populations1requires culturally specific informed and responsive approaches. The Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme needs to be accountable, culturally congruent and strategic, to ensure accessibility and improve outcomes for BME people. According to the Mental Health Foundation (2019), a higher percentage of Black, Asian and other minority ethnic populations (BAME) are diagnosed with common, severe and complex mental health disorders. Despite the weight of literature on this, little has changed. The NHS Implementation Plan outlines trajectories for increased access and reduced attrition within mental health services, addressing inequalities for BAME populations.Evidence-based guidance and audits for provision of culturally sensitive and adapted therapies are presented in the pioneering (IAPT) BAME Positive Practice Guide (PPG). However, there are no funding arrangements or formal integrated frameworks to support implementation. The COVID-19 global pandemic and the high-profile death of George Floyd tragically exposed and highlighted the consequences of systemic racism. Understanding of the importance of service and clinical anti-racist practice is imperative for CBT therapists. Implementation of the BAME PPG audit tool ensures review of race equity in access, engagement, adaptation and workforce within IAPT and other mental health services. This could transform lives.Key learning aims(1)To understand the barriers (individual, societal and systemic) to accessing psychological therapies such as CBT and the impact on CBT treatment outcomes specifically for black minority ethnic (BME) populations.(2)To recognise barriers to implementation of formal frameworks for equitable access to psychological therapies such as CBT for BME communities.(3)To assist services and therapists to implement evidence-based learning, on cultural adaptations, to address barriers in access, retention and completion of CBT.(4)To provide examples of services that have taken successful actions to address the issues identified in the earlier points.

Predictors of relapse and recurrence following cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety-related disorders: a systematic review

ABSTRACT Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an effective psychological treatment for anxiety-related disorders (anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder). However, relapse of anxiety symptoms is common following completion of treatment. This study aimed to identify predictors of relapse of anxiety after CBT for adult (18+) patients to enable the identification of “at-risk” patients who could potentially benefit from relapse prevention interventions. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted, including studies found in PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, and through hand-searches of references lists and reverse citations. Nine studies met eligibility criteria (N = 532 patients). On average, 23.8% of patients experienced relapse following completion of CBT. A total of 21 predictors were identified and grouped into seven categories: residual symptoms; personality disorders; medication; clinical features; stressful life-events; degree of improvement; and demographics. A meta-analysis of residual symptoms as a predictor of relapse yielded a moderate but non-significant-pooled effect size (r = 0.35; 95% CI −0.21, 0.74, p =.08). Further research with adequately powered samples and standardised operationalisations of relapse are required to identify robust predictors.

Meaning-making as a mediator of anxiety and depression reduction during cognitive behavioral therapy intervention in participants with adjustment disorders.

There is a consensus among researchers about the link between low meaning in life and anxiety and depressive symptoms. One unanswered question is whether meaning-making is a mediator of the change in anxiety and depression symptoms in participants with adjustment disorders during cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) treatment. The aims of this study were (a) to analyse whether there was meaning-making during the application of the CBT, (b) to analyse whether meaning-making was a mediator of anxiety psychopathology and (c) to analyse whether meaning-making was a mediator of depressive symptoms. The sample was composed of 115 patients who satisfied the full Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5 criteria for adjustment disorder as their primary diagnosis and completed CBT treatment in a primary care mental health service: 74.78% women, n = 86, and 25.22% men, n = 29, with a mean age of 41.89 (standard deviation [SD] = 10.39) years. The diagnosis was established using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5), and participants filled out the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory and Purpose in Life questionnaires. The therapists were clinical psychologists with experience in clinical assessment. A repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and two mediation analyses using the bootstrap method were performed. The results indicated that (a) There was meaning-making during the CBT because the treated sample showed a statistically significant improvement in meaning in life, and (b) meaning-making during the CBT was a partial mediator between anxiety symptoms and depressive symptoms before and after the treatment. The present study suggests that meaning in life could be an important variable in the psychopathology of adjustment disorders.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy for chronic subjective dizziness: Predictors of improvement in Dizziness Handicap Inventory at 6 months posttreatment

Background: Chronic subjective dizziness (CSD), which was superseded by persistent postural-perceptual dizziness as of 2017, has a great impact on patients’ quality of life. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is a promising treatment, with demonstrated effectiveness as a CSD treatment; however, no studies have examined positive predictors of its effectiveness in the long term.Aims/objectives: This study aimed to examine predictors of improvement in the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) in patients with CSD at 6 months after CBT.Materials and methods: Thirty-seven patients with CSD who were recruited from April 2012 to November 2014 and completed group CBT were analysed. Single and multiple regression analyses with forward–backward stepwise model selection method was used to examine the independent predictors of long-term improvement in the change score of DHI.Results: Presence or absence of comorbid anxiety disorders (p = .023) was a significant positive predictive factor for improvement of DHI from pretreatment to 6-month follow-up.Conclusions and significance: The presence of comorbid anxiety disorders predicted considerable improvement of DHI from pretreatment to 6-month follow-up. Group therapy including interoceptive exposure using vestibular rehabilitation, along with psychoeducation and behavioural experiments with graded exposure, may be particularly suitable in treating patients with CSD.

Effect of psychiatric symptoms and male sexual function of couples on the success of treatment for vaginismus.

The study was performed on 110 women diagnosed with vaginismus and their partners. The women underwent cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and couples were divided into two groups: successful and unsuccessful therapy. Sexual function in couples was evaluated using the Golombok Rust Index of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) in men and the Female Sexual Function Index in women. The psychopathological symptoms of participants were evaluated using the Symptom Check List-90-Revised (SCL-90-R). Of the 110 women in this study, 98 completed CBT and treatment was successful for 59 (60.2%). GRISS scores pertaining to the subscales of infrequency (66.7% and 39.0%), non-communication (56.4% and 22.0%), avoidance (76.9% and 52.5%), impotence (56.4% and 33.9%) and premature ejaculation (64.1% and 32.2%) before treatment were significantly lower in the successful than unsuccessful treatment group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between complaints of impotence and premature ejaculation in men and symptoms of depression and anxiety in men. In the successful treatment group, pretreatment values were lower for the SCL-90-R subscales of anxiety and depression in men and anxiety, depression, phobic anxiety and obsessive compulsiveness in women than in the unsuccessful treatment group. The psychiatric symptoms and sexual functions of couples were found to affect the success of treatment for vaginismus. As such, treatments should be administered in accordance with other symptoms present in couples.

Engagement in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain Management Is Associated with Reductions in Healthcare Utilization in Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease

Introduction: Chronic pain in sickle cell disease (SCD) is a multifactorial complication that can contribute to high healthcare utilization. Multidisciplinary treatments going beyond medication alone are needed for the most effective chronic pain management. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective for youth with chronic pain and focuses on improving daily functioning and coping, but the clinical effectiveness for chronic SCD pain has not been evaluated. This study examined changes in healthcare use over time for youth with chronic SCD pain who participated in CBT compared to controls with chronic SCD pain who never initiated CBT. Methods: Youth receiving care at comprehensive SCD clinics at three tertiary care locations at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta were included if they were aged 6-18 years, any SCD genotype, and referred to a pediatric psychology outpatient clinic for chronic pain management from November 2014-March 2018. Youth were excluded if they received bone marrow transplantation during the study period, had ongoing CBT past the study period, or were not actively followed for ≥1 year of medical care pre- or post-CBT. Patients were grouped based on therapy attendance: Established Care (i.e., attended ≥3 CBT sessions within 3 consecutive months); Early Termination (i.e., attended &amp;lt;3 CBT sessions within 3 consecutive months); or Control (i.e., did not attend any CBT visits). Patient-reported outcomes included typical pain intensity, functional disability, and coping efficacy at pre- and post-treatment. Healthcare utilization outcomes were abstracted from electronic medical records including: number of inpatient admissions for pain, total inpatient days for pain, and emergency department dependency ratio (EDR; ratio of ED visits to sum of ED and outpatient visits). For the treatment groups, utilization outcomes were calculated from 12-months prior to the first CBT visit, and from 12-months following the last CBT visit. For the control group, outcomes were calculated for 12-months prior to the referral date, and from 12-months following the average duration of CBT for treatment groups (i.e., 3.5 months) to account for passage of time. Changes over time in inpatient admissions, hospital days, and EDR were evaluated separately using linear mixed effect models with a random effect for person-specific intercepts and slopes, which were retained based on model contribution determined by Bayesian Information Criterion. Time, patient characteristics, SCD-modifying treatments, therapy attendance, number of CBT sessions, and interaction effects were initially included in the models; the most parsimonious models were chosen based on backward selection. Results: At time of referral, youth (n=101) were on average (M) 13.4 years old (SD=2.92), 56.4% female, 68.1% HbSS or HbSβ0, 63.9% prescribed hydroxyurea, and 12.6% received chronic transfusions. The Control (n=44) and Treatment Groups (n=57) did not significantly differ by age, sex, genotype, or treatment with hydroxyurea or chronic transfusion. Based on therapy attendance, 36.1% Established Care, 21.8% were Early Termination, and 42% Controls. Adjusting for age, genotype, and hydroxyurea, patients who terminated CBT early had increased admissions and total hospital days over time compared to controls; those who established care had a reduction in admissions and hospital days over time compared to controls (F's=3.27-3.61, p's&amp;lt;.05). EDR decreased by 0.1 over time for Established Care; for every 1 completed CBT session, EDR was further reduced by 0.01 (p&amp;lt;.05). Patients who completed CBT (n=18) reported decreases in typical pain intensity (Mpre= 5.47, SD=2.24; Mpost=3.76, SD=2.84; p&amp;lt;.01), functional disability (Mpre=26.24, SD=8.45; Mpost=15.18, SD=10.85; p&amp;lt;.001), and improved coping efficacy (Mpre=8.0, SD=2.21; Mpost=9.65, SD=2.94; p&amp;lt;.05) from pre- to post-treatment. Conclusions: Establishing care in CBT may support reductions in admissions for pain, length of stay, and ED dependency for youth with chronic SCD pain beyond the potential effects of age, genotype, and SCD-modifying treatments. Reductions in utilization may be partially supported by patient-reported improvements in functioning, coping, and lower pain intensity following CBT. Reducing barriers to access and enhancing clinical implementation of multidisciplinary treatments may optimize the health of youth with chronic SCD pain. Disclosures Lane: NHLBI: Research Funding; CDC: Research Funding; GA Dept: Other: Contract for newborn screeninjg follow-up services services; Bio Products Laboratory: Other: Sickle Cell Advisory Board; FORMA Therapeutics: Other: Clinical Advisory Board. Dampier:Pfizer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Micelle BioPharma: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Global Blood Therapeutics: Consultancy; Epizyme: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Katz Foundation: Research Funding; Modus Therapeutics: Consultancy; NIH: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding.

Mediation analysis shows that a decline in self-efficacy mediates the increase in fatigue severity following an initial positive response to cognitive behavioural therapy in Q fever fatigue syndrome

ObjectiveQ fever fatigue syndrome (QFS) is characterized by chronic fatigue following acute Q fever. Previously, it was shown that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and not doxycycline, was significantly more effective than placebo in reducing fatigue severity in QFS patients. However, this effect was not maintained after one year. The aim of this study is to elucidate the cognitive and behavioural variables which mediate the positive effect of CBT on fatigue during the treatment and the relapse of fatigue after completion of CBT, by using multiple mediation analysis. MethodsAdditional analyses were performed on data of a randomized controlled trial that investigated the efficacy of CBT and antibiotics compared to placebo for QFS [1]. Only those patients in the CBT group who completed the allocated CBT treatment, and those patients in the medication group who did not follow additional CBT during follow-up, were included in this study. Two mediation models were tested, using respectively assessments at baseline and end-of-treatment (EOT), and EOT and follow-up, comparing the CBT group (n = 43) with the medication group (n = 89). ResultsDuring treatment, the decrease in fatigue brought on by CBT was completely mediated by an increase in self-efficacy with respect to fatigue. A reduction in self-efficacy partly mediated the increase in fatigue at follow-up in the CBT group. ConclusionsGiven the decline in self efficacy, booster sessions focussing on restoration and maintenance of self-efficacy with respect to fatigue, may lead to elongation of the initial positive effects of CBT for QFS.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Persistent Severe Fatigue in Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Pilot Study

Fatigue is a common and disabling late effect in childhood cancer survivors (CCS). In this pilot study, the effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) in CCS with persistent and severe fatigue was retrospectively evaluated. In total, 33 consecutively referred CCS with persistent severe fatigue were offered CBT. The primary outcome was fatigue severity (Checklist Individual Strength, Fatigue Severity Subscale). Secondary outcomes were functional impairment, psychologic distress, and quality of life (QoL). In total, 25 CCS completed CBT (76%). The mean age of CCS was 23.1 years (range, 11 to 42 y), mean age at primary cancer diagnosis was 9.7 years (range, 0 to 17 y), and mean time since primary cancer diagnosis was 13 years (range, 5 to 34 y). Fatigue severity ([INCREMENT] 17.4; confidence interval (CI)=12.7-22.1; P<0.001), functional impairment (SIP8 [INCREMENT] 470.3; CI=312.3-628.4; P<0.001/SF36 [INCREMENT] 11.7; CI=17.2-6.3; P<0.001), and psychologic distress ([INCREMENT] 26.4; CI=15.6-34.9; P<0.001) were significantly decreased at second assessment. QoL ([INCREMENT] 13.5; CI=22.0-4.3; P=0.005) was significantly improved. A total of 23 CCS of the 33 CCS (70%) met the criteria for clinically significant improvement of fatigue. In this pilot study, the majority of severely fatigued CCS showed a clinically significant reduction in fatigue following CBT. Moreover, daily function and QoL improved, and psychologic distress decreased.

GAD-Specific Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Children and Adolescents: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) designed to target generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in youth was examined in a pilot feasibility trial. Participants (aged 10–18 years) were randomized to either 10 weeks of individual CBT (n = 20) or supported wait-list (n = 20). Diagnostic status (primary outcome) was assessed blindly at post-treatment for both groups, and at a 3-month follow-up for treated participants. Two participants failed to complete CBT and retained their GAD during the trial. Intention-to-treat analyses revealed large between-group differences in favor of CBT at post-treatment for remission from GAD (80% vs 0%) and comorbid disorders (83% vs 0%), and for all secondary outcomes (child and parent-reported). All gains were maintained at 3-month follow-up in the CBT group. Consistent with the treatment model, significant pre- to post-treatment reductions in several cognitive processes were found for CBT but not wait-listed participants, with these gains maintained at follow-up. Further investigations are warranted. Trial registry: ISRCTN.com Identifier ISRCTN50951795

Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Metacognitive Therapy: Moderators of Treatment Outcomes for Children with Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

Although cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective for childhood anxiety disorders, approximately 40% of youth remain anxious after treatment. Metacognitive therapy (MCT-c) for children with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) has shown promising effects. The present study aimed to examine if CBT and MCT-c show differential effects in children with primary GAD based on baseline characteristics, in a quasi-experimental design. To investigate which treatment is most beneficial for whom, three potential moderators: age, symptom severity, and comorbid social anxiety were examined. Sixty-three children aged 7-14 completed CBT or MCT-c. Participants were assessed before and after treatment. Both CBT and MCT-c were highly effective in treatment of childhood GAD. None of the selected variables significantly moderated treatment outcomes. Subgroups of children with high symptom severity and social anxiety comorbidity showed trends of responding better to CBT. Methodologically stronger studies are needed to facilitate a better adaptation of treatment for children with GAD.

Resting-State Activity of Prefrontal-Striatal Circuits in Internet Gaming Disorder: Changes With Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Predictors of Treatment Response.

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is effective for the treatment of Internet gaming disorder (IGD). However, the mechanisms by which CBT improves IGD-related clinical symptoms remain unknown. This study aimed to discover the therapeutic mechanism of CBT in IGD subjects using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI). Twenty-six IGD subjects and 30 matched healthy controls (HCs) received rsfMRI scan and clinical assessments; 20 IGD subjects completed CBT and then were scanned again. The amplitude of low-frequency (ALFF) values and the functional connectivity (FC) between the IGD group and the HC group were compared at baseline, as well as the ALFF values and FC before and after the CBT in the IGD group. Prior to treatment, the IGD group exhibited significantly increased ALFF values in the bilateral putamen, the right medial orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), the bilateral supplementary motor area (SMA), the left postcentral gyrus, and the left anterior cingulate (ACC) compared with the HC group. The HC group showed significantly increased FC values between the left medial OFC and the putamen compared with the IGD group, the FC values of IGD group were negatively associated with the BIS-11 scores before treatment. After the CBT, the weekly gaming time was significantly shorter, and the CIAS and BIS-II scores were significantly lower. The ALFF values in the IGD subjects significantly decreased in the left superior OFC and the left putamen, and the FC between them significantly increased after the CBT. The degree of the FC changes (ΔFC/Pre−FC) was positively correlated with the scale of the CIAS scores changes (ΔCIAS/Pre−CIAS) in the IGD subjects. CBT could regulate the abnormal low-frequency fluctuations in prefrontal-striatal regions in IGD subjects and could improve IGD-related symptoms. Resting-state alternations in prefrontal-striatal regions may reveal the therapeutic mechanism of CBT in IGD subjects.

“Guide or conversation?” The experience of Second-Generation Pakistani Muslim men receiving CBT in the UK

Islam constitutes the world’s second largest religious group. In the United Kingdom (UK), Islam is the second largest religion after Christianity; the largest group of Muslims in the UK is of Pakistani heritage. This qualitative practice-based research study used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to explore the experiences of six second-generation Pakistani Muslim men (SGPMM) who had completed cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) in the UK. Three superordinate themes were generated: “Pre-CBT difficulties,” “The process of CBT,” and “The interaction between CBT and Islam.” This paper elaborates the second theme, “The process of CBT,” as the researchers believe it offers the strongest implications for clinical practice and research. This theme captures participants’ thoughts and feelings about the process of their therapy, and further consists of four sub-themes: “Experience of therapeutic dialogue: Guide or conversation?” “Experience of matching: Tailor or taboo?” “Benefits of CBT: Simple tools, big impact, enlightenment”, and “Limitations of CBT: Problems with language.” These findings seek to inform counselling psychologists and services working with SGPMM, to contribute meaningfully to existing research literature, and to encourage future research.

Cognitive behavioral therapy in China: reflections on current issues and the future development

This paper summarizes the current situation of cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT) in China, and focuses on the issues existing in the current CBT application, including oversimplified and one-sided understanding of CBT, insufficient and inadequacy trainning, insufficient combination with Chinese Culture, reflection of the vocation being seen more important than back-feeding society, the lack of standardized practitioners management, and so on. Therefore, it is critical to strengthen the training of psychiatrists, establish a complete CBT training system, improve the training of practitioners, establish a CBT training system based on high education gradually, promote mutual understanding and cooperation of psychotherapists and psychiatrists, promote the research onto nativization of CBT, establish normalized certification system, promote the quality of CBT practitioners overall, strengthen service consciousness of awareness, and take advantage of CBT. Key words: Cognitive behavioral therapy; Psychotherapy; Nativization

Learning to address multiple syndemics for people living with HIV through client perspectives on CBT

Objective: The mental health burden among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) is high and often involves multiple comorbid psychological and substance use-related psychosocial problems. These co-occurring problems, or syndemics, additively impair engagement in HIV disease management. Existing psychotherapies for mental health and HIV health have generally focused on a single psychosocial problem and little research exists to guide future psychotherapies that address multiple mental health issues. Method: To address this gap in understanding, we conducted qualitative interviews with multiply comorbid PLWHA (N = 30) who completed cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for depression and medication adherence. Results: Themes emerged regarding participants’ perspectives on how overlapping substance use and mood disorders interacted to reduce the benefit of CBT. Substance use was a dominant theme compared to other syndemics, highlighting the need for integrated mental health and substance use interventions. Interviews also suggested modifications of which psychosocial concerns participants felt should be prioritized in treatment delivery. Finally, participants described content they would want in a psychotherapy intervention, including intimacy and sexual health. Conclusions: Future psychotherapeutic interventions for syndemic problems and HIV self-care will need to comprehensively address complex concerns, including issues salient to the overall well-being of PLWHA. This may improve client engagement and, ultimately, mental, and physical health outcomes.Clinical or methodological significance of this article: Although mental health comorbidity is common and often complex among clients living with HIV, little research exists to guide psychotherapy for such intricate mental health concerns. The current study used content analysis of in-depth qualitative interviews with clients living with HIV and multiple mental health comorbidities who had recently completed cognitive-behavioural therapy. Recommendations based on these findings suggest strategies for clinicians working with similar clients to consider and offers suggestions for future treatment development research.