Efficacy Of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Research Articles

A mental health professional survey of cognitive-behavioral therapy for the treatment of opioid use disorder.

The objective of this survey was to obtain mental health professional perspectives on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment. Respondents (N = 84) rated components of CBT for their efficacy in OUD treatment. Ratings were reported for the overall sample, by degree completed, and by clinicians versus nonclinicians. Respondents also ranked additional therapeutic strategies that might enhance the efficacy of CBT for OUD. Respondents rated treatment alliance/rapport, coping skills, and motivational interviewing as the most effective CBT components for OUD. Forms and worksheets were rated as the least effective component. The most beneficial additions to CBT for OUD would be mindfulness, peer support, and medication adherence strategies. Finally, the survey responses suggested that addressing co-morbid mental health disorders and life stressors may be important within CBT treatment for OUD.

583 Treating Insomnia in Youth Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial of CBT for Depression vs. CBT for Insomnia

Abstract Introduction Insomnia is often comorbid with depression in youths and both may reciprocally exacerbate clinical outcomes and lead to a constellation of detrimental consequences. The present study aimed to test the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for insomnia (CBT-I) and CBT for depression (CBT-D), when compared with waitlist control, in youths with comorbid insomnia and depression. Methods 112 participants aged 12–24 years old (67.9% female) with insomnia and depression according to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria were randomised to one of the following conditions: 8-week group CBT-I (n=33), 8-week group CBT-D (n=39), or waiting-list control (n=40). Insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index, ISI) and depressive symptoms (Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, HAMD) were assessed at baseline and post-intervention. The two active treatment groups were additionally followed up at post-treatment one-month. Results Linear mixed model showed that both treatment groups (CBT-D: Cohen’s d = -0.44, p<.001; CBT-I: Cohen’s d =-0.56, p<.001) had significantly lower ISI scores at post-intervention follow-up, as compared to the waitlist group. There was a significant difference in clinically meaningful improvement in insomnia (a reduction of ISI score ≥ 6 from baseline to post-intervention follow-up) between the groups (CBT-I: 73.1%; CBT-D: 40.0%; WL: 28.6%; p=.002). Moreover, there was a significant difference in remission of depression (HAMD≤7) at post-intervention follow-up (CBT-D: 75.9%; CBT-I: 81.5%; WL: 22.9%) (p <.001). Both CBT-D and CBT-I resulted in comparable improvements in insomnia and depressive symptoms at one-month follow-up (p>.05). Conclusion Preliminary evidence from this study supports the efficacy of CBT-I for improving both sleep and mood in youths with comorbid insomnia and depression. Support (if any) This work was supported by Early Career Scheme, Research Grants Council, Hong Kong SAR (Ref. 27613017).

365 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Light Dark Therapy for Postpartum Insomnia Symptoms: Findings from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Introduction Symptoms of insomnia are common in the postpartum period and are associated with a range of negative outcomes. Despite this, interventions to improve maternal postpartum sleep remain scarce. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Light Dark Therapy (LDT) target two different mechanisms to reduce sleep disturbance. This randomized controlled trial examined the efficacy of CBT and LDT against a treatment-as-usual (TAU) condition in reducing maternal postpartum insomnia symptoms. Methods Nulliparous women 4–12 months postpartum with self-reported symptoms of insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index scores [ISI] >7) were included; excluded were those with: current severe health/psychiatric conditions, unsettled infant behaviors, sleep-affecting medication use and photosensitivity. Eligible women were randomized 1:1:1 to 6 weeks of CBT (CBT for insomnia and fatigue), LDT (morning bright light therapy, evening light hygiene), or TAU. Interventions were therapist-assisted and personalized through two telephone calls and included automated self-help intervention materials (i.e., emails) delivered over six weeks. Symptoms of insomnia (ISI; primary outcome), fatigue, sleepiness, depression, and anxiety were assessed at baseline, mid-intervention, post-intervention, and 1-month post-intervention. Analyses were intention-to-treat latent growth models. Results 114 women were randomized (mean age = 32.20 ± 4.62 years) and 108 women completed the intervention. Compared to TAU, symptoms of insomnia significantly reduced from baseline to post-intervention in both CBT and LDT groups (p-values <.001), with very large effect sizes (d > 1.5) at post-intervention; gains were maintained at follow-up. Fatigue symptoms significantly reduced in the CBT group (p<.0001; d = 0.85) but not LDT (p = 0.11) compared to TAU at post-intervention; gains were maintained for CBT at follow-up. Group differences in sleepiness, depression, and anxiety were nonsignificant (all p > 0.08). Conclusion Therapist-assisted self-help CBT and LDT with different therapeutic mechanisms are both efficacious for reducing maternal insomnia symptoms during the postpartum period. Findings were mixed for fatigue, sleepiness and mood. Future research on predictors of treatment responses is needed. Support (if any) Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, Department of Education RTP Scholarship. Lucimed SA supplied light therapy glasses. Funders had no role in design/implementation of the trial. ANZCTR: ACTRN12618000842268.

Potential mechanisms of the fatigue-reducing effect of cognitive-behavioral therapy in cancer survivors: Three randomized controlled trials.

ObjectiveFatigue is a common symptom among cancer survivors that can be successfully treated with cognitive‐behavioral therapy (CBT). Insights into the working mechanisms of CBT are currently limited. The aim of this study was to investigate whether improvements in targeted cognitive‐behavioral variables and reduced depressive symptoms mediate the fatigue‐reducing effect of CBT.MethodsWe pooled data from three randomized controlled trials that tested the efficacy of CBT to reduce severe fatigue. In all three trials, fatigue severity (checklist individual strength) decreased significantly following CBT. Assessments were conducted pre‐treatment and 6 months later. Classical mediation analysis testing a pre‐specified model was conducted and its results compared to those of causal discovery, an explorative data‐driven approach testing all possible causal associations and retaining the most likely model.ResultsData from 250 cancer survivors (n = 129 CBT, n = 121 waitlist) were analyzed. Classical mediation analysis suggests that increased self‐efficacy and decreased fatigue catastrophizing, focusing on symptoms, perceived problems with activity and depressive symptoms mediate the reduction of fatigue brought by CBT. Conversely, causal discovery and post‐hoc analyses indicate that fatigue acts as mediator, not outcome, of changes in cognitions, sleep disturbance and depressive symptoms.ConclusionsCognitions, sleep disturbance and depressive symptoms improve during CBT. When assessed pre‐ and post‐treatment, fatigue acts as a mediator, not outcome, of these improvements. It seems likely that the working mechanism of CBT is not a one‐way causal effect but a dynamic reciprocal process. Trials integrating intermittent assessments are needed to shed light on these mechanisms and inform optimization of CBT.

Hydrocortisone as an adjunct to brief cognitive-behavioural therapy for specific fear: Endocrine and cognitive biomarkers as predictors of symptom improvement.

Background:Glucocorticoid (GC) administration prior to exposure-based cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) has emerged as a promising approach to facilitate treatment outcome in anxiety disorders. Further components relevant for improved CBT efficacy include raised endogenous GCs and reductions in information-processing biases to threat.Aims:To investigate hydrocortisone as an adjunct to CBT for spider fear and the modulating role of threat bias change and endogenous short-term and long-term GCs for treatment response.Methods:Spider-fearful individuals were randomized to receiving either 20 mg of hydrocortisone (n = 17) or placebo (n = 16) one hour prior to single-session predominantly computerised exposure-based CBT. Spider fear was assessed using self-report and behavioural approach measures at baseline, 1-day and 1-month follow-up. Threat processing was assessed at baseline and 1-day follow-up. Cortisol and cortisone were analysed from hair and saliva samples at baseline.Results/outcomes:Self-report, behavioural and threat processing indices improved following CBT. Hydrocortisone augmentation resulted in greater improvement of self-report spider fear and stronger increase in speed when approaching a spider, but not on threat bias. Neither threat bias nor endogenous GCs predicted symptom change, and no interactive effects with hydrocortisone emerged. Preliminary evidence indicated higher hair cortisone as predictor of a stronger threat bias reduction.Conclusions/interpretation:Our data extend earlier findings by suggesting that GC administration boosts the success of exposure therapy for specific fear even with a low-level therapist involvement. Future studies corroborating our result of a predictive hair GC relationship with threat bias change in larger clinical samples are needed.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Mood and Insomnia in Persons With Dementia: A Systematic Review.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a goal-oriented intervention that aims to improve detrimental emotional or behavioral distress by modifying individuals' thought processes. This review evaluates the efficacy and specific adaptations of CBT in persons with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. A literature search of PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO was conducted up to March 2020. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias criteria. Twelve publications were identified. Seven of the studies demonstrated CBT efficacy to improve depression, anxiety, and/or quality of life. One study's positive postintervention outcome became insignificant with longer term follow up. Two of the studies improved sleep outcomes. Four studies integrated caregivers into intervention delivery. Three studies utilized content, memory, and adherence adaptations aimed to improve intervention efficacy. Two studies included adaptations to address caregiver burden and depression. There is strong evidence to suggest that CBT is associated with improvements in anxiety, depression, and quality of life in persons with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. CBT showed a reduction in insomnia and improvements in sleep quality. However, there is insufficient evidence to draw conclusions on the effects of CBT on insomnia. These results suggest that further investigation into insomnia outcomes is needed.

Efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy on mood and quality of life for patients with COVID-19: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background:There is no study that has conducted a review or meta-analysis investigating a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention to patients with COVID19, with the aim of improving their psychological health. Therefore, in order to provide new evidence-based medical evidence for clinical treatment, we undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness of CBT in relieving patients’ psychological distress and improving quality of life during the COVID-19 epidemic.Methods:Seven electronic databases including Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, Wanfang Data, Scopus, Science Direct, Cochrane Library will be searched in April 2021 by 2 independent reviewers. For search on PubMed, the following search terms will be used: “COVID-19, 2019 Coronavirus Disease, 2019-nCoV, cognitive behavioral therapy, CBT, cognitive behavioral treatment.” In order to achieve a consistency (at least 80%) of extracted items, the data extractors will extract data from a sample of eligible studies. The outcomes include any rating scale describing stress, mood, and quality of life. Review Manager software (v 5.4; Cochrane Collaboration) will be used for the meta-analysis. Two independent reviewers will assess the risk of bias of the included studies at study level. Any disagreements will be discussed and resolved in discussion with a third reviewer.Results:The results of our review will be reported strictly following the PRISMA criteria.Conclusions:The review will add to the existing literature by showing compelling evidence and improved guidance in clinic settings.OSF registration number:10.17605/OSF.IO/DCRPJ.Ethics and dissemination:Ethical approval and patient consent are not required because this study is a literature-based study. This systematic review and meta-analysis will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Motivational Interviewing Enhances Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety Disorders.

This pilot study tested whether the addition of motivational interviewing (MI) prior to group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety may improve the effectiveness of the treatment. Prior to group CBT, 40 individuals with a principal diagnosis of an anxiety disorder (40% panic disorder, 25% generalized anxiety disorder, 22.5% social phobia, and 12.5% others) were randomly assigned to receive either three individual sessions of MI or were assigned to a control group that did not receive MI. The pretreatment MI group, compared to the control group, experienced significantly greater reduction in anxiety symptoms post-CBT. These results suggest that brief MI pretreatment enhances the efficacy of CBT on anxiety. A combination of MI and CBT may be particularly promising for the treatment of anxiety, with MI directed at increasing motivation and commitment to change, and CBT directed at helping the client achieve the desired changes.

A175 BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS TO ADDRESS INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE-RELATED DISTRESS AND QUALITY OF LIFE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS.

Abstract Background Inflammatory bowel disease-associated psychological distress (IBD-PD) (inclusive of anxiety, depression, and high levels of stress) is prevalent amongst persons living with IBD. IBD-PD impairs quality of life (QoL) and worsens disease outcomes. Research relating to the efficacy of behavioral interventions for IBD-PD has been limited. Aims This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based interventions for the management of IBD-PD and QoL in persons living with IBD. Methods Pre-defined criteria were used to identify randomized controlled studies reporting on the efficacy of CBT-based interventions for IBD-PD and QoL in adults living with IBD. Electronic databases including CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycArticles, PsycInfo, Pubmed, and Web of Science were searched from inception to May 30, 2020. Studies published in English or French were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool by two independent reviewers (CH and MRF). Data was extracted and summarized qualitatively. A random-effects model was used to generate pooled estimates. Results Eight studies (922 participants) met criteria for inclusion in this review. The studies evaluated outcomes of quality of life and IBD-PD using the IBD Questionnaire (IBDQ), United Kingdom IBDQ, Short IBSQ, 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36), Short Health Scale, Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Hospital anxiety depression scale (HADS) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 Items (DASS-21). Of the 8 studies, 2 were low, 2 high, and 4 at intermediate risk of bias. Interventions, duration, and outcome assessments differed across studies and observed attrition rates were high. The pooled odds ratio for the short-term impact of CBT on IBDQ (n=3) was 0.30 (95% CI 0.17- 0.44) favoring CBT. Perceived stress (PSQ and PSS-10) were only reported in 3 studies as secondary outcomes. Overall, CBT had no observed benefit for perceived stress. Measurement of anxiety and depression was inconsistent across studies. The impact of CBT on anxiety and depression varied with studies revealing both neutral and positive results. Conclusions In patients IBD-PD, CBT-based interventions were observed to lead to short-term improvements in disease-related QoL. The impact of CBT on IBD-PD remains unclear due to limitations in study quality and heterogeneity in study design. Further studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of CBT-based interventions for IBD-PD and to define the role of behavioral interventions delivered within the context of collaborative, biopsychosocial models of care. Expert consensus on best practice for CBT-based interventions and IBD-PD evaluation are needed. Funding Agencies None

Does cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders assist the discontinuation of benzodiazepines among patients with anxiety disorders? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Long‐term use of benzodiazepines (BZD) is not recommended for the treatment of anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment option for discontinuation of BZD in patients with anxiety disorders. This systematic review and meta‐analysis sought to clarify whether CBT is effective for discontinuing BZD anxiolytics in patients with anxiety disorders. This study was preregistered with PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42019125263). A literature search of major electronic databases was conducted in December 2018. Three randomized controlled trials were included in this review, and meta‐analyses were performed. The proportion of discontinuing BZD anxiolytics was significantly higher in the CBT plus gradual tapering group than in the gradual tapering alone group, both in the short term (3 months after allocation; number needed to treat: 3.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.1 to 7.1; risk ratio: 1.96, 95%CI: 1.29 to 2.98, P = 0.002, three studies) and long term (6 to 12 months after allocation; number needed to treat: 2.8, 95%CI: 1.9 to 5.3; risk ratio: 2.16, 95%CI: 1.41 to 3.32, P = 0.0004, three studies). CBT may be effective for discontinuing BZD anxiolytics, both in the short term and in the long term after the allocation. Further studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to draw definitive conclusions regarding the efficacy and safety of CBT for discontinuing BZD anxiolytics in patients with anxiety disorders.

Efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy in medicated adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in multiple dimensions: a randomised controlled trial.

The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in medicated adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with a multidimensional evaluation and follow-up to week 36. Ninety-eight adult ADHD were randomly allocated to the CBT combined with medication (CBT + M) group or the medication (M) only group. The primary endpoint was the ADHD-Rating Scale (ADHD-RS). Secondary endpoints included emotional symptoms, self-esteem, automatic thoughts, quality of life (QoL), and executive function (EF). The outcome measures were obtained at baseline (T1), after the 12-week CBT treatment (T2), and at two follow-up time points (week 24, T3, and week 36, T4). Compared to the M-only group, the patients in the CBT + M group showed an overall significantly greater reduction from baseline in ADHD core symptoms (ADHD-RS total score at T3, and inattention subscale at T2 and T3), depression and anxiety symptoms (T2-T4), state anxiety (T2 and T3) and trait anxiety (T2), automatic thoughts questionnaire at T3, and QoL (physical domain, psychological domain, and social domain, most significant at T3 and weakened at T4). These findings further confirmed the efficacy of CBT on multiple dimensions and verified improvements in automatic thinking in adult ADHD. The superiority of the combination treatment mainly manifested in reduced inattention, emotional symptoms, and maladaptive thoughts and improved QoL. Trial registration number ChiCTR1900021705 (March-05-2019).

Non-pharmacological treatment of gambling disorder: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

BackgroundThe main focus of the non-pharmacological treatment of Gambling Disorder (GD) is the behaviour, cognition and motivation of the patient, addressing the psychological determinants of gambling. Although there is not a gold standard non-pharmacological treatment yet, many studies already had promising results, and the outcomes were even better when pharmacotherapies were combined with psychotherapies. This review intended to synthesise the efficacy of various available non-pharmacological therapies for GD evaluated in randomized controlled trials.MethodsA systematic search was conducted in PubMed and in Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials. Studies were included if participants had GD as their primary diagnosis and excluded if patients had other comorbidities.ResultsFrom 320 records identified, 22 studies were included in the critical appraisal. They included a total of 1694 patients, with a mean age of 42.94 years, and a 62.31% of males. Seven trials revealed the efficacy of cognitive behaviour therapy in improving significantly the outcomes. Three studies assessing cognitive therapy showed significant improvements in gambling symptoms, while one study showed improvements in gambling behaviour using exposure therapy. Combined or separate motivational interviewing and imaginal desensitization had significant results in 4 trials. Four other studies also showed efficacy for: couples therapy, node-link mapping therapy, 12-step facilitated and personalized feedback intervention. Physical exercise had promising results but did not reach significance.ConclusionThe literature included in this review showed the heterogeneity of available psychotherapies. The majority of studies supported the efficacy of the tested therapies, while some of them, due to limitations such as small sample sizes or inadequate control groups, failed to reach significance.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy in pregnant women with generalized anxiety disorder: a retrospective cohort study on therapeutic efficacy, gestational age and birth weight.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder during pregnancy and its effects on gestational age and birth weight.Methods:The sample included 28 untreated patients and 23 patients treated with CBT. Psychiatric diagnoses were determined through the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-IV. Symptom severity was assessed with standardized rating scales.Results:Post-treatment levels of anxiety symptoms were significantly lower than baseline. There was no significant difference in gestational age or newborn birth weight between the cognitive behavioral therapy group and the untreated group.Conclusions:Cognitive behavioral therapy appears to be a safe and effective treatment for generalized anxiety disorder during pregnancy.

Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia for patients with co-morbid generalized anxiety disorder: an open trial on clinical outcomes and putative mechanisms.

Very little is known concerning the efficacy of psychosocial treatments for patients with insomnia disorder co-morbid with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The aim was to examine the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) for patients with insomnia disorder co-morbid with GAD. Given the limited, previous research on therapies for patients with insomnia disorder co-morbid with GAD, an open trial design was used. Twenty-four patients with insomnia disorder and GAD were administered CBT-I across 10 weeks. Across the study period to 6 months follow-up, the participants completed measures indexing insomnia, anxiety, worry, depression, functional impairment, quality of life, treatment perception (credibility, expectancy and satisfaction), adverse events and putative mechanisms. Moderate to large effect sizes for CBT-I were observed for insomnia symptoms. In terms of insomnia severity, approximately 61% of the patients responded to CBT-I and 26-48% remitted. Moderate to large effect sizes were also demonstrated for GAD symptoms, depression, functional impairment and quality of life. Roughly one-third of the participants reported an adverse event during CBT-I. Five of the seven putative mechanisms were significantly reversed in the expected direction, i.e. all four cognitive process measures and time in bed. This open trial indicates that CBT-I is an efficacious intervention for patients with insomnia disorder co-morbid with GAD. The results highlight the need for further research using a randomized controlled trial design with analyses of mechanisms of change.

The effectiveness of cognitive behaviour therapy for reducing anxiety symptoms following traumatic brain injury: A meta-analysis and systematic review.

Anxiety is a common neuropsychological sequela following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is a recommended, first-line intervention for anxiety disorders in the non-TBI clinical population, however its effectiveness after TBI remains unclear and findings are inconsistent. There are no current meta-analyses exploring the efficacy of CBT as an intervention for anxiety symptoms following TBI, using controlled trials. The aim of the current study, therefore, was to systematically review and synthesize the evidence from controlled trials for the effectiveness of CBT for anxiety, specifically within the TBI population. Three electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed and PsycInfo) were searched and a systematic review of intervention studies utilising CBT and anxiety related outcome measures in a TBI population was performed through searching three electronic databases. Studies were further evaluated for quality of evidence based on Reichow's (2011) quality appraisal tool. Baseline and outcome data were extracted from the 10 controlled trials that met the inclusion criteria, and effect sizes were calculated. A random effects meta-analysis identified a small overall effect size (Cohen's d) of d = -0.26 (95%CI -0.41 to -0.11) of CBT interventions reducing anxiety symptoms following TBI. This meta-analysis tentatively supports the view that CBT interventions may be effective in reducing anxiety symptoms in some patients following TBI, however the effect sizes are smaller than those reported for non-TBI clinical populations. Clinical implications and limitations of the current meta-analysis are discussed.

Does cognitive behavioral therapy using a self-check sheet improve night-time frequency in patients with nocturia? Results of a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

To determine whether cognitive behavioral therapy using a self-check sheet is effective in improving night-time frequency of patients with nocturia. We carried out a multicenter, open-labeled, randomized controlled trial in eight institutions. Patients having two or more episodes of nocturia were randomly assigned to either cognitive behavioral therapy with completion of frequency volume charts regularly (cognitive behavioral therapy group) or frequency volume charts regularly alone (frequency volume charts group). The cognitive behavioral therapy checklist was composed of eight items: wake up time/bedtime, mealtime, napping, alcohol/caffeine intake, water intake, salt intake, exercise and taking a bath. A physician explained cognitive behavioral therapy within 5min using a brief manual. The patients in the cognitive behavioral therapy group filled out the self-check sheet every day. The primary end-point was the difference in night-time frequency based on the International Prostate Symptom Score Q7 at 4weeks. Of the 100 first-visit patients randomly allocated, 37 in the cognitive behavioral therapy group and 41 in the frequency volume charts group completed the protocol. No difference was observed in the mean±standard deviation of night-time frequency at 4weeks between the cognitive behavioral therapy group (2.6±1.0) and the frequency volume charts group (3.1±1.2; P=0.056). However, when six patients with achievement of cognitive behavioral therapy of <50% were excluded from the analysis, night-time frequency at 4weeks was significantly lower in the cognitive behavioral therapy group (2.5±1.0) than in the frequency volume charts group (3.1±1.2; P=0.027). The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy using a self-check sheet for nocturia remains to be shown. However, strictly practicing cognitive behavioral therapy might be beneficial to these patients.

One year follow-up and mediation in cognitive behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy for adult depression

BackgroundExisting therapies for depression are effective, but many patients fail to recover or relapse. To improve care for patients, more research into the effectiveness and working mechanisms of treatments is needed. We examined the long-term efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), testing the hypothesis that CBT outperforms ACT and that both therapies work through their designated mechanisms of change.MethodsWe conducted a randomized controlled trial with 82 patients suffering from MDD. Data were collected before, during and after treatment, and at 12-month follow-up, assessing symptoms of depression, quality of life, dysfunctional attitudes, decentering, and experiential avoidance.ResultsPatients in both conditions reported significant and large reductions of depressive symptoms (d = − 1.26 to − 1.60) and improvement in quality of life (d = 0.91 to − 1.28) 12 months following treatment. Our findings indicated no significant differences between the two interventions. Dysfunctional attitudes and decentering mediated treatment effects of depressive symptoms in both CBT and ACT, whereas experiential avoidance mediated treatment effects in ACT only.ConclusionsOur results indicate that CBT is not more effective in treating depression than ACT. Both treatments seem to work through changes in dysfunctional attitudes and decentering, even though the treatments differ substantially. Change in experiential avoidance as an underlying mechanism seems to be an ACT-specific process. Further research is needed to investigate whether ACT and CBT may work differently for different groups of patients with depression.Trial registrationclinicaltrials.gov; NCT01517503. Registered 25 January 2012 - Retrospectively registered.

Cognitive-Behavioral and Existential Therapies for Marital Satisfaction in Women: A Comparative Investigation of the Efficacy, Stability and Mechanisms of Changes

Due to limited of comparative studies on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), as an objective approach, and Existential Therapy (ET), as a subjective approach, on marital relationship, the current study investigates the efficacy of these two types of group psychotherapy on marital satisfaction in women. Hence, the main objects of this study are: comparative study on the efficacy of ET and CBT on marital satisfaction, stability of the intervention after 2 months, and assessing the mechanisms of changes. 16 eligible women who enrolled in the study were randomly assigned to ET or CBT groups. They were requested to fill out the marital satisfaction questionnaire (MSQ) at three stages: pre-treatment, post-treatment and after 2-month follow-up. Repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to analyze the data. The results show that there are statistically significant differences between the pre- and post-treatment and pre-treatment and follow-up in both interventions (p 0.05). Finally, although both treatment groups do exert a significant improvement on marital satisfaction (F = 89.423, p < 0.05), but the mechanisms of the changes in subscales, including “Attraction”, “Rapport”, “Attitude” and “Investment”, are different. The follow-up results show that CBT and ET have stable influences on marital satisfaction. Despite the limited number of participants, in both approaches the subscales changes are significant over time. Marital satisfaction in CBT is enhanced by greater improvements in “Rapport” and “Attraction” between the couples, but in ET it occurs more through the enhancement of “Attitude” and “Investment”.

Efficacy and durability of cognitive behavior therapy in managing hallucination in patients with schizophrenia.

Background:The cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) approach to psychosis is a relatively recent development and focuses directly on the core psychotic symptoms of hallucinations and delusions.Aim:The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of cognitive behavior therapy in managing hallucination in patients with schizophrenia and to evaluate the generalizability and durability of the therapeutic gains.Materials and Methods:In this confirmatory pre–post assessment study, based on the purposive sampling technique, a sample consisting of 40 (20 for experimental and the other 20 for control group) patients having schizophrenia with core symptoms of hallucination and delusions under treatment as usual were selected and matched on the sociodemographic and clinical variables. For the clinical variables, the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scale and Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms were used. After baseline assessment, the cognitive behavioral program was tailored on the experimental group and patients of both the group were reassessed after the completion of treatment. Follow-up data to see the durability of program were taken from all the patients of experimental and control groups.Results:Cognitive behavior therapy was found to be effective for the treatment of auditory hallucination in schizophrenia. The therapeutic gains in all study variables were found to be maintained or further improving at follow-up which proves that cognitive behavior therapy is durable.Conclusion:Cognitive behavior therapy in conjunction with pharmacotherapy was found to be more effective in improving clinical symptoms of schizophrenia and global functioning compared to pharmacotherapy alone.

Efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy-based smartphone app for smoking cessation in China: a study protocol of a randomised controlled trial

IntroductionA number of smartphone apps have been proved to be effective in assisting smoking cessation in many countries, but little is known about the effectiveness of smartphone apps that assist...