Reduction In Depressive Symptoms Research Articles

Outcomes of transdiagnostic internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy tailored to public safety personnel: A longitudinal observational study

First responders and other public safety personnel (PSP) experience high rates of mental health problems and face barriers to accessing mental healthcare. Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) is an effective and accessible treatment for various mental health concerns. Canadian PSP report favorable attitudes toward ICBT, and preliminary outcomes demonstrate that they benefit from it. Expanding on this research, the current study consisted of a longitudinal observational study of 560 Canadian PSP who participated in ICBT. It was designed to assess the longer term effectiveness of ICBT and moderators of outcomes by gender, linguistic and occupational group, and years of occupational experience. We evaluated symptom change at 8, 26, and 52 weeks post-enrollment, and results among PSP who had elevated clinical scores, showed large reductions (Hedges’ g) in symptoms of depression (g = 1.3), anxiety (g =1.48), posttraumatic stress (g =1.24), panic (g =1.19), and anger (g =1.07) and moderate reductions in symptoms of social anxiety (g =.48–.56). Moderator analyses revealed modest differences in pre-treatment symptoms among certain groups but no group differences in symptom change over time. Clients showed good completion of treatment materials and reported high treatment satisfaction. The results suggest further study of ICBT tailored to PSP is warranted, including evaluating ICBT tailored for PSP in other countries.

A Randomized Evaluation of MoodFX, a Patient-Centred e-Health Tool to Support Outcome Measurement for Depression: Une évaluation randomisée de MoodFX, un outil de santé en ligne centré sur le patient pour soutenir la mesure du résultat dans la dépression.

e-Health tools using validated questionnaires to assess outcomes may facilitate measurement-based care for psychiatric disorders. MoodFX was created as a free online symptom tracker to support patients for outcome measurement in their depression treatment. We conducted a pilot randomized evaluation to examine its usability, and clinical utility. Patients presenting with a major depressive episode (within a major depressive or bipolar disorder) were randomly assigned to receive either MoodFX or a health information website as the intervention and control condition, respectively, with follow-up assessment surveys conducted online at baseline, 8 weeks and 6 months. The primary usability outcomes included the percentage of patients with self-reported use of MoodFX 3 or more times during follow up (indicating minimally adequate usage) and usability measures based on the System Usability Scale (SUS). Secondary clinical outcomes included the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, Self-Rated (QIDS-SR) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Forty-nine participants were randomized (24 to MoodFX and 25 to the control condition). Of the 23 participants randomized to MoodFX who completed the user survey, 18 (78%) used MoodFX 3 or more times over the 6 months of the study. The mean SUS score of 72.7 (65th-69th percentile) represents good usability. Compared to the control group, the MoodFX group had significantly better improvement on QIDS-SR and PHQ-9 scores, with large effect sizes and higher response rates at 6 months. There were no differences between conditions on other secondary outcomes such as functioning and quality of life. MoodFX demonstrated good usability and was associated with reduction in depressive symptoms. This pilot study supports the use of digital tools in depression treatment.

Effect of Depression Interventions in Patients Undergoing Total Joint Arthroplasty Without a Formal Diagnosis of Depression: A Systematic Review

Purpose: Depression is a notable contributor to suboptimal outcomes after total joint arthroplasty (TJA). We conducted a systematic review of comparative studies to review the available evidence of interventions that affected depression scores and/or outcomes for patients undergoing TJA. Methods: EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, and Scopus were reviewed systematically from inception until November 15, 2022. Studies that were relevant for this review included comparative studies between patients who received an intervention within 3 months before or after their primary total hip or knee arthroplasty procedure. The interventions included a wide range of modalities, which were grouped into psychotherapy, enhanced perioperative support, and pharmacotherapy. Other interventions included physiotherapy techniques with a psychological focus, art/music-based therapy, occupational therapy support, and educational interventions. Meta-analysis was conducted for psychotherapy and enhanced support. Results: The final systematic review consisted of 28 relevant studies, most of which were randomized controlled trials. A total of 3,702 patients, with a mean age of 66 years, were considered, of whom 59% were female. Most of the studies reported a notable reduction in depressive symptoms and/or scores based on the interventions being analyzed. At 3 months postoperatively, psychotherapy and enhanced support both resulted in markedly better depression and function scores compared with control subjects, with psychotherapy additionally improving pain scores. Conclusions: Overall, a wide range of interventions aimed at psychological optimization of patients undergoing TJA can improve depressive symptoms, pain, and function, even in the absence of a formal diagnosis of depression. Specifically, cognitive-based psychotherapy and enhanced perioperative support had the best evidence. Routine pharmacotherapy plays a limited role, if any, in the care of TJA. Additional efforts to develop pragmatic, evidence-based, and reproducible interventions are warranted to continue to optimize outcomes in TJA patients.

Quality of Life and Depression Symptoms After Therapy De-Escalation in HPV+ Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Despite interest in therapy de-escalation for survivors of human papillomavirus-mediated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPV-positive OPSCC), the association of de-escalated therapy with patient-reported quality of life (QoL) outcomes and burden of depressive symptoms remains unclear. To identify associations between clinicopathologic and therapeutic variables with patient-reported QoL outcomes and depression symptom burden in patients with HPV-positive OPSCC, who were enrolled in a therapy de-escalation trial. In this nonrandomized controlled, open-label, curative-intent therapy de-escalation clinical trial in adults with stage I, II, and III HPV-positive OPSCC, patients were recruited from a high-volume head and neck oncology practice. The main outcomes of this study included quantitative, patient-reported QoL and depression symptoms per well-validated inventories. Patient-reported QoL was based on Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Head & Neck (FACT-HN) scores (range, 0-148; lower score indicates inferior QoL). Patient-reported depression-related symptom burden was based on Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self-Report (QIDS-SR) scores (range, 0-27; a higher score indicates a higher burden of depression symptoms). Baseline clinicopathologic and treatment variables were paired with FACT-HN and QIDS-SR scores at baseline, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months. Linear mixed-effect models with a random intercept were used for each participant and fixed effects for other measures. Regression coefficients are reported with 95% CIs. A total of 95 patients were followed up for a median (IQR) of 2.2 (1.6-3.2) years. Of these, 93 patients (98%) were male with a mean (SD) age of 60.5 (8.2) years. Overall, 54 participants (57%) had a history of current or former smoking, 47 (50%) underwent curative-intent surgery (with or without adjuvant therapy), and 48 (50%) underwent primary radiotherapy (with or without chemotherapy). The median (IQR) radiotherapy dose was 60 (60-70) Gy. Five deaths and 2 recurrence events were observed (mean [SD] recurrence interval, 1.4 [1.5] years). A higher radiotherapy dose was the only modifiable factor associated with inferior patient-reported QoL (lower FACT-HN) (coefficient, -0.66 [95% CI, -1.09 to -0.23]) and greater burden of depression-related symptoms (higher QIDS-SR) (coefficient, 0.11 [95% CI, 0.04-0.19]). With the 70-Gy dose as reference, improvements in FACT-HN and QIDS-SR scores were identified when patients received 51 to 60 Gy (coefficient, 12.75 [95% CI, 4.58-20.92] and -2.17 [-3.49 to -0.85], respectively) and 50 Gy or lower (coefficient, 15.03 [4.36-25.69] and -2.80 [-4.55 to -1.04]). In this nonrandomized controlled, open-label, curative-intent therapy de-escalation trial, a higher radiotherapy dose was associated with inferior patient-reported QoL and a greater burden of depression-related symptoms. This suggests opportunities for improved QoL outcomes and reduced depression symptom burden with a reduction in radiotherapy dose. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04638465.

Emotion Regulation as a Mechanism of Mindfulness in Individual Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Depression and Anxiety Disorders

Background. The global prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders underscores the need for a more profound comprehension of effective treatments. Mindfulness has shown promise in enhancing treatment outcomes and preventing relapse in these conditions, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Methods. This study examined the role of emotion regulation as a mediator in the relationship between changes in mindfulness and the reduction of depression and anxiety symptoms during individual cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). We tracked longitudinal changes in mindfulness, emotion regulation, depression, and anxiety at baseline (pre), early treatment (session 5), midtreatment (session 15), and posttreatment (session 25) in 162 patients with depression and anxiety disorders. Further, we examined whether the effects of mindfulness on emotion regulation could be enhanced by introducing a brief mindfulness intervention at the beginning of each CBT session, as compared to progressive muscle relaxation and individual psychotherapy without any standardized session-introducing interventions. Results. Multilevel structural equation modeling indicated that decreases in rumination and increases in reappraisal and acceptance mediated the relationship between mindfulness and reductions in depressive symptoms. In contrast, reductions in avoidance explained the association between mindfulness and changes in anxiety symptoms. These links remained unchanged when adding a mindfulness intervention into individual CBT. Conclusion. Results support emotion regulatory properties of mindfulness and highlight distinct pathways of symptom reduction in depression and anxiety. These findings have important implications for understanding the mechanisms of mindfulness and tailoring treatment to individual patient needs. This trial is registered with NTC02270073.

275 Cultural Adaptation and Implementation of Cognitive Behavior Therapy in a Rural Mental Health Clinic of Puerto Rico

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Culturally Centered Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CCCBT) is a therapeutic approach that acknowledges the effect of cultural values, beliefs, and norms on mental health. Study aims to develop a CCCBT for rural community by enhancing engagement, relevance, and outcomes through culturally tailored interventions, and evaluate its implementation. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Diverse mixed methods study with participants ages 18-65 from Partial Hospitalization Program in rural community located in Puerto Rico Mountain region. CCCBT intervention will have a span of 9 consecutive bi-weekly sessions. The study consists of 2 phases: 1. Evaluate intervention acceptability through focus groups (n=12) with repeated measures to learn about enhancing mental health outcomes, 2. Measure intervention effectiveness in reducing mild-moderate depression and anxiety symptoms using validated questionnaires (PHQ-9 and GAD-7) with a 100 participants from same region. Descriptive analysis for sociodemographic characteristics will be used to provide overview of participants characteristics. Qualitative analysis of focus groups will be obtained through feedback and content analysis. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: We anticipate high intervention acceptability through positive participant feedback and cultural relevance feedback from focal groups. We expect to find significant reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety post-intervention, demonstrating the efficacy of CCCBT in Puerto Rican rural communities. These results will support the feasibility of implementing this approach, addressing mental health disparities, and enhancing treatment engagement and outcomes in underserved populations. The study will inform future research to refine and expand this intervention in rural communities of Hispanics and/or other rural underserved populations in the US. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: This study’s success will advance culturally tailored mental health care in underserved rural Puerto Rican communities, reducing disparities and enhancing treatment relevance and engagement, with potential implications for improving mental health outcomes in similar populations in the US and worldwide.

All in the Family: Does Grandparenting Impact Chinese Grandparents’ Depressive Symptoms?

Grandparenting is becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide, especially in Chinese society. However, the impact of grandparenting on older adults’ health remains unclear. This study examined whether and how grandparenting is associated with depressive symptoms in Chinese older adults and the role of intergenerational support (i.e., financial, emotional, and instrumental support) in this relationship. Using data from the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS) 2018 wave, the researchers employed multivariate linear regression models to investigate variations in depressive symptoms and their associations with grandparenting; the role of intergenerational support was also explored. The results indicated that older adults who engage in grandparenting, particularly in non-intensive care, experience a reduction in depressive symptoms, even after accounting for sociodemographic and health-related factors. Overall, intergenerational support plays a mediating role in the relationship between grandparenting and associated mental health outcomes. Bidirectional emotional and financial support and receiving instrumental support were associated with lower depressive symptoms among Chinese grandparents. In general, the findings of this study suggest that grandparenting, along with intergenerational support, provides certain protective health benefits for Chinese grandparents. With rapid changes in Chinese society, further prospective longitudinal studies are needed to examine family contexts in the relationship between grandchild caregiving and associated health outcomes.

The effectiveness of a Lactobacillus probiotic on measures of psychosocial health in adults diagnosed with subthreshold depression: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide(1). The microbiota-gut-brain axis may play a role in the aetiology of depression, and probiotics show promise for improving mood and depressive state(2). Further evidence is required to support mechanisms and in high-risk populations, such as those with sub-threshold depression (which may be 2-3 times more prevalent than diagnosed depression)(3). The aims were to assess the efficacy of a probiotic compared with placebo in reducing the severity of depressive symptoms in participants with subthreshold depression, and to investigate potential mechanistic markers of inflammatory, antioxidant status and stress response. A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in participants meeting diagnosis of subthreshold depression (DSM-5); aged 18-65 years; ≥18.5 kg/m2 body mass index; not taking antidepressants, centrally acting medications, probiotics nor antibiotics for at least 6 weeks. The probiotic (4 × 109 AFU/CFU, 2.5 g freeze-dried powder containing Lactobacillus fermentum LF16 (DSM26956), L. rhamnosus LR06 (DSM21981), L. plantarum LP01 (LMG P-21021), Bifidobacterium longum BL04 (DSM 23233)) or placebo was taken daily for 3-months. Data was collected at 3 study visits (pre-, mid- (6 weeks), post-intervention). Self-reported questionnaires measured psychological symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory, BDI; Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, HADS) and quality of life. Blood and salivary samples were collected for biomarkers including cortisol awakening response (CAR). General linear models examined within-group and between-group differences across all time points. Thirty-nine participants completed the study (n = 19 probiotic; n = 20 placebo) using intention-to-treat analysis. The probiotic group decreased in BDI score by −6.5 (95% CI −12.3; −0.7) and −7.6 (95% CI −13.4; −1.8) at 6 and 12 weeks, respectively. The HADS-A score decreased in the probiotic group by −2.8 (95% CI −5.2; −0.4) and −2.7 (95% CI −5.1; −0.3) at 6 and 12, respectively. The HADS-D score decreased in the probiotic group by −3.0 (95% CI −5.4; −0.7) and −2.5 (−4.9; −0.2) at 6 and 12 weeks of intervention, respectively. No between group differences were found. There were no changes in perceived stress or quality of life scores. The probiotic group had reduced hs-CRP levels (7286.2 ± 1205.8 ng/dL vs. 5976.4 ± 1408.3; P = 0.003) and increased total glutathione (14.2 ± 8.9 ng/dL vs. 9.3 ± 4.7; P = 0.049) compared to placebo, post intervention. Lower levels of CAR were found in the probiotic compared to placebo (−0.04 ± 0.17 μg/dL vs. 0.16 ± 0.25; P = 0.009). A significant reduction in depressive symptoms and anxiety was observed within the probiotic group only. These results were supported by improvements observed in biomarkers, suggesting probiotics may improve psychological wellbeing in adults experiencing sub-threshold depression, by potential pathways involved in central nervous system homeostasis and inflammation. Future analyses are required to understand changes within the intestinal microbiota and to clarify how their metabolites facilitate emotional processing.

(333) - A Curricular Interprofessional Intervention Can Reduce Depression Symptoms in MCS Patients - A Multi-Center, Randomized Controlled Trial

(333) - A Curricular Interprofessional Intervention Can Reduce Depression Symptoms in MCS Patients - A Multi-Center, Randomized Controlled Trial

EMOTION RELEASING PROCESS AS A NEW APPROACH TO EASE UNCOMFORTABLE EMOTION: A CASE SERIES

Introduction – This paper explores the potential of the Emotion Releasing Process (ERP) as a therapeutic approach for individuals suffering from anxiety and depression, often stemming from traumatic memories. This case series aims to describe two cases using ERP as a therapeutic approach for individuals dealing with anxiety and depression. Methods – The study investigates the effectiveness of ERP through case series analyses of two individuals experiencing significant emotional distress. Results – Both cases demonstrated substantial reductions in anxiety and depression symptoms (56.25% and 93.75% decrease in HSCL scores) following a single ERP session. The paper highlights the unique strengths of ERP compared to traditional methods like CBT and psychodynamics, emphasizing its focus on directly addressing emotional sensations in the body rather than cognitive restructuring or storytelling. Discuss – Traumatic memories are different from ordinary memories in several ways. The emotional impact of traumatic memories can be significant. In addition to the emotional impact of traumatic memories, they can also have physical effects on the body. Conclusion - This approach, bypassing the need for detailed memory recall, holds promise for individuals struggling to verbalize or confront traumatic experiences. Further research is encouraged to explore the broader applications of ERP across various diagnoses and specific trauma types such as PTSD or complex trauma. Keywords: ERP, emotion, trauma, psychotherapy

노인 재학대 예방 프로그램의 효과성에 대한 연구

This study developed an elder re-abuse prevention program targeting perpetrators and assessed its effectiveness through a mixed-method approach. Thirteen perpetrators participated in eight sessions, and quantitative results revealed positive effects on emotional control and reduction of depressive symptoms. However, no significant change was observed in self-esteem. Qualitative findings indicated notable shifts in perpetrators’ emotions, perceptions, actions, and their relationship with elder abuse victims. The trust relationship with social workers in charge, and the negative conditions of perpetrators emerged as influencing factors for these changes. The results suggest the need for enhanced follow-up monitoring of elder abuse cases, interdisciplinary or multi-systematic interventions based on family systems, and strategic workforce deployment for elder abuse prevention programs.

Proximity to public green spaces and depressive symptoms among South African residents: a population-based study

BackgroundExposure to green spaces has been suggested to improve mental health and may reduce the risk of depression. However, there is generally limited evidence on the association between green spaces and depression originating from low-and middle-income countries and Africa in particular. Here, we investigate the association between proximity to public green spaces and depressive symptoms among residents of Gauteng Province, South Africa.MethodsWe used data from the 2017/2018 Gauteng quality of life survey. We included all individuals aged 18 years or older residing in the nine municipalities of Gauteng Province that completed the survey (n = 24,341). Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-2. Proximity to public green spaces was defined as self-reported walking time (either less or greater than 15 min) from individuals’ homes to the nearest public green space. To assess the association between access to public green spaces and depressive symptoms, we used mixed-effects models, adjusted for age, sex, population group (African, Indian/Asian, Coloured (mixed race), and White), educational attainment, and municipality. We additionally performed stratified analyses by age, sex, educational attainment, and population group to evaluate whether associations differed within subgroups. Associations are expressed as prevalence ratios (PR) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).ResultsWe observed a 6% (PR = 0.94, 95%CI = 0.92–0.96) prevalence reduction in depressive symptoms for individuals who reported that the nearest public green space was less than 15 min from their homes as compared to those who reported > 15 min. After stratification, this inverse association was stronger among females, individuals aged 35–59 years,those with higher levels of educational attainment, and Coloured individuals as compared to their counterparts.ConclusionOur findings suggest that public green spaces close to residential homes may be associated with a reduction in the occurrence of depressive symptoms among urban populations in resource-constrained settings like South Africa.

Efficacy of intravenous ketamine and intranasal esketamine with dose escalation for Major depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveIntravenous (IV) racemic ketamine and intranasal (IN) esketamine have demonstrated rapid antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant depression (TRD). This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ketamine and esketamine at various dosages for depression. MethodsWe included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with parallel group dose comparison of ketamine and esketamine for depression/TRD. Ovid Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, Scopus and Cochrane databases were searched. Standardized mean differences were calculated using Hedges'-g to complete random effects meta-analysis. The efficacy outcomes were changes in depression outcomes for IV ketamine and IN esketamine respectively. Safety was assessed by reported adverse effects. ResultsA random effects meta-analysis of studies (n = 12) showed efficacy in reducing depression symptoms with IV ketamine (Hedges'g = 1.52 [0.98–2.22], Z = 4.23, p < 0.001) and IN esketamine (Hedges' g = 0.31 [0.18–0.44], Z = 4.53, P < 0.001) compared to control/placebo. Treatment response was observed at IV ketamine doses ≤0.2 mg/kg, >0.2–0.5 mg/kg and > 0.5 mg/kg. Higher IV ketamine doses (>0.5 mg/kg) did not lead to greater treatment response. Esketamine doses of 56–84 mg were superior to 28 mg dose. LimitationsOverall quality of evidence was low and limited by small number of studies. Publication bias was high. ConclusionsThis meta-analysis suggests that IV ketamine may be efficacious at doses as low as 0.2 mg/kg, with increasing dose response at 0.5 mg/kg, without demonstrable increased benefit at 1 mg/kg, based on a small number of studies. Efficacy for IN esketamine increases with doses above 28 mg with best response being found between 56 and 84 mg for reducing depressive symptoms.

12-month follow-up of intensive outpatient treatment for PTSD combining prolonged exposure therapy, EMDR and physical activity

BackgroundPreliminary evidence shows promising treatment outcomes at short-term follow-up for intensive posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment, but long-term follow-up studies are sparse. This study is a sequel to a previous pilot study and open trial, set out to investigate treatment outcomes at 12-month follow-up for outpatients completing an 8-day intensive treatment for PTSD.MethodsAll patients were diagnosed with PTSD and had multiple previous psychotherapy attempts (M = 3.1). Patients were assessed at pre-treatment, post-treatment, 3- and 12-month follow-up. Of 35 treated patients, 32 (91.4%) attended the long-term follow-up assessment. The treatment programme combined prolonged exposure therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, and physical activity.ResultsThe effect sizes indicated large reductions in symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, interpersonal problems, and well-being. Changes in functioning showed a small-medium effect. Results were stable across the follow-up period. The treatment response rates showed that 46–60% of patients achieved recovery with respect to PTSD symptoms, and that 44–48% no longer met diagnostic criteria for PTSD.ConclusionsTime-limited and concentrated outpatient treatment for PTSD can yield large and enduring positive outcomes. Controlled trials are needed to establish relative efficacy.Trial registrationThe study was registered in Current Research Information System In Norway (Cristin). Cristin-project-ID: 654,790. Date of registration: 18.03.2019.

Association of Geriatric Depressive Symptoms and Government-Initiated Senior Employment Program: A Population-Based Study.

The impact of the government-initiated senior employment program (GSEP) on geriatric depressive symptoms is underexplored. Unearthing this connection could facilitate the planning of future senior employment programs and geriatric depression interventions. In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the possible association between geriatric depressive symptoms and GSEP in older adults. This study employed data from 9,287 participants aged 65 or older, obtained from the 2020 Living Profiles of Older People Survey. We measured depressive symptoms using the Korean version of the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale. The principal exposure of interest was employment status and GSEP involvement. Data analysis involved multiple linear regression. Employment, independent of income level, showed association with decreased depressive symptoms compared to unemployment (p<0.001). After adjustments for confounding variables, participation in GSEP jobs showed more significant reduction in depressive symptoms than non-GSEP jobs (β=-0.968, 95% confidence interval [CI]=-1.197 to -0.739, p<0.001 for GSEP jobs, β=-0.541, 95% CI=-0.681 to -0.401, p<0.001 for non-GSEP jobs). Notably, the lower income tertile in GSEP jobs showed a substantial reduction in depressive symptoms compared to all income tertiles in non-GSEP jobs. The lower-income GSEP group experienced lower depressive symptoms and life dissatisfaction compared to non-GSEP groups regardless of income. These findings may provide essential insights for the implementation of government policies and community-based interventions.

Spouses of First Responders: Support for Living With Posttraumatic Stress

Emergency first responders (police, fire, paramedic, dispatch) engage in work that includes multiple traumas, sometimes leading to posttraumatic stress. Due to work spillover at home, spouses are susceptible to vicarious and secondary trauma. While there are debriefings for traumatic calls for first responders, no such thing exists for the spouses who are the first to provide support at home. There is a lack of availability of resources supporting first responder spouses, particularly those whose first responders are diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder. Stepping into this gap is a unique 6-day residential treatment program provided in a secluded location in Northern California, where a small number of clients engage in a program directed by peers who have been through the program themselves, culturally competent clinicians, and chaplains. The therapeutic milieu is supported by psychoeducation, group processing, nutritious meals, daily activity, and an optional daily chapel program. Based on a dissertation, and using Gass’ wheel of change as a framework, this article shares the results of a qualitative study of eight participants' experiences of the program gleaned from in-depth interviews, a review of program agendas, and self-assessment scores pre- and postprogram. Inductive analysis resulted in common themes including a reduction in isolation, anxiety, and depression symptoms, normalization of experiences, and community. Like the insider-researcher author, individuals finding that they have “lost themselves” in the role of first responder spouse identify this residential treatment experience as a “back to myself” program. Further research on program effectiveness via program evaluation is recommended.

Effectiveness of a Web-based and Mobile Therapy Chatbot on Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Subclinical Young Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial.

There has been an increased need to provide specialized help for people with depressive and anxiety symptoms, particularly teenagers and young adults. There is evidence from a 2-week intervention that chatbots (eg, Woebot) are effective in reducing depression and anxiety, an effect that was not detected in the control group that was provided self-help materials. Although chatbots are a promising solution, there is limited scientific evidence for the efficacy of agent-guided cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) outside the English language, especially for highly inflected languages. This study aimed to measure the efficacy of Fido, a therapy chatbot that uses the Polish language. It targets depressive and anxiety symptoms using CBT techniques. We hypothesized that participants using Fido would show a greater reduction in anxiety and depressive symptoms than the control group. We conducted a 2-arm, open-label, randomized controlled trial with 81 participants with subclinical depression or anxiety who were recruited via social media. Participants were divided into experimental (interacted with a fully automated Fido chatbot) and control (received a self-help book) groups. Both intervention methods addressed topics such as general psychoeducation and cognitive distortion identification and modification via Socratic questioning. The chatbot also featured suicidal ideation identification and redirection to suicide hotlines. We used self-assessment scales to measure primary outcomes, including the levels of depression, anxiety, worry tendencies, satisfaction with life, and loneliness at baseline, after the 2-week intervention and at the 1-month follow-up. We also controlled for secondary outcomes, including engagement and frequency of use. There were no differences in anxiety and depressive symptoms between the groups at enrollment and baseline. After the intervention, depressive and anxiety symptoms were reduced in both groups (chatbot: n=36; control: n=38), which remained stable at the 1-month follow-up. Loneliness was not significantly different between the groups after the intervention, but an exploratory analysis showed a decline in loneliness among participants who used Fido more frequently. Both groups used their intervention technique with similar frequency; however, the control group spent more time (mean 117.57, SD 72.40 minutes) on the intervention than the Fido group (mean 79.44, SD 42.96 minutes). We did not replicate the findings from previous (eg, Woebot) studies, as both arms yielded therapeutic effects. However, such results are in line with other research of Internet interventions. Nevertheless, Fido provided sufficient help to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms and decreased perceived loneliness among high-frequency users, which is one of the first pieces of evidence of chatbot efficacy with agents that use a highly inflected language. Further research is needed to determine the long-term, real-world effectiveness of Fido and its efficacy in a clinical sample. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05762939; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05762939; Open Science Foundation Registry 2cqt3; https://osf.io/2cqt3.

IV low dose ketamine infusions for treatment resistant depression: Results from a five-year study at a free public clinic in an academic hospital

Individuals with major depressive disorder and treatment resistant depression (MDD-TRD) have limited and sometimes poorly tolerated therapeutic options. Low dose ketamine has presented promising and potent antidepressant effects in this population. To support the existent literature, we conducted a longitudinal study examining five years of real-world clinical data on the use of IV low-dose ketamine alongside standard care for MDD-TRD outpatients. For this study we collected demographic information, clinical scale scores, side effects and dropout data. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, effect size using Cohen's D analysis, and multivariate ANOVA (MANOVA) to determine the impact of sociodemographic variables. 71 outpatients (50.28 years old, SD: 14.26; female 74.65%) were included in the analysis. The results showed a significant reduction in depressive symptoms and suicide ideation (SI) by treatment endpoint. 54.93% of patients responded to the treatment, 78.26% experienced transient and mild side effects, and 11.27% of dropped out of the treatment. Multivariate analysis showed that the demographic variables did not impact treatment effect or tolerability. The results of this study suggest that IV low dose ketamine treatment is effective, fast-acting, and well tolerated for the management of depressive symptoms and SI in patients with MDD-TRD in naturalistic clinical practice.

Amygdala real-time fMRI neurofeedback upregulation in treatment resistant depression: Proof of concept and dose determination

Previous work has shown that adults suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD) can increase their amygdala reactivity while recalling positive memories via real-time neurofeedback (rt-fMRI-nf) training, which is associated with reduction in depressive symptoms. This study investigated if this intervention could also be considered for patients suffering from MDD who do not respond to standard psychological and pharmacological interventions, i.e., treatment resistant (TR-MDD).15 participants received 5 neurofeedback sessions. Outcome measures were depressive symptoms assessed by BDI scores up to 12 weeks following acute intervention, and amygdala activity changes from initial baseline to final transfer run during neurofeedback sessions (neurofeedback success).Participants succeeded in increasing their amygdala activity. A main effect of visit on BDI scores indicated a significant reduction in depressive symptomatology. Percent signal change in the amygdala showed a learning curve during the first session only. Neurofeedback success computed by session was significantly positive only during the second session. When examining the baseline amygdala response, baseline activity stabilized/asymptoted by session 3.This proof-of-concept study suggests that only two neurofeedback sessions are necessary to enable those patients to upregulate their amygdala activity, warranting a future RCT. Over the course of the rtfMRI-nf intervention, participants also reported reduced depressive symptomatology.Clinical trial registration number: NCT03428828 on ClinicalTrials.gov.

Research on adults with subthreshold depression after aerobic exercise: a resting-state fMRI study based on regional homogeneity (ReHo).

Subthreshold depression (StD)/subsyndromal depression refers to a threatening precursor to depression. Aerobic exercise is a promising self-supportive adjunctive intervention and an effective measure for StD. Our study utilizes regional homogeneity (ReHo) to investigate the impact of aerobic exercise on resting-state brain function. A total of 78 subjects, aged between 18 and 48 years, (StD group, n = 44; healthy control (HC) group, n = 34) engaged in moderate-intensity aerobic exercise 3-4 times per week for 8 weeks. Resting-state brain function and structural images were acquired before and after the exercise intervention. The ReHo method was employed to analyze abnormal changes in regional brain function, and a correlation analysis was performed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) scores. The principal observation reveals synchronous abnormalities in the right anterior cingulate gyrus of the brain in StD subjects compared to HCs at baseline, with these differences dissipating after the implementation of aerobic exercise. After completing the aerobic exercise program, the StD group exhibited a difference in the right middle cingulate gyrus, while the left supplementary motor area (SMA) was altered in the HC group. Disparities in neural synchronization are evident between HCs and StD subjects, and the implementation of aerobic exercise intervention can effectively mitigate these distinctions, leading to a significant reduction in depressive symptoms among StD subjects. The primary mechanism of StD symptoms may involve the inhibition of the anterior cingulate gyrus, while the effects of aerobic exercise may be related to the modulation of neural synchronization of emotional reflexes. The discovery of these fMRI evidence findings may offer novel strategies for early detection and intervention in cases of StD.