Reduction In Depressive Symptoms Research Articles

Longitudinal Neuroanatomical Increases from Early to One-Year Postpartum.

Preclinical studies have provided causal evidence that the postpartum period involves regional neuroanatomical changes in 'maternal' brain regions to support the transition to offspring caregiving. Few studies, in humans, have examined neuroanatomical changes from early to one-year postpartum with longitudinal neuroimaging data and their association with postpartum mood changes. In this study, we examined longitudinal changes in surface morphometry (cortical thickness and surface area) in regions previously implicated in the transition to parenthood. We also examined longitudinal volumetric neuroanatomical changes in three subcortical regions of the maternal brain: the hippocampus, amygdala, and ventral diencephalon. Twenty-four participants underwent longitudinal structural magnetic resonance imaging at 2-4 weeks and 1 year postpartum. Cortical thickness increased from early to one-year postpartum in the left (p = .003, Bonferroni corrected) and right (p = .02, Bonferroni corrected) superior frontal gyrus. No significant increases (or decreases) were observed in these regions for surface area. Volumetric increases, across the postpartum period, were found in the left amygdala (p = .001, Bonferroni corrected) and right ventral diencephalon (p = .01, Bonferroni corrected). An exploratory analysis of depressive symptoms found reductions in depressive symptoms from early postpartum to one-year postpartum were associated with greater cortical thickness in the superior frontal gyrus for both the left (p = .02) and right (p = .02) hemispheres. The findings expand our evidence of the neuroanatomical changes that occur across the postpartum period in humans and motivate future studies to examine how mood changes across this period are associated with cortical thickness of the superior frontal gyrus.

Non-pharmacological interventions for depression in Kenya: a scoping review

IntroductionDepression management is affected by restricted budgets for mental health care in sub-Saharan Africa countries. There is need for integration of non-pharmacological interventions in primary care. This scoping review aimed to summarize research on available non-pharmacological interventions and their effectiveness against depression in Kenya.MethodsWe searched PubMed, ScienceDirect, AJOL, EBSCOhost, ProQuest and Cochrane Library databases for articles reporting non-pharmacological interventions in Kenya published in English between 2000 and May 2023.FindingsTwenty-four articles that reported psychosocial (n = 20) and socioeconomic (n = 4) interventions were included in the review. Most interventions were delivered by lay professionals. Clinical outcomes included significant reduction in depression scores and symptom severity posttreatment and reduction in likelihood of having depression symptoms. Interventions were also found to be feasible and acceptable.ConclusionNon-pharmacological interventions can be upscaled for the management of depression in Kenya.

G-CBT for Reducing Depression Symptoms in Individuals from Dysfunctional Family

Individuals from dysfunctional family have various risks of mental health deterioration including depression. To solve this family problem actually it is the best to conduct family therapy to the family. But unfortunately not all dysfunctional family are willing to cooperate in family therapy. Therefore individual therapy is considered important to protect individual of dysfunctional family from depression. The aim of this research is to examine the effectivity of Gratitude Cognitive Behavior Therapy in reducing depressive simptoms in individuals from dysfunctional family. Method used in this research is single case quasy experiment with A-B-A design. Findings from this research tells us that G-CBT is efective in reducing depression in individuals from dysfunctional family. Participants get some positive effect of this intervention including wider perspective, ability to see other points of view, appreciate every positive little thing, acknowlede one’s strenght, and increase sense of gratitude to God.

Cost-Effectiveness of Digital Mental Health Versus Usual Care During Humanitarian Crises in Lebanon: Pragmatic Randomized Trial.

There is evidence from meta-analyses and systematic reviews that digital mental health interventions for depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders tend to be cost-effective. However, no such evidence exists for guided digital mental health care in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) facing humanitarian crises, where the needs are highest. Step-by-Step (SbS), a digital mental health intervention for depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders, proved to be effective for Lebanese citizens and war-affected Syrians residing in Lebanon. Assessing the cost-effectiveness of SbS is crucial because Lebanon's overstretched health care system must prioritize cost-effective treatment options in the face of continuing humanitarian and economic crises. This study aims to assess the cost-effectiveness of SbS in a randomized comparison with enhanced usual care (EUC). The cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted alongside a pragmatic randomized controlled trial in 2 parallel groups comparing SbS (n=614) with EUC (n=635). The primary outcome was cost (in US $ for the reference year 2019) per treatment response of depressive symptoms, defined as >50% reduction of depressive symptoms measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ). The secondary outcome was cost per remission of depressive symptoms, defined as a PHQ score <5 at last follow-up (5 months post baseline). The evaluation was conducted first from the health care perspective then from the societal perspective. Taking the health care perspective, SbS had an 80% probability to be regarded as cost-effective compared with EUC when there is a willingness to pay US $220 per additional treatment response or US $840 per additional remission. Taking the wider societal perspective, SbS had a >75% probability to be cost-saving while gaining response or remission. To our knowledge, this study is the first cost-effectiveness analysis based on a large randomized controlled trial (n=1249) of a guided digital mental health intervention in an LMIC. From the principal findings, 2 implications flowed, from the (1) health care perspective and (2) wider societal perspective. First, our findings suggest that SbS is associated with greater health benefits, albeit for higher costs than EUC. It is up to decision makers in health care to decide if they find the balance between additional health gains and additional health care costs acceptable. Second, as seen from the wider societal perspective, there is a substantial likelihood that SbS is not costing more than EUC but is associated with cost-savings as SBS participants become more productive, thus offsetting their health care costs. This finding may suggest to policy makers that it is in the interest of both population health and the wider Lebanese economy to implement SbS on a wide scale. In brief, SbS may offer a scalable, potentially cost-saving response to humanitarian emergencies in an LMIC. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03720769; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03720769. RR2-10.2196/21585.

Results of esketamine administration in a Greek population: a case series.

Esketamine is a non-selective, competitive antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in the brain. Through NMDA receptor antagonism, esketamine causes a transient increase in glutamate release, leading to increases in neurotrophic signaling and restoration of synaptic function in brain regions involved in mood regulation and emotional behavior. Several randomized clinical trials have shown its effectiveness in reducing the symptoms of depression in some people, despite its short-term side effects that include mainly disorientation, dizziness, nausea, and increased blood pressure. In 2019, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as well as the European Medicines Agency approved the use of esketamine nasal spray in combination with an oral antidepressant for treatment-resistant depression in adults. Our study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of this new therapeutic proposal in a case series of five Greek patients with treatment- resistant depression. Intranasal esketamine was administered under medical supervision in combination with an oral antidepressant. Depressive symptoms were evaluated at three time points (baseline, end of treatment, and one-year post-treatment) using the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the CGI Clinical Global Impression Scale, and the Perceived Deficits Questionnaire for Depression (PDQ-D). Possible side effects were assessed using the Richmond Suppression Agitation Scale (RASS), the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), the CADSS Disruptive States Scale, and a predefined list of adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs). Patients followed an individualized treatment plan for seven to twelve months depending on the achievement of an adequate response. Statistical analysis of the results revealed a significant improvement (p<0.05) on all scales used. All participants maintained their level of improvement at follow-up after twelve months. Adverse effects were found to be mild and tolerable. It is worth noting that significant side effects were reported only by the two patients with comorbid personality disorder. The results, despite limited to a small sample, indicate the positive effect of esketamine on the stable reduction of depressive symptoms among patients with resistant depression, even after the completion of treatment.

Effects of a single‐session, online, experiential happiness workshop on graduate student mental health and wellness

AbstractGraduate students regularly experience anxiety, sleep disturbances, and depression, but little research exists on how to support their mental health. We evaluated the effects of a single‐session, online, synchronous, happiness workshop on graduate student well‐being, mental health, and physical health. Forty‐five students participated in a quasi‐experimental study. Students attended a synchronous 2.5‐h online happiness workshop, or a no‐workshop control condition. After workshop completion and as compared with no‐treatment controls, participants reported significant reductions in depression symptoms but no significant changes on seven other measures. At 6 months, participants reported further reductions in depression symptoms. Moreover, across four open‐ended questions, 37.0%–48.1% of workshop participants (a) recalled workshop tools, (b) found them useful, (c) had been practicing them regularly, and (d) used them in sessions with clients. Despite study limitations, single‐session, synchronous, online, happiness workshops may have salutatory effects on graduate student mental health. Additional research is needed.

Age-Specific Changes in the Effects of Social Connectedness and Loneliness on Depressive Symptoms: Evidence From the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This study investigates the longitudinal effects of changes in the associations between two distinct aspects of social connections-i.e., social connectedness and loneliness-on depressive symptoms among community-dwelling Korean adults. This study also examines whether these associations vary across three age groups (45-64, 65-74, and 75 or above). Using data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing collected between 2014 and 2020 (n=3,642 individuals), fixed effects models were used to examine the age-specific associations between the two distinct aspects of social connections and depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale) while, accounting for time-invariant individual heterogeneity. Social connectedness is measured by asking the frequency of interactions with friends, relatives, or neighbors. The findings indicate that the impact of loneliness on depressive symptoms outweighs that of social disconnectedness. Notably, this study unveils age-specific patterns concerning the impact of the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic on depressive symptoms and changes in the association between loneliness and depressive symptoms. Specifically, middle-aged individuals reported higher levels of depressive symptoms and loneliness along with a heightened impact of loneliness on depressive symptoms, despite maintaining stable social connections. Conversely, the oldest adults experienced reductions in both depressive symptoms and loneliness, despite a significant decrease in socializing. These findings shed light on the differential effects of loneliness on depressive symptoms within distinct age groups before and during the pandemic. The implications of these findings are discussed with a focus on informing the development of targeted policy interventions tailored to the specific needs of different age groups.

Long-term follow-up of clinical trial participants: Predictors of post-trial response in older subjects

Background and objectiveThe post-trial follow-up (PTFU) phase of a clinical trial can provide important information on maintenance of intervention effects. However, approaches for the PTFU are rarely described. This short communication describes our process for PTFU that involved recontacting older subjects who participated in a clinical trial between 2015 and 2019. We also describe correlates of response to our PTFU survey. MethodsThe parent clinical trial aimed to reduce depression symptoms among older spousally-bereaved adults. We attempted to recontact our sample during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using logistic regression, we examined physical health, depression symptoms, cognitive status, and disability as correlates of participant response to the PTFU phase. ResultsForty-two percent of participants responded to the PTFU survey. Disability – or the inability to participate in major life tasks and social roles - was significantly associated with response. Participants with greater disability were less likely to respond to the PTFU survey. ConclusionsOlder adults with disabilities may need alternative and supportive strategies for engaging in the PTFU phase.Clinical Trials Registration: NCT02631291

Herbs Used to Treat Depression: An Updated Review

Depression is a prevalent mental illness. In addition to being a substantial contribution to the overall global disease burden, depression is one of the main causes of disability worldwide. Complementary therapies are necessary because of the drawbacks of standard antidepressant therapy, including side effects, even though the former can help reduce depression symptoms and avoid relapse of the illness. Because they have fewer side effects and are less expensive than other therapies for depression, herbal medications have drawn a lot of interest recently. Compared to synthetic medications, herbal plants have fewer adverse effects and exhibit antidepressant properties. As such, they may be able to help people who are depressed. Because herbs have fewer adverse effects than conventional drugs, many people prefer them for symptom treatment. If traditional medications aren't working for you because of side effects, poor efficacy, or accessibility issues, using phytomedicine can be a good alternative. This review will concentrate on herbs that are used to cure depression. Keywords: Herbal medicines, Depression, Herb, Treatment, St. John’s Wort

Efficacy of the residential care transition module: A telehealth intervention for dementia family caregivers of relatives living in residential long-term care settings.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the Residential Care Transition Module, a six-session, psychosocial, and psychoeducational telehealth intervention for family caregivers of cognitively impaired relatives living in a residential long-term care setting. Eligible participants (including care recipients, regardless of time since admission) were randomized to treatment or usual care control conditions. Survey data were collected at baseline, 4 months, 8 months, and 12 months (N = 240). Primary analytic outcomes included caregiver subjective stress (a stress process mechanism) and depressive symptoms (a measure of global well-being). Secondary analytic outcomes included secondary role strains, residential care stress, caregiver sense of competence, and self-efficacy (additional mechanisms of action). General linear models tested for the main effects of the intervention at 4 months, and longitudinal mixed models examined the 12-month effects of the intervention. Post hoc analyses also examined the influence of moderators. No significant differences between the treatment and control groups for any primary analytic outcome were apparent. Caregivers in the treatment group whose relatives were admitted to residential long-term care in the prior 3 months were more likely to indicate reductions in depressive symptoms over the first 4 months of participation. Over the 12-month study period, caregivers in the treatment group who were employed reported increased self-efficacy over time. The heterogeneity of dementia care requires a broader consideration of key contextual factors that may influence the efficacy of nonpharmacological interventions. Aligning measures with the preferences, goals, and values of dementia caregivers may further demonstrate the direct benefits of interventions such as the Residential Care Transition Module. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Effectiveness of a Behavioral Activation Intervention for Peripartum Women with Opioid Use Disorder.

Pregnant women with opioid use disorder show elevated rates of comorbid mental health problems, both of which are associated with negative health outcomes for mothers and children. There is substantial evidence supporting the benefits of treatment of perinatal opioid use disorder, as well as perinatal depression and anxiety, but there are gaps in knowledge about the effectiveness of perinatal behavioral health interventions in the context of co-occurring substance use disorder. The current study seeks to address this gap by examining outcomes of a behavioral activation treatment in a group of peripartum women with opioid use disorder (N = 68). Behavioral activation has shown promise in treating co-occurring depression and substance use problems. The intervention was delivered as part of an integrated care treatment model, in which patients received co-located obstetric, substance use, and mental health care in a hospital-based clinic. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to assess change in symptoms over time. Results suggest that the group behavioral activation intervention was associated with reduced depression and anxiety symptoms, demonstrated by significant reductions in PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores over the course of treatment. Moreover, there were indications that increased attendance was associated with further reductions in depressive symptoms. Results contribute to understanding the effectiveness of behavioral activation in the context of peripartum opioid use disorder. Findings also add to the evidence supporting integrated care models and offer a potential blueprint for improving outcomes and reducing barriers to care in this population.

Prevention of sickness absence through early identification and rehabilitation of at-risk patients with musculoskeletal disorders (PREVSAM): short term effects of a randomised controlled trial in primary care

Purpose To evaluate short-term effects of the PREVention of Sickness Absence for Musculoskeletal disorders (PREVSAM) model on sickness absence and patient-reported health outcomes. Methods Patients with musculoskeletal disorders were randomised to rehabilitation according to PREVSAM or treatment as usual (TAU) in primary care. Sickness absence and patient-reported health outcomes were evaluated after three months in 254 participants. Results The proportion of participants remaining in full- or part-time work were 86% in PREVSAM vs 78% in TAU (p = 0.097). The PREVSAM group had approximately four fewer sickness benefit days during three months from baseline (p range 0.078–0.126). No statistically significant difference was found in self-reported sickness absence days (PREVSAM 12.4 vs TAU 14.5; p = 0.634), nor were statistically significant differences between groups found in patient-reported health outcomes. Both groups showed significant improvements from baseline to three months, except for self-efficacy, and only the PREVSAM group showed significantly reduced depression symptoms. Conclusions The findings suggest that for sickness absence, the PREVSAM model may have an advantage over TAU, although the difference did not reach statistical significance at the p < 0.05 level, and similar positive effects on patient-reported health outcomes were found in both groups. Long-term effects must be evaluated before firm conclusions can be drawn.

Algorithm-based modular psychotherapy vs. cognitive-behavioral therapy for patients with depression, psychiatric comorbidities and early trauma: a proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial.

Effect sizes of psychotherapies currently stagnate at a low-to-moderate level. Personalizing psychotherapy by algorithm-based modular procedures promisesimproved outcomes, greater flexibility, and a better fit between research and practice. However, evidence for the feasibility and efficacy of modular-based psychotherapy, using a personalized treatment algorithm, is lacking. This proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial was conducted in 70 adult outpatients with a primary DSM-5 diagnosis of major depressive disorder, a score higher than 18 on the 24-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD-24), at least one comorbid psychiatric diagnosis according to the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5), a history of at least "moderate to severe" childhood maltreatment on at least one domain of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), and exceeding the cut-off value on at least one of three measures of early trauma-related transdiagnostic mechanisms: the Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire (RSQ), the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-16 (DERS-16). Patients were randomized to 20 sessions of either standard cognitive-behavioral therapy alone (CBT) or CBT plus transdiagnostic modules according to a mechanism-based treatment algorithm (MoBa), over 16 weeks. We aimed to assess the feasibility of MoBa, and to compare MoBa vs. CBT with respect to participants' and therapists' overall satisfaction and ratings of therapeutic alliance (using the Working Alliance Inventory - Short Revised, WAI-SR), efficacy, impact on early trauma-related transdiagnostic mechanisms, and safety. The primary outcome for efficacy was the HRSD-24 score at post-treatment. Secondary outcomes included, among others, the rate of response (defined as a reduction of the HRSD-24 score by at least 50% from baseline and a score <16 at post-treatment), the rate of remission (defined as a HRSD-24 score ≤8 at post-treatment), and improvements in early trauma-related mechanisms of social threat response, hyperarousal, and social processes/empathy. We found no difficulties in the selection of the transdiagnostic modules in the individual patients, applying the above-mentioned cut-offs, and in the implementation of MoBa. Both participants and therapists reported higher overall satisfaction and had higher WAI-SR ratings with MoBa than CBT. Both approaches led to major reductions of depressive symptoms at post-treatment, with a non-significant superiority of MoBa over CBT. Patients randomized to MoBa were nearly three times as likely to experience remission at the end of therapy (29.4% vs. 11.4%; odds ratio, OR = 3.2, 95% CI: 0.9-11.6). Among mechanism-based outcomes, MoBa patients showed a significantly higher post-treatment effect on social processes/empathy (p<0.05) compared to CBT patients, who presented an exacerbation on this domain at post-treatment. Substantially less adverse events were reported for MoBa compared to CBT. These results suggest the feasibility and acceptability of an algorithm-based modular psychotherapy complementing CBT in depressed patients with psychiatric comorbidities and early trauma. While initial evidence of efficacy was observed, potential clinical advantages and interindividual heterogeneity in treatment outcomes will have to be investigated in fully powered confirmation trials.

Effectiveness of a mindfulness and acceptance-based intervention for improving the mental health of adolescents with HIV in Uganda: An open-label trial.

Adolescents with HIV (AWH) face the double burden of dealing with challenges presented by their developmental phase while coping with stigma related to HIV, affecting their mental health. Poor mental health complicates adherence to daily treatment regimens, requiring innovative psychosocial support strategies for use with adolescents. We assessed the effectiveness of a mindfulness and acceptance-based intervention on the mental health of AWH in Uganda. One hundred and twenty-two AWH, mean age 17 ±1.59 (range 15 to 19 years), 57% female, receiving care at a public health facility in Kampala were enrolled in an open-label randomized trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05010317) with assessments at pre-and post-intervention. The mindfulness and acceptance-based intervention involved weekly 90-minute group sessions for four consecutive weeks facilitated by two experienced trainers. Sessions involved clarifying values, skillfully relating to thoughts, allowing and becoming aware of experiences non-judgmentally, and exploring life through trial and error. The control group received the current standard of care. Three mental health domains (depression, anxiety, and internalized stigma) were compared between the intervention and control groups. A linear mixed effects regression was used to analyze the effect of the intervention across the two time points. Results showed that the intervention was associated with a statistically significant reduction in symptoms of depression (β = -10.72, 95%CI: 6.25, -15.20; p < .0001), anxiety (β = -7.55, 95%CI: 2.66, -12.43; p = .0003) and stigma (β = -1.40, 95%CI: 0.66 to -2.15; p = .0004) over time. Results suggest that mindfulness and acceptance-based interventions have the potential to improve the mental health of AWH.

Efficacy of Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Hong Kong University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose: This study examined the efficacy of a 10-week internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) program “REST Online” for Hong Kong university students with mild to moderate levels of psychological distress. Method: A total of 206 Hong Kong university students were randomized into: (1) web-based and (2) app-based iCBT, and (3) waitlist control (WLC) groups. Results: Compared with the WLC group, the participants in the two iCBT groups showed a significant reduction in psychological distress, depression and anxiety symptoms, and negative thoughts and emotions, and significant increase in positive thoughts and emotions, with medium to large effect sizes. The positive effects were sustained at the 3-month follow-up test. No significant intervention effects were found between the two iCBT groups except for anxiety symptoms. Discussion: The findings were discussed in terms of program design and service delivery, and suggestions for delivering digital mental health service in Hong Kong universities were proposed.

Internet-based self-administered intervention to reduce anxiety and depression symptomatology and improve well-being in 7 countries: protocol of a randomized control trial.

Online psychological interventions have emerged as a treatment alternative because they are accessible, flexible, personalized, and available to large populations. The number of Internet interventions in Latin America is limited, as are Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) of their effectiveness and a few studies comparing their effectiveness in multiple countries at the same time. We have developed an online intervention, Well-being Online, which will be available to the public free of charge in 7 countries: Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Brazil, Spain, and the Netherlands. We expect a reduction in depression and anxiety symptoms and an increase in well-being of the participants. A multi-country, randomized controlled trial will be conducted. The intervention is multicomponent (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Behavioral Activation Therapy, Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Positive Psychology), with 10 sessions. In each country, eligible participants will be randomized to one of three groups: Enriched Intervention (interactive web design with videos, infographics, text, audio, and forum), Text Intervention (text on the website), and Wait List (control group). Repeated measures will be obtained at 5-time points. Our primary outcomes will be anxiety symptomatology, depressive symptomatology, and mental well-being. MANOVA analysis will be used for our main analysis. This protocol describes the design of a randomized trial to evaluate the efficacy of a web-based intervention to reduce anxiety and depression symptomatology and increase subjective well-being. The intervention will be made available in four languages (Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, and English). Its results will contribute to the evidence of effectiveness in terms of randomized trials and Internet interventions, mainly in Latin America and Europe.

Resistance training and combined resistance and aerobic training as a treatment of depression and anxiety symptoms in young people: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

To determine the treatment effect of resistance training in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression in young people. We searched MEDLINE, PsychINFO, and PubMed for articles published in English from January 1980 to September 2023 for randomized controlled trials (RCT) that included at least 4 weeks of resistance training, with participants aged 26 years or younger with clinically elevated anxiety and depression symptoms. A random-effects meta-analysis was used to calculate a pooled effect size of resistance training pre-and post-intervention compared to control groups. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias 2 (RoB 2) and Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria. Ten RCTs involving 376 participants (209 females and 127 males) across educational, clinical, and community based setting were eligible for inclusion in the analysis. Resistance training was associated with a significant reduction in depressive (Hedge's g = -1.06, 95% CI -1.61 to -0.51, p < .001) and anxiety (Hedge's g = -1.02, 95% CI -1.50 to -0.54, p < .001) symptoms. Substantial heterogeneity was observed in the analysis of depression symptoms (I2 = 79%) and anxiety symptoms (I2 = 66%). Six trials had a low risk of bias, four trials showed some concerns. The GRADE analysis demonstrated a high level of certainty for depressive symptoms and a moderate level for anxiety symptoms. Resistance training is an effective intervention in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms in young people, delivered across a range of settings. Future trials exploring the effect resistance training interventions with long-term follow up are warranted to understand the outcomes.

Discovering the Potential Value of Coenzyme Q10 as an Adjuvant Treatment in Patients With Depression.

Depressive disorder or mental cold is the most common mental disorder, and depression exists all over the world and in all countries and cultures. The results of several studies have shown that using compounds with antioxidant properties has been fruitful in patients with depression. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a fat-soluble antioxidant and exerts its antioxidant effect by directly neutralizing free radicals or reducing tocopherol and preventing the inhibition of mitochondrial activity because of oxidative stress. This study aimed to investigate the effects of oral CoQ10 in patients with depression as an adjunctive treatment. Sixty-nine patients with moderate and severe depression were randomly divided into 2 CoQ10 groups (36) and placebo (33). The first group of patients received CoQ10 supplements at a dose of 200 mg daily for 8 weeks along with standard interventions and treatments for depression, and the second group received standard treatments for depression along with a placebo. The change in the score of Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale depression scale was evaluated 4 and 8 weeks after the intervention. Also, at baseline and 8 weeks later at the end of the study, serum levels of total antioxidant capacity, total thiol groups, nitric oxide, malondialdehyde, and interleukin 6 were assessed. The changes in the depression score at the end of the study showed that, in the group receiving the CoQ10 supplement after 8 weeks, there was a reduction in depression symptoms, which was statistically significant compared with before the start of the study Meanwhile, no significant changes were observed in the patients of the placebo group in terms of symptom reduction. Compared with baseline and the placebo condition, serum levels of nitric oxide and total thiol groups significantly decreased and increased, respectively. Also, no statistically significant changes were observed for interleukin 6, malondialdehyde, and total antioxidant capacity. A dose of 200 mg of CoQ10 supplement daily for 8 weeks can reduce depression and fatigue, as well as improve the quality of life of patients with depression. In addition, CoQ10 can significantly improve inflammation and oxidative stress status in patients with depression.

Adherence to Masculinity Norms and Depression Symptoms Among Israeli Men: The Moderating Role of Psychological Flexibility.

Being a man has been recognized as a salient risk factor for suicide. Adopting uncompromised masculine perceptions (i.e., conforming to the masculine gender role norms) may restrict emotional expressiveness in men, which, in turn, may contribute to depression and somatization symptoms. We examined the moderating role of psychological flexibility and alexithymia in the relationship of masculinity with depression and somatization symptoms. A sample of 119 men completed measures of masculinity, alexithymia (difficulty identifying and delivering subjective feelings), psychological flexibility, depression, and somatization symptoms in a cross-sectional design study. Psychological flexibility levels moderated the relationship between masculinity and depression symptoms: Masculinity contributed as positively associated with depression symptoms when psychological flexibility was low, but no such association was found at moderate or high levels of psychological flexibility. As a cognitive factor promoting adaptive emotional regulation, psychological flexibility might reduce depression symptoms among inflexible masculine men. Clinical implications relate to diagnosing at-risk subgroups and their treatment.

Differential Psychological Treatment Effects in Patients With Late-Life Depression and a History of Childhood Maltreatment

ObjectiveThis is the first interventional study to assess the impact of childhood maltreatment (CM) on psychological treatment outcomes in patients with late-life depression (LLD). MethodsThis is a secondary analysis of a multicenter, randomized controlled trial with 251 participants aged ≥60 years with moderate to severe depression. Participants were randomly assigned to cognitive behavioral therapy for late life depression (LLD-CBT) or to a supportive intervention (SUI). Treatment outcomes were measured by changes in the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). ResultsIn the intention-to-treat sample (n = 229), both LLD-CBT (n = 115) and SUI (n = 114) significantly reduced depressive symptoms in patients with CM, with large effects at post-treatment (d = 0.95 [95% CI: 0.65 to 1.25] in LLD-CBT; d = 0.82 [95% CI: 0.52 to 1.12] in SUI). A significant treatment group*CM interaction (F(1,201.31) = 4.71; p = .031) indicated greater depressive symptom reduction in LLD-CBT compared to SUI at week 5 and post-treatment for patients without CM, but not at 6-month follow-up. Across both treatments, higher severity of the CM subtype ‘physical neglect’ was associated with a smaller depressive symptom reduction (F(1,207.16) = 5.37; p = .021). ConclusionsSpecific and non-specific psychotherapy effectively reduced depressive symptoms in older individuals with depression and early trauma. For patients without early trauma, LLD-CBT may be preferable over SUI. Considering early trauma subtypes may contribute to develop personalized treatment approaches.