The effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy with respect to psychological symptoms and recovering autobiographical memory in patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder

Given the persistence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its major impact on everyday life, it is important to identify effective treatments. In additional to pharmacological treatments, psychotherapeutic treatments are also highly effective. The aim of the present study was to investigate, among a sample of patients suffering from PTSD, the influence of an additional cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention on their symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety, and on autobiographical memory.; A total of 40 patients suffering from PTSD (mean age: 31.64 years; 78.6% female patients) and under psychopharmacological treatment were randomly assigned to an intervention or control condition. The intervention consisted of ten group sessions (one 60-90 minute session per week) of CBT. At baseline and 10 weeks later, a series of self-rating and experts'-rating questionnaires were completed.; Over time, symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety decreased; however, greater improvement was observed in the experimental than the control condition. Likewise, as a general pattern of results, memory performance improved over time, though again this improvement was greater in the experimental condition.; Compared to a control condition, additional CBT improves the treatment of PTSD, with respect to both symptoms and autobiographical memory

Oxybutynin reduces sweating in depressed patients treated with sertraline: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical study

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are primarily used in the pharmacological treatment of patients experiencing a major depressive disorder. However, one of the common unwanted effects is excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis. Oxybutynin is an anticholinergic medication which reduces sweating. The aim of this double-blind study was to examine the effect of administration of oxybutynin on subjective sweating in patients treated with sertraline.; A total of 140 patients experiencing a major depressive disorder (mean age 37.69 ± 10.44 years, 86 females [61.4%]) treated with sertraline (mean dose 83 mg/day) were consecutively enrolled in the study, and all reported excessive sweating as a side effect. Thereafter, the patients were randomly assigned to either an oxybutynin 5 mg/day group or to a placebo group. At the beginning and end of the 2-week trial, the patients completed questionnaires related to sweating and medication-related side effects.; Over time, subjective sweating reduced significantly in the treatment group as compared with the control group. Oxybutynin-induced side effects were uncommon. Relative to male patients, female patients reported less subjective sweating.; Administration of oxybutynin successfully reduced excessive sweating in patients experiencing a major depressive disorder and treated with sertraline. However, possible gender effects should be taken into account

In a double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial, adjuvant memantine improved symptoms in inpatients suffering from refractory obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD)

Background: There is growing evidence that memantine, a noncompetitive N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist, may be applied as an add-on in treating patients suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD). The aim of the present study was therefore to assess the effect of adjuvant memantine in a double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled study of the treatment of patients suffering from OCD. Method: A total of 40 inpatients (32 females (80%); mean age = 31.25years) suffering from OCD were randomly assigned to a treatment (administration of memantine) or a control group (placebo). Treatment lasted for 12 consecutive weeks. All patients were treated with selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors or clomipramine. Patients completed the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale four times. Experts' ratings consisted in clinical global impression (clinical global impressions (CGI), illness severity and illness improvement; two to three times). Liver enzymes SGOT and SGPT were also assessed (twice). Results: Of the 40 inpatients approached, 29 completed the 12 consecutive weeks of the study. Of the 11 dropouts, 6 were in the target group and five in the control group. Symptoms significantly decreased across the period of the study, but particularly in the treatment compared with the control group (significant time × group interaction). Illness severity (CGI severity) also significantly decreased over time but more so in the treatment than in the control group (significant time × group interaction). Illness improvements (CGI improvements) were not significant. Conclusions: The pattern of results from the present double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled study for the treatment of patients suffering from OCD suggests that adjuvant memantine does significantly and favorably impact on OC

The Farsi version of the Hypomania Check-List 32 (HCL-32): Applicability and indication of a four-factorial solution

Background: Data from the Iranian population for hypomania core symptom clusters are lacking. The aim of the present study was therefore to apply the Farsi version of the Hypomania-Check-List 32 (HCL-32), and to explore its factorial structure.Methods: A total of 163 Iranian out-patients took part in the study; 61 suffered from Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), and 102 suffered from Bipolar Disorders (BP). Participants completed the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) and the Hypomania Checklist (HCL-32). Exploratory factor analyses were used to examine the properties of the HCL-32. A ROC-curve analysis was performed to calculate sensitivity and specificity.Results: The HCL-32 differentiated between patients with MDD and with BP. Psychometric properties were satisfactory: sensitivity: 73; specificity: 91. MDQ and HCL-32 did correlate highly. No differences were found between patients suffering from BP I and BP II.Discussion: Instead of the two-factorial structure of the HCL-32 reported previously, the present pattern of factorial results suggest a distinction between four factors: two broadly positive dimensions of hypomania ("physically and mentally active"; "positive social interactions") and two rather negative dimensions ("risky behavior and substance use"; "difficulties in social interaction and impatience").Conclusion: The Farsi version of the HCL-32 proved to be applicable, and therefore easy to introduce within a clinical context. The pattern of results suggests a four factorial solution. © 2011 Haghighi et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Cultural and gender-related differences of concepts of love between Iranian and Swiss adults based on Hafez’ poetry of love

Falling and being in love is a  cross-cultural universal. The poet Khwaja Šams ud-Din Muhammad Hafez-e Širazi, or simply Hafez (14thcentury D.C.), an important influence for both Persian and European culture, is noted for his love poetry. The first aim of the present study was to check to what extent items of a current questionnaire of love matchthemes of love found in Hafez‘ poetry. Then, we explored  gender- and cultural differences in  the importance of these themes. First, themes of Hafez‘s poems were compared with the items of Fisher‘s ―Being in Love Inventory‖. Second, a set of items was presented to Iranian  and  Swiss female and  male adult participants (N=325; age (years): M =31.29; SD =16.28; 161 Iranian; 164 Swiss). Generally, cultural differences were weak. Female participants agreed more with the assumption of love as taking one away from reality. Swiss male participants reported an increased ambivalence towards the partner, and Iranian female participants reported an increased fear of being betrayed. Our results seem to  confirm that Hafez‘s themes of love are still up-to-date, and thatfalling and being in love is a cross-cultural universal, though with some subtle cultural and gender-related differences

Sleep patterns and psychological functioning in families in northeastern Iran; evidence for similarities between adolescent children and their parents

Sleep and well-being of adolescents and their parents are related, but data from non-Western countries are scarce. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between adolescents' and their parents' sleep patterns and psychological functioning in northeastern Iran. A total of 81 families (81 mothers, 78 fathers, 130 children aged 12-20 years) took part in the study. They individually and separately completed questionnaires related to sleep and psychological functioning. Sleep quality was related within families. Poor sleep among children and parents was related in each case to more depressive symptoms and stress. Mothers' sleep and psychological functioning were more related to adolescent children's sleep and psychological functioning than were those of fathers. Results confirm research showing that adolescent's and parents' sleep and psychological functioning are inter-related. This association holds also true for families in northeastern Iran, suggesting that the association reflects universal features of family functioning

Comparing efficacy of ECT with and without concurrent sodium valproate therapy in manic patients

There is mixed evidence as to the merits of continuing versus discontinuing medication with anticonvulsants before starting electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in patients with manic episodes. The aim of the present study was therefore to compare, in a controlled double-blind randomized clinical trial, treatment improvements and treatment outcome in patients with current manic episodes while treated with ECT with and without concurrent sodium valproate therapy.; A total of 42 inpatients (mean [SD] age, 32.1 [9.6]; 88% men) with bipolar disorders and currently during a manic state took part in the study. They were randomly assigned either to the target group (continuation of sodium valproate administration; minimum, 750 mg/d) or to the control group (discontinuation of sodium valproate administration). All patients underwent bifrontal ECT for at least 6 sessions. Improvements were rated with the Young Mania Rating Scale and the Clinical Global Impression (CGI; CGI-Severity of Illness, and CGI-Improvement).; Manic episodes as assessed by the Young Mania Rating Scale and CGI improved significantly over time and irrespective of group (target vs control group).; The pattern of results from this double-blind randomized clinical trial suggests that continuing administration of the anticonvulsant sodium valproate does neither adversely affect nor enhance the efficacy of ECT inpatients with manic episodes

Among a sample of Iranian premenopausal and menopausal women differences in mood, sleep and health quality are small

Anecdotal evidence suggests that mood, sleep, and health quality change in women from premenopausal to menopausal period; however, data supporting these assumptions from non-Western countries are scarce. The aim of the present study was therefore to assess premenopausal and menopausal Iranian women with regard to mood, sleep, and general health.; One hundred and twenty Iranian women took part in the study. Sixty were in a premenopausal state (mean age (M): = 46.9 years) and 60 in a menopausal state (M = 53.8 years). They completed a series of self-rating questionnaires related to sleep, mood, and health quality.; Compared to premenopausal women, menopausal women reported more difficulties such as falling asleep, and less general physical activities and vitality. No statistically significant differences were found for sleep quality, sleep schedules, difficulties in social life, general mood state, or general physical and mental health. Menopausal women reported to be more irritable, and to have more energy.; Data suggest that among a sample of Iranian premenopausal and menopausal women, differences in mood, sleep, and general health are small. Data, therefore, do not support "beliefs" and hearsay that mood, sleep, and general health do decrease from premenopausal to menopausal state