Influence of vulnerability factors in panic disorder severity

Background: We studied herein the predictive value for panic severity of three well-based vulnerability factors: personality traits (neuroticism and extraversion; NEO-PI-R), anxiety sensitivity (ASI), and perceived control (ACQ-R). Method: The sample was composed of 52 participants diagnosed with panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia, according to DSM-IV-TR criteria. Results: Our results revealed that the anxiety facet is a better predictor of panic severity than neuroticism. Anxiety sensitivity increases the predictive value for panic severity and, finally, perception of control of emotions is the only perception control subscale that increases the predictive value for panic severity more than the anxiety facet and anxiety sensitivity. Conclusions: This finding supports the assumption of the importance of taking into account the assessment of the lower order dimensions of the vulnerability factors in the field of psychopathology studies. Furthermore, the predictive value of perception of control of emotions indicates the importance of this specific vulnerability factor in the etiology of panic disorder (with or without agoraphobia) and, thus, shows the necessity to include emotion regulation strategies in the psychological treatments

Hipocondría e información tranquilizadora.

Se revisa el rol de la información tranquilizadora como elemento definitorio y terapéutico de la hipocondría. Se indican algunas cuestiones a contemplar en la futura investigación sobre esta temática

Hipocondría e información tranquilizadora.

Se revisa el rol de la información tranquilizadora como elemento definitorio y terapéutico de la hipocondría. Se indican algunas cuestiones a contemplar en la futura investigación sobre esta temática

Decision making impairment: A shared vulnerability in obesity, gambling disorder and substance use disorders?

Introduction: Addictions are associated with decision making impairments. The present study explores decision making in Substance use disorder (SUD), Gambling disorder (GD) and Obesity (OB) when assessed by Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) and compares them with healthy controls (HC). Methods: For the aims of this study, 591 participants (194 HC, 178 GD, 113 OB, 106 SUD) were assessed according to DSM criteria, completed a sociodemographic interview and conducted the IGT. Results: SUD, GD and OB present impaired decision making when compared to the HC in the overall task and task learning, however no differences are found for the overall performance in the IGT among the clinical groups. Results also reveal some specific learning across the task patterns within the clinical groups: OB maintains negative scores until the third set where learning starts but with a less extend to HC, SUD presents an early learning followed by a progressive although slow improvement and GD presents more random choices with no learning. Conclusions: Decision making impairments are present in the studied clinical samples and they display individual differences in the task learning. Results can help understanding the underlying mechanisms of OB and addiction behaviors as well as improve current clinical treatments

Changes in Body Composition in Anorexia Nervosa: Predictors of Recovery and Treatment Outcome

The restoration of body composition (BC) parameters is considered to be one of the most important goals in the treatment of patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). However, little is known about differences between AN diagnostic subtypes [restricting (AN-R) and binge/purging (AN-BP)] and weekly changes in BC during refeeding treatment. Therefore, the main objectives of our study were twofold: 1) to assess the changes in BC throughout nutritional treatment in an AN sample and 2) to analyze predictors of BC changes during treatment, as well as predictors of treatment outcome. The whole sample comprised 261 participants [118 adult females with AN (70 AN-R vs. 48 AN-BP), and 143 healthy controls]. BC was measured weekly during 15 weeks of day-hospital treatment using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Assessment measures also included the Eating Disorders Inventory-2, as well as a number of other clinical indices. Overall, the results showed that AN-R and AN-BP patients statistically differed in all BC measures at admission. However, no significant time×group interaction was found for almost all BC parameters. Significant time×group interactions were only found for basal metabolic rate (p = .041) and body mass index (BMI) (p = .035). Multiple regression models showed that the best predictors of pre-post changes in BC parameters (namely fat-free mass, muscular mass, total body water and BMI) were the baseline values of BC parameters. Stepwise predictive logistic regressions showed that only BMI and age were significantly associated with outcome, but not with the percentage of body fat. In conclusion, these data suggest that although AN patients tended to restore all BC parameters during nutritional treatment, only AN-BP patients obtained the same fat mass values as healthy controls. Put succinctly, the best predictors of changes in BC were baseline BC values, which did not, however, seem to influence treatment outcome

Análisis y modificación de conducta

Resumen basado en el de la revistaSe presenta un estudio sobre la realidad virtual y su aplicación en tratamientos psicológicos. Se trata de una nueva tecnología consistente en un entorno gráfico en el que el usuario, no sólo tiene la sensación de encontrarse físicamente presente en el mundo virtual, sino que además puede interactuar con él. En estos momentos se está produciendo una gran expansión de esta tecnología en diversos ámbitos, entre ellos, la salud, y si concretamos más en el tratamiento de trastornos psicológicos. En comparación con los tratamientos tradicionales, la realidad virtual presente ventajas ya que se trata de un ambiente protegido que permite que el paciente conozca una situación que siempre ha considerado como amenazadora, permitiéndole hacerlo en la medida que él quiera y a su ritmo. Ya existen datos acerca de la eficacia de esta tecnología en el tratamiento de distintos trastornos de ansiedad y resultados preliminares en el caso de trastornos alimentarios. Finalmente se concluye con un comentario de las limitaciones que tiene esta técnica y a las que su desarrollo tendrá que ir dando respuesta.ValenciaES

Análisis y modificación de conducta

Resumen tomado de la revistaSe presenta un estudio de caso en el que se pone de manifiesto la utilidad de la realidad virtual para el tratamiento de la claustrofobia. Se describe en detalle el software diseñado para el tratamiento de la clasutrofobia, el protocolo de evaluación y de tratamiento aplicados, así como el procedimiento seguido, paso a paso. En el tratamiento se utilizó exposición virtual y tácticas de realidad aumentada. Se observa que la exposición virtual puede resultar un elemento facilitador para llevar a cabo la exposición 'in vivo'. Se subraya el progreso logrado por esta tecnología en los últimos años y su utilidad en el campo de los tratamientos psicológicos. Finalmente, se insiste en la necesidad de seguir investigando y acumulando datos.ValenciaES

Biotechnological applications of the gene transfer from the beneficial fungus Trichoderma harzianum to plants

Alternative and ecological strategies are necessary and demanded for disease management in order to reduce the use of pesticides in agriculture. Thus, the use of biological control agents such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) or several strains of the beneficial fungus Trichoderma spp. to combat plant diseases is the basis of biocontrol of plant pathogens and is a good approach to reach this healthy and environmentally adequate objective