11 research outputs found
The development of the Cognitive Behavioural Social Competence Therapeutic Intervention for Adults with Autism: A mixed methods report
Background: Many young people with autism can have an average or above average IQ, yet they still struggle with the social competencies needed to successfully navigate into adulthood. Despite many individuals with autism experiencing significant challenges during their transition into adulthood, evidenceâbased therapeutic interventions to support individuals with autism during this transition are limited. The current literature suggests that cognitive behavioural therapy interventions can help improve social skills and the mental health of individuals with autism. However, little is known about the benefits for young adults with autism transitioning or who have transitioned into adulthood. Aims and Method: The aim of this research was to deliver a newly developed Cognitive Behavioural Social Competence Therapeutic Intervention for Adults with Autism (CBSCTIâA) to five young adults with autism. Research aims were to evaluate intervention feasibility and efficacy by triangulating data findings using a mixed methods approach. Results: Results support feasibility, with CBSCTIâA receiving very high user satisfaction ratings, and adherence to the intervention was high, recorded at ~90%. Fidelity to treatment was also high, ranging from ~86% to ~100%. Quantitative findings indicate that over an eightâweek time period, a small sample of young adults with autism experienced significant improvements with regard to their social motivation, nonâverbal conversation, emotional empathy, assertiveness, interpersonal relationships and selfâcontrol. Qualitative findings provide further anecdotal support for intervention feasibility and efficacy. After the completion of the intervention, participants and their parents were invited to complete semistructured interviews. Thematic analysis (TA) revealed four main themes: user satisfaction, important components of therapeutic intervention, challenges and critiques, and recommendations. Conclusions: CBSCTIâA appears to be a feasible intervention; however, future research with larger samples and more rigorous controlled trials is needed before efficacy can be established
Bringing Creative Psychotherapies to Primary NHS Mental Health Services in the UK:A Feasibility Study on Patient and Staff Experiences of Arts for the Blues Workshops Delivered at Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services
There have been several arguments for the need to generate evidence-based creative
forms of psychological interventions in Improving Access to Psychological Services
(IAPT), the main primary mental health provider in hospitals in England, UK. In this
feasibility study, we sought to identify helpful and unhelpful factors of a new creative
group psychotherapy, titled Arts for the Blues. We also wanted to find out whether
the research tools used were acceptable and sensitive. We therefore engaged a group
of seven patients attending an IAPT service in the North West of England, and a group
of six staff working in the same service, to attend one creative workshop each, followed by a focus group. The two focus groups were transcribed and analysed using
thematic analysis. We also collected pre- and post-measures of depression (PHQ-9)
and anxiety (GAD-7), measures commonly used in IAPT services, plus measures of
well-being (WHO-5), the PANAS, and goal-setting, which were considered for acceptability and sensitivity. We received largely positive responses from service users
and staff in the use of creative methods in psychotherapy. Although the measures
used had limitations due to the short duration of one-off creative workshops, we
found that they were sensitive enough, easy to complete and, thus, were acceptable.
We concluded that Arts for the Blues is a promising intervention in IAPT, especially
since it is shaped by service users and staff working in these services. Further work is
needed to establish the effectiveness of this new intervention
A randomised controlled feasibility study of group cognitive behavioural therapy for people with severe asthma
Objectives: Evidence for the efficacy of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in asthma is developing but it is not known if this translates to benefits in severe asthma or if a group approach is acceptable to this patient group. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of Group-CBT in severe asthma. Method: This was a two-centre, randomised controlled parallel group feasibility study. Eligible participants (patients with severe asthma and a clinically significant diagnosis of anxiety and/or depression â Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) score greater than 8 for the anxiety or depression sub-scale) received Group-CBT in weekly sessions for eight consecutive weeks and usual care or usual care only. Follow-up was for 16 weeks and end points were: Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire, Asthma Control Questionnaire, HAD, Dyspnoea-12, EuroQual-5D and EuroQuol-VAS. Results: 51 patients were randomised: 36% (51 out of 140) consent rate and 25% (13/51) attrition at week 16. Screening logs indicated that study take-up was influenced by patients living long distances from the treatment centre and inability to commit to the weekly demands of the programme. Drop-out was higher in Group-CBT compared due to inability to commit to the weekly programme because of poor health. Participants who contributed to focus group discussions reported that Group-CBT contributed to a better understanding of their illness and related approaches to anxiety management and acceptance of their asthma condition. Although weekly face-to-face sessions were challenging, this was the preferred method of delivery for these participants. Conclusions: This feasibility study shows that Group-CBT warrants further investigation as a potentially promising treatment option for patients with severe asthma. It has been possible but not easy to recruit and retain the sample. Options for a less demanding intervention schedule, such as less frequent face-to-face visits and the use of web-based interventions, require careful consideration
A randomised controlled feasibility trial of Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for people with severe asthma
Evidence for the efficacy of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in asthma is developing but it is not known if this translates to benefits in severe asthma or if a group approach is acceptable to this patient group. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of Group-CBT in severe asthma.This was a two-centre, randomised controlled parallel group feasibility study. Eligible participants (patients with severe asthma and a clinically significant diagnosis of anxiety and/or depression - Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) score greater than 8 for the anxiety or depression sub-scale) received Group-CBT in weekly sessions for eight consecutive weeks and usual care or usual care only. Follow-up was for 16 weeks and end points were: Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire, Asthma Control Questionnaire, HAD, Dyspnoea-12, EuroQual-5D and EuroQuol-VAS.51 patients were randomised: 36% (51 out of 140) consent rate and attrition at week 16 was 12. Screening logs indicated that study take-up was influenced by patients living long distances from the treatment centre and inability to commit to the weekly demands of the programme. Drop-out was higher in Group-CBT compared due to inability to commit to the weekly programme because of poor health. Participants who contributed to focus group discussions reported that Group-CBT contributed to a better understanding of their illness and related approaches to anxiety management and acceptance of their asthma condition. Although weekly face-to-face sessions were challenging, this was the preferred method of delivery for these participants.This feasibility study shows that Group-CBT warrants further investigation as a potentially promising treatment option for patients with severe asthma. It has been possible but not easy to recruit and retain the sample. Options for a less demanding intervention schedule, such as less frequent face-to-face visits and the use of web-based interventions, require careful consideration
Arts for the blues â a new creative psychological therapy for depression
Routinely prescribed psychological therapies for depression are not always effective. Arts therapies, particularly Dance Movement Psychotherapy, may offer additional therapeutic mechanisms for depression. Therefore, client-reported helpful factors from various therapy types, along with client preferences, are key in devising new therapeutic interventions. We present a framework for a new pluralistic âmeta-approachâ of therapy for depression, based on an interdisciplinary thematic synthesis (Thomas, J., & Harden, A. (2008). Methods for the thematic synthesis of qualitative research in systematic reviews. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 8(1), 45) of active ingredients from both talking therapies and creative approaches. Lastly, we offer an example group therapy workshop based on this approach, to be piloted with clients and practitioners within an NHS mental health service. Further research is required to evaluate this pilot and to devise a full treatment for trialling within the service
Thematic analysis of cancer survivorsâ perception of life changes after the HOPE course
This poster presentation examines thematic analysis of cancer survivorsâ perception of life changes after the HOPE cours
Psychosocial Needs of Breast Cancer Survivors in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Background: Despite the high prevalence of breast cancer, there is limited understanding of the psychosocial needs of cancer survivors in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).Methods: A survey was conducted to assess the psychosocial needs among 205 breast cancer survivors in the UAE and the association of various socio-demographics and clinical characteristics with the psychosocial needs were analysed.Results: The informational needs were the highest (mean - 27.99 ± 11.02) among the study participants compared to other psychosocial needs. Healthcare specialists were the most preferred source of information for all the psychosocial needs. Individualscurrently receiving treatment (p-0.006) and who had longer years of survival (p-0.006) had significantly higher informational concerns. Social and financial concerns were significantly higher in expats (p<0.001), individuals currently receiving treatment (p<0.001) and individuals with longer years of survival (p<0.001).Conclusion: The study shows that there are unmet psychosocial needs among the breast cancer survivors in the UAE and the needs differ based on demographic and clinical characteristics
Digital Psychotherapies for Adults Experiencing Depressive Symptoms: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Preprint)
Background:In the UK depression affects 5% of adults and the National Health Serviceâs (NHS) Long Term Plan highlighted the need for developing digital psychotherapies to address this issue. This systematic review examines an available range of digital psychotherapies for adults with depression considering both effectiveness and user perspectives, addressing gaps in previous reviews.Objective:The systematic review focused on identifying (i) the most common types, (ii) helpful and unhelpful aspects and (iii) effectiveness of digital psychotherapies for adults with depression.Methods:A mixed-methods protocol was developed using PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO ID: CRD42021238462). The search strategy used PICOS guidelines covering 2010-2021 timeframe. Seven data bases were searched and an Excel form was developed to gather information. Thirteen authors extracted data. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were evaluated using a risk of bias assessment tool. Studies with non-RCT designs were evaluated using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Qualitative narrative synthesis presented helpful and unhelpful factors using a modified Behaviour Change Model.⯠Meta-analyses of depression outcomes were conducted using the standardised mean difference (SMD, calculated as Hedges' g) of post-intervention change between digital psychotherapy and control groups.Results:Of 2891 initial records, 150 records (126 studies) were included for analysis. Quantitative studies (100) with RCT design (73) were most common. The overall sample size included 50,209 participants (72.3% (F) and 23.5% (M)) MoodGYM was the most popular named digital intervention (13) followed by Beating the Blues (6). Digital interventions included: 1. âstandaloneâ/ non-human contact interventions (55) 2. âhuman contactâ interventions (4) 3. âblendedâ including standalone and human contact interventions (67) Helpful factors included: motivation and accessibility (standalone), explanation of tasks (human contact) and reminders/resources, plus learning skills to manage symptoms (blended). Unhelpful factors included problems with usability and lack of direction/explanation. 67 studies with 14,564 participants were used in a meta-analysis that revealed a moderate effect on depression (Hedges g = -0.56). Analysis of studies with blended approaches revealed a large effect size (Hedges g = -0.79) in comparison to interventions involving human contact (Hedges g = -0.33) or no human contact (Hedges g = -0.39). Subgroup analysis of 63 studies showed that once a week was sufficient to achieve a large effect (Hedges g = -0.88).Conclusions:The review examined systematically a range of digital forms of psychotherapy for depression, which is a new contribution to the existing evidence base. Blended interventions were found to be most common/ helpful and meta-analysis demonstrated that they were superior to other digital interventions offered. These interventions were especially helpful for those from diverse ethnic groups and young women. Future research should focus on understanding how to achieve a greater effect size for these groups in particular