Religion in the recovery journey of individuals with experience of psychosis

This study investigated the role of religion in recovery from psychosis. Semi-structured interviews explored the experiences of ten participants. Data analysis was informed by social constructionist grounded theory. Several processes through which religion may influence recovery were identified: use of scriptures and rituals; a genuine connection with God; the struggle to maintain rituals; guidelines for living; choice and control; relating to others; enhancing psychological well-being; and making sense of experiences. Implications are that services should address religious needs in promoting recovery. This could be achieved through environmental adaptations, collaboration with religious representatives and incorporation of religion into psychotherapeutic approaches

Subjective cognitive complaints in schizophrenia:relation to antipsychotic medication dose, actual cognitive performance, insight and symptoms

Background: Subjective cognitive complaints are prevalent in those affected by functional psychoses and a variety of possible associated factors have been investigated. However, few studies have examined these potential factors within single studies or analyses. Methods: Patients with a history of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder (n = 115) and a non-clinical comparison group (n = 45) completed the Subjective Scale to Investigate Cognition in Schizophrenia (SSTICS) and the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS). The patient group also completed the Positive and Negative Syndromes Scale (PANSS), the Birchwood Insight Scale (IS), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results: The BACS and SSTICS scores were associated in the non-clinical comparison group, but not in the patient group. In the patient group worse subjective cognition was associated positively with good insight, greater dysphoria and greater positive symptoms. Linear regression revealed that, once other variables had been accounted for, dysphoria (HADS anxiety and depression factor) was the only significant predictor of SSTICS scores. Conclusions: Subjective cognitive impairment in patients with psychosis in the absence of formal testing should not be taken as evidence of impaired cognitive functioning. Mood should be investigated when patients present with subjective cognitive complaints

Chicopee and Springfield School Collaboration with UMass Amherst (UMA): Alcohol and Opioid Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment

The UMA nursing undergraduate training program, SBIRT: The Power of Nursing to Change Health, builds on a SAMHSA curriculum that is integrated into existing psychiatric/mental health, pediatric/young adult and community nursing courses that incorporate alcohol and substance abuse disorders. Student nurses will apply these new skills in their community and medical/surgical rotations in partnership with the Chicopee and Springfield Public Schools. High School survey data indicate that on average 67.5% of high school students have consumed alcohol with 40.1% indicating one drink in the last 30 days, and another 22.2% having five or more drinks in the last 30 days. Use typically begins during early adolescence and the first alcohol exposure peaking during grades 7 to 9. The SBIRT project has the potential to significantly impact early intervention and treatment for youth in Massachusetts by increasing the number of nurses trained in SBIRT and practicing in the public school. The UMA SBIRT Team completed the first training session October 2016 incorporating EBP into training and evaluation. Subsequent to the first training efforts, the team invited state and regional SAMHSA officials, the MA School Nurses organization and the MA Office of Elder Affairs to participate in SBIRT trainings. Community collaboration is critical to the success of the Power of Nursing to Change Health

Can the target set for reducing childhood overweight and obesity be met? : a system dynamics modelling study in New South Wales, Australia

The persistent prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity raises significant concerns about the impact on health, society and the economy. Responding to a target announced in September 2015 by the New South Wales (Australia) Premier to reduce childhood overweight and obesity by five percentage points by 2025, a system dynamics model was developed to support Government and stakeholders responsible for meeting the target. A participatory model building process, drawing cross-sectorial expertise, was undertaken to estimate the individual and combined impact of interventions on meeting the target. The model demonstrated that it is theoretically possible to meet the target by implementing a comprehensive combination of policies and programmes. When limited to existing and enhanced population health interventions, the modelled result did not reach the target. The project provides an example of how participatory simulation modelling can combine a broad range of interventions together into likely scenarios and usefully inform government decision-making

Evaluation of alternative respiratory syndromes for specific syndromic surveillance of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus: a time series analysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Syndromic surveillance is increasingly being evaluated for its potential for early warning of increased disease activity in the population. However, interpretation is hampered by the difficulty of attributing a causative pathogen. We described the temporal relationship between laboratory counts of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) detection and alternative groupings of Emergency Department (ED) respiratory diagnoses.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>ED and laboratory data were obtained for the south-eastern area of Sydney, NSW for the period 1 June 2001 - 1 December 2006. Counts of ED visits and laboratory confirmed positive RSV and influenza cases were aggregated by week. Semi-parametric generalized additive models (GAM) were used to determine the association between the incidence of RSV and influenza and the incidence of respiratory syndrome ED presentations while controlling for temporal confounders.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>For every additional RSV laboratory count, ED diagnoses of bronchiolitis increased by 3.1% (95%CI: 2.7%-3.5%) in the same week. For every additional influenza laboratory count, ED diagnoses of influenza-like illness increased by 4.7% (95%CI: 4.2%-5.2%) one week earlier.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In this study, large increases in ED diagnoses of bronchiolitis and influenza-like illness were independent and proxy indicators for RSV and influenza activity, respectively.</p

Systematic, comprehensive, evidence-based approach to identify neuroprotective interventions for motor neuron disease: using systematic reviews to inform expert consensus

Objectives: Motor neuron disease (MND) is an incurable progressive neurodegenerative disease with limited treatment options. There is a pressing need for innovation in identifying therapies to take to clinical trial. Here, we detail a systematic and structured evidence-based approach to inform consensus decision making to select the first two drugs for evaluation in Motor Neuron Disease-Systematic Multi-arm Adaptive Randomised Trial (MND-SMART: NCT04302870), an adaptive platform trial. We aim to identify and prioritise candidate drugs which have the best available evidence for efficacy, acceptable safety profiles and are feasible for evaluation within the trial protocol. Methods: We conducted a two-stage systematic review to identify potential neuroprotective interventions. First, we reviewed clinical studies in MND, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis, identifying drugs described in at least one MND publication or publications in two or more other diseases. We scored and ranked drugs using a metric evaluating safety, efficacy, study size and study quality. In stage two, we reviewed efficacy of drugs in MND animal models, multicellular eukaryotic models and human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) studies. An expert panel reviewed candidate drugs over two shortlisting rounds and a final selection round, considering the systematic review findings, late breaking evidence, mechanistic plausibility, safety, tolerability and feasibility of evaluation in MND-SMART. Results: From the clinical review, we identified 595 interventions. 66 drugs met our drug/disease logic. Of these, 22 drugs with supportive clinical and preclinical evidence were shortlisted at round 1. Seven drugs proceeded to round 2. The panel reached a consensus to evaluate memantine and trazodone as the first two arms of MND-SMART. Discussion: For future drug selection, we will incorporate automation tools, text-mining and machine learning techniques to the systematic reviews and consider data generated from other domains, including high-throughput phenotypic screening of human iPSCs

Experiential avoidance and appraisals of voices as predictors of voice-related distress

Objectives Research has suggested that the extent to which voices (i.e., auditory verbal hallucinations) are experienced as distressing might be influenced by negative beliefs about voices as well as maladaptive metacognitive styles involving the negative appraisal and maladaptive control of mental experiences. This cross-sectional study examined the contribution of both specific appraisals of voices and a metacognitive factor (i.e., experiential avoidance) to voice-related distress. Methods Self-report measurers of voice characteristics (voice frequency, duration as well as amount and intensity of voice-related distress), experiential avoidance, and appraisals of voices were collected in a sample of 101 voice-hearers. Results Experiential avoidance and negative beliefs about voices were associated with higher levels of voice-related distress, but not to measures of voice frequency and duration. Experiential avoidance and negative ‘metaphysical’ beliefs about voices were significant predictors of voice-related distress even after accounting for the effect of frequency and duration of voices, and explained similar proportions of unique variance in distress. Conclusions These findings suggest that the appraisals of voices and experiential avoidance are predictive of voice-related distress and that cognitive-behavioural interventions targeting both voice-specific appraisals and general maladaptive metacognitive processes could prove useful treatment approaches for clients with distressing voices. Practitioner points Experiential avoidance (EA) and negative appraisals predict voice-related distress caused by voices, but not their frequency and duration. Interventions for voices should consider targeting EA and negative appraisals (e.g., cognitive-behavioural therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) to ameliorate distress

Arts Across a Lifespan

The importance of creativity and the arts in education is receiving attention around the world (Shaheen, 2010). At the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Education, 25 undergraduate students used inquiry learning (“a self-directed, question-driven search for understanding” Hudspith &amp; Jenkins, 2001, p. 9) to investigate this topic. Five group inquiries were undertaken as part of EPSE 411, Using the Arts in Educatian, Teaching, and Learning. Topics included (a) Arts and Inclusion; (b) Arts and Teacher Self Care; (c) Arts Across the Lifespan; (d) Dance, Student Learning, and Student Wellbeing; and (e) Drama and Belonging. Five posters have been created that identify key inquiry questions, sub-questions, and their significance; information sources accessed and analyzed (including community learning experiences); and implications for educators. These valuable explorations help advance understanding, practice, and scholarship

Acute blood pressure response to antihypertensives after experimental preeclampsia

Blood pressure (BP) elevation after experimental reduction in uteroplacental blood flow in primates is associated with proteinuria and has been a surrogate for studying placental dysfunction manifesting as preeclampsia in humans. Controlling BP is the mainstay of treatment but the effect of antihypertensive treatment on the acute BP response is poorly understood in this animal model. We examined the effect of three oral antihypertensive agents in the treatment of BP in an experimental setting to determine the BP response