Upregulating Positive Affectivity in the Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders: A Randomized Pilot Study

Transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioral therapy for emotional disorders (ED) has proven to be effective. However, current transdiagnostic treatment protocols address only the regulation of negative affectivity, and they do not include treatment components to more directly target the regulation of positive affectivity. In this study, we propose to evaluate the preliminary efficacy and acceptability of a transdiagnostic treatment protocol for ED that includes, as an innovative feature, a specific treatment component to directly upregulate positive affectivity based on positive psychology interventions. A total of 24 participants were randomized to either a transdiagnostic treatment protocol (n = 12) or a transdiagnostic treatment protocol with an additional component designed to regulate positive affectivity (n = 12). Participants completed measures of anxiety, depression, positive and negative affectivity, and quality of life, as well as treatment acceptability at pre- and posttreatment and at the 3-month follow-up. Both interventions led to improvements in all measures at posttreatment, and these outcomes were maintained at the 3-month follow-up, with large effect sizes for all measures. The effect sizes for positive affect were larger in the condition that included the component to upregulate positive affectivity. Attrition rate was low, and both treatment protocols were well accepted by participants. The results obtained in this study indicate the feasibility of testing the treatment protocol in a larger, randomized, controlled trial, and they suggest the potential of including treatment components for directly upregulating positive affectivity in future research on transdiagnostic treatment protocols for ED

Detection and distraction effects for threatening information in social phobia and change after treatment

This work examines differences in the detection and distraction by social-threatrelated information between a social phobia group (SP; N533) and a normal control group (NC; N532). The change obtained after psychological treatment is also studied for the SP group. A paper-and-pencil visual search task is used, in which the emotional valence of the ‘‘target’’ (social threat, physical threat, and neutral words) and ‘‘distractor’’ (social threat, physical threat, neutral, and nonsense words) verbal stimuli is manipulated. Results indicate that there are no differences in the detection of social-threat targets between SP and NC participants. However, the performance of SP individuals is more impaired when distractor stimuli related to social threat are presented, regardless of the target valence. This increased distraction by social-threat-related stimuli is reduced after psychological treatment, and this decrease is maintained at 6-month follow-u

Evaluación de la disfunción de la pequeña vía aérea y de su repercusión sobre la calidad de vida en fumadores sin limitación al flujo aéreo

Tesis doctoral inédita leída en la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Medicina. Fecha de lectura: 06-11-201

Inventario de Gases de Efecto Invernadero del Sector transporte de la Provincia de Chimborazo. Año base 2018

La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo la realización de un inventario de gases de efecto invernadero del sector transporte de la provincia de Chimborazo, tomando como base el año 2018, mediante la utilización del modelo estándar de emisiones e información de fuentes oficiales sobre estadísticas de venta y propiedades de combustibles, composición del parque vehicular e intensidad de tráfico vehicular, en primera instancia se determinó el rendimiento vehicular y el recorrido típico anual, posteriormente se realizó la estructuración del parque vehicular en base al tipo de combustible y categoría vehicular. Se identificaron los principales gases de efecto invernadero emitidos durante la combustión móvil y se procedió a su determinación. Las emisiones de dióxido de carbono (CO2) se estimaron mediante el uso de información sobre los kilómetros recorridos por vehículo (KVR) y se calculó su factor de emisión y para las emisiones del metano (CH4) y óxido nitroso (N2O) se utilizó información sobre el consumo de combustible y se empleó factores de emisión propuestos por el Panel Intergubernamental sobre el Cambio Climático (IPCC). Adicional, se estimaron las emisiones de SO2 mediante el uso de información sobre el consumo de combustible y propiedades de los combustibles. En base a los resultados se obtiene que el sector transporte presenta un aporte: 709505,13 t/año de CO2, 398,21 t/año de N2 O, 248,68 t/año de SO2 y 199,83 t/año CH4. Con los resultados expuestos se concluye que en la provincia de Chimborazo los vehículos a gasolina son los que aportan mayores emisiones de: CO2 (54,23%), SO2 (56,23%) y CH4 (91,65%), mientras que el principal responsable de las emisiones de N2O (80,55%) son los vehículos a diésel. Se recomienda que el presente inventario se complemente con otras fuentes de emisión, tales como emisiones de la vegetación, de generadores eléctricos e industriales.The aim of this research was to implement an inventory of greenhouse gases in the transportation sector of Chimborazo province, based on the information obtained during 2018 and through the use of the emissions standard model and information from official sources on sales statistics, fuel properties, composition of the vehicle fleet and vehicle traffic intensity. First of all, the vehicle performance and the typical annual route were determined, then the vehicle fleet was structured based on the type of fuel and vehicle category. The main greenhouse gases emitted during the mobile combustion were identified and determine. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions were estimated using information on vehicle kilometers travelled (VKT) and its emission factor was also calculated. For methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, it was necessary to use information on fuel consumption and emission factors proposed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). In addition, SO2 emissions were estimated by using information on fuel consumption and fuel properties. The results revealed that the transport sector contributes with the following values: CO2, 709 505.13 t / year, N2 O, 398.21 t / year, SO2, 248.68 t / year and CH4, 199.83 t / year. With the results presented it is concluded that in Chimborazo province gasoline-powered vehicles are the ones that produce the highest emissions of CO2 (54.23%), SO2 (56.23%) and CH4 (91.65%), while the main responsible for N2O emissions (80.55%) are diesel-powered vehicles. It is recommended to complement this inventory with other emission sources, such as emissions from vegetation as well as emissions generated by electrical and industrial generators

Influencia de los trastornos de la personalidad en la eficacia en el tratamiento de los trastornos adaptativos: un estudio preliminar

II Jornades d’Investigació per a l'Estudiantat de la Facultat de Ciències de la SalutIntroducción: Los pocos estudios llevados a cabo ponen de manifiesto que los tras- tornos adaptativos (ta) presentan una alta comorbilidad con los trastornos de la perso- nalidad (tp) (Doherty y cols., 2014). Se sugiere que esto influye en la respuesta al tratamiento del ta. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar si existen diferencias en la eficacia del tratamiento entre pacientes con ta y comorbilidad con tp o rasgos patoló- gicos y pacientes que solamente presenten ta. Método: La muestra incluyó 97 parti- cipantes: 55 con ta y comorbilidad con tp o rasgos de personalidad patológica y 42 sin tp. Los participantes recibieron un protocolo de tratamiento que incluía técnicas cog- nitivo-conductuales (tcc) y estrategias de psicología positiva en dos formas: tradicio- nal o apoyado en realidad virtual (rv). Como medidas de eficacia, se calcularon los índices de cambio fiable obtenidos tras el tratamiento y seguimiento a los tres meses para el inventario de depresión de Beck, el inventario de estrés y pérdida, el inventario de crecimiento postraumático y la escala de afecto negativo del panas. Resultados: No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en ninguna de las medi- das ni en el postratamiento ni en el seguimiento. Conclusiones: Los resultados preli- minares obtenidos parecen indicar que la presencia de un tp o rasgos patológicos de la personalidad no influyen en la eficacia del tratamiento para los ta y tampoco en el mantenimiento de los cambios a medio plazo. Por tanto, ambos grupos parecen bene- ficiarse por igual de un tratamiento tcc en formato tradicional o apoyado en la rv.Introduction: Very few studies have been conducted to show that Adjustment Disor- ders (ad) have a high comorbidity with personality disorders (pd) (Doherty & cols, 2014.). It has been suggested that this influences response to treatment for ad. The aim of this work was to analyse whether there were differences in treatment efficacy be- tween patients with ad and comorbidity with pd and/or pathological traits, and the pa- tients that present only ad. Method: The sample included 97 participants: 55 with ad and comorbility with pd or pathological personality traits, and 42 without pd. Participants received a treatment protocol that included cognitive-behavioural techniques (cbt) and positive psychology strategies in two forms: traditional or supported by virtual reality (vr). As efficacy measures the reliable change, the indices obtained at post-treatment and 3-month follow-up were calculated for the Beck Depression Inventory, the Stress and Loss Inventory, the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, and the panas negative affect scale. Results: No statistically significant differences were found in any outcome meas- ures at either post-treatment or follow-up. Conclusions: The obtained preliminary re- sults seem to indicate that presence of pd and/or personality pathological traits affects neither ad treatment efficacy nor maintenance of short-term changes. Therefore, both groups seem to equally benefit from cbt treatment in the traditional format or supported by vr

Virtual reality in the treatment of pain

Many medical procedures produce acute pain that in most cases is quite disturbing for the individual. Medication is the treatment of choice for acute pain. However, given the involvement of psychological aspects in the experience of pain, psychological techniques are being used as an effective adjunct to alleviate pain related to medical procedures. In the last years a new technology is demonstrating an enormous potential in this field: Virtual Reality (VR) distraction. In this article we review studies that explore the efficacy of immersive VR distraction in reducing pain related to different medical procedures. We include clinical studies and analogue studies with healthy participants. We discuss the results achieved by these studies and recommend future directions of VR pain control research

Acceptability of positive technologies by patients with eating disorders: Results from a Randomized Control Trial

The present study is aimed to analyze acceptability ratings of positive technologies reported by patients with eating disorders. 54 patients were enrolled in a randomized control trial with two experimental conditions. In the intervention group (n=29), participants performed the best possible self exercise, through positive technologies, for one month. Likewise, participants in the control group (n=25) had to write about their daily activities also through technology. Acceptability levels were rated at the end of the one-month training. Results showed that participants of both conditions reported appropriate levels of satisfaction with the exercises and the technologies and they also perceived the exercises as useful. These results suggest that positive technologies can serve as a supporting tool delivering interventions aimed to improve positive emotions and well-being in clinical samples

Avances en los tratamientos psicológicos: la utilización de las nuevas tecnologías de la información y la comunicación

Los tratamientos psicológicos han logrado avances importantes en los últimos años. Desde la puesta en marcha del movimiento de la psicología basada en la evidencia disponemos de un buen número de protocolos de tratamiento que han demostrado ser eficaces y eficientes. En este sentido, merece subrayarse el papel desempeñado por las nuevas tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TlCs). Nuestro grupo de investigación ha desarrollado y validado una serie de aplicaciones basadas en TICs que se comentan es este trabajo. En concreto, técnicas de Realidad Virtual, Realidad Aumentada y aplicaciones de Telepsicología basadas en internet. También se analizan algunas de las ventajas y limitaciones de estos procedimientos frente a los tratamientos tradicionales y se presentan datos acerca del grado de satisfacción manifestado por pacientes que recibieron un programa de tratamiento basado en TICs y se comentan algunas perspectivas de trabajo futurasPsychological treatments have made significant progress in the recent years. Since the start-up of evidence-based psychology, we have at our disposal a number of treatment protocols that have proved to be effective and efficient. In this sense, we have to emphasize the role played by the new information and communication technologies (ICTs). Our research group has developed and validated a series of ICT-based applications that are discussed is this work. In particular, virtual reality and augmented reality techniques, as well as Internet-based telepsychology applications. This article analyzes some of the advantages and limitations of these procedures compared to traditional treatments. It also presents data on the degree of satisfaction expressed by patients receiving a treatment programme based on ICTs and discusses future job prospect

Exploring the relationship between the acceptability of a Flying phobia treatment delivered via the Internet and clinical outcomes

Acceptability (i.e. patients' expectation and satisfaction with the treatment) is claimed as an important and additional criterion besides efficacy. Nevertheless, the literature addressing this issue in the field of Interet-based treatments for specific phobias is scarce, and no studies for Flying Phobia (FP) are available. This study aims to explore the relationship between expectations and satisfaction with treatment and clinical variables in patients who have received an Intemet-based treatment for FP (NO-FEAR Airlines). The sample included 46 participants from a randomized controlled trial. Clinical measures were: Fear of Flying Questionnaire-II, Fear of Flying scale, Fear and Avoidance Scales, Clinician Severity Scale, and Patient's Improvement Scale. Results showed significant correlations between expectations, satisfaction and the change on different clinical variables. Patients' expectations significantly correlated and predicted satisfaction with the treatment. Results also revealed that satisfaction with the treatment remained as a significant predictor of the change on all clinical variables. In sum, this study offers data on the relationship between acceptability measurements and clinical variables in patients receiving an Internet-based treatment for FP

Advances in psychological treatments: the use of new Communication and Information Technologies

Los tratamientos psicológicos han logrado avances importantes en los últimos años. Desde la puesta en marcha del movimiento de la psicología basada en la evidencia disponemos de un buen número de protocolos de tratamiento que han demostrado ser eficaces y eficientes. En este sentido, merece subrayarse el papel desempeñado por las nuevas tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TICs). Nuestro grupo de investigación ha desarrollado y validado una serie de aplicaciones basadas en TICs que se comentan es este trabajo. En concreto, técnicas de Realidad Virtual, Realidad Aumentada y aplicaciones de Telepsicología basadas en internet. También se analizan algunas de las ventajas y limitaciones de estos procedimientos frente a los tratamientos tradicionales y se presentan datos acerca del grado de satisfacción manifestado por pacientes que recibieron un programa de tratamiento basado en TICs y se comentan algunas perspectivas de trabajo futuras.The psychological treatments have advanced notably in the last years. Since the beginning of the psychology movement based on evidence we have already available a high number of treatment protocols that have proved to be effective and efficient. In this sense, it should be highlighted the role played by the new communication and information technologies (CITs). Our research group has developed and validated a series of applications based on CITs that are presented in this work. Specifically, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality techniques and Telepsychology applications based on the internet. The advantages that these new procedures have over the traditional treatments, as well as some limitations currently existent regarding the use of CITs are analysed. Finally, data about the level of satisfaction reported by patients who received a treatment program based on CITs are presented, and some future perspectives in the field are also analysed