17 research outputs found
Evaluating an online support package delivered within a disability unemployment service: study protocol for a randomised controlled feasibility study
Background
Mental health problems such as anxiety and depression are known to be higher in those who are unemployed. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a recognised support for people with such problems and can improve the ability of people to get back to work.<p></p>
Methods/design
Participants with symptoms of low mood will be recruited from the disability employment service, Remploy. Participants will receive either immediate or delayed access to an online CBT-based life skills intervention, the “Living Life” package. The primary end point will be at 3 months when the delayed group will be offered the intervention. This feasibility study will test the trial design and assess recruitment, retention, acceptability and adherence, as well as providing efficacy data.<p></p>
Discussion
The study will inform the design and sample size for a future full randomised controlled trial (RCT) which will be carried out to determine the effectiveness of the online package in improving mood and employment status.<p></p>
A national survey of health service infrastructure and policy impacts on access to computerised CBT
Abstract Background: NICE recommends computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (cCBT) for the treatment of several mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. cCBT may be one way that services can reduce waiting lists and improve capacity and efficiency. However, there is some doubt about the extent to which the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK is embracing this new health technology in practice. This study aimed to investigate Scottish health service infrastructure and policies that promote or impede the implementation of cCBT in the NHS. Methods: A telephone survey of lead IT staff at all health board areas across Scotland to systematically enquire about the ability of local IT infrastructure and IT policies to support delivery of cCBT
Community-based group guided self-help intervention for low mood and stress: randomised controlled trial
Background:
To date no studies have explored the effectiveness of written
cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) resources for low mood and
stress delivered via a course of self-help classes in a community
setting.
Aims:
To assess the effectiveness of an 8-week community-based CBT
self-help group classes on symptoms of depression, anxiety and
social function at 6 months (trial registration: ISRCTN86292664).
Method:
In total, 142 participants were randomly allocated to immediate
(n = 71) or delayed access to a low-intensity CBT intervention
(n = 71). Measures of depression, anxiety and social function
were collected at baseline and 6 months.
Results:
There was a significant improvement for the primary outcome of
Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score (mean betweengroup
difference: –3.64, 95% CI –6.06 to –1.23; P = 0.004). The
percentage of participants reducing their PHQ-9 score between
baseline and 6 months by 50% or more was 17.9% for the delayed
access group and 43.8% for the immediate access group.
Secondary outcomes also improved including anxiety and social
function. The intervention was cost neutral. The probabilities of a
net benefit at willingness to pay thresholds of £20 000, £25 000 or
£30 000 were 0.928, 0.944 and 0.955, respectively.
Conclusions:
Low-intensity class-based CBT delivered within a community
setting is effective for reducing depression, anxiety and impaired
social function at little additional cost
Materials used to support cognitive behavioural therapy for depression:a survey of therapists’ clinical practice and views
Use of supporting materials in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is widely advocated, and homework increases effectiveness. The study aimed to identify materials most frequently used by CBT therapists to support CBT for depression, and those perceived clinically most effective. Questionnaires were sent to 3665 accredited CBT therapists asking about their use of resources commonly described in CBT manuals, and their views on effectiveness. Of 3665 approached by post/email, 994 (27%) responded. Another 33 completed the questionnaire via the study website. 818/1027 (80%) of respondents were accredited practitioners who deliver one-to-one therapy. Symptom measures, lists of problems/goals, activity schedules, behavioural activation diaries/plans, and case formulation worksheets were used “frequently” or “very frequently” by over 85% of respondents. Sleep diaries and computerised CBT were used least. Most resources were used within and between sessions. Activity schedules, behavioural activation diaries/plans, case formulation worksheets, thought records, and resources to support the identification of conditional beliefs were regarded as most effective. Symptom measures, sleep diaries, and computerised/online materials were considered only moderately effective. Therapists use a wide range of materials to support individual CBT. For delivering CBT, technology-enabled approaches should incorporate a range of materials to enable therapists to tailor treatment effectively
Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome
The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead
What are the options for managing phobias?
There are a number of ways of treating phobias such as talking therapies, self-help resources and medication. Here we outline what phobias are and the options for their management
Gleichverteilungseigenschaften von Zufallsvariablen
SIGLETIB: RN 7354 (80) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekDEGerman
A survey of attitudes towards computerized self-help for eating disorders within a community-based sample
Background: Bulimia nervosa (BN) is an eating disorder with many physical, psychological and social consequences. Guided self-help (GSH) is recommended in the treatment of BN (NICE, 2004). One of the ways in which to provide GSH is via the internet using evidence-based packages with regular support from a clinician or trained support worker. Aims: The aim of this community-based survey was to investigate attitudes towards online self-help for eating disorders and the support required whilst using such an approach. Method: Two-hundred and fifty-three participants with bulimic symptoms completed the survey. The sample was recruited primarily online. The mean age was 29.11 years (SD = 8.67; min = 16, max = 64). Results: Attitudes towards online self-help (SH) for eating disorders were very positive. The inclusion of some form of support to accompany such an intervention was important to the majority of participants. Remote mediums of support such as e-mail, a forum and text messaging were most often selected as helpful. Most participants expressed a preference for weekly support contacts and for flexible support lengths that could respond to support needs as required. Conclusions: Online self-help for eating disorders is a desirable treatment option for many individuals. The information gathered regarding preferences in the type, medium, duration and frequency of support could be used in the development of future self-help strategies in order to maximize uptake, retention and outcomes