A brief online transdiagnostic measure: Psychometric properties of the Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale (OASIS) among Spanish patients with emotional disorders

The Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale (OASIS) is a self-report questionnaire designed to evaluate the severity and functional impairment associated with anxiety. Given its transdiagnostic nature, it can be used indistinctly across anxiety and depressive disorders. In this study, the psychometric properties of the online version of the OASIS were evaluated in a Spanish clinical sample with emotional disorders. Patients (n = 583) with anxiety (n = 250) and depression (n = 333) with a mean age of 37.21 (SD = 12.22), underwent a diagnostic interview and questionnaires assessing anxiety, depression, positive and negative affect, and quality of life. Factorial structure, internal consistency, convergent and discriminant validity, cutoff scores, and sensitivity to change were analyzed. Confirmatory Factor Analysis yielded a unidimensional factor structure, consistent with previous validations of the instrument. The analyses showed good internal consistency and adequate convergent and discriminant validity, as well as sensitivity to change. A cutoff score of 7.5 was found to meet the criteria used in this study to select the optimal cutoff point. Overall, in this study, the psychometric properties of the online version of the OASIS were found to be appropriate. The brevity and ease of use of the OASIS support its adequacy as a valid measure of anxiety severity and impairment in Spanish clinical samples with anxiety and depression

Healthy Teens @ School: Evaluating and disseminating transdiagnostic preventive interventions for eating disorders and obesity for adolescents in school settings

Background The worldwide prevalence of overweight and obesity is at alarming levels. Nearly one in three children in Europe is overweight or obese. Disordered eating and body image concerns are equally widespread and increase risk for more chronic and severe weight-related problems. Research has shown that online interventions that address both healthy weight regulation and body image can reduce risk for eating disorders and obesity simultaneously and are feasible to implement in school settings. To date, evaluation and dissemination of such programs in Europe is scant. Methods The Healthy Teens @ School study is a multi-country cluster-randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing the effectiveness of an unguided, online, multi-level intervention for promoting a healthy lifestyle and reducing problematic eating behavior, eating disorder and obesity risk among students aged 14 to 19 years with control condition. As part of the Horizon 2020 funded project ICare (GA No. 634757) the trial is conducted in Austria and Spain. Cluster randomization by school is used. The intervention is an adapted version of an evidence-based program developed in the USA (StayingFit). Participants of the intervention group are assigned to one of two possible program tracks based on the results of the initial online-assessment: Overweight adolescents are assigned to the “Weight Management” track emphasizing balanced eating and exercise for weight maintenance, and all other individuals are assigned to the “Healthy Habits” track which aims at promoting healthy habits related to e.g., nutrition, physical activity, sleep. The participants of both tracks work on ten modules (one 20–30 min module per week) during school hours and/or at home. Assessments are conducted at pre- and post-intervention, and at 6- and 12-months after baseline assessment. The primary outcome is intuitive eating, secondary outcomes are eating disorder symptomatology, body image concerns, body mass index, food intake, physical activity, self-esteem, stress coping, depression, and anxiety. Following the initial assessment, individuals in the control group do not have access to the prevention program but continue as normal and are only prompted to the assessments at all time points. At the end of the 12-month study they will get access to the program. Discussion The results from this study will add to the understanding of how to address eating and weight related problems in adolescents and will shed light on the feasibility of implementing online prevention programs in school routine in Austria and Spain. As part of the larger ICare project this RCT will determine how an adapted version of StayingFit is disseminated within Europe

Mindfulness, promoção da saúde e semiótica: bases para modelos comunicacionais em saúde online

Objetivo: analizar un curso en línea sobre promoción de la salud basado en la atención plena (mindfulness) a través de la teoría de la semiótica discursiva en uno de sus desarrollos más recientes, el aspecto visual o plástico. El objetivo es identificar cómo el texto verbal-visual del curso produce significados y cómo puede ayudar en el diseño de otros cursos. Método: se llevó a cabo un análisis semiótico de dos prácticas y una impresión de pantalla del curso llamado Programa de autocuidado basado en la atención plena, en educación a distancia, desarrollado por el Centro Brasileño de Mindfulness y Promoción de la Salud (“Mente Abierta”), del Departamento de Medicina Preventivade de la Universidad Federal de São Paulo. Resultados: se evaluaronlos elementos estéticos que contribuyeron a la construcción de un entorno de práctica eufórica (vinculado a la salud) y se establecieron relaciones entre el plan de contenido y el plan de expresión de práctica, responsables de la construcción de relaciones semi-simbólicas. Conclusión: se confirmó la valoración de una estética de simplicidad de colores y formas, que convergió en una afirmación de los valores de calma y bienestar compatibles con las prácticas de mindfulness. Objetictive: to analyze an online course on health promotion based on mindfulness (mindfulness) through the theory of discursive semiotics in one of its most recent developments, the visual or plastic aspect. The objective is to identify how the verbal-visual text of the course producesmeanings and how it can help in the design of other courses. Method: a semiotic analysis of two practices and a screen print of the course called Mindfulness-Based Self-Care Program, in distance learning, developed by the Brazilian Center for Mindfulness and Health Promotion (“Open Mind”), of the Department of Preventive Medicine at the Federal University of São Paulo. Results: the aesthetic elements that contributed to the construction of an euphoric practice environment (linked to health) were evaluated and relationships were established between the content planand the practice expression plan, responsible for the construction of a semi-symbolic system. Conclusion: it was confirmed the appreciation of an aesthetics of simplicity of colors and shapes that was converged to an affirmation of the values of calm and well-being compatible with the practices of mindfulness. From this analysis, we seek to reflect on the bases for the development of communicational models related to health promotion in a digital environment.Objetivo: identificar como o texto verbo-visual do curso produz sentidos e como isso pode auxiliar na  construção do design de outros cursos. Método: foi feita a análise semiótica de duas práticas e de um print de tela do curso denominadoPrograma de Autocuidado Baseado em Mindfulness, na modalidade Educação à Distância, desenvolvido pelo CentroBrasileiro de Mindfulness e Promoção da Saúde (“Mente Aberta”), do Departamento de Medicina Preventiva da Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Foram avaliados os elementos estéticos que contribuiriam para a construção de um ambiente de prática eufórico (ligado à saúde) e estabelecidas relações entre o plano de conteúdo e o plano de expressão das práticas, responsáveis pela construção de um sistema semissimbólico. Resultados: confirmou-se a valorização de uma estética da simplicidade de cores eformas que converge para uma afirmação dos valores calma e bem-estar compatíveis com as práticas de mindfulness. Conclusão: a partir dessa análise, busca-se refletir sobre asbases para o desenvolvimento de modelos comunicacionais relacionados à promoção da saúde em ambiente digital.

Economic impact of third-wave cognitive behavioral therapies: a systematic review and quality assessment of economic evaluations in randomized controlled trials

The term third-wave cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) encompasses new forms of CBT that both extend and innovate within CBT. Most third-wave therapies have been subject to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focused on clinical effectiveness; however, the number and quality of economic evaluations in these RCTs has been unknown and may be few. Evidence about efficiency of these therapies may help support decisions on efficient allocation of resources in health policies. The main aim of this study was to systematically review the economic impact of third-wave therapies in the treatment of patients with physical or mental conditions. We conducted a systematic literature search in PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and CINALH to identify economic evaluations of third-wave therapies. Quality and Risk of Bias (RoB) assessment of economic evaluations was also made using the Drummond 35-item checklist and the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool for assessing risk of bias, respectively. Eleven RCTs were included in this systematic review. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and extended Behaviour Activation (eBA) showed acceptable cost-effectiveness and cost-utility ratios. No study employed a time horizon of more than 3 years. Quality and RoB assessments highlight some limitations that temper the findings. There is some evidence that MBCT, MBSR, ACT, DBT, and eBA are efficient from a societal or a third-party payer perspective. No economic analysis was found for many third-wave therapies. Therefore, more economic evaluations with high methodological quality are needed

Assessing the costs and cost-effectiveness of ICare internet-based interventions (protocol)

Background: Mental health problems are common and place a burden on the individual as well as on societal resources. Despite the existence of evidence-based treatments, access to treatment is often prevented or delayed due to insufficient health care resources. Effective internet-based self-help interventions have the potential to reduce the risk for mental health problems, to successfully bridge waiting time for face-to-face treatment and to address inequities in access. However, little is known about the cost-effectiveness of such interventions. This paper describes the study protocol for the economic evaluation of the studies that form the ICare programme of internet-based interventions for the prevention and treatment of a range of mental health problems. Methods: An overarching work package within the ICare programme was developed to assess the cost-effectiveness of the internet-based interventions alongside the clinical trials. There are two underlying tasks in the ICare economic evaluation. First, to develop schedules that generate equivalent and comparable information on use of services and supports across seven countries taking part in clinical trials of different interventions and second, to estimate unit costs for each service and support used. From these data the cost per person will be estimated by multiplying each participant's use of each service by the unit cost for that service, taking both a public sector and a societal perspective. This individual level of cost data matches the level of outcome data used in the clinical trials. Following the analyses of service use and costs data, joint analysis of costs and outcomes will be undertaken to provide findings on the relative cost-effectiveness of the interventions. These analyses use a well-established framework, the Production of Welfare approach, and standard methods and techniques underpinned by economic theory. Discussion/conclusion: Existing research tends to support the effectiveness of internet-based interventions, but there is little information on their cost-effectiveness compared to ‘treatment as usual’. The economic evaluation of ICare interventions will add considerably to this evidence base

Outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

This study aimed to describe the change in surgical practice and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality after surgical resection of colorectal cancer during the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

A narrative review of positive psychology interventions for women during the perinatal period

Recent studies suggest that positive perinatal maternal mood can buffer the effects of negative feelings and promote women and infant well-being. Evidence from Positive Psychology has shown that Positive Psychology Interventions (PPIs) can enhance well-being and/or reduce negative symptoms. The objective of this comprehensive narrative review was to identify and critically review the current evidence about the use of PPIs designed to improve women’s mental well-being during the perinatal period. A systematic search of four online databases was conducted. Two intervention programmes have been identified. Both interventions were online-based and gratitude was the common PPI. The common target was women’s mental health well-being during the perinatal period. This review has synthesised the first studies in the wake of a new model of PPIs aimed to foster women’s well-being during the perinatal period. Nevertheless, much more research is required to establish which, how, and for whom PPIs can be suitable

La mediación con jóvenes inmigrantes en el ámbito de la justicia penal juvenil: un enfoque educativo

Nuestra sociedad cada vez es más diversa y multicultural. La creciente preocupación social en relación con las acciones y alternativas educativas que pueden ayudar a cohesionar nuestra comunidad, genera retos importantes. El desarrollo de una reflexión fundamentada, basada en la investigación fomenta una comprensión más real y menos estereotipada de determinados fenómenos. Es importante huir de tópicos interesados surgidos desde perspectivas políticas e ideológicas que tienden a sesgar el problema. La Justicia Penal Juvenil constituye uno de los ámbitos donde la diversidad cultural ha irrumpido, en los últimos años, de manera muy significativa. Tanto en los centros de menores como en otras medidas alternativas, la presencia de población inmigrante es claramente visible. Esta situación está generando una importante reflexión a cerca de la aplicación de las formas de gestión del conflicto recogidas actualmente en la Ley Penal Juvenil, para dar respuesta a las nuevas necesidades y demandas. Desde estas páginas se profundiza en la utilización de la mediación como alternativa en el ámbito penal, en aquellos casos donde una de las partes está constituida por jóvenes inmigrantes, para poder proporcionar unas bases comprensivas para la mejora de tales procesos

An Augmented Reality Mobile App (Easypod AR) as a Complementary Tool in the Nurse-Led Integrated Support of Patients Receiving Recombinant Human Growth Hormone: Usability and Validation Study

BackgroundChildren with growth hormone deficiency face the prospect of long-term recombinant human growth hormone (r-hGH) treatment requiring daily injections. Adherence to treatment is important, especially at treatment initiation, to achieve positive health outcomes. Historically, telenursing services embedded in patient support programs (PSPs) have been a valid approach to support r-hGH treatment initiation and patient education and facilitate adherence by identifying and optimizing appropriate injection techniques. The development of mobile phones with augmented reality (AR) capabilities offers nurses new tools to support patient education. ObjectiveTo investigate experiences among nurses of a new mobile phone app developed to support patient training with a phone-based PSP for r-hGH treatment. MethodsIn 2020, the Easypod AR mobile app was launched to support nurse-driven telehealth education for patients initiating r-hGH therapy with the Easypod electromechanical auto-injector device. Nurses who were part of PSPs in countries where the Easypod AR app had been launched or where training was provided as part of an anticipated future launch of the app were invited to participate in an online survey based on the Mobile App Rating Scale to capture their feedback after using the app. ResultsIn total, 23 nurses completed the online questionnaire. They positively rated the quality of the app across multiple dimensions. The highest mean scores were 4.0 for engagement (ie, adaptation to the target group; SD 0.74), 4.1 (SD 0.79) for functionality (navigation) and 4.1 (SD 0.67) for aesthetics (graphics). Responses indicated the potential positive impact of such a tool on enhancing patient education, patient support, and communication between patients and PSP nurses. Some participants also suggested enhancements to the app, including gamification techniques that they felt have the potential to support the formation of positive treatment behaviors and habits. ConclusionsThis study highlights the potential for new digital health solutions to reinforce PSP nurse services, including patient education. Future studies could explore possible correlations between any behavioral and clinical benefits that patients may derive from the use of such apps and how they may contribute to support improved patient experiences and treatment outcomes