Interactions Between Self-Exposure and Alprazolam in the Treatment of Agoraphobia Without Current Panic: An Exploratory Study

1993 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 219-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrique Echeburúa ◽  
Paz De Corral ◽  
Elvira García Bajos ◽  
Mercedes Borda
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Active Drug ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
The Self ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Exposure Group ◽  
Therapeutic Modalities ◽  
Combined Action ◽  
Pre Treatment

The aim of this work was to test the comparative efficacy of four therapeutic modalities (self-exposure, self-exposure + Alprazolam, Alprazolam, and self-exposure + placebo) and also to determine the combined effects of self-exposure with Alprazolam and self-exposure with placebo in the treatment of agoraphobia without current panic. The sample consisted of 31 patients selected according to DSM-III-R criteria. A multigroup experimental design with repeated measures of assessment (pre-treatment, post-treatment and 1, 3 and 6-month follow-up) was used. The results indicated that there was a similar therapeutic improvement (in about 75% of the cases) between pre- and post-treatment in all therapeutic modalities, except for the Alprazolam group, where improvement did not take place, was rather weak or tended to fade as time passed. This improvement increased at the follow-ups in the self-exposure + placebo group, remained stable in the self-exposure group, and was irregular or fairly unpredictable in the self-exposure + Alprazolam group. There was a positive combined action between self-exposure and placebo and a negative interaction between self-exposure and Alprazolam. The highest relapse rate appeared in the therapeutic modalities where the active drug was administered. The intratreatment evolution was faster in the self-exposure group than in the others, but it tended to remain stable in the second part of the therapy. It is therefore concluded that the efficacy of self-exposure therapy may be the same if reduced to half the number of sessions. Finally, several topics that may contribute to future research in this field are commented upon.

scholarly journals Internet-delivered eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (iEMDR): an open trial

F1000Research ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 79
Author(s):  
Jay Spence ◽  
Nickolai Titov ◽  
Luke Johnston ◽  
Blake F Dear ◽  
Bethany Wootton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eye Movement ◽  
Treatment Protocol ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Symptom Improvement ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Pre Treatment

Recent research indicates internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) can reduce symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study examined the efficacy of an internet-delivered treatment protocol that combined iCBT and internet-delivered eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (iEMDR), in an uncontrolled trial. Eleven of the 15 participants completed post-treatment questionnaires. Large effect sizes were found from pre-treatment to 3-month follow-up (d = 1.03 – 1.61) on clinician-assessed and self-reported measures of PTSD, anxiety and distress, with moderate effect sizes (d = 0.59 – 0.70) found on measures of depression and disability. At post-treatment, 55% of the participants no longer met criteria for PTSD and this was sustained at follow-up. Symptom worsening occurred in 3 of 15 (20%) of the sample from pre- to post-treatment; however, these participants reported overall symptom improvement by follow-up. Future research directions for iEMDR are discussed.

scholarly journals Internet-delivered eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (iEMDR): an open trial

F1000Research ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay Spence ◽  
Nickolai Titov ◽  
Luke Johnston ◽  
Blake F Dear ◽  
Bethany Wootton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eye Movement ◽  
Treatment Protocol ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Symptom Improvement ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Pre Treatment

Recent research indicates internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) can reduce symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study examined the efficacy of an internet-delivered treatment protocol that combined iCBT and internet-delivered eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (iEMDR), in an uncontrolled trial. Eleven of the 15 participants completed post-treatment questionnaires. Large effect sizes were found from pre-treatment to 3-month follow-up (d = 1.03 – 1.61) on clinician-assessed and self-reported measures of PTSD, anxiety and distress, with moderate effect sizes (d = 0.59 – 0.70) found on measures of depression and disability. At post-treatment, 55% of the participants no longer met criteria for PTSD and this was sustained at follow-up. Symptom worsening occurred in 3 of 15 (20%) of the sample from pre- to post-treatment; however, these participants reported overall symptom improvement by follow-up. Future research directions for iEMDR are discussed.

scholarly journals Relationship between metamorphopsia and inner retinal microstructure following intravitreal ranibizumab injection for branch retinal vein occlusion

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshimi Sugiura ◽  
Fumiki Okamoto ◽  
Tomoya Murakami ◽  
Shohei Morikawa ◽  
Takahiro Hiraoka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Macular Edema ◽  
Retinal Vein Occlusion ◽  
Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Intravitreal Ranibizumab ◽  
Vein Occlusion ◽  
Treatment Naïve ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Number Of Injections

AbstractTo evaluate the effects of intravitreal ranibizumab injection (IVR) on metamorphopsia in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), and to assess the relationship between metamorphopsia and inner retinal microstructure and other factors. Thirty-three treatment-naïve eyes of 33 patients with macular edema caused by BRVO with at least 12 months of follow-up were included. The degree of metamorphopsia was quantified using the M-CHARTS. Retinal microstructure was assessed with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Disorganization of the retinal inner layers (DRIL) at the first month after resolution of the macular edema (early DRIL) and at 12 months after treatment (after DRIL) was studied. Central retinal thickness (CRT), and status of the external limiting membrane as well as ellipsoid zone were also evaluated. IVR treatment significantly improved best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and CRT, but the mean metamorphopsia score did not improve even after 12 months. Post-treatment metamorphopsia scores showed a significant correlation with pre-treatment metamorphopsia scores (P < 0.005), the extent of early DRIL (P < 0.05) and after DRIL (P < 0.05), and the number of injections (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that the post-treatment mean metamorphopsia score was significantly correlated with the pre-treatment mean metamorphopsia score (P < 0.05). IVR treatment significantly improved BCVA and CRT, but not metamorphopsia. Post-treatment metamorphopsia scores were significantly associated with pre-treatment metamorphopsia scores, the extent of DRIL, and the number of injections. Prognostic factor of metamorphopsia was the degree of pre-treatment metamorphopsia.

Outcomes of surgical and/or medical treatment in patients with prolactinomas during long-term follow-up: a retrospective single-centre study

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gamze Akkus ◽  
Barış Karagun ◽  
Hilal Nur Yaldız ◽  
Mehtap Evran ◽  
Murat Sert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Treatment ◽  
Tumour Size ◽  
Optic Chiasm ◽  
Initial Therapy ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Surgical Removal ◽  
Average Dose ◽  
Single Centre Study ◽  
Pre Treatment

AbstractObjectivesProlactinoma is the most common cause of pituitary tumours. Current medical guidelines recommend dopamine agonists (cabergoline or bromocriptine) as the initial therapy for prolactinoma. However, surgical removal can also be considered in selected cases, such as patients with macroadenomas with local complications (bleeding or optic chiasm pressure) or those not responding to medical treatment.MethodsThe present retrospective study included patients with prolactinomas (n=43; female, 24; male, 19) who were primarily managed with medical (n=32) or surgical (n=11) treatment.ResultsMacroadenoma (n=29.67%) was commonly detected in both genders (female, 54%; male, 84%). Moreover, the mean pre-treatment prolactin levels were similar in both genders (female, 683.3 ± 1347 ng/mL; male, 685.4 ± 805 ng/mL; p=0.226). Surgically treated patients had a greater reduction in tumour size (27.7 ± 17.9 mm pre-treatment vs. 8.72 ± 14.2 mm post-treatment) than non-surgically treated ones (12.5 ± 7.5 mm pre-treatment vs. 4.1 ± 4.2 mm post-treatment; p=0.00). However, the decrease in prolactin levels was similar between the two patient groups (p=0.108). During the follow-up period (10.6 ± 7.0 years), the average cabergoline dose of the patients was 1.42 ± 1.47 mcg/week.ConclusionsAlthough a surgical approach was considered for selected cases of prolactinoma, the average dose used for medical treatment was highly inadequate for the patients in the present study.

scholarly journals Expectancies as predictors of symptom improvement after antimicrobial therapy for persistent symptoms attributed to Lyme disease

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henriët van Middendorp ◽  
Anneleen Berende ◽  
Fidel J. Vos ◽  
Hadewych H. M. ter Hofstede ◽  
Bart Jan Kullberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lyme Disease ◽  
Treatment Success ◽  
Symptomatic Improvement ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Symptom Improvement ◽  
Persistent Symptoms ◽  
Treatment Expectancies ◽  
End Of Treatment ◽  
Pre Treatment

Abstract Introduction/Objective Expectancies about symptom improvement or deterioration are reliable predictors of symptom progression and treatment outcomes (symptom resolution or symptomatic improvement) in many (non-)pharmacological studies and treatments. This study examined predictors of symptom improvement after antimicrobial therapy for persistent symptoms attributed to Lyme disease, hypothesizing particularly pre-treatment expectancies regarding symptom improvement to be predictive. Methods A predictive study was performed on pre-treatment and post-treatment individual characteristics, including expectancies, and physical and mental health–related quality of life (HRQoL) from the PLEASE-trial comparing randomized 12-weeks of doxycycline, clarithromycin-hydroxychloroquine, or placebo following 2 weeks of intravenous ceftriaxone. At end-of-treatment (14 weeks after trial start) and follow-up (52 weeks), complete data of 231 and 170 (of initial 280) patients with persistent symptoms temporally related to a history of erythema migrans or otherwise confirmed symptomatic Lyme disease, or accompanied by B. burgdorferi IgG or IgM antibodies, were examined through hierarchical regression analyses. Results In addition to pre-treatment HRQoL, pre-treatment expectancies regarding symptom improvement were consistently associated with stronger physical and mental HRQoL improvements at both end-of-treatment and follow-up (95% CI range: .09;.54, p < .01 to .27;.92, p < .001). Post-treatment expectancies regarding having received antibiotics vs. placebo was associated with more HRQoL improvement at end-of-treatment, but not at follow-up (95% CI-range 1.00;4.75, p = .003 to −7.34; −2.22, p < .001). Conclusions The present study shows that, next to pre-treatment functioning, patients’ pre-treatment and post-treatment expectancies regarding improvement of persistent symptoms attributed to Lyme disease relate to a more beneficial symptom course. Expectancies of patients may be relevant to explain and potentially improve patient outcomes (e.g., by optimized communication about treatment success). Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01207739 (Registration date: 23–09-2010) Key Points• As there is currently no sufficient symptom resolution or symptomatic improvement for many patients with persistent symptoms attributed to Lyme disease, it is relevant to know which factors determine symptom progression and predict heterogeneity in treatment response.• Next to pre-treatment functioning, expectancies regarding symptom improvement and having received antimicrobial study medication are associated with a more beneficial symptom course after both shorter-term and longer-term antimicrobial treatment.• Expectancies are relevant to consider in treatment studies and may be useful in clinical settings to improve symptom course and treatment outcome (e.g., by optimized communication about treatment success).

scholarly journals Treatment of adult post-traumatic stress disorder using a future-oriented writing therapy approach

2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 243-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reginald D. V. Nixon ◽  
Leonard W. Kling
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Expressive Writing ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Ptsd Severity

AbstractThe aim of this pilot study was to test whether a future-oriented expressive writing intervention is able to reduce post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) severity and associated symptoms such as depression and unhelpful trauma-related beliefs. In an uncontrolled pre-/ post-design participants attended 8 weeks of manualized therapy. Assessment was undertaken pre- and post-treatment, and participants also completed a 3-month follow-up assessment. Of the 17 participants who began therapy, 13 were treatment completers. Results indicated a significant decrease in PTSD severity, depression and unhelpful trauma-related cognitions from pre- to post-treatment and at 3-month follow-up. Clinically meaningful change was more modest; however, three participants reported PTSD remission at 3-month follow-up. It is concluded that expressive writing with a focus on achieving future goals and personal change may have some utility in reducing post-traumatic stress but future research will need to investigate this with greater methodological rigour before firm conclusions can be made.

Personalized attention control therapy for PTSD: effectiveness and moderators of outcome in a randomized controlled trial

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Adva Segal ◽  
Daniel S. Pine ◽  
Yair Bar-Haim
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Outcome ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Attention Control ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Control Therapy ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Attentional Interference

Abstract Background Previous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggest that attention control therapy (ACT), targeting aberrant fluctuations of attention toward and away from threats in patients with PTSD, may be effective in reducing symptoms. The current RCT examined whether the use of personalized-trauma stimuli enhances ACT efficacy in patients with PTSD. Additional moderators of treatment outcome were tested on an exploratory basis. Methods Sixty patients with PTSD were randomly assigned to either personalized ACT, non-personalized ACT, or a control condition. Changes in symptoms were examined across pre-treatment, post-treatment, and a 3-month follow-up. Attentional interference was examined pre- and post-treatment. Baseline clinical and cognitive indices as well as the time elapsed since the trauma were tested as potential moderators of treatment outcome. Results A significant reduction in clinical symptoms was noted for all three conditions with no between-group differences. Attention bias variability decreased following ACT treatment. Personalized ACT was more effective relative to the control condition when less time had elapsed since the trauma. Baseline clinical and cognitive indices did not moderate treatment outcome. Conclusions In this RCT of patients with PTSD, ACT was no more effective in reducing PTSD symptoms than a control condition. The data also suggest a potential benefit of personalized ACT for patients who experienced their trauma more recently.

Treatment of Storm Fears Using Virtual Reality and Progressive Muscle Relaxation

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Lima ◽  
Hanna McCabe-Bennett ◽  
Martin M. Antony
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Exposure Therapy ◽  
Clinical Sample ◽  
Muscle Relaxation ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Progressive Muscle Relaxation ◽  
Exposure Condition ◽  
Pre Treatment

Background: The present study examined the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) exposure therapy for treating individuals with storm fears by comparing a one-session VR exposure treatment with a one-session progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) and psychoeducation session. Aims: It was predicted that there would be a reduction in storm-related fear post-treatment for individuals in both conditions, but that this reduction would be greater for those in the VR exposure condition. It was predicted that improvements would be maintained at 30-day follow-up only for those in the VR exposure condition. Method: Thirty-six participants each received one of the two treatment conditions. Those in the PMR treatment group received approximately 30 minutes of PMR and approximately 15 minutes of psychoeducation regarding storms. Those in the VR treatment group received approximately 1 hour of VR exposure. Additionally, participants were asked to complete a pre-treatment and post-treatment 5-minute behavioural approach test to assess changes in storm fears. They were also asked to complete a measure assessing storm phobia. Results: There was a significant interaction between treatment group and self-reported fear at post-treatment, such that fear decreased for both groups, although the reduction was stronger in the VR group. Results also showed that reductions in storm fear were maintained at 30-day follow-up for both groups. Conclusions: Although this study used a small non-clinical sample, these results offer preliminary support for the use of VR exposure therapy in the treatment of storm-related fear.

Development and Evaluation of a Cognitive Behavioural Intervention for Chronic Post-Stroke Insomnia

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 641-660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie Herron ◽  
Lorna Farquharson ◽  
Abigail Wroe ◽  
Annette Sterr
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Onset ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Dysfunctional Attitudes ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Behavioural Intervention ◽  
Sleep Onset Latency ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural

Background:Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBTI) has been successfully applied to those with chronic illness. However, despite the high prevalence of post-stroke insomnia, the applicability of CBTI for this population has not been substantially researched or routinely used in clinical practice.Aims:The present study developed a ‘CBTI+’ protocol for those with post-stroke insomnia and tested its efficacy. The protocol also incorporated additional management strategies that considered the consequences of stroke.Method:A single-case experimental design was used with five community-dwelling individuals with post-stroke insomnia. Daily sleep diaries were collected over 11 weeks, including a 2-week baseline, 7-week intervention and 2-week follow-up. The Insomnia Severity Index, Dysfunctional Attitudes and Beliefs About Sleep Scale, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale and Stroke Impact Scale were administered pre- and post-treatment, as well as at 2-week follow-up.Results:At post-treatment, three participants no longer met diagnostic criteria for insomnia and all participants showed improvements on two or more sleep parameters, including sleep duration and sleep onset latency. Three participants showed a reduction in daytime sleepiness, increased quality of life and reduction in unhelpful beliefs about sleep.Conclusions:This study provides initial evidence that CBTI+ is a feasible and acceptable intervention for post-stroke insomnia. Furthermore, it indicates that sleep difficulties in community-dwelling stroke populations are at least partly maintained by unhelpful beliefs and behaviours. The development and delivery of the CBTI+ protocol has important clinical implications for managing post-stroke insomnia and highlights directions for future research.

scholarly journals Micro-level de-coupling of negative affect and binge eating in relationship to macro-level outcomes in binge eating disorder treatment

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Kathryn E. Smith ◽  
Tyler B. Mason ◽  
Lauren M. Schaefer ◽  
Lisa M. Anderson ◽  
Vivienne M. Hazzard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Binge Eating ◽  
Binge Eating Disorder ◽  
Behavioral Treatment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
End Of Treatment ◽  
Pre Treatment

Abstract Background While negative affect reliably predicts binge eating, it is unknown how this association may decrease or ‘de-couple’ during treatment for binge eating disorder (BED), whether such change is greater in treatments targeting emotion regulation, or how such change predicts outcome. This study utilized multi-wave ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to assess changes in the momentary association between negative affect and subsequent binge-eating symptoms during Integrative Cognitive Affective Therapy (ICAT-BED) and Cognitive Behavior Therapy Guided Self-Help (CBTgsh). It was predicted that there would be stronger de-coupling effects in ICAT-BED compared to CBTgsh given the focus on emotion regulation skills in ICAT-BED and that greater de-coupling would predict outcomes. Methods Adults with BED were randomized to ICAT-BED or CBTgsh and completed 1-week EMA protocols and the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) at pre-treatment, end-of-treatment, and 6-month follow-up (final N = 78). De-coupling was operationalized as a change in momentary associations between negative affect and binge-eating symptoms from pre-treatment to end-of-treatment. Results There was a significant de-coupling effect at follow-up but not end-of-treatment, and de-coupling did not differ between ICAT-BED and CBTgsh. Less de-coupling was associated with higher end-of-treatment EDE global scores at end-of-treatment and higher binge frequency at follow-up. Conclusions Both ICAT-BED and CBTgsh were associated with de-coupling of momentary negative affect and binge-eating symptoms, which in turn relate to cognitive and behavioral treatment outcomes. Future research is warranted to identify differential mechanisms of change across ICAT-BED and CBTgsh. Results also highlight the importance of developing momentary interventions to more effectively de-couple negative affect and binge eating.

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