Virtual Reality Holds Promise for Reducing Phobias in Autism

In a new pilot study, adults with autism showed real-life, functional improvements following a virtual reality (VR) treatment approach in which they were gradually exposed to their fears. The VR treatment was coupled with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).  Click here to read further.

Early Assessment of Online CBT May Improve Care Delivery

New research suggests the efficacy of online cognitive behavioral therapy can be determined within a few weeks of the intervention. Click here to read PsychCentral article

Offer digital CBT to young people with mild depression, NICE says

Children and young people can be offered digital cognitive behavioural therapy (digital CBT, also known as computer CBT) as a first-line treatment for mild depression.  Click here to read further.

Health app: Sleepio for adults with poor sleep [MIB129]

New: Medtech Innovation Briefings

Sleepio (Big Health) is a self-help sleep improvement programme based on cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT‑I). It is accessed through a website or an app for iOS mobile devices, and can link to a compatible wearable fitness tracker to monitor sleep (currently Fitbit and any other device that uses Apple's Healthkit).

The programme is structured around a series of 6 weekly interactive sessions, lasting about 20 minutes each. Users can access the programme for 12 months after their first login. They can also access electronic library articles, online tools and the online Sleepio user community.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy particularly efficient in treating ADHS in adults

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) group training was shown to achieve the same results as neurofeedback training in treating attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Both methods led to a comparable decrease in symptoms. CBT, however, proved to be generally more efficient, concluded new research.Read more HERE.

ACT Therapy Can Ease Depression & Anxiety of Rheumatoid Arthritis

A new European study has found that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, provided a significant reduction in self-reported depression and anxiety among individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy focuses on psychological flexibility and behavior change. The approach provided significant reduction in self-reported depression and anxiety among patients participating in a pain rehabilitation program.

Cognitive behavior therapy significantly reduced depression and anxiety in chronic pain patients

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, a form of cognitive behavioral therapy that focuses on psychological flexibility and behavior change, provided a significant reduction in self-reported depression and anxiety among patients participating in a pain rehabilitation program, new research has demonstrated.

Sleep duration impacts treatment response for depressed patients with insomnia

Preliminary results from a new study, published in the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, show that depressed patients with insomnia who sleep seven or more hours per night are more likely to benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia and achieve depression remission.

What can the UK learn from Finland's approach to mental health?

An online therapy service for depression, anxiety and substance misuse is cheap and effective and could provide inspiration for the NHS

Cognitive behavioural therapy for non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease: a clinical review

This study found a growing evidence base that CBT (modified to account for PD-specific problems) is effective in the treatment of PD psychiatric symptoms. Where controlled study design was used, moderate effect sizes are reported for the efficacy of CBT for depression, including with distance administration of CBT. The effects were sustained during follow-up which was between 1 and 6 months.

Evidence Based Mental Health, 20, (1) 15, 2017 (Log in with your Athens username and password)

Health psychologists now treating functional heartburn, Crohn's Disease, IBS and other GI disorders

Health psychologists have begun treating gastrointestinal disorders that are strongly affected by stress, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn's disease, functional heartburn, functional dyspepsia and ulcerative colitis. Read more HERE.

‘Shared Reading’ Therapy Eases Chronic Pain Symptoms

Shared reading (SR) — a literature-based intervention — can be a useful therapy for people suffering with chronic pain, according to a new study at the University of Liverpool in England. By engaging the whole person through literature, the treatment helps patients become consciously aware of and able to confront their deeper emotions related to chronic pain.

The researchers believe the therapeutic benefits of shared reading can extend even beyond those of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a treatment that has traditionally helped patients change their awareness of pain and develop stronger coping skills.

Psychotherapy-Only Treatment Seen As Preferred to Drugs-Only

A new review finds that people seeking help for mental disorders are more likely to refuse or not complete the recommended treatment if it involves only psychotropic drugs.

Researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 186 studies of patients seeking help for mental health issues. Investigators examined whether individuals accepted the treatment that was recommended and if they did, whether they completed it.

Fifty-seven of the studies, comprising 6,693 patients, had a component that reported refusal of treatment recommendations, and 182 of the studies, comprising 17,891 patients, had a component reporting premature termination of treatment.

Older people are losing out on Psychological Therapy

Depression in older people is common, underdiagnosed, undertreated and attracts therapeutic nihilism.

One in five older people have clinical depression and, contrary to some popular and professional opinion, it is eminently treatable.

Depression is associated with personal suffering, more physical health problems, social isolation, suicide and increased health and social care costs.  It is a heterogeneous condition, can sometimes be the portent for dementia and treatment resistant depression can be associated with cerebrovascular disease.

Older people with depression can have similar and recurrent symptoms to younger people, less related to work stress but more commonly associated with a caring role or physical illness and frailty. It is often expressed through physical complaints (somatisation) causing fruitless physical investigations.

CBT Shown to Ease Psychotic Symptoms Over Years

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to strengthen specific brain connections in people with psychosis. Now, researchers at King’s College London have found that these stronger connections are associated with a long-term reduction in symptoms and recovery even eight years later.

Study Finds CBT Best Therapy for IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a painful and sometime debilitating condition that affects roughly one adult in 10. Previous studies have found that, on average, psychotherapy is just as effective as medications in reducing the severity of symptoms of this gastrointestinal disorder.

Although experts initially believed the type of psychotherapy used for the condition did not matter, a new study suggests one particular type of therapy is the most effect.

It is unclear if combined motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural therapy improve medication adherence

• Interventions in motivational interviewing (MI) and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to enhance self-care and healthy behaviours, including the appropriate use of medication, should be implemented in practice.
• Future research should separately consider MI and CBT and their effect on medication adherence, ensuring the utilisation of a skilled cognitive behavioural therapist.

Evid Based Nurs 2016;19:124 doi:10.1136/eb-2016-102370.  To access, use your Athens username and password. 

Acceptance and commitment therapy: an appropriate treatment option for older adults with chronic pain

• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) shows benefit for older adults managing chronic pain.
• Research is needed around which components of different psychotherapies are most suitable for individuals.
• Research with a larger population is needed to show clinical significance of ACT and/or cognitive-behavioural therapy in adults with chronic pain.  

Evid Based Nurs 2016;19:123 doi:10.1136/eb-2016-102368. Access using your Athens username and password. 

Simpler, cheaper therapy (behavioural activation) can be as good as CBT for treating depression

A simpler therapy called behavioural activation can be as effective at treating adults with depression as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Also, it is delivered more cheaply, by trained junior mental health workers.




From the NIHR Dissemination Centre