Tailored vs. General COVID-19 prevention for adults with mental disabilities residing in group homes: a randomized controlled effectiveness-implementation trial.

BACKGROUND: People with serious mental illness (SMI) and people with intellectual disabilities/developmental disabilities (ID/DD) are at higher risk for COVID-19 and more severe outcomes. We compare a tailored versus general best practice COVID-19 prevention program in group homes (GHs) for people with SMI or ID/DD in Massachusetts (MA). METHODS: A hybrid effectiveness-implementation cluster randomized control trial compared a four-component implementation strategy (Tailored Best Practices: TBP) to dissemination of standard prevention guidelines (General Best-Practices: GBP) in GHs across six MA behavioral health agencies. GBP consisted of standard best practices for preventing COVID-19. TBP included GBP plus four components including: (1) trusted-messenger peer testimonials on benefits of vaccination; (2) motivational interviewing; (3) interactive education on preventive practices; and (4) fidelity feedback dashboards for GHs. Primary implementation outcomes were full COVID-19 vaccination rates (baseline: 1/1/2021-3/31/2021) and fidelity scores (baseline: 5/1/21-7/30/21), at 3-month intervals to 15-month follow-up until October 2022. The primary effectiveness outcome was COVID-19 infection (baseline: 1/1/2021-3/31/2021), measured every 3 months to 15-month follow-up. Cumulative incidence of vaccinations were estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves. Cox frailty models evaluate differences in vaccination uptake and secondary outcomes. Linear mixed models (LMMs) and Poisson generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) were used to evaluate differences in fidelity scores and incidence of COVID-19 infections. RESULTS: GHs (n=415) were randomized to TBP (n=208) and GBP (n=207) including 3,836 residents (1,041 ID/DD; 2,795 SMI) and 5,538 staff. No differences were found in fidelity scores or COVID-19 incidence rates between TBP and GBP, however TBP had greater acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility. No overall differences in vaccination rates were found between TBP and GBP. However, among unvaccinated group home residents with mental disabilities, non-White residents achieved full vaccination status at double the rate for TBP (28.6%) compared to GBP (14.4%) at 15 months. Additionally, the impact of TBP on vaccine uptake was over two-times greater for non-White residents compared to non-Hispanic White residents (ratio of HR for TBP between non-White and non-Hispanic White: 2.28, p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Tailored COVID-19 prevention strategies are beneficial as a feasible and acceptable implementation strategy with the potential to reduce disparities in vaccine acceptance among the subgroup of non-White individuals with mental disabilities. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04726371, 27/01/2021. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04726371 .

Cognitive Enhancement Therapy vs social skills training in schizophrenia: a cluster randomized comparative effectiveness evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia and related disorders are highly disabling and create substantial burdens for families, communities, and health care systems. Although pharmacological treatments can often lessen the psychotic symptoms that are a hallmark of schizophrenia, they do not lessen the social and cognitive deficits that create the greatest impediments to community engagement and functional recovery. This study builds on prior research on psychosocial rehabilitation by comparing the effectiveness of two treatments demonstrated as efficacious in improving social and community functioning, Cognitive Enhancement Therapy (CET) and a version of Social Skills Training (HOPES/SST). METHODS: The study uses a randomized cluster design in which a pair of clinicians at community- and hospital-based mental service centers deliver either CET or HOPES to at least one group of 6-8 eligible clients for 12 months. Clinicians are trained and then supervised weekly, with ongoing process measurement of treatment fidelity, attendance, satisfaction, and retention, and use of other services. Measures administered at baseline and at 6 and 12 months while in treatment, and then at 18 and 24 months after treatment include social adjustment, quality of life, social skills, positive and negative symptoms, and neuro- and social cognition. We hypothesize that CET will be associated with greater improvements than SST in both the primary outcome of community functioning and the secondary outcomes of neuro- and social cognition and social skills. Secondarily, we hypothesize that more cognitive impairment at baseline and younger age will predict more benefit from CET compared to HOPES. DISCUSSION: Resource shortages endemic in mental health services and exacerbated by the pandemic highlight the importance of identifying the most effective approach to improving social and community functioning. We aim to improve understanding of the impact of two efficacious psychosocial treatments and to improve clinicians' ability to refer to both treatments the individuals who are most likely to benefit from them. We expect the result to be programmatic improvements that improve the magnitude and durability of gains in community functioning. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrial.gov NCT04321759 , registered March 25, 2020.

Virtual Learning Collaborative Compared to Technical Assistance as a Strategy for Implementing Health Promotion in Routine Mental Health Settings: A Hybrid Type 3 Cluster Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Despite widespread use of learning collaboratives, few randomized trials have evaluated their effectiveness as a strategy for implementing evidence based practices. This randomized trial evaluated the effectiveness of a virtual learning collaborative (VLC) in the implementation of a health promotion program for persons with serious mental illness (SMI) aimed at reducing cardiovascular risk reduction in routine mental health settings, compared to routine technical assistance (TA). METHODS: Fifty-five mental health provider organizations were recruited to participate in a Hybrid Type 3 cluster randomized implementation-effectiveness trial of the InSHAPE health promotion program for persons with SMI. Sites were stratified by size and randomized prior to implementation to an 18-month group-based VLC with monthly learning sessions or individual site TA with four scheduled conference calls over 18 months. Primary implementation and service outcomes were InSHAPE program fidelity, participation, and reach. Primary clinical outcomes were weight loss, cardiorespiratory fitness, and cardiovascular risk reduction (≥ 5% weight loss or > 50 m increase on the 6-Minute Walk Test). Program fidelity was assessed at 6, 12, and 24 months; program participation and participant-level outcomes were assessed at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. RESULTS: VLC (N = 27) and TA (N = 28) sites were similar in organizational characteristics (all p > 0.05). At 12-month follow-up mean program fidelity score was higher in VLC compared to TA (90.5 vs. 79.1; p = 0.002), with over double the proportion with good fidelity (VLC = 73.9% vs. TA = 34.8%; p = 0.009). Over half of individuals in both VLC and TA achieved cardiovascular risk-reduction at 6-month follow-up (VLC: 51.0%; TA: 53.5%; p = 0.517) and at 12-month follow-up (62% VLC and TA; p = 0.912). At 12-month follow-up VLC compared to TA was associated with greater participation (VLC 69.5% vs. TA 56.4% attending at least 50% of sessions, p = 0.002); larger caseloads (VLC = 16 vs. TA = 11; p = 0.024); greater reach consisting of 45% greater number of participants receiving InSHAPE (VLC = 368 vs. TA = 253), and 58% greater number of participants achieving cardiovascular risk reduction (VLC = 150 vs. TA = 95). CONCLUSION: Virtual learning collaboratives compared to routine technical assistance as an implementation strategy for evidence-based health promotion promote greater intervention fidelity, greater levels of intervention participation, greater reach, and a greater number of participants achieving clinically significant risk reduction outcomes, while achieving similarly high levels of intervention effectiveness for participants who completed at least 6 months of the program.

Web-based cognitive behavior therapy for chronic pain patients with aberrant drug-related behavior: How did it work and for whom?

This study explored mediating pathways, moderating factors, and moderated mediation effects of a web-based, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention for chronic pain patients with aberrant drug-related behavior (ADRB). In a 2-arm RCT, patients with chronic pain who screened positive for ADRB received treatment-as-usual (TAU, n = 55) or TAU plus a 12-week, web-based CBT intervention (n = 55). Assessments were conducted at weeks 4, 8, and 12, and at 1- and 3-months post intervention. Web-CBT significantly reduced pain catastrophizing, which, in turn, reduced pain interference and pain severity via a pathway of pain catastrophizing. Web-CBT also significantly reduced ADRB both directly and indirectly by reducing pain catastrophizing. For pain interference and pain severity, web-CBT was more effective than TAU for younger patients (≤ age 50). For pain severity, web-CBT was more effective for both younger patients (≤ age 50), and those with a lifetime substance use disorder. Findings suggest that web-CBT's positive impact on pain outcomes and ADRB are mediated by its effect on pain catastrophizing, and its treatment effects may be most robust for younger patients and those with histories of substance dependence.

Evaluation of cognitive restructuring for post-traumatic stress disorder in people with severe mental illness.

BACKGROUND: A cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) programme designed for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in people with severe mental illness, including breathing retraining, education and cognitive restructuring, was shown to be more effective than usual services. AIMS: To evaluate the incremental benefit of adding cognitive restructuring to the breathing retraining and education components of the CBT programme (trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00494650). METHOD: In all, 201 people with severe mental illness and PTSD were randomised to 12- to 16-session CBT or a 3-session brief treatment programme (breathing retraining and education). The primary outcome was PTSD symptom severity. Secondary outcomes were PTSD diagnosis, other symptoms, functioning and quality of life. RESULTS: There was greater improvement in PTSD symptoms and functioning in the CBT group than in the brief treatment group, with both groups improving on other outcomes and effects maintained 1-year post-treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive restructuring has a significant impact beyond breathing retraining and education in the CBT programme, reducing PTSD symptoms and improving functioning in people with severe mental illness.

Expanding Cessation Pharmacotherapy Via Videoconference Educational Outreach to Prescribers.

INTRODUCTION: Smoking cessation pharmacotherapy is underutilized by people with mental illnesses, who smoke at high rates and die prematurely of smoking-related diseases. Educational outreach can improve prescribing, but distances impede widespread use of this practice. Little research has assessed whether videoconference can effectively deliver educational outreach. We conducted a randomized, controlled trial of in-person versus videoconference educational outreach for smoking cessation pharmacotherapy across a state mental health system. METHODS: We randomly assigned clinics to receive in-person or videoconference educational outreach with audit and feedback for cessation pharmacotherapy. Prescribers completed brief questionnaires before and after the intervention. With segmented regression analysis of interrupted time series, we evaluated prescribing trends in Medicaid pharmacy claims for nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and varenicline, with interaction terms for the effect of intervention type (in-person vs. videoconference). RESULTS: With interaction terms in the model, filled NRT prescriptions increased after the intervention compared to before (p < .01). The pattern of fills after the intervention were different at centers receiving in-person compared to videoconference educational outreach (p < .02) without clearly favoring one over the other. Additionally, filled varenicline prescriptions increased after the intervention compared to before (p = .04), but type of intervention delivery did not influence varenicline fills. Prescriber satisfaction with the educational intervention was high and prescriber attitudes became more positive in both groups. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that single session educational outreach with audit and feedback can increase cessation pharmacotherapy utilization, and that videoconference delivery could be an effective, scalable approach to improve workforce capacity in systems serving mentally ill smokers.

The impact of addiction medications on treatment outcomes for persons with co-occurring PTSD and opioid use disorders.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Previous research has been inconclusive about whether adding psychosocial treatment to medication assisted treatment (MAT) improves outcomes for patients with co-occurring psychiatric and opioid use disorders. This study evaluated the impact of MAT and psychosocial therapies on treatment outcomes for patients with co-occurring opioid use disorders and PTSD. METHODS: Patients meeting criteria for PTSD and substance use disorders were randomly assigned to one of three treatment conditions: Standard Care (SC) alone, Integrated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (ICBT) plus SC, or Individual Addiction Counseling (IAC) plus SC. Substance use and psychiatric symptoms were assessed at baseline and 6 months. Only patients with opioid use disorders were included in the present analyses (n = 126). Two-way ANOVAS and logistic regression analyses were used to examine associations between treatment conditions and MAT, for substance use and psychiatric outcomes. RESULTS: MAT patients receiving ICBT had significantly decreased odds of a positive urine drug screen, compared to non-MAT patients receiving SC alone (OR = .07, 95% CI = .01, .81, p = .03). For PTSD symptoms, a significant MAT by psychosocial treatment condition interaction demonstrated that MAT patients had comparable declines in PTSD symptoms regardless of psychosocial treatment type (F(2, 88) = 4.74, p = .011). Non-MAT patients in ICBT had significantly larger reductions in PTSD. CONCLUSIONS AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: For patients with co-occurring opioid use disorders and PTSD, MAT plus ICBT is associated with more significant improvement in substance use. For non-MAT patients, ICBT is most beneficial for PTSD symptoms.

Long-term outcomes of a randomized trial of integrated skills training and preventive healthcare for older adults with serious mental illness.

OBJECTIVE: This report describes 1-, 2-, and 3-year outcomes of a combined psychosocial skills training and preventive healthcare intervention (Helping Older People Experience Success [HOPES]) for older persons with serious mental illness. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial compared HOPES with treatment as usual (TAU) for 183 older adults (age ≥ 50 years [mean age: 60.2]) with serious mental illness (28% schizophrenia, 28% schizoaffective disorder, 20% bipolar disorder, 24% major depression) from two community mental health centers in Boston, Massachusetts, and one in Nashua, New Hampshire. HOPES comprised 12 months of weekly skills training classes, twice-monthly community practice trips, and monthly nurse preventive healthcare visits, followed by a 1-year maintenance phase of monthly sessions. Blinded evaluations of functioning, symptoms, and service use were conducted at baseline and at a 1-year (end of the intensive phase), 2-year (end of the maintenance phase), and 3-year (12 months after the intervention) follow-up. RESULTS: HOPES compared with TAU was associated with improved community living skills and functioning, greater self-efficacy, lower overall psychiatric and negative symptoms, greater acquisition of preventive healthcare (more frequent eye exams, visual acuity, hearing tests, mammograms, and Pap smears), and nearly twice the rate of completed advance directives. No differences were found for medical severity, number of medical conditions, subjective health status, or acute service use at the 3-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Skills training and nurse facilitated preventive healthcare for older adults with serious mental illness was associated with sustained long-term improvement in functioning, symptoms, self-efficacy, preventive healthcare screening, and advance care planning.

Dual diagnosis capability in mental health and addiction treatment services: an assessment of programs across multiple state systems.

Despite increased awareness of the benefits of integrated services for persons with co-occurring substance use and psychiatric disorders, estimates of the availability of integrated services vary widely. The present study utilized standardized measures of program capacity to address co-occurring disorders, the dual diagnosis capability in addiction treatment and dual diagnosis capability in mental health treatment indexes, and sampled 256 programs across the United States. Approximately 18 % of addiction treatment and 9 % of mental health programs met criteria for dual diagnosis capable services. This is the first report on public access to integrated services using objective measures.

Healthy choices, healthy changes: A randomized trial of incentives to promote healthy eating and exercise in people with schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses.

INTRODUCTION: People with schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses (SMI) represent a concerning health disparity population, with 10-30 fewer years of life compared to the general population, mainly from high rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Preventing CVD is possible with exercise and diet interventions, but only 50 % of participants in clinical trials achieve reduction in CVD risk. This study assessed whether cash incentives improved weight loss, cardiovascular endurance, and/or mortality risk when added to one of four healthy lifestyle programs (gym membership, Weight Watchers membership, the InSHAPE program, InSHAPE + Weight Watchers). METHODS: From 2012 to 2015, 1348 overweight or obese adults with SMI enrolled in a study using equipoise stratified randomization. Participants were randomly assigned to intervention, then to cash incentives, or not, for participation (gym and/or Weight Watchers), with baseline and quarterly assessments for 12 months. We examined effects of the interventions, key covariates, and incentives, using generalized linear models. RESULTS: Main effects of randomization to receive cash incentives was not significant for any outcome; whereas total amount of incentives was significantly associated with all three primary outcomes (weight loss, cardiovascular endurance, mortality risk), mainly for participants in the InSHAPE+WW group who received additional cash incentives. CONCLUSIONS: Incentives may be effective at preventing CVD and improving health outcomes for people with SMI, especially in the context of intensive support for healthy lifestyle behaviors. Policy changes are required to increase access to healthy lifestyle programming and more research is needed to establish the optimal amount of incentives for people with SMI. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02515981.

Sleep quality and its relationship to mental health, physical health and health behaviours among young adults with serious mental illness enrolled in a lifestyle intervention trial.

AIM: To characterize subjective sleep quality and examine its associations with mental health, physical health and health behaviours in a transdiagnostic sample of young adults with serious mental illness (SMI) enrolled in a lifestyle intervention trial. METHODS: Baseline data from a lifestyle intervention trial with young adults (ages 18-35 years) with SMI included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), mental health, physical health and health behaviour outcomes. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression were used in analyses. RESULTS: Of 150 participants, 76% were categorized with poor sleep quality. Depressive symptoms were significantly associated with sleep quality (ß = .438, p < .001); however, no association was found with physical health and health behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: Young adults with SMI enrolled in lifestyle interventions may benefit from treatment that addresses sleep as part of a comprehensive approach to health promotion with attention to the role of depressive symptoms in sleep quality.

Group Lifestyle Intervention With Mobile Health for Young Adults With Serious Mental Illness: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Evidence-based lifestyle interventions tailored to young adults with serious mental illness are needed to reduce their cardiometabolic risk. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a group lifestyle intervention ("PeerFIT") enhanced with mobile health (mHealth) compared with one-on-one mHealth coaching (basic education supported by activity tracking [BEAT]) for young adults with serious mental illness who were overweight or obese. METHODS: Participants were young adults ages 18-35 years with serious mental illness and a body mass index ≥25 kg/m2, who were randomly assigned to PeerFIT or BEAT. Research staff collected data at baseline and at 6 and 12 months. Main outcomes were clinically significant changes from baseline in weight (≥5% weight loss), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF; increase of >50 m on the 6-minute walk test), and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk reduction (clinically significant weight loss or CRF improvement). RESULTS: Participants were 150 young adults with a mean ± SD body mass index of 37.1±7.4. Intent-to-treat analyses revealed no significant between-group difference for weight-loss, CRF, or CVD outcomes at 6 and 12 months. Participants in both conditions achieved clinically significant CVD risk reduction, weight loss, and CRF from baseline to 6 and 12 months, and all these improvements were statistically significant (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The PeerFIT group lifestyle intervention was not superior to one-on-one mHealth coaching in achieving clinically significant changes in weight, CRF, and CVD risk reduction. Although both interventions improved outcomes, low-intensity mHealth coaching may be a more scalable approach for addressing modifiable cardiometabolic risk factors among young adults with serious mental illness.

Relative Effectiveness of Social Media, Dating Apps, and Information Search Sites in Promoting HIV Self-testing: Observational Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Social media sites, dating apps, and information search sites have been used to reach individuals at high risk for HIV infection. However, it is not clear which platform is the most efficient in promoting home HIV self-testing, given that the users of various platforms may have different characteristics that impact their readiness for HIV testing. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the relative effectiveness of social media sites, dating apps, and information search sites in promoting HIV self-testing among minority men who have sex with men (MSM) at an increased risk of HIV infection. Test kit order rates were used as a proxy to evaluate promotion effectiveness. In addition, we assessed differences in characteristics between participants who ordered and did not order an HIV test kit. METHODS: Culturally appropriate advertisements were placed on popular sites of three different platforms: social media sites (Facebook, Instagram), dating apps (Grindr, Jack'D), and information search sites (Google, Bing). Advertisements targeted young (18-30 years old) and minority (Black or Latinx) MSM at risk of HIV exposure. Recruitment occurred in 2 waves, with each wave running advertisements on 1 platform of each type over the same period. Participants completed a baseline survey assessing sexual or injection use behavior, substance use including alcohol, psychological readiness to test, attitudes toward HIV testing and treatment, and HIV-related stigma. Participants received an electronic code to order a free home-based HIV self-test kit. Follow-up assessments were conducted to assess HIV self-test kit use and uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) at 14 and 60 days post enrollment. RESULTS: In total, 271 participants were enrolled, and 254 were included in the final analysis. Among these 254 participants, 177 (69.7%) ordered a home HIV self-test kit. Most of the self-test kits were ordered by participants enrolled from dating apps. Due to waves with low enrollment, between wave statistical comparisons were not feasible. Within wave comparison revealed that Jack'D showed higher order rates (3.29 kits/day) compared to Instagram (0.34 kits/day) and Bing (0 kits/day). There were no associations among self-test kit ordering and HIV-related stigma, perceptions about HIV testing and treatment, and mistrust of medical organizations. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that using popular dating apps might be an efficient way to promote HIV self-testing. Stigma, perceptions about HIV testing and treatment, or mistrust of medical organizations may not affect order rates of HIV test kits promoted on the internet. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04155502; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04155502. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR2-10.2196/20417.

Comparing Web-Based Platforms for Promoting HIV Self-Testing and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Uptake in High-Risk Men Who Have Sex With Men: Protocol for a Longitudinal Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The majority of those living with HIV in the United States are men who have sex with men (MSM), and young, minority MSM account for more new HIV infections than any other group. HIV transmission can be reduced through detection and early treatment initiation or by starting pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), but rates of testing are lower than recommended among MSM, and PrEP uptake has been slow. Although promoting HIV testing and PrEP uptake by placing advertisements on web-based platforms - such as social media websites and dating apps - is a promising approach for promoting HIV testing and PrEP, the relative effectiveness of HIV prevention advertising on common web-based platforms is underexamined. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the relative effectiveness of advertisements placed on 3 types of web-based platforms (social media websites, dating apps, and informational websites) for promoting HIV self-testing and PrEP uptake. METHODS: Advertisements will be placed on social media websites (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter), dating apps (Grindr, Jack'd, and Hornet), and informational search websites (Google, Yahoo, and Bing) to recruit approximately 400 young (18-30 years old), minority (Black or Latino) MSM at elevated risk of HIV exposure. Recruitment will occur in 3 waves, with each wave running advertisements on 1 website from each type of platform. The number of participants per platform is not prespecified, and recruitment in each wave will occur until approximately 133 HIV self-tests are ordered. Participants will complete a baseline survey assessing risk behavior, substance use, psychological readiness to test, and attitudes and then receive an electronic code to order a free home-based HIV self-test kit. Two follow-ups are planned to assess HIV self-test results and PrEP uptake. RESULTS: Recruitment was completed in July 2020. CONCLUSIONS: Findings may improve our understanding of how the platform users' receptivity to test for HIV differs across web-based platforms and thus may assist in facilitating web-based HIV prevention campaigns. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04155502; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04155502. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/20417.

Individualization and quality improvement: two new scales to complement measurement of program fidelity.

Fidelity scales have been widely used to assess program adherence to the principles of an evidence-based practice, but they do not measure important aspects of quality of care. Pragmatic scales measuring clinical quality of services are needed to complement fidelity scales measuring structural aspects of program implementation. As part of the instrumentation developed for the National Implementing Evidence-Based Practices Project, we piloted a new instrument with two 5-item quality scales, Individualization (a client-level quality scale) and Quality Improvement (an organizational-level quality scale). Pairs of independent fidelity assessors conducted fidelity reviews in 49 sites in 8 states at baseline and at four subsequent 6-month intervals over a 2-year follow-up period. The assessors followed a standardized protocol to administer these quality scales during daylong site visits; during these same visits they assessed programs on fidelity to the evidence-based practice that the site was seeking to implement. Assessors achieved acceptable interrater reliability for both Individualization and Quality Improvement. Principal components factor analysis confirmed the 2-scale structure. The two scales were modestly correlated with each other and with the evidence-based practice fidelity scales. Over the first year, Individualization and Quality Improvement improved, but showed little or no improvement during the last year of follow-up. The two newly developed scales showed adequate psychometric properties in this preliminary study, but further research is needed to assess their validity and utility in routine clinical practice.

Intervention Efficacy in Engaging Black and White Veterans with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder into Treatment.

This study examined racial differences among Black and White Veterans who screened positive for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but were not in PTSD treatment and were participating in an intervention trial. Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Veterans with PTSD but not yet engaged in treatment were recruited and randomly assigned to control or intervention conditions. Intervention participants received a cognitive-behavioral engagement intervention by phone. All participants received follow-up calls to assess symptoms and utilization of treatment. Black and White participants were compared to assess differences in treatment utilization. Intervention session notes were analyzed qualitatively for explanatory themes. Participants of both races who received the intervention had higher PTSD treatment initiation than their respective control groups (Blacks: 85% vs. 58% and Whites: 53% vs. 45%, respectively). However, Blacks completed fewer PTSD treatment sessions compared to Whites overall (M = 2.06 [SD = 2.3] vs. M = 3.77 [SD = 9.9]; p < .05). Within the intervention condition, Blacks were significantly more likely to initiate treatment (odds ratio = 2.3, p < .04), and had a greater reduction in PTSD symptom compared to Whites (PTSD Checklist - Military Version [PCL] scores: 12.75 vs. 9.68). Based on qualitative analysis of intervention session notes, themes emerged that may suggest cultural differences involving social connection, attitudes towards treatment, and the desire to appear "okay." Blacks had a higher initiation rate and greater reduction in PTSD severity but completed fewer treatment sessions than Whites. These are promising results with respect to other studies which demonstrate that Black Veterans are less likely to seek treatment for PTSD.

Comparative Effectiveness of Web-Based vs. Educator-Delivered HIV Prevention for Adolescent Substance Users: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Young people who engage in substance use are at risk for becoming infected with HIV and diseases with similar transmission dynamics. Effective disease prevention programs delivered by prevention specialists exist but are rarely provided in systems of care due to staffing/resource constraints and operational barriers-and are thus of limited reach. Web-based prevention interventions could possibly offer an effective alternative to prevention specialist-delivered interventions and may enable widespread, cost-effective access to evidence-based prevention programming. Previous research has shown the HIV/disease prevention program within the Web-based therapeutic education system (TES) to be an effective adjunct to a prevention specialist-delivered intervention. The present study was the first randomized, clinical trial to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of this Web-based intervention as a standalone intervention relative to a traditional, prevention specialist-delivered intervention. METHODS: Adolescents entering outpatient treatment for substance use participated in this multi-site trial. Participants were randomly assigned to either a traditional intervention delivered by a prevention specialist (n=72) or the Web-delivered TES intervention (n=69). Intervention effectiveness was assessed by evaluating changes in participants' knowledge about HIV, hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections, intentions to engage in safer sex, sex-related risk behavior, self-efficacy to use condoms, and condom use skills. FINDINGS: Participants in the TES intervention achieved significant and comparable increases in HIV/disease-related knowledge, condom use self-efficacy, and condom use skills and comparable decreases in HIV risk behavior relative to participants who received the intervention delivered by a prevention specialist. Participants rated TES as easier to understand. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that TES is as effective as HIV/disease prevention delivered by a prevention specialist. Because technology-based interventions such as TES have high fidelity, are inexpensive and scalable, and can be implemented in a wide variety of settings, they have the potential to greatly increase access to effective prevention programming.

Three-year outcomes of long-term patients with co-occurring bipolar and substance use disorders.

Little is known about the long-term outcomes of patients in the public mental health system who are disabled by co-occurring bipolar and substance use disorders. This article reports on the 3-year course of 51 patients with co-occurring bipolar and substance use disorders in the New Hampshire Dual Diagnosis Study. Participants received integrated dual disorders treatments in the state mental health system and were independently assessed with standardized measures at baseline and every 6 months for 3 years. Though psychiatric symptoms improved only modestly, participants improved steadily in terms of remission from substance abuse (61% in full remission at 3 years); they also achieved greater independent living (average 239 days in third year), competitive employment (49% in third year), regular social contacts with nonsubstance abusers (46% at 3 years), and quality of life (56% satisfied with life at 3 years). Different domains of outcome were only weakly related to each other. Long-term, disabled patients with co-occurring bipolar and substance use disorders have potential for remission from substance abuse and substantial improvements in functioning and quality of life.

A randomized controlled trial of family intervention for co-occurring substance use and severe psychiatric disorders.

Substance use disorders have a profound impact on the course of severe mental illnesses and on the family, but little research has evaluated the impact of family intervention for this population. To address this question, a randomized controlled trial was conducted comparing a brief (2-3 mo) Family Education (ED) program with a longer-term (9-18 mo) program that combined education with teaching communication and problem-solving skills, Family Intervention for Dual Disorders (FIDD). A total of 108 clients (77% schizophrenia-spectrum) and a key relative were randomized to either ED or FIDD and assessed at baseline and every 6 months for 3 years. Rates of retention of families in both programs were moderate. Intent-to-treat analyses indicated that clients in both programs improved in psychiatric, substance abuse, and functional outcomes, as did key relatives in knowledge of co-occurring disorders, burden, and mental health functioning. Clients in FIDD had significantly less severe overall psychiatric symptoms and psychotic symptoms and tended to improve more in functioning. Relatives in FIDD improved more in mental health functioning and knowledge of co-occurring disorders. There were no consistent differences between the programs in substance abuse severity or family burden. The findings support the utility of family intervention for co-occurring disorders, and the added benefits of communication and problem-solving training, but also suggest the need to modify these programs to retain more families in treatment in order to provide them with the information and skills they need to overcome the effects of these disorders.