[Mentalizing as Psychosocial Vaccination in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy]. / Mentalisieren als psychosoziale Impfung in der Kinder- und Jugendlichenpsychotherapie.

Based on the psychological stress caused by theCovid 19 pandemic in families, this article explores the fundamental question of how the psychological process of mentalizing - metaphorically speaking - can act as a psychosocial vaccination in stressful times. To this end, we look at the developments in the psychosocial context under the conditions of the pandemic and consider the effects on child and adolescent psychotherapy on the basis of a vignette of a group therapy session.

Manual for the psychotherapeutic treatment of acute and post-traumatic stress disorders following multiple shocks from implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).

BACKGROUND: In view of the increasing number of implanted cardioverter defibrillators (ICD), the number of people suffering from so-called "multiple ICD shocks" is also increasing. The delivery of more than five shocks (appropriate or inappropriate) in 12 months or three or more shocks (so called multiple shocks) in a short time period (24 hours) leads to an increasing number of patients suffering from severe psychological distress (anxiety disorder, panic disorder, adjustment disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder). Untreated persons show chronic disease processes and a low rate of spontaneous remission and have an increased morbidity and mortality. Few papers have been published concerning the psychotherapeutic treatment for these patients. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to develop a psychotherapeutic treatment for patients with a post-traumatic stress disorder or adjustment disorder after multiple ICD shocks. DESIGN: Explorative feasibility study: Treatment of 22 patients as a natural design without randomisation and without control group. The period of recruitment was three years, from March 2007 to March 2010. The study consisted of two phases: in the first phase (pilot study) we tested different components and dosages of psychotherapeutic treatments. The final intervention programme is presented in this paper. In the second phase (follow-up study) we assessed the residual post-traumatic stress symptoms in these ICD patients. The time between treatment and follow-up measurement was 12 to 30 months. POPULATION: Thirty-one patients were assigned to the Department of Psychocardiology after multiple shocks. The sample consisted of 22 patients who had a post-traumatic stress disorder or an adjustment disorder and were willing and able to participate. They were invited for psychological treatment. 18 of them could be included into the follow-up study. METHODS: After the clinical assessment at the beginning and at the end of the inpatient treatment a post-treatment assessment with questionnaires followed. In this follow-up measurement, minimum 12 months after inpatient treatment, posttraumatic stress was assessed using the "Impact of Event Scale" (IES-R). SETTING: Inpatient treatment in a large Heart and Thorax Centre with a Department of Psychocardiology (Kerckhoff Heart Centre). RESULTS: From the 18 patients in the follow-up study no one reported complaints of PTSD. 15 of them reported a high or even a very high decrease of anxiety and avoidance behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: The fist step of the treatment development seems to be successful. It shows encouraging results with an acceptable dosage. The second step of our work is in process now: we evaluate the treatment manual within other clinical institutions and a higher number of psychotherapists. This leads in the consequence to a controlled and randomised comparison study.

[Dimensions of the therapeutic alliance from patients' view--development of the "Skala Therapeutische Allianz-Revised STA-R"]. / Dimensionen der therapeutischen Beziehung aus Patienten-Perspektive--Entwicklung der "Skala Therapeutische Allianz-Revised STA-R".

Studies on the dimensionality of the therapeutic alliance had been conducted by Hatcher et al. factor-analyzing three widely used alliance measures (Helping Alliance Questionnaire, Working Alliance Inventory, California Psychotherapy Alliance Scales) and proposing two additional dimensions (on affects and interpersonal aspects). The present study intended to construct an economic German patient questionnaire on the basis of this preliminary work, which represents relevant dimensions of the therapeutic alliance in an economic way. 36 items, purposed by Hatcher et al. were translated into German. They have been examined by confirmative factor analysis (sample 1: N=301 psychotherapy patients). As a result of further factor analysis, the "Skala Therapeutische Allianz - Revised STA-R" was developed. The 17-items questionnaire has 4 scales: "Confident Collaboration", "Bond", "Patient Fear" and "Therapist Interference", which correspond to Hatcher et al. The latter scales have not yet been considered in German questionnaires. A confirmatory factor analysis with sample 2 (N=427 patients) showed a good model fit with these factors, too. Correlations of the therapeutic alliance at the end of the treatment with change in symptom load (SCL-90-R) proved to be significant (rSTA-R, GSI=0.43**).

Stability of symptom control after replacement of impulse generators for deep brain stimulation.

OBJECT: Impulse generators (IPGs) for deep brain stimulation (DBS) need to be replaced when their internal batteries fail or when technical problems occur. New IPGs are routinely programmed with the previous stimulation parameters. In this study, the authors evaluate the stability of symptom control after such IPG replacements. METHODS: The authors retrospectively analyzed the outcome of 56 IPG replacements in 42 patients with various movement disorders treated using DBS. RESULTS: Stable symptom control was found in 65% of single-channel IPG replacements and 53% of dual-channel IPG replacements. Worsening of symptoms resulted primarily from changes in stimulation effects requiring reprogramming of stimulation parameters (17% of dual-channel IPG and 25% of single-channel IPG). In 14% of dualchannel IPG replacements, instability resulted from erroneous extension adjustment with change in laterality. A new short circuit of active with previously inactive contacts of the quadripolar stimulation lead resulted in a worsening of symptoms in 4% of replacements. CONCLUSIONS: Replacement of the IPG requires careful follow-up of patients with DBS to ensure stable symptom control.