Effects of cognitive training and group psychotherapy on cognitive performance of post COVID-19 patients: an exploratory and non-randomized clinical trial.

Cognitive complaints are common signs of the Post COVID-19 (PC) condition, but the extent and type of cognitive impairment may be heterogeneous. Little is known about neuropsychological treatment options. Preliminary evidence suggests cognitive symptoms may improve with cognitive training and naturally over time. In this clinical trial, we examined whether participation in a weekly group consisting of cognitive training and group psychotherapy is feasible and would exert beneficial effects on cognitive performance in PC and whether improvements were associated with intervention group participation or represented a temporal improvement effect during syndrome progression. 15 PC patients underwent an 8-week intervention. Cognitive performance was assessed before and after each intervention group participation. A control group of 15 PC patients with subjective neurocognitive or psychiatric complaints underwent two cognitive assessments with comparable time intervals without group participation. To attribute changes to the intervention group participation, interaction effects of group participation and time were checked for significance. This is an exploratory, non-randomized, non-blinded controlled clinical trial. Within the intervention group, significant improvements were found for most cognitive measures. However, significant time x group interactions were only detected in some dimensions of verbal memory and visuo-spatial construction skills. Significant time effects were observed for attention, concentration, memory, executive functions, and processing speed. The intervention setting was feasible and rated as helpful and relevant by the patients. Our results suggest that cognitive symptoms of PC patients may improve over time. Patients affected by both neurocognitive impairments and mental disorders benefit from group psychotherapy and neurocognitive training. The present study provides evidence for a better understanding of the dynamic symptomatology of PC and might help to develop further studies addressing possible therapy designs. The main limitations of this exploratory feasibility trial are the small sample size as well as the non-randomized design due to the clinical setting.

Virtual group psychotherapy for chronic pain: exploring the impact of the virtual medium on participants' experiences.

BACKGROUND: Virtual psychotherapy for chronic pain (CP) has been shown to be feasible, efficacious, and acceptable; however, little is known about how virtual delivery of group psychotherapy affects participants' experiences. This study aimed to explore the impact of a virtual medium during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on social interactions and therapeutic processes in the context of group psychotherapy for CP management. METHODS: This qualitative, interview-based study collected data on 18 individuals who participated in virtual group psychotherapy in a tertiary care pain management unit. RESULTS: Results of the thematic analysis showed 4 themes. First, the ability to participate and connect was modified by not meeting in person. Connections also occurred differently as the usual patterns of interactions changed. Participants described important shifts in how emotions are communicated and subsequent experience of empathy. Finally, the commonality of chronic pain experience was identified as a central driver of connection between participants. CONCLUSIONS: Mixed impacts of the virtual medium on group psychotherapy dynamics and processes were found. Future research could explore ways to mitigate the negative impacts.

Qualitative focus group study of interprofessional healthcare providers to inform the development of a virtual psychoeducational training program for the treatment of childhood interpersonal trauma.

The shortage of adequately trained healthcare providers (HCPs) able to treat adults who have experienced childhood interpersonal trauma (CIT) is a pressing concern. This study explored HCPs' training needs for a trauma-focused psychoeducational group intervention and the potential barriers and facilitators to accessing such training. Three 1-hour focus group sessions were conducted with HCPs (n = 17) from two urban and one rural community healthcare organization serving diverse populations in Ontario, Canada, including under-housed people, women struggling with mental health and addiction, and LGBTQ+ populations. On average, participants had 2.4 years in their current role and 18.1 years of mental health field experience. Thematic analysis revealed key findings: a strong clinical need for trauma services, accessible training programs, and broadly applicable interventions relevant for diverse populations. Notably, participants emphasized the clinical advantages and increased accessibility of a virtual training programs focused on psychoeducational treatment interventions, particularly within community-based healthcare settings. This study highlights the potential of a virtual psychoeducational training programs for HCPs to address this critical gap in healthcare provision for individual with CIT. It also underscores the need to move beyond training program development and focus on implementation and sustainability of interventions in clinical practice.

The relationship between treatment integrity and outcome in group psychotherapy: A systematic review.

Treatment integrity is defined as the extent to which the treatment has been implemented according to a specific theoretical model. It consists of two components: adherence, that is, the degree to which the therapist implements the techniques prescribed by the theoretical model, and competence, that is, the degree to which the therapist skilfully and appropriately implements the techniques prescribed by the model. Recently, the issue of integrity is gaining increasing importance in psychotherapy research, especially in an attempt to clarify its role in influencing the effectiveness of treatments. However, most studies focus on the individual setting. Therefore, this systematic review aims at investigating the relationship between integrity and outcome in group clinical treatments. Results highlighted a positive relationship between group treatment integrity and outcome. Moreover, this review provided insights for implications for research, clinical practice, and training of therapists, identifying questions that still need to be answered and tracing possible future research directions.

Psychological Group Interventions for Reducing Distress Symptoms in Healthcare Workers: A Systematic Review.

Healthcare workers exposed to emergencies and chronic stressors are at high risk of developing mental health problems. This review synthesized existing studies of group psychological therapy to reduce distress symptoms in healthcare workers (i.e., as complex and heterogeneous emotional states, characterized by the presence of symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder, burnout, anxiety, depression and moral injury). Searches were conducted using PRISMA guidelines and databases such as PubMed, PsycINFO, Medline and Web of Science, along with manual searches of reference lists of relevant articles. The search returned a total of 1071 randomized trials, of which 23 met the inclusion criteria. Of the total studies, nine were mindfulness interventions, seven were cognitive behavioural programmes, one was a programme based on acceptance and commitment therapy, one was an EMDR protocol and two focused on systemic and art therapy. Most studies aimed to reduce burnout, anxiety and depression; only three focused on post-traumatic stress disorder, and no studies were found that addressed moral injury. The results suggested that group interventions could be an effective tool to improve the mental health of healthcare workers and reduce their symptoms of distress, although many of the studies have methodological deficiencies. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

Originalbeiträge (Originals). Psychotherapeutic inpatient depression treatment in open versus closed group format.

OBJECTIVE: Controversy exists about the comparative efficacy of different group formats, e. g., open versus closed. Most of the findings come from outpatient, closed group research. In practice, the open format is more widely used. This monocentric study aims to compare the efficacy as well as group cohesion during inpatient group psychotherapy for depression delivered in an open versus closed format. METHODS: 291 depressed inpatients (ageM= 55.7, SD = 11) of a psychosomatic-rehabilitation clinic were consecutively assigned to either open (n = 117) or closed (n = 174) cognitive-behavioral groups, further subdivided into groups based on length of the stay. Using multilevel models, we examined depression and group cohesion concerning changes in patients' random effects over time. RESULTS: Both group formats showed a reduction in symptomatology (d = 1.8). A significant group format x time interaction in favor of the closed format was found regarding group cohesion. CONCLUSION: While group cohesion improved in the closed format only, we did not find any significant difference between group formats regarding their efficacy. Further research should focus on randomized controlled trials comparing both formats directly.

A comparison of the effect of two types of brief psychodynamic group therapy on perfectionism-related attitudes, self-relatedness, and self-esteem.

Objective: This randomized controlled trial investigated the efficacy of dynamic relational group therapy (DRT) relative to group psychodynamic supportive therapy (PST) in improving perfectionism-related attitudes and components of the perfectionistic self-relationship. Method: Based on a comprehensive conceptualization of perfectionism, 80 community-recruited, highly perfectionistic individuals were randomly allocated to 12 sessions of group DRT (n = 41; 5 groups) or group PST (n = 39; 5 groups). Patients completed measures of dysfunctional attitudes, self-criticism, self-esteem, and self-reassurance at pre-, mid-, and post-treatment, and six months post-treatment. Results: Multigroup latent growth curve modeling revealed significant (p < .05) decreases in dysfunctional attitudes, concern over mistakes, two types of self-criticism, and self-esteem problems, along with a significant increase in self-reassurance, from pre-treatment to six-month follow-up in both DRT and PST. Moderate-to-large between-group differences favoring DRT over PST were found for dysfunctional attitudes and self-reassurance. A majority of patients in both conditions maintained reliable improvement at six-month follow-up in dysfunctional attitudes, concern over mistakes, and self-criticism focused on inadequacy. Conclusion: Findings provide evidence for the use of psychodynamic group therapy approaches in treating perfectionism-related attitudes and self-relational elements of perfectionism, and support the relative efficacy of DRT for dysfunctional attitudes and self-reassurance.

Renewed Feedback-Informed Group Treatment for Patients with Anxiety and Depressive Disorders.

Feedback-Informed Group Treatment (FIGT) shows promise for improving outcomes, but results are mixed. The aim was investigating the feasibility, acceptability and effects of renewed FIGT on clinical outcomes and therapy processes. In a quasi-experimental pilot study, 65 patients with anxiety or depressive disorders and 15 therapists of interpersonal psychotherapy or cognitive behavioural therapy groups using renewed FIGT were included. Renewed FIGT contained three additions compared to the previous tool: (1) personalized goals along with the Outcome Questionnaire-45 (OQ-45), (2) therapists' training, coaching and intervision, and (3) instructions to actively use feedback in the group. Data on feasibility, acceptability, outcomes and process factors were analysed and compared with those of historical cohorts using only OQ-45 feedback or no feedback, using descriptive, multilevel and covariance statistical analyses. Feasibility was mostly improved, with patients experiencing more feedback discussions and better usability compared to only OQ-45 feedback. At least two thirds of the patients and therapists give preference to using feedback in the future. At the end of the study, therapists were less convinced that the OQ-45 and goals were able to detect change. Renewed FIGT did not improve effectiveness on clinical outcomes. Compared to no feedback, patients experienced more cohesion, engagement and less avoidance, but improved less on depressive symptoms. Even when renewed FIGT is more feasible and usable than only OQ-45 feedback and associated with more cohesiveness and engagement, it may not automatically lead to improved effectiveness on clinical outcomes in short-term group therapy. Implications and future directions are described.

Implementation of the "Healthy Moms, Healthy Kids" Program in Head Start: An Application of the RE-AIM QuEST Framework Centering Equity.

BACKGROUND: Marginalized mothers are disproportionately impacted by depression and face barriers in accessing mental health treatment. Recent efforts have focused on building capacity to address maternal depression in Head Start; however, it is unclear if mental health inequities can be addressed by two-generation programs in Head Start settings. Therefore, this study examined the implementation outcomes and processes of a two-generation program called "Healthy Moms, Healthy Kids" (HMHK) that provided an evidence-based depression treatment to ethnic minority Head Start mothers. METHOD: Quantitative and qualitative data were collected and merged in a convergent mixed method design in accordance with the RE-AIM Qualitative Evaluation for Systematic Translation (RE-AIM QuEST) framework. Qualitative data included interviews with 52 key stakeholders, including intervention participants and staff members, and 176 sets of meeting minutes from the implementation period. Quantitative data included intervention study data and administrative data. RESULTS: It was difficult for HMHK to reach the target population, with only 16.8% of eligible mothers choosing to participate. However, mothers who participated experienced reductions in depressive symptoms and parenting stress and shared a variety of positive impacts in interviews. The program was also more successful in enrolling Latinx mothers who were Spanish-speaking or bilingual rather than English-speaking and Black/African American mothers, limiting its reach. CONCLUSION: Providing IPT therapy groups was effective in reducing maternal depressive symptoms and stress for those who enrolled, but additional work should focus on reducing barriers to participation, considering other delivery models to meet participants' needs, and identifying culturally relevant ways to meet the needs of Black mothers.

Aus Klinik und Praxis / From Clinic and Practice. Autismus in der systemischen Gruppenpsychotherapie: "Gemeinsam Stark" ein Versorgungsmodell für Kinder- und Jugendliche aus der Praxis / Autism in Systemic Group Psychotherapy: "Strong Together" a Care Model for Children and Adolescents from Practice.

Autism in Systemic Group Psychotherapy: "Strong Together" a Care Model for Children and Adolescents from Practice Awareness of people with autism in our society is constantly increasing. Nevertheless, ambiguities and caution in dealing with autistic clients are still tangible. Due to the growing demand, there is a shortage of care for clients on the autism spectrum. This applies in particular to group therapy services in German-speaking countries. However, the international AWMF guidelines state that group therapy is the therapy method of choice for children and adolescents with autistic perception. In order to counteract this gap in care, this article presents a systemic group therapy for autistic people. It explains the extent to which the systemic approach in combination with a multimodal approach is a beneficial approach. It also highlights the importance of expanding the range of care services, interdisciplinary cooperation, and exchange. The compatibility of practice and research in systemic psychotherapy will be explained, teamwork in private practice will be emphasized, therapeutic experiences will be shared and an outlook on ongoing evaluation research will be presented.

Cost-effectiveness of transdiagnostic group cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety disorders v. treatment as usual: economic evaluation of a pragmatic randomized controlled trial over an 8-month time horizon using self-reported data.

BACKGROUND: This economic evaluation supplements a pragmatic randomized controlled trial conducted in community care settings, which showed superior improvement in the symptoms of adults with anxiety disorders who received 12 sessions of transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioural group therapy in addition to treatment as usual (tCBT + TAU) compared to TAU alone. METHODS: This study evaluates the cost-utility and cost-effectiveness of tCBT + TAU over an 8-month time horizon. For the reference case, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) obtained using the EQ-5D-5L, and the health system perspective were chosen. Alternatively, anxiety-free days (AFDs), derived from the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the limited societal perspective were considered. Unadjusted incremental cost-effectiveness/utility ratios were calculated. Net-benefit regressions were done for a willingness-to-pay (WTP) thresholds range to build cost-effectiveness acceptability curves (CEAC). Sensitivity analyses were included. RESULTS: Compared to TAU (n = 114), tCBT + TAU (n = 117) generated additional QALYs, AFDs, and higher mental health care costs from the health system perspective. From the health system and the limited societal perspectives, at a WTP of Can$ 50 000/QALY, the CEACs showed that the probability of tCBT + TAU v. TAU being cost-effective was 97 and 89%. Promising cost-effectiveness results using AFDs are also presented. The participation of therapists from the public health sector could increase cost-effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS: From the limited societal and health system perspectives, this first economic evaluation of tCBT shows favourable cost-effectiveness results at a WTP threshold of Can$ 50 000/QALY. Future research is needed to replicate findings in longer follow-up studies and different health system contexts to better inform decision-makers for a full-scale implementation.

Efficacy of group therapy to reduce mental distress in women with non-metastatic breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: Group treatments have proven to be effective for many mental disorders and showed beneficial effects in patients with medical illness. Aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to summarize the efficacy of group therapy for women with non-metastatic breast cancer. METHODS: We included studies comparing group therapy for women with non-metastatic breast cancer to non-active control groups, active control conditions, and individual psychotherapy. The primary outcome was mental distress, secondary outcomes were quality of life, coping, existential outcomes, fatigue, pain, and side effects. A comprehensive search was conducted in Medline, Web of Science, CENTRAL, PsycINFO, and DARE complemented by a manual search. Random-effects meta-analyses were run separately for different types of control groups. RESULTS: Thirty-seven studies (5902 patients) were included. Small effects on mental distress in favor of group treatment were found (non-active control groups: n = 19, g = 0.42, 95% CI [0.29; 0.56], I2  = 61.6%; active control conditions: n = 6, g = 0.20, 95% CI [0.06; 0.35], I2  = 0%). Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and third wave CBT group approaches proved to be most effective. Group treatments also showed beneficial effects on secondary outcomes, with most profound evidence on quality of life and coping. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that group interventions have the potential to reduce mental distress in women facing breast cancer. In the light of the considerable heterogeneity of most study effects, there is a need for more rigorous studies to strengthen the promising evidence and for trials examining the impact of patient and intervention characteristics on outcomes. REGISTRATION: PROSPERO international prospective register of systematic reviews, CRD42020184357.

Tübinger Training for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TüTASS): a structured group intervention on self-perception and social skills of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

In autism spectrum disorders (ASD), social communication and stereotypical behaviour patterns affect all areas of life, and can result in a decrease of its quality. Previous research has shown promising results for the social skills of groups of children with ASD. Furthermore, a pilot study of the Tübingen Group Training for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TüTASS) has demonstrated that mindfulness-based elements achieve additional positive effects. To build on these findings, the TüTASS training was adapted and expanded. Indeed, the TüTASS currently includes 20 90-min appointments starting with the basic skills of emotions, body, and communication, which are then transferred to personal, family, peer, and school spheres. The appointments have a fixed, consistent structure and each includes a body awareness exercise. In this study, we evaluated the TÜTASS with 27 children with ASD. The results showed improvements in pre-post comparison in behaviours associated with autism, as well as in externalising and internalising behaviours as assessed by parent reports, participant self-reports, and independent raters in participating children. Furthermore, the perceived parent burden in relation to their children decreased, whereas the participants' self-rated quality of life increased. Overall, both the participants and their parents rated the TüTASS very positively in rating sheets and in free feedback. If replicated in larger controlled trials, TÜTASS training might be a useful treatment tool for groups of children with ASD.

Effect of traditional Chinese medicine combined group psychotherapy on psychological distress management and gut micro-biome regulation for colorectal cancer survivors: a single-arm phase I clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of utilizing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) combined group psychotherapy intervention on psychological distress management and gut micro-biome regulation for colorectal (CRC) survivors. METHODS: A single-arm phase I clinical trial was conducted between December 2020 and December 2021 in Xiyuan Hospital and Beijing Cancer Hospital in China. Inclusion criteria included stage I-III CRC survivors after radical surgery with age between 18 and 75. The intervention was a 6-week online TCM combined group psychotherapy intervention including 90-min communication, TCM lifestyle coaching, self-acupressure guidance, and mindfulness practice led by TCM oncologist and psychiatrist each week. Outcomes were measured by Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventor (FCRI), and Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30). Fecal samples before and after intervention were collected for 16Sr RNA analysis. RESULTS: We recruited 40 CRC survivors and 38 of them finally completed all interventions with average age of 58±13 years' old. Paired t-test showed that SAS at week 2(35.4±5.8), week 4 (37.9±10.5) and week 6 (31.3±6.4) during the intervention was significantly lower than baseline (42.1±8.3, p<0.05 respectively). SDS score also declined substantially from baseline (38.8±10.7) to week 2 (28.3±8.8, p<0.001) and week 6 (25.4±7.7, p<0.001). FCRI decreased from 19.4±7.2 at baseline to 17.5±7.1 at week 4 (p=0.038) and 16.3±5.8 at week 6 (p=0.008). Although changes of QLQ-C30 were not statistically prominent, symptom burden of insomnia and fatigue significantly alleviated. The abundances of gut microbiota Intestinibacter, Terrisporobacter, Coprobacter, and Gordonibacter were all significantly elevated after intervention. CONCLUSIONS: TCM combined group psychotherapy intervention is feasible and effective to reduce CRC survivors' psychological distress and modulate certain gut bacteria which might be associated with brain-gut axis effect. It is necessary to carry out with phase II randomized controlled clinical trial.

Aspirational leaders help us change: Ingroup prototypicality enables effective group psychotherapy leadership.

OBJECTIVES: Research suggests that leaders are effective when they are ingroup prototypical (represent the identity of the group they seek to lead). However, it is unclear whether leaders should represent the group's current identity ("who we are") or aspired identity ("who we want to be"). This study investigated which of these forms of prototypicality best predicted leadership effectiveness in group psychotherapy. DESIGN: Longitudinal study. METHODS: 519 questionnaire responses were obtained from 112 women attending a four-session body acceptance program. Focal measures included participant ratings of how often they thought their psychotherapy leaders and fellow group members would (a) engage in dieting thoughts and behaviours and (b) approve of dieting. Given the program's body acceptance focus, leader prototypicality was conceptualized as the difference between participants' perceptions of how often their leaders, versus group members, would diet at the start of therapy. Leadership effectiveness was conceptualized as reductions in perceived group approval of dieting across therapy. Two therapeutic outcomes were considered: body satisfaction and dieting intentions. RESULTS: A mixed-effects repeated measures analysis indicated that group approval of dieting decreased more rapidly when participants perceived their leaders to be aspirational (thought that group leaders dieted less frequently than group members) than when they perceived them to be exemplary (thought that group leaders dieted as frequently as group members). Changes in group approval of dieting mediated the relationship between leader prototypicality and improved therapeutic outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that group psychotherapy leaders may increase their effectiveness by striving to embody their group's aspired identity.

Moderators of the cost-effectiveness of transdiagnostic CBT for anxiety disorders over an 8-month time horizon using a net-benefit regression framework.

BACKGROUND: Access to evidence-based psychological treatment is a concern in many parts of the globe due to government-level financial constraints and patient-level barriers. Transdiagnostic cognitive behavioural therapy (tCBT) is an effective treatment approach that uses a single protocol for anxiety disorders which could enhance the dissemination of evidence-based psychotherapy. In a context of limited resources, the study of treatment moderators can allow to identify subgroups for which the cost-effectiveness of an intervention differs, information that could impact decision-making. So far, there has been no economic evaluation of tCBT for different subpopulations. The objectives of this study, using the net-benefit regression framework, were to explore clinical and sociodemographic factors as potential moderators of the cost-effectiveness of tCBT compared to treatment-as-usual (TAU). METHODS: This is a secondary data analysis of a pragmatic randomized controlled trial opposing tCBT added to TAU (n = 117) to TAU only (n = 114). Data on costs from the health system and the limited societal perspectives, as well as anxiety-free days, an effectiveness measure based on the Beck Anxiety Inventory, were collected over an 8-month time horizon and used to derive individual net-benefits. The net-benefit regression framework was used to assess moderators of the cost-effectiveness of tCBT + TAU as opposed to TAU alone. Variables of sociodemographic and clinical nature were assessed. RESULTS: Results showed that the number of comorbid anxiety disorders significantly moderated the cost-effectiveness of tCBT + TAU compared to TAU from the limited societal perspective. CONCLUSIONS: The number of comorbid anxiety disorders was identified as a moderator affecting the cost-effectiveness of tCBT + TAU compared to TAU from the limited societal perspective. More research is needed to strengthen the case of tCBT from an economic standpoint for large-scale dissemination. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02811458, 23/06/2016.

From Interactive Regulation in Infancy to Relationship-Focused Interventions.

In interaction with their mother, infants not only learn how human relationships work, but - on an even more basic level - the continuous bidirectional, interactive regulation between mother and infant shapes the infant's socioemotional development. Coordinated interactions alternate with uncoordinated ones, the latter resulting in momentary ruptures during this dyadic exchange. Usually, these are quickly repaired. The mother's capacity for engaging with her infant in a sensitive and appropriate manner is crucial for successful socioemotional development. On a transgenerational level, a mother will draw on her own relational experiences - embodied as implicit memory - when interacting with her baby. Thus, comprehensive and effective treatment of maternal postpartum disorders that often impair the mother's interactive skills and capacity for maternal bonding is of great importance. One aim of modern mother-infant treatment is to target dysfunctional interactive patterns, often with the help of video feedback and microanalysis of behavioral observations. In this paper, after giving an overview of affective regulation in mother-infant dyads and the role of maternal factors and postpartum mental health, we describe relationship-focused approaches to mother-infant treatment. Our focus lies on video feedback and body-oriented interventions. We also explore classical as well as contemporary theoretical underpinnings in mother-infant research and how psychoanalytic concepts like containment and mentalization not only enrich approaches to mother-infant treatment but also adult treatment in general. We conclude that working with and expanding one's own implicit relational knowledge is central for the therapeutic process and can be initiated by video-based interventions or by genuinely experiencing and reflecting on interactions in dyads and groups.

A benchmark study of a combined individual and group anorexia nervosa therapy program.

OBJECTIVE: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a treatment-resistant illness. Up to half of the patients show limited or no significant treatment response. First, we aimed to describe a new stepped-care outpatient treatment combining group and individual therapy (CIGAN) with a strong focus on normalizing eating and weight and in vivo meal support for adults with moderate to severe AN. Second, we aimed to compare CIGAN with specialized treatments of Specialized Supportive Clinical Management (SSCM) and the Maudsley model of AN (MANTRA). METHOD: The study includes 137 adults with moderate to severe AN and the primary outcome (BMI) at six and twelve months was compared with the outcomes published for SSCM and MANTRA using the Chi-squared test and Student's t-test. The paired t-test and Cohen's d were used to compare the within-group follow-up data with the baseline data. RESULTS: CIGAN patients changed significantly on all outcome measures at 6 and 12 months, with effect sizes on BMI of 1.37 and 1.51 and on the weight of 1.36 and 1.60, respectively. Except for the 12-month comparison with MANTRA, patients had a higher BMI and larger BMI increase at both 6 and 12 months than SSCM (BMI p = 0.002 and 0.023, BMI increase p < 0.001 and 0.003) and MANTRA (BMI p = 0.031 and 0.168, BMI increase p < 0.001 and 0.037). DISCUSSION: CIGAN, including a stepped care approach, is a promising treatment, and further research on the effective elements is warranted.

[Do pain therapy patients benefit from their fellow patients? : A retrospective observational study on the influence of the stage of pain management and therapy experience of fellow patients on the individual therapy success in an inpatient interdisciplinary multimodal pain therapy (IMPT)]. / Profitieren Schmerztherapiepatienten von ihren Mitpatienten? : Eine retrospektive Beobachtungsstudie zum Einfluss des Stadiums der Schmerzbewältigung und der Therapieerfahrung der Mitpatienten auf den individuellen Therapieerfolg in einer stationären interdisziplinären multimodalen Schmerztherapie (IMST).

BACKGROUND: Interdisciplinary multimodal pain therapy (IMPT) is mostly run in a group setting to encourage the exchange of experiences between patients and thus facilitate the change of pain-related attitudes and behavior. As is known from psychotherapy research, the fellow patients in a therapy group have a relevant influence on the success of the therapy for the individual patient. OBJECTIVE: We examined the extent to which therapy success in an IMST group is influenced by individual co-patient characteristics, such as cognitive behavioral pain management, the difference to their own pain management and the proportion of co-patients who repeat therapy. METHOD: In a retrospectively planned investigation of the psychometric tests of all patients in an inpatient IMST between January 2013 and February 2020, the influence of fellow patient characteristics on clinically relevant changes with respect to various parameters of the severity of chronic pain disorders was analyzed using binary logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: We examined 636 treatment cases of which 540 were first-time stays. On each day of treatment, 5 fellow patients were present, 15% of whom had repeated the therapy. We were able to show that the proportion of fellow patients who repeat the therapy (p < 0.001; odds ratio, OR = 1.032) and the cognitive behavioral pain management of the fellow patients (p < 0.001; OR = 2.885) significantly increase the probability of achieving success in at least one of the parameters examined. An influence of a specific parameter on the success of therapy could not be proven. CONCLUSION: Despite methodological limitations our results suggest that in patient groups of an IMST, patients with therapy experience and those with advanced cognitive behavioral methods for pain management should be combined with novices and patients who are still at the beginning of coping with the chronic pain disorder.

Adolescent and Family-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Pediatric Bipolar Disorders: An Open Trial and Individual Trajectories Study in Routine Psychiatric Care.

Psychosocial treatments improve outcome in Pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD), but few are developed specifically for adolescents and none has been evaluated in Europe. This study evaluates family-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy for adolescents (ages 13-18) with PBD in routine psychiatric care in Sweden, adapted for teenagers in a European setting from the Child and Family-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for PBD (ages 8-12) developed in the US. In a repeated-measure open trial, psychosocial functioning, depression, skills and knowledge about PBD, and family climate were assessed at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and after 6 months. Assessments were made by adolescents (n = 45), parents (n = 61) and clinicians. Both group statistics and individual trajectories are reported. Psychosocial function, as rated by parents and clinicians, improved at post-treatment, and parents reported less mania and improved family climate at post-treatment. Both parents and adolescents reported improved skills and knowledge. Most results after treatment showed medium effect sizes. Significant improvements were seen in most individual trajectories, however no change and even deterioration was observed in some. The present trial shows that AFF-CBT is well accepted and associated with improved psychosocial function in adolescents and improved skills and knowledge about PBD in adolescents and their parents. Regarding mood symptoms and family climate the results showed more individual variability, indicating that adjustments in delivery of the treatment according to the unique patient could be of importance. AFF-CBT seems to be a valuable addition to pharmacological treatments in PBD.