Evaluating the effect of exercise-based interventions on functioning in people with transdiagnostic depressive symptoms: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Depressive symptoms are associated with various conditions and can exacerbate the outcome of somatic diseases. Transdiagnostic symptom-based approaches provide treatment flexibility, and exercise has demonstrated benefits beyond clinical symptoms. This work aimed to synthesise and establish the effects of exercise-based interventions on global functioning and quality of life in adults with transdiagnostic depressive symptoms, as well as their impact on clinical symptoms. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Scopus and PsycINFO databases were searched from inception to April 2023. Eligibility criteria included randomised controlled trials involving adults with transdiagnostic depressive symptoms who received exercise-based interventions and provided details of the interventions. Comparators included treatment as usual or other active control groups. The Cochrane quality assessment tool was used for quality assessment. RESULTS: Fifteen articles involving 2064 participants were included. Data on study design, sample, intervention characteristics, and outcomes were extracted. Several trials demonstrated the expected positive effects of exercise on functioning (7/15). Most results supported the benefits of adjunctive exercise interventions on illness outcomes. LIMITATIONS: The studies had methodological limitations, including small sample sizes and an underrepresentation of somatic diseases. CONCLUSIONS: The functional consequences of exercise-based interventions targeting depressive symptoms are often understudied. Incorporating exercise routinely as an add-on treatment for transdiagnostic depressive symptoms could improve overall functioning, quality of life, and symptom severity. There is a need to expand the focus of exercise-based interventions to incorporate functional outcomes. Future research should address the methodological limitations and include a wider range of participants, including those with somatic diseases.

Underage Problem Gambling: With Whom, Where and Why

BACKGROUND: Underage gambling is a widespread phenomenon with its own characteristics that differentiate it from adult gambling. In addition, problem gambling has shown a remarkable prevalence in previous studies. The present study examines underage gambling behaviour, studying its characteristics, as well as motivational and contextual aspects, and estimating the volume of problem gambling and possible moderating variables. METHOD: A sample of 9,681 students aged between 12 and 17 years old reported their involvement in gambling and filled in the Brief Adolescent Gambling Screen (BAGS), with 4,617 of them completing a questionnaire about gambling behaviours. RESULTS: Almost a quarter (23.5%) of the students reported having gambled in their lifetime (16.2% in-person, 1.4% online and 6% in both modalities), and 1.9% presented symptoms of problem gambling (BAGS ≥ 4). In-person gamblers preferred sport-betting machines, usually gambled in bars, and did not have their age checked. Online gamblers reported mainly sports betting, doing so on websites and paying with PayPal-like services and credit cards. Most gambled with friends and to win money. Problem gamblers were similar but gambled more frequently. CONCLUSIONS: These results present an image of the gambling situation among minors and, more importantly, of its context and related variables.

Underage Problem Gambling: With Whom, Where and Why / El Juego de Azar Problemático en Menores de Edad: Con Quién, Dónde y Por Qué

Background: Underage gambling is a widespread phenomenon with its own characteristics that differentiate it fromadult gambling. In addition, problem gambling has shown a remarkable prevalence in previous studies. The presentstudy examines underage gambling behaviour, studying its characteristics, as well as motivational and contextualaspects, and estimating the volume of problem gambling and possible moderating variables. Method: A sample of 9,681students aged between 12 and 17 years old reported their involvement in gambling and filled in the Brief AdolescentGambling Screen (BAGS), with 4,617 of them completing a questionnaire about gambling behaviours. Results:Almost a quarter (23.5%) of the students reported having gambled in their lifetime (16.2% in-person, 1.4% online and6% in both modalities), and 1.9% presented symptoms of problem gambling (BAGS ≥ 4). In-person gamblers preferredsport-betting machines, usually gambled in bars, and did not have their age checked. Online gamblers reported mainlysports betting, doing so on websites and paying with PayPal-like services and credit cards. Most gambled with friendsand to win money. Problem gamblers were similar but gambled more frequently. Conclusions: These results present animage of the gambling situation among minors and, more importantly, of its context and related variables.(AU)

Antecedentes: La participación de menores de edad en juegos de azar es un fenómeno extendido con característicasdiferenciales respecto a las personas adultas y muestra una elevada prevalencia. El presente estudio examina la conductade juego en menores, estudiando sus características, aspectos motivacionales y contextuales, el volumen de juegoproblemático y las posibles variables moderadoras. Método: La muestra está compuesta por 9.681 estudiantes de 12 a17 años que cumplimentaron el Brief Adolescent Gambling Screen (BAGS), 4.617 adolescentes completaron ademásun cuestionario sobre hábitos. Resultados: El 23,5% ha apostado alguna vez en su vida (presencial: 16,2%; online:1,4%; ambas: 6%) y el 1,9% presenta síntomas de juego problemático (BAGS≥4). Quienes juegan presencialmenteprefieren las máquinas de apuestas deportivas; suelen apostar en bares y generalmente sin acreditar su edad. Quienesjuegan online principalmente hacen apuestas deportivas, a través de páginas web y pagan con servicios tipo PayPal ytarjetas de crédito. Suelen apostar con amigos y para ganar dinero, aunque mayoritariamente reconocen que es pocoprobable que esto llegue a ocurrir. Los/as jugadores/as problemáticos muestran características similares, pero apuestancon mayor frecuencia. Conclusiones: Estos resultados muestran la situación del juego en menores y permite determinarsus variables contextuales relacionadas.(AU)

Hábitos de juego y síntomas de adicción a los videojuegos en adolescentes españoles / Gambling habits and symptoms of video game addiction in Spanish adolescents

El trastorno por uso de videojuegos ha recibido mayor atención desde su inclusión en la CIE-11. Sin embargo, apenas hay investigación en menores de edad en el contexto español. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo de explorar los hábitos de uso de videojuegos y la sintomatología del trastorno por uso de videojuegos en esta población, así como analizar la relación entre ambos. Los hábitos fueron evaluados como la frecuencia y las horas semanales jugadas y la “Escala de adicción al juego para adolescentes” (GASA) fue aplicada a una muestra de 3748 estudiantes de entre 12 y 17 años. Los resultados mostraron que el 13,5% presentaba síntomas de juego problemático y el 3,3% una posible adicción a los videojuegos. También fue encontrada una relación entre los hábitos de juego y la presencia de síntomas de adicción. Estos resultados se comparan con los de otros estudios y se pone de manifiesto la heterogeneidad de datos disponibles en este ámbito. Además, se discuten las implicaciones de los resultados para posibles acciones preventivas llevadas a cabo por desarrolladores y familias. (AU)

Gaming disorder has been receiving increased attention since its inclusion in the ICD-11. However, there are still few studies on minors in the Spanish context. The present study aimed to explore the gaming habits and symptomatology of gaming disorder in this population, as well as analyzing the relationship between both. Gaming habits were assessed such as frequency and weekly hours played and the Game Addiction Scale for Adolescents was applied to a sample of 3748 students between 12 and 17 years old. It was found that 13.5% presented symptoms of problematic gaming and 3.3% a possible video game addiction. There was also a relationship between gambling habits and the presence of addiction symptoms. These results are compared to other studies and the heterogeneity of data available in the field is highlighted. Additionally, the implications of the results for preventive actions carried out by developers and families are discussed. (AU)

The Prevalence and Clinical and Sociodemographic Factors of Problem Online Gambling: A Systematic Review.

The emergence and spread of new technologies have allowed for the introduction of new forms of gambling. Problem online gambling has specific characteristics, and its prevalence may differ from traditional forms of gambling. This paper systematically reviews studies that include data relevant to problem online gambling and to the sociodemographic and comorbidity variables related to it. A systematic literature search was conducted from Medline database. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement, preliminary search resulted in 427 articles, from which 20 were included in this systematic review based on pre-determined criteria. The reported prevalence of problem online gambling varied widely across the different studies. This heterogeneity is due to large variations in settings, instruments, and definitions of problem online gambling, which rules out a meta-analytic approach to the results. The sources of variability in the prevalence, the sociodemographic and comorbidity factors, and the implications for future research are discussed.