Significance of music therapy in treating depression and anxiety disorders among people with cancer.

Globally, cancer cases and mortality have recently escalated and have attracted global concern. The clinical diagnosis and manifestation of cancer can result in significant mental health issues like depression and anxiety disorders. The tendency of people with cancer to suffer from psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression is usually high. A significant number of deaths related to cancer may likely not be from the killer disease but from psychological disorders associated with the illness. The utilization of music as a remedial approach to healing mental disorders cannot be overstated. Thus, identifying the impacts of music therapy in dealing with depression and anxiety disorders among people with cancer is relevant, as the majority of methods used in treating cancer have some side effects which may trigger psychological disorders in cancer patients. Ultimately, this study explored the significance of music therapy in treating depression and anxiety disorders among people with cancer. To achieve the aim of this study, the authors employed a narrative literature review to investigate the significance of music therapy in addressing depression and anxiety disorders among people with cancer. The type of literature review employed in this study is to provide an understanding of the selected research papers. The review found that music therapy significantly reduces depression and anxiety disorders among breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, and colorectal cancer patients. It is needful for healthcare providers to incorporate music therapy interventions while treating people with cancer. This will help reduce cancer deaths resulting from psychological disorders rather than the killer disease, cancer. However, the standardized procedures and evaluation criteria for applying music-based intervention strategies in oncology medicine still need to be further established and improved.

The causal role of gastroesophageal reflux disease in anxiety disorders and depression: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Observational studies have shown an association between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and anxiety disorders/depression. However, these evidences may be influenced by confounding factors. Therefore, our study aimed to determine the causal relationship between GERD and anxiety disorders/depression by conducting a bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) study. Methods: We performed a bidirectional MR analysis using summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in European individuals. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was used as the primary analytical method to assess causality. In addition, five additional MR methods [maximum likelihood, MR-Egger, weighted median, robust adjusted profile score (MR-RAPS), and mode-based estimate (MR-MBE)] were performed to supplement the IVW results. Furthermore, several sensitivity analyses were performed to assess heterogeneity, horizontal pleiotropy, and stability. Finally, a multivariable MR (MVMR) analysis was performed to determine the causal relationship by adjusting for potential confounders. Results: MR results of the IVW method indicated that GERD significantly increases the risk of anxiety disorders [odds ratio (OR) = 1.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15-1.59, P = 2.25 × 10-4] and depression (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.15-1.52, P = 1.26 × 10-4). In addition, the MR results of maximum likelihood, MR-Egger, weighted median, MR-RAPS, and MR-MBE remained parallel to the IVW results. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis suggested that the results were robust, with no pleiotropy or heterogeneity detected. Nevertheless, reverse MR analysis showed that anxiety or depression did not increase GERD risk. Finally, MVMR analysis showed that the effect of GERD on increasing the risk of anxiety disorders/depression was independent of confounders. Conclusion: This MR study supports a causal association between GERD and an increased risk of anxiety disorders and depression. Therefore, complementing symptomatic treatment of GERD with psychological assessment and necessary psychological support therapy may help reduce the risk of future anxiety disorders and depression.

Concurrent validity of the anxiety symptom-scale compared to two well-being scales: results from the Lolland-Falster health study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the concurrent validity of the Anxiety Symptom-scale against two well-being scales, the Cantril Ladder (CL) and World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5), to test the algorithm defining anxiety against these scales, and identify cut-off points for the Anxiety Symptom-scale sum score. SUBJECTS: 14,405 adult respondents completing all psychometric questions in the Lolland Falster Health Study. METHOD: Receiver operating characteristic analyses comparing Anxiety Symptom-scale WHO-5 and CL. RESULTS: 2.5% of respondents had an anxiety disorder (3% female and 2% male) according to the Anxiety Symptom-scale algorithm. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.87 for CL and 0.90 for WHO-5 (using inverse scores), indicating high concordance with anxiety disorder as identified by the scale. A score solely ≥2 on item 10 is a relevant cut off to low wellbeing. Anxiety disorder covers a broad range on the scale's sum score, with 3 to 4 indicating low well-being in this population sample and a sensitivity of 0.85 - 0.99 against CL and WHO-5. CONCLUSION: The Anxiety Symptom-scale is a sensitive and valid instrument for the identification of patients in low well-being with symptoms of anxiety. A score ≥2 on the functional impact (Item 10) of all symptoms is a relevant indicator of anxiety associated with low well-being in this sample. A higher Anxiety Symptom-scale sum score is coherent with lower well-being, though without specific cut-off points. Further validation of the Anxiety Symptom-scale in a clinical setting is recommended.

[A Cognitive Behavioural-Based Intervention in Reducing Test Anxiety in High School Students: A Pilot Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial]. / Intervenção de Base Cognitivo-Comportamental na Redução da Ansiedade Perante os Testes em Alunos do Ensino Secundário: Estudo Piloto Aleatorizado e Controlado Por Clusters.

INTRODUCTION: School-age test anxiety is an important risk factor for school performance. Notwithstanding, few studies seek to identify which strategies are effective in improving test anxiety. The aim of this study was to assess whether a cognitive-behavioural intervention for high school students could significantly reduce test anxiety. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two-arm, cluster-randomized controlled, unblinded, parallel, trial. Participants were 10th grade students from Alves Martins High School in Viseu, Portugal. Students were randomized at class level to receive a cognitive-behavioural-based intervention combined with mindfulness, psychoeducation, and relaxation techniques, or to a control group with no intervention. Participants' anxiety levels were measured using the Test Anxiety Questionnaire. The analysis of the effect of the intervention was carried out on an intention-to-treat basis at the class level, using multilevel mixed effects models and Bayesian modelling. RESULTS: The intervention had a significant effect in reducing test anxiety (d = 0.81, 95% CI 0.45;1.17, Bayes factor = 31.3). Male gender was an independent risk factor for smaller reductions in anxiety levels. The intervention was more effective in reducing the worry component of test anxiety (d = 0.76, 95% CI 0.41;1.11, Bayes factor = 19.9) than the emotionality component (d = 0.63, 95% CI 0.31;0.95, Bayes factor = 6.6). CONCLUSION: A cognitive-behavioural intervention specifically designed to reduce test anxiety, using a combination of mindfulness, psychoeducation and relaxation techniques, was effective in reducing test anxiety levels. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Retrospectively registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05481099) in 08/01/2022.

Introdução: A ansiedade face aos testes é um importante fator condicionante da performance escolar. Contudo, são escassos os estudos que procuram identificar quais as estratégias eficazes na sua melhoria. Este estudo teve como objetivo testar a eficácia de uma intervenção cognitivo-comportamental na redução da ansiedade face aos testes em alunos do ensino secundário. Material e Métodos: Estudo experimental, aleatorizado por clusters (turmas), controlado, sem ocultação, com dois grupos paralelos, com alunos do 10.º ano da Escola Secundária Alves Martins em Viseu, Portugal. Os alunos foram aleatorizados ao nível da turma para receber uma combinação de técnicas cognitivas e comportamentais, de mindfulness, psicoeducação e técnicas de relaxamento, ou para um grupo controlo sem intervenção. Os níveis de ansiedade dos participantes foram medidos através do Questionário de Ansiedade face aos Testes. A análise do efeito da intervenção foi realizada na base de intenção de tratar ao nível da turma recorrendo a modelos de efeitos mistos multinível e modelação bayesiana. Resultados: A intervenção teve um efeito significativo na redução da ansiedade face aos testes (d = 0,81, IC 95% 0,45;1,17, fator de Bayes = 31,3). Pertencer ao sexo masculino revelou-se um fator de risco independente para uma menor redução nos níveis de ansiedade. O efeito da intervenção foi mais pronunciado na redução da preocupação face aos testes (d = 0,76, IC 95% 0,41;1,11, fator de Bayes = 19,9) quando comparado com a emocionalidade (d = 0,63, IC 95% 0,31;0,95, fator de Bayes = 6,6). Conclusão: Uma intervenção especificamente desenhada para reduzir a ansiedade face aos testes, usando uma combinação de técnicas cognitivas e comportamentais de mindfulness, psicoeducação e técnicas de relaxamento, foi eficaz na redução dos níveis de ansiedade. Registo do Estudo: Estudo registado a posteriori (registo retrospetivo) em ClinicalTrials.gov com o número NCT05481099 em 01/08/2022.

Cohort profile: Impact of Maternal and Paternal Mental Health - Assessing Concurrent Depression, Anxiety and Comorbidity in the Canadian Family (IMPACT study).

PURPOSE: This paper describes a prospective cohort, Impact of Maternal and Paternal Mental Health: Assessing Concurrent Depression, Anxiety and Comorbidity in The Canadian Family (IMPACT) study, which followed maternal-paternal dyads and their children across the first 2 years post partum. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 3217 cohabitating maternal-paternal dyads were recruited into the study from 2014 to 2018. Each dyad member separately completed online questionnaires at baseline (<3 weeks post partum) and again at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months on a variety of measures, including mental health, parenting environment, family functioning and child health and development. FINDINGS TO DATE: At baseline, the mean maternal age was 31.9±4.2 years and 33.8±5.0 years for fathers. Overall, 12.8% of families had a household income below the poverty line of $C50 000, and 1 in 5 mothers and 1 in 4 fathers were not born in Canada. One in 10 women experienced depressive symptoms during pregnancy (9.7%) and 1 in 6 had markedly anxious symptoms (15.4%) while 1 in 20 men reported feeling depression during their partner's pregnancy and 1 in 10 had marked anxiety (10.1%). Approximately 91% of mothers and 82% of fathers completed the 12-month questionnaire as did 88% of mothers and 78% of fathers at 24 months postpartum. FUTURE PLANS: The IMPACT study will examine the influence of parental mental illness in the first 2 years of a child's life with a focus on understanding the mechanisms by which single (maternal or paternal) versus dual (maternal and paternal) parental depression, anxiety and comorbidity symptoms affect family and infant outcomes. Future analyses planned to address the research objectives of IMPACT will consider the longitudinal design and dyadic interparental relationship.

Maternal postpartum anxiety and the development of infant attachment: The effect of body sensations on infant attachment.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge about the influences of maternal postpartum anxiety disorders (PAD) on infant development is limited. Aim of this present study is to evaluate the influence of PAD on infant attachment. METHODS: In a longitudinal study, self-reported anxiety symptoms of N = 70 mothers (N = 28 with PAD diagnosed according to the DSM-IV, N = 42 controls) were examined in the postpartum period and one year later. Infants' attachment was observed in the Strange Situation Test (SST) at the age of 12-24 months. RESULTS: Results indicate a strong relationship between PAD and infant attachment: infants of mothers with PAD were significantly more likely to be classified as insecure or disorganized than infants of control mothers. Logistic regression analysis led to a significant model with 76.8 % correct classification of infant attachment dependent on the maternal fear of anxiety associated body sensations (OR = 4.848) in the postpartum period. Including maternal sensitivity and interaction behavior, only maternal intrusiveness was additionally associated with infant attachment (ρ = 0.273, p < .05; OR = 45.021, p = .153). LIMITATIONS: Participants were highly educated. Different anxiety disorders included led to a heterogenous sample. Generalization is diminished. Maternal sensitivity was measured on a global scale, and body tension was self-reported. CONCLUSIONS: PAD plays a crucial role in the development of infant attachment. Interaction-focused interventions, helping mothers to decrease intrusiveness, and body-focused interventions, helping mothers to deal with their fear of anxiety symptoms, might be promising pathways to buffer the influence of PAD on infant attachment.

Review of Psychophysiological and Psychotherapeutic Studies of Stress Using Virtual Reality Technologies.

This review addresses the use of virtual reality technologies in the psychophysiology and psychotherapy of stress. Studies using virtual reality both to introduce subjects into a state of stress and to help reduce stress reactions are reviewed. Methods developed for treating patients suffering from stress-related disorders (in particular, PTSD and phobias) are described. In many cases, reductions in stress reactions with the help of virtual reality systems are achieved not only at the self-report (experiential) level, but also at the level of central and peripheral nervous system measures. This allows virtual reality to be regarded as a modern, inexpensive, and effective method, firstly, for introducing subjects into a state of stress with the aim of testing various hypotheses in psychophysiology and, secondly, to reduce stress reactions.

Psychological effect of COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare professionals of Yemen and coping strategies.

COVID-19 pandemic has triggered psychological stress such as anxiety and depression among people around the globe. Due to the nature of the job, healthcare professionals (HCPs) are at high risk of infection and are facing social stigma as well. This research was conducted with the objective to evaluate the psychological influence of the COVID-19 pandemic among HCPs in Yemen and the coping strategies adopted thereof. A web-based, as well as face-to-face cross-sectional study was carried out from July to December 2021 among HCPs of Yemen. The generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7), patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9), and Brief-COPE scales were applied for the evaluation of anxiety, depression, and coping strategies. A total of 197 HCPs participated in the study where 28.4% and 43.1% had anxiety and depression respectively. The prevalence of both anxiety and depression in the majority were found of the minimal to none and mild categories (71.6% vs. 56.9% respectively). The respondents who had received training on COVID-19 had statistically significant lower GAD-7 scores than those who did not (6.32 vs. 8.02 respectively). A significant statistical difference was observed between physicians versus nurses regarding depression based on the working area (p < 0.05). The physician and pharmacist had a significant positive association with brief COPE scores at the 50th centile compared to other HCPs. The female respondents had statistically significant higher mean Brief COPE scores than male respondents (78.11 vs. 69.50 respectively). Our findings illustrate the requirement for efficient policies through administrative, clinical, and welfare perspectives from the regulatory body in preparedness and preventive measures towards such a pandemic that aids HCPs to provide service in a stress-free condition and assurance of a better healthcare system..

Attention Bias Modification Treatment Versus a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Or Waiting List Control for Social Anxiety Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Social anxiety disorder is common and impairing. The efficacy of pharmacotherapy is moderate, highlighting the need for alternative therapies. This study compared the efficacy of gaze-contingent music reward therapy (GC-MRT), an eye-tracking-based attention bias modification treatment, with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment or a waiting list control condition in reducing social anxiety disorder symptoms. Superior clinical effects of similar magnitude were expected for the active treatments relative to the control condition. METHODS: Participants were 105 treatment-seeking adults with social anxiety disorder, randomly allocated to 12 weeks of GC-MRT, SSRI, or waiting list control. Mean changes in clinician-rated and self-reported social anxiety symptoms from baseline to mid- and posttreatment assessments were compared between groups using generalized estimating equations. Changes in attentional dwell time on threat were also examined. RESULTS: Analysis indicated a significant differential reduction in symptoms between groups. Patients in the GC-MRT and SSRI groups had lower social anxiety scores at the mid- and posttreatment assessments compared with patients in the waiting list group. The efficacy of the active treatments did not differ. Only patients in the GC-MRT group showed reduction in dwell time on threat from baseline to posttreatment assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Eye-tracking-based attention bias modification is an acceptable and effective treatment option for social anxiety disorder.

Tracking Population-Level Anxiety Using Search Engine Data: Ecological Study.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental disorders globally, with a substantial impact on quality of life. The prevalence of anxiety disorders has increased substantially following the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is likely to be further affected by a global economic recession. Understanding anxiety themes and how they change over time and across countries is crucial for preventive and treatment strategies. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to track the trends in anxiety themes between 2004 and 2020 in the 50 most populous countries with high volumes of internet search data. This study extends previous research by using a novel search-based methodology and including a longer time span and more countries at different income levels. METHODS: We used a crowdsourced questionnaire, alongside Bing search query data and Google Trends search volume data, to identify themes associated with anxiety disorders across 50 countries from 2004 to 2020. We analyzed themes and their mutual interactions and investigated the associations between countries' socioeconomic attributes and anxiety themes using time-series linear models. This study was approved by the Microsoft Research Institutional Review Board. RESULTS: Query volume for anxiety themes was highly stable in countries from 2004 to 2019 (Spearman r=0.89) and moderately correlated with geography (r=0.49 in 2019). Anxiety themes were predominantly long-term and personal, with "having kids," "pregnancy," and "job" the most voluminous themes in most countries and years. In 2020, "COVID-19" became a dominant theme in 27 countries. Countries with a constant volume of anxiety themes over time had lower fragile state indexes (P=.007) and higher individualism (P=.003). An increase in the volume of the most searched anxiety themes was associated with a reduction in the volume of the remaining themes in 13 countries and an increase in 17 countries, and these 30 countries had a lower prevalence of mental disorders (P<.001) than the countries where no correlations were found. CONCLUSIONS: Internet search data could be a potential source for predicting the country-level prevalence of anxiety disorders, especially in understudied populations or when an in-person survey is not viable.

Virtual reality interventions for the treatment of anxiety disorders: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: & Objectives: Virtual Reality (VR) refers to an artificial, immersive three-dimensional environment with interactive sensory stimuli. VR is typically incorporated into the psychotherapeutic process as a means of providing exposure therapy. The objectives of this scoping review were to synthesize the most up-to-date evidence on the outcomes, acceptability, and side effects of VR interventions for treating anxiety disorders in adults. METHODS: This scoping review is grounded in the methodological framework of Arksey and O'Malley (2005). The databases searched were PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. RESULTS: The search process identified 112 unique citations. 52 (46%) of the eligible articles examined participants with specific phobias, 25 (22%) with PTSD, 21 (19%) with social anxiety disorder, 12 (10%) with panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, and 3 (3%) with generalized anxiety disorder. VR interventions often led to statistically significant and meaningful reductions in symptoms for people with anxiety disorders. Additionally, they were acceptable to clients and associated with minimal side effects for all types of anxiety disorders, except for Combat-Related PTSD in Vietnam veterans. LIMITATIONS: Limitations included the fact that the studies in this review were of varying quality, and that articles in languages other than English and French were excluded. CONCLUSION: VR interventions appeared to be a viable alternative to conventional exposure therapy. Future research should include more male participants and have a stronger emphasis on acceptability and side effects. Increased traction for VR interventions for generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder is also important.

Anxiety in children and youth: Part 1-Diagnosis.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concerns affecting Canadian children and adolescents. The Canadian Paediatric Society has developed two position statements that summarize current evidence regarding the diagnosis and management of anxiety disorders. Both statements offer evidence-informed guidance to support paediatric health care providers (HCPs) making decisions around the care of children and adolescents with these conditions. The objectives of Part 1, which focuses on assessment and diagnosis, are to: (1) review the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of anxiety disorders and (2) describe a process for assessment of anxiety disorders. Specific topics are reviewed, including prevalence, differential diagnosis, co-occurring conditions, and the process of assessment. Approaches are offered for standardized screening, history-taking, and observation. Associated features and indicators that distinguish anxiety disorders from developmentally appropriate fears, worries, and anxious feelings are considered. Note that when the word 'parent' (singular or plural) is used, it includes any primary caregiver and every configuration of family.

Effects of a online brief modified mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy for anxiety among Chinese adults: A randomized clinical trial.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated anxiety and related symptoms among the general population. In order to cope with the mental health burden, we developed an online brief modified mindfulness-based stress reduction (mMBSR) therapy. We performed a parallel-group randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of the mMBSR for adult anxiety with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) as an active control. Participants were randomized to mMBSR, CBT or waitlist group. Those in the intervention arms performed each therapy for 6 sections in 3 weeks. Measurements were conducted at baseline, post-treatment and 6 months post-treatment by Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Patient Health Questionnaire-15, reverse scored Cohen Perceived Stress scale, Insomnia Severity Index, and Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale. 150 participants with anxiety symptoms were randomized to mMBSR, CBT or waitlist group. Post intervention assessments showed that mMBSR improved the scores of all the six mental problem dimensions (anxiety, depression, somatization, stress, insomnia, and the experience of pleasure) significantly compared to the waitlist group. During 6-month post treatment assessment, the scores of all six mental problem dimensions in the mMBSR group still showed improvement compared to baseline and showed no significant difference with the CBT group. Our results provide positive evidence for the efficacy and feasibility of an online brief modified MBSR program to alleviate anxiety and related symptoms of individuals from the general population, and the therapeutic benefits of mMBSR persisted for up to six months. This low resource-consuming intervention could facilitate the challenges of supplying psychological health therapy to large scale of population.

Pooled analysis of the association between mental health and violence against women: evidence from five settings in the Global South.

OBJECTIVES: To describe associations between men's poor mental health (depressive and post-traumatic stress symptomatology) and their perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) and non-partner sexual violence (NPSV), and women's mental health and their experiences of IPV and NPSV in five settings in the Global South. DESIGN: A pooled analysis of data from baseline interviews with men and women participating in five violence against women and girls prevention intervention evaluations. SETTING: Three sub-Saharan African countries (South Africa, Ghana and Rwanda), and one Middle Eastern country, the occupied Palestinian territories. PARTICIPANTS: 7021 men and 4525 women 18+ years old from a mix of self-selecting and randomly selected household surveys. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: All studies measured depression symptomatology using the Centre for Epidemiological Studies-Depression, and the Harvard Trauma Scale for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among men and women. IPV and NPSV were measured using items from modified WHO women's health and domestic violence and a UN multicountry study to assess perpetration among men, and experience among women. FINDINGS: Overall men's poor mental health was associated with increased odds of perpetrating physical IPV and NPSV. Specifically, men who had more depressive symptoms had increased odds of reporting IPV (adjusted OR (aOR)=2.13; 95%CI 1.58 to 2.87) and NPSV (aOR=1.62; 95% CI 0.97 to 2.71) perpetration compared with those with fewer symptoms. Men reporting PTSD had higher odds of reporting IPV (aOR=1.87; 95% CI 1.44 to 2.43) and NPSV (aOR=2.13; 95% CI 1.49 to 3.05) perpetration compared with those without PTSD. Women who had experienced IPV (aOR=2.53; 95% CI 2.18 to 2.94) and NPSV (aOR=2.65; 95% CI 2.02 to 3.46) had increased odds of experiencing depressive symptoms compared with those who had not. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions aimed at preventing IPV and NPSV perpetration and experience must account for the mental health of men as a risk factor, and women's experience.

Risk factors and digital interventions for anxiety disorders in college students: Stakeholder perspectives.

The worldwide prevalence of anxiety disorders among college students is high, which negatively affects countries, schools, families, and individual students to varying degrees. This paper reviews the relevant literature regarding risk factors and digital interventions for anxiety disorders among college students from the perspectives of different stakeholders. Risk factors at the national and societal levels include class differences and the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. College-level risk factors include the indoor environment design of the college environment, peer relationships, student satisfaction with college culture, and school functional levels. Family-level risk factors include parenting style, family relationship, and parental level of education. Individual-level risk factors include biological factors, lifestyle, and personality. Among the intervention options for college students' anxiety disorders, in addition to traditional cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, psychological counseling, and group counseling, digital mental health interventions are increasingly popular due to their low cost, positive effect, and convenient diagnostics and treatment. To better apply digital intervention to the prevention and treatment of college students' anxiety, this paper suggests that the different stakeholders form a synergy among themselves. The nation and society should provide necessary policy guarantees, financial support, and moral and ethical supervision for the prevention and treatment of college students' anxiety disorders. Colleges should actively participate in the screening and intervention of college students' anxiety disorders. Families should increase their awareness of college students' anxiety disorders and take the initiative to study and understand various digital intervention methods. College students with anxiety disorders should actively seek psychological assistance and actively accept and participate in digital intervention projects and services. We believe that in the future, the application of methods such as big data and artificial intelligence to improve digital interventions and provide individualized treatment plans will become the primary means of preventing and treating anxiety disorders among college students.

Loss of Tyro3 causes anxiety-relevant behavioural changes in female mice.

White-matter brain abnormalities have been found across a variety of psychiatric disorders. The extent of white matter pathology is proposed to be predictive of the severity of anxiety disorders. However, it is still unknown whether disruptions of white matter integrity precede, and are sufficient to give rise to, the behavioural symptoms. Interestingly, mood disturbances feature prominently in central demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis. It is unclear whether the greater frequency of neuropsychiatric symptoms is linked to underlying neuropathology. In this study, we characterised male and female Tyro3 knockout (KO) mice using a variety of behavioural paradigms. Anxiety-related behaviours were assessed with the elevated-plus maze and light-dark box. Fear memory processing was assessed using fear conditioning and extinction paradigms. Finally, we assessed immobility time in the Porsolt swim test as a measure of depression-related behavioural despair. Surprisingly, loss of Tyro3 did not lead to manifestation of major shifts in baseline behaviour. We noted significant differences in habituation to novel environments and post-conditioning freezing levels of female Tyro3 KO mice, which are consistent with the female bias in anxiety disorders and could be indicative of maladaptive stress-responses. This study has demonstrated that white matter pathology related to a loss of Tyro3 is associated with pro-anxiety behavioural responses of female mice. Future studies could probe their contribution to increased risk for neuropsychiatric disorders when combined with stressful triggering events.

BNC210: an investigational α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor modulator for the treatment of anxiety disorders.

INTRODUCTION: Anxiety disorders are common, disabling psychiatric conditions associated with excessive worry, irritability, and physiological symptoms of stress. Following insufficient response to psychological therapies, first-line pharmacological treatments for anxiety disorders suffer from inconsistent efficacy, addiction, and intolerable side-effect profiles (e.g. sedation), especially when used inappropriately or contrary to evidence-based guidelines. Developing anxiolytics acting via cholinergic modulation may provide novel options for the treatment of anxiety disorders, without the drawbacks of existing anxiolytics. AREAS COVERED: We review pharmacological treatment of anxiety disorders and proposed mechanisms of action in relation to the associated neural circuitry. We then consider the mechanism of action, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics of the negative-allosteric modulator of the alpha7 nicotinic receptor BNC210, an investigational anxiolytic so far employed in studies of those with social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and agitation in hospitalized elderly. Lastly, we consider the environment of competitor compounds for this indication, and BNC210's place within it, in both the present and near-future. EXPERT OPINION: : There is a relative paucity of data regarding BNC210, albeit the small amount of mostly non-peer reviewed data indicate it is a well-tolerated, effective anxiolytic. Phase III trials are required for proper appraisal of its utility.

Do oral contraceptives modulate the effects of stress induction on one-session exposure efficacy and generalization in women?

RATIONALE: The administration of glucocorticoids (GC) as an adjunct to exposure represents a promising strategy to improve one-session exposure outcome in anxiety disorders. It remains to be determined whether similar effects can be induced with the use of acute stress. Furthermore, the possible modulation of exposure effects by hormonal factors (e.g., use of oral contraceptives (OCs)) was not explored so far. OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether acute stress prior to one-session exposure for spider fear affects its efficacy in women using oral contraceptives (OC) relative to free-cycling (FC) women. In addition, effects of stress on generalization of exposure therapy effects towards untreated stimuli were examined. METHODS: Women with fears of spiders and cockroaches were randomly assigned to a Stress (n = 24) or No-Stress (n = 24) condition prior to one-session exposure. Of these 48 participants, 19 women used OC (n = 9 in the Stress, and n = 10 in the No-Stress group). All FC women had a regular menstrual cycle and were tested only in the follicular phase of their menstrual cycle. Pre-exposure stress induction was realized with the socially evaluated cold-pressor test. Exposure-induced changes towards treated and untreated fear stimuli were tested with behavioral approach tests for spiders and cockroaches and subjective fear and self-report measures. RESULTS: Acute stress did not influence exposure-induced reduction in fear and avoidance of the treated stimuli (spiders). Similarly, stress had no effect on the generalization of exposure-therapy effects towards untreated stimuli (cockroaches). Exposure-induced reduction in subjective fear and self-report measures for treated stimuli was less evident in women using OC specifically after pre-exposure stress. Women using OC had higher levels of subjective fear and scored higher in self-report measures at post-treatment (24 h after exposure) and follow-up (4 weeks after exposure). CONCLUSIONS: OC intake may represent an important confounding factor in augmentation studies using stress or GC.

Psychological treatments for the mental health symptoms among individuals infected with COVID-19: a scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Mental health symptoms such as depression, anxiety and sleep problems are commonly observed in individuals suffering from acute COVID-19 infection to post-COVID-19 syndrome. Studies have provided preliminary evidence for the efficacies of cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, acceptance and commitment therapy, and many other treatments for this population. Although there have been attempts to synthesise the literature on these psychological interventions, previous reviews have been limited in terms of the sources, symptoms and interventions that they included. Furthermore, most studies reviewed were conducted in early 2020, when COVID-19 had only recently been classified as a global pandemic. Since then, substantial research has been conducted. As such, we sought to provide an updated synthesis of the available evidence of treatments for the range of mental health symptoms associated with COVID-19. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This scoping review protocol was developed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews. Systematic searches were carried out on scientific databases (PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO and Scopus) and clinical trial registries (ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO ICTRP, EU Clinical Trials Register and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) to identify studies that have or will assess the efficacy or any aspects of psychological treatment for acute to post-COVID-19 syndrome. The search was conducted on 14 October 2022 and identified 17 855 potentially eligible sources/studies published since 1 January 2020 (duplicates removed). Six investigators will independently carry out titles and abstract screening, full-text screening and data charting and the results will be summarised using descriptive statistics and narrative synthesis. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval is not required for this review. The results will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed journal, conference presentations and/or academic newspapers. This scoping review has been registered with Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/wvr5t).

Measuring the Optimal Time Interval Between Arrival and First Mental Health Evaluation's for Refugees in Québec: A Scoping Review.

To map the state of the existing literature to identify the optimal time frame between the arrival of refugees in a host country and psychosocial assessments. We conducted scoping review using the method of Arksey and O'Malley (2005). A systematic search of 5 databases including PubMed, Psycinfo (OVID), PsycINFO BD APA, Scopus and Web of Sciences) and grey literature identified 2698 references. Thirteen studies published between 2010 and 2021 were considered eligible. A data extraction grid was designed and tested by the research team. It is not so ease to identify the most appropriate time interval to assess the mental health of newly settled refugees. All the studies selected agree on the need to carry out an initial assessment when refugees arrive in their host country. Several authors agree on the need to carry out screening at least twice during the resettlement period. However, what is less clear is the best time to perform the second screening. This scoping review mainly helped in highlighting the lack of probing data on the mental health indicators focused on during the assessment and on the optimal timeline for the assessment of refugees. Further research is needed to determine whether developmental and psychological screening is beneficial, the right time to perform the screening, and the most appropriate collection instruments and interventions.