Objective
Emerging evidence suggests that the coronavirus (COVID‐19) pandemic may be negatively impacting mental health. The impact on eating and exercise behaviors is, however, currently unknown. ...This study aimed to identify changes in eating and exercise behaviors in an Australian sample among individuals with an eating disorder, and the general population, amidst the COVID‐19 pandemic outbreak.
Method
A total of 5,469 participants, 180 of whom self‐reported an eating disorder history, completed questions relating to changes in eating and exercise behaviors since the emergence of the pandemic, as part of the COLLATE (COvid‐19 and you: mentaL heaLth in AusTralia now survEy) project; a national survey launched in Australia on April 1, 2020.
Results
In the eating disorders group, increased restricting, binge eating, purging, and exercise behaviors were found. In the general population, both increased restricting and binge eating behaviors were reported; however, respondents reported less exercise relative to before the pandemic.
Discussion
The findings have important implications for providing greater monitoring and support for eating disorder patients during the COVID‐19 pandemic. In addition, the mental and physical health impacts of changed eating and exercise behaviors in the general population need to be acknowledged and monitored for potential long‐term consequences.
In promoting optimal recovery in persons with psychosis, psychological interventions have become a key element of treatment, with cognitive behavioural therapy being widely recommended in clinical ...practice guidelines. One key area of development has been the trialling of “third wave” cognitive behavioural interventions, which promote mindfulness, acceptance and compassion as means of change. Trials to date have demonstrated encouraging findings, with beneficial effects observed on measures of psychotic symptoms. This meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of third wave interventions for the treatment of psychosis in randomised controlled trials, with psychotic symptoms as the primary outcome. Overall, 10 studies were included. The primary outcome demonstrated a small but significant effect (g=0.29) for third wave interventions compared with control post-treatment. Trials of group format mindfulness-based interventions showed larger effects (g=0.46) than individual acceptance and commitment therapy based interventions (g=0.08), although methodological differences between trials were noted. Among secondary outcomes, a moderate, significant treatment effect (g=0.39) was found for depressive symptoms, but no significant effects were found on specific measures of positive and negative symptoms, hallucination distress, or functioning/disability. A moderate effect on mindfulness (g=0.56) was observed, but not on acceptance. Overall, findings indicate that third wave interventions show beneficial effects on symptoms in persons with psychotic disorders. However, further research is required to determine the efficacy of specific models of treatment.
•Current data characterizes the mental health and wellbeing of the Australian general. public during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.•The most prevalent concerns were about the health and ...wellbeing of loved ones.•There were high levels of negative emotions (depression, stress and anxiety) in the Australian general public.•Being young, female and having a mental illness diagnosis were risk factors for increased negative emotions.•Increased mental health support will be of paramount importance as the world faces the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) poses mental health challenges globally; however, to date, there is limited community level data. This study reports on the COLLATE project (COvid-19 and you: mentaL heaLth in AusTralia now survEy), an ongoing study aimed at understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Australian mental health and well-being. We addressed prevailing primary concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, current levels of negative emotions and risk factors predicting negative emotions. On April 1st to 4th 2020, 5158 adults from the general public completed an online survey. Participants ranked their top ten current primary concerns about COVID-19, and completed standardized measures of negative emotions. The top three primary concerns were related to health and well-being of family and loved ones. Levels of negative emotion were high. Modelling of predictors of negative emotions established several risk factors related to demographic variables, personal vulnerabilities, financial stresses, and social distancing perceptions; particularly being young, female, or having a mental illness diagnosis. The data provides important characterization of the current Australian mental health. It appears that specific groups may need special attention to ensure their mental health is protected. These results may provide direction for international researchers characterizing similar issues.
•An ALE meta-analysis of the impact of intranasal oxytocin on human brain function.•Systematic review revealed regional activation within frontal, limbic, and temporal brain regions.•ALE ...meta-analytic results showed no overall consistent clusters of brain activation following intranasal oxytocin treatment.•Gender and task-based differences were observed.
Oxytocin (OXT) is a neuropeptide which has a critical role in human social behaviour and cognition. Research investigating the role of OXT on functional brain changes in humans has often used task paradigms that probe socioemotional processes. Preliminary evidence suggests a central role of the amygdala in the social cognitive effects of intranasal OXT (IN-OXT), however, inconsistencies in task-design and analysis methods have led to inconclusive findings regarding a cohesive model of the neural mechanisms underlying OXT’s actions. The aim of this meta-analysis was to systematically investigate these findings. A systematic search of PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus databases was conducted for fMRI studies which compared IN-OXT to placebo in humans. First, we systematically reviewed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies of IN-OXT, including studies of healthy humans, those with clinical disorders, and studies examining resting-state fMRI (rsfMRI). Second, we employed a coordinate-based meta-analysis for task-based neuroimaging literature using activation likelihood estimation (ALE), whereby, coordinates were extracted from clusters with significant differences in IN-OXT versus placebo in healthy adults. Data were included for 39 fMRI studies that reported a total of 374 distinct foci. The meta-analysis identified task-related IN-OXT increases in activity within a cluster of the left superior temporal gyrus during tasks of emotion processing. These findings are important as they implicate regions beyond the amygdala in the neural effects of IN-OXT. The outcomes from this meta-analysis can guide a priori predictions for future OXT research, and provide an avenue for targeted treatment interventions.
The number of studies investigating sex differences in executive functions, particularly those using human functional neuroimaging techniques, has risen dramatically in the past decade. However, the ...influences of sex on executive function are still underexplored and poorly characterized. To address this, we conducted a systematic literature review of functional neuroimaging studies investigating sex differences in three prominent executive control domains of cognitive set‐shifting, performance monitoring, and response inhibition. PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were systematically searched. Following the application of exclusion criteria, 21 studies were included, with a total of 677 females and 686 males. Ten of these studies were fMRI and PET, eight were EEG, and three were NIRS. At present, there is evidence for sex differences in the neural networks underlying all tasks of executive control included in this review suggesting males and females engage different strategies depending on task demands. There was one task exception, the 2‐Back task, which showed no sex differences. Due to methodological variability and the involvement of multiple neural networks, a simple overarching statement with regard to gender differences during executive control cannot be provided. As such, we discuss limitations within the current literature and methodological considerations that should be employed in future research. Importantly, sex differences in neural mechanisms are present in the majority of tasks assessed, and thus should not be ignored in future research.
PROSPERO registration information: CRD42019124772.
Due to inconsistencies within the literature, we conducted a systematic review of functional neuroimaging studies investigating sex differences in executive control. Here, we show evidence for sex differences in the neural networks underlying tasks of executive control suggesting males and females engage different strategies depending on task demands. Due to methodological variability and involvement of multiple neural networks, a simple overarching statement cannot be provided.
Literature investigating whether an individuals' sex affects their executive control abilities and performance on cognitive tasks in a normative population has been contradictory and inconclusive. ...Using meta‐analytic procedures (abiding by PRISMA guidelines), this study attempts to identify the magnitude of behavioural sex differences in three prominent executive control domains of cognitive set‐shifting, performance monitoring, and response inhibition. PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were systematically searched. Across 46 included studies, a total of 1988 females and 1884 males were included in the analysis. Overall, males and females did not differ on performance in any of the three domains of performance monitoring, response inhibition, or cognitive set‐shifting. Task‐specific sex differences were observed in the domains of performance monitoring, in the CANTAB Spatial Working Memory task—males scored statistically higher than females (Hedges' g = −0.60), and response inhibition, in the Delay Discounting task—females scored statistically higher than males (Hedges' g = 0.64). While the meta‐analysis did not detect overall behavioural sex differences in executive control, significant heterogeneity and task‐specific sex differences were found. To further understand sex differences within these specific tasks and domains, future research must better control for age and sex hormone levels.
Due to inconsistencies within the literature, we conducted a meta‐analysis on sex differences in executive control. Here, we show that males and females do not differ in the executive control domains of performance monitoring, response inhibition, and cognitive set‐shifting. However, there are task‐specific differences observed on the CANTAB spatial working memory task and the delay discounting task. Our results indicate a need for more well‐controlled studies to understand how sex differences may influence task performance.
Objective:Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and ecological momentary intervention (EMI) are technologies used to track fluctuations in experiences and prompt behavioral responses within the ...context of a person’s daily life. Most commonly delivered via smartphone, EMA and EMI have potential to provide simple, cost-effective, and user-led treatment for psychotic disorders. This systematic review aimed to synthesize current research exploring the feasibility, acceptability, and clinical outcomes of EMA and EMI in the treatment of psychotic disorders.Methods:A systematic search was conducted identifying studies published between 1980 and July 7, 2016, by searching PubMed, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials with combinations of search terms related to mobile devices, EMA and EMI, and psychotic disorders.Results:Of 1,623 studies identified, nine met inclusion criteria for the review. These studies found satisfactory feasibility and acceptability and preliminary evidence of improved clinical outcomes. The interventions, which had a broad array of features, targeted remote monitoring of illness and symptoms, and they also targeted illness self-management by using momentary reminders or instructions for behaviors, including medication adherence, management of symptoms and psychosocial impairments, daily living skills, and goal achievement.Conclusions:The findings of this review provide preliminary support for the clinical utility of EMA and EMI in the treatment of psychotic disorders. Future research should explore further applications of these technologies with larger sample sizes and controlled designs.
Objective:Research and clinical translation in schizophrenia is limited by inconsistent definitions of treatment resistance and response. To address this issue, the authors evaluated current ...approaches and then developed consensus criteria and guidelines.Method:A systematic review of randomized antipsychotic clinical trials in treatment-resistant schizophrenia was performed, and definitions of treatment resistance were extracted. Subsequently, consensus operationalized criteria were developed through 1) a multiphase, mixed methods approach, 2) identification of key criteria via an online survey, and 3) meetings to achieve consensus.Results:Of 2,808 studies identified, 42 met inclusion criteria. Of these, 21 studies (50%) did not provide operationalized criteria. In the remaining studies, criteria varied considerably, particularly regarding symptom severity, prior treatment duration, and antipsychotic dosage thresholds; only two studies (5%) utilized the same criteria. The consensus group identified minimum and optimal criteria, employing the following principles: 1) current symptoms of a minimum duration and severity determined by a standardized rating scale; 2) moderate or worse functional impairment; 3) prior treatment consisting of at least two different antipsychotic trials, each for a minimum duration and dosage; 4) systematic monitoring of adherence and meeting of minimum adherence criteria; 5) ideally at least one prospective treatment trial; and 6) criteria that clearly separate responsive from treatment-resistant patients.Conclusions:There is considerable variation in current approaches to defining treatment resistance in schizophrenia. The authors present consensus guidelines that operationalize criteria for determining and reporting treatment resistance, adequate treatment, and treatment response, providing a benchmark for research and clinical translation.
Abstract Background Auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs) are not uncommon in bipolar disorder (BD) and major depressive disorder (MDD), but there has been scant research in the area. The current ...paper aims to draw together and provide a critical overview of existing studies of AVHs in BD and MDD. Methods A systematic review was undertaken using the search terms 'hallucinations' or 'hearing voices' in conjunction with 'bipolar disorder', 'mania' or 'manic-depressive' or 'major depressive disorder' or 'depression’ or 'affective disorder' or 'mood disorder'. After applying a pre-defined set of inclusion criteria, 14 eligible peer-reviewed publications were accepted for further analysis. Results Prevalence rates of AVHs in BD (11.3–62.8%) and MDD (5.4–40.6%) varied. When psychotic features were examined, persecutory and grandiose delusions were especially common in BD (though the latter did not necessarily occur in conjunction with AVHs). A single known neuroimaging study has suggested increased fronto-temporal connectivity relating to AVHs in BD. Limitations Methodological challenges relating to fluctuations in mood states and limited use of validated instruments, coupled with post-episode recall bias, pose as specific barriers to the collection of meaningful phenomenological information. Conclusions AVHs remains a central but largely understudied symptom in BD and MDD. Future research examining its phenomenology and clinical/neural correlates could bring about positive clinical implications as well as adapted therapeutic applications.
Objective
During the COVID‐19 pandemic, Australia implemented widespread closure of beauty and cosmetic services to control the virus spread. The effect of these restrictions is unknown, given that ...beauty services are widely used for stress relief or to enhance confidence. The current study explored the relationship between engagement in appearance‐focused behaviors and distress regarding beauty service closure. Participants with high and low levels of dysmorphic concern were compared to determine whether COVID‐19 restrictions may affect these groups differently.
Method
An online survey was completed by 216 participants living in Australia. Questions addressed engagement in appearance‐focused behaviors during the COVID‐19 pandemic and attitudes toward beauty service closure. The Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire (DCQ) was used to group participants by low and high dysmorphic concern.
Results
Appearance‐focused behaviors decreased in the low DCQ group (n = 163) during the COVID‐19 pandemic, while such behaviors in the high DCQ group (n = 53) remained unchanged. Individuals who were living alone, younger, reported higher dysmorphic concern and greater distress over beauty service closure engaged in more frequent appearance‐focused behaviors (R2 = .57, p < .001). The high DCQ group reported greater distress over beauty service closure and increased desire to obtain future beauty treatments.
Discussion
While COVID‐19 restrictions may have provided a break from societal appearance pressure for those with low dysmorphic concern, appearance‐focused behaviors persisted in individuals with high dysmorphic concern. A greater understanding of the long‐term impacts on appearance‐related distress is needed to determine mental health priorities emerging from the COVID‐19 pandemic.
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