Health Psychology Research最新文献

Background: Individuals diagnosed with Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) form specific perceptions about their condition. These illness perceptions (IP) influence several clinical and mental aspects of patients' health outcomes.

Objective: To describe IP in Jordanian patients with CHD and to examine the role of IP domains in predicting anxiety and depressive symptoms in Jordanian patients with CHD.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, a convenience sample of 193 patients with CHD, who visited the cardiac clinic for routine follow-up, completed the brief illness perception questionnaire and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

Results: Participants perceived CHD as a chronic condition with moderate negative consequences and they were highly concerned about their illness. Illness perceptions domains were significantly associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms. Personal control, treatment control, and disease identity were significant predictors of depressive symptoms, while personal control and emotional representation were significant predictors of anxiety symptoms.

Conclusion: Findings indicate that negative illness perceptions are strongly associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms. Study findings suggest that interventions targeting personal control, treatment control, identity, and emotional representation could improve CHD patients' mental well-being.

A bibliometric analysis was conducted with a focus on global literature from 1967 to 2024 to conduct a thorough analysis of the scientific literature on early onset dementia (EOD) and its symptoms. A review of 2,433 articles focused on EOD revealed a marked upward trend in publications, especially after 1991. The United States led the world in research output, followed by the United Kingdom and Japan. The most active college was University College London. As the first study of its kind, it uses bibliometrics to analyze the global field of EOD (1967-2024) using a variety of indicators, offering fresh perspectives on the areas of greatest interest and emerging trends in the field.

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is one of the most debilitating forms of neuropathic pain that can occur after a herpes zoster infection. PHN can significantly impair patients' quality of life due to persistent neuropathic pain. Current first-line treatments for PHN include anticonvulsants like gabapentin and pregabalin, topical agents such as lidocaine patches, and opioids in severe cases. However, many patients fail to achieve adequate pain control with these medications. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline may be considered as a second-line option, providing relief for patients with refractory pain. TCAs act by modulating neurotransmitters involved in pain pathways, offering analgesia in neuropathic conditions like PHN. This case series reviews four patients with PHN who found significant pain relief with the addition of TCAs after failing multiple other treatments. The patients, aged between 66 and 71, presented with severe PHN and had tried various treatments, including acetaminophen (APAP), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), lidocaine patches, gabapentinoids, and opioids, without achieving adequate pain relief. Each patient was prescribed a TCA, either amitriptyline or nortriptyline, alongside other pain medications. All four patients experienced notable reductions in pain intensity on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), resulting in improved daily function and better pain tolerance. Side effects were minimal, with only one patient reporting mild sedation and another reporting transient dry mouth, both of which were manageable. This case series underscores the potential of TCAs in managing PHN, particularly when other medications fail. While the results are promising, further research is needed to confirm the long-term efficacy and safety of TCAs in this patient population.

Background: Cognitive impairments, prevalent in 75-80% of schizophrenia patients, severely impact rehabilitation and quality of life. Current therapies, including antipsychotics, have limited success in addressing these deficits. Virtual reality (VR) offers a promising avenue for cognitive training by providing realistic, interactive scenarios for skill application.

Objective: This study evaluates the efficacy of a novel VR-based cognitive training intervention in improving cognitive deficits in schizophrenia compared to standard treatment as usual (TAU).

Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted with 16 inpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Participants were allocated to either a VR intervention group, receiving six weekly sessions of VR cognitive training, or a control group undergoing TAU. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included the Trail Making Test, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Frontal Assessment Battery, and Tower of London test. Two VR scenarios, "Supermarket" and "Beach," were developed to target working memory, attention, and executive functioning. Data were analyzed using t-tests and linear mixed-effects models.

Results: The VR intervention group showed significant improvements in frontal lobe functioning as measured by the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) and trends toward better executive function and attention. Scenario-specific analyses revealed reduced errors, omissions, and execution times across sessions. However, broader cognitive and psychiatric symptom improvements were limited and did not persist after multiple-comparison corrections.

Conclusion: VR cognitive training shows potential as an innovative tool for enhancing executive functioning in schizophrenia patients. While immediate task performance improved, broader cognitive impacts and psychiatric symptom reductions were minimal. Future research should focus on long-term efficacy, functional outcomes, and scalability of VR interventions.

Introduction: As of 2023, stroke is the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of death and disability globally, with an expected rise by 2030. While traditional risk factors like demographics, smoking, inactivity, diabetes, and hypertension are well-known, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains under-studied despite its 13% incidence rate and link to stroke risk.

Methods: This cross-sectional study, conducted from 1^st November, 2023 to 30^th January, 2024 in Doanhung, Phutho Province, involved stroke patients over 18 years old diagnosed within the past year. A 56-question questionnaire assessed demographics, clinical characteristics, the Barthel Index, and the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Multivariable logistic regression using Stepwise AIC identified optimal models related to PTSD.

Results: A cohort of 397 participants, with a mean age of 67.98 years and 54.9% female, had a PTSD prevalence of 10.8%. Significant PTSD predictors included regular alcohol consumption (OR=11.43, 95% CI: 1.30-99.15, p=0.027), slight memory decrease (OR=3.59, 95% CI: 1.28-10.62, p=0.017), female gender (OR=3.15, 95% CI: 1.08-10.44, p=0.045), extroverted personality (OR=4.36, 95% CI: 1.73-11.86, p=0.003), and Barthel Index scores (OR=0.85, 95% CI: 0.80-0.90, p<0.001). However, age showed marginally significant association with PTSD (OR=0.97, 95% CI: 0.94-1.00, p=0.067), and unconsciousness during stroke (yes) had an OR of 2.43 (95% CI: 0.96-6.04, p=0.056).

Conclusion: This study highlights the complex interplay of demographic, lifestyle, and clinical factors influencing PTSD risk in stroke survivors. Addressing these factors in interventions is crucial to reduce the psychological burden and improve rehabilitation outcomes.

Purpose of review: Methadone is a synthetic opioid extensively used in opioid use disorder management but is gaining recognition for its unique pharmacological properties that make it a viable alternative for chronic pain management. This review aims to explore methadone's pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, efficacy, and safety profile to assess its potential role in managing chronic pain conditions.

Recent findings: Methadone's dual action as a mu-opioid receptor agonist and NMDA receptor antagonist positions it as an effective option for managing both nociceptive and neuropathic pain. It has shown promising results in cancer pain management, refractory pain, and opioid rotation strategies. Despite its therapeutic advantages, concerns regarding its narrow therapeutic window, variable pharmacokinetics, QT interval prolongation, and risk of respiratory depression highlight the need for careful patient selection and monitoring. New evidence also sheds light on its affordability and efficacy in low-resource settings, as well as its controversial role in mitigating opioid-induced hyperalgesia.

Summary: Methadone offers a unique therapeutic option in chronic pain management due to its multifaceted pharmacological properties. While it provides significant benefits for patients with complex pain syndromes, clinicians must exercise caution due to its safety concerns and variability in individual metabolism. A personalized approach, combined with rigorous monitoring, is essential to optimize its benefits while minimizing risks. Further research is needed to better define its role in chronic pain treatment and address unresolved safety concerns.

Background: Biofield therapies can be administered in person (hands-on treatment) or remotely, and this study focuses on the latter. A literature review did not find any reports on the effectiveness of remote biofield energy /blessing therapy in enhancing cognition and motor function performance in adults.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of distant/remote blessing (biofield energy) therapy on the cognitive and motor functions in adults with self-reported neuropsychological impairments using NIH Toolbox^®.

Methods: The present study was a randomized, double-blind clinical trial involving 117 participants with self-reported neuropsychological impairments. These participants were stratified into three distinct groups: control, sham control, and blessing/biofield treatment as the intervention. At baseline (day 0), day 90, and day 180, NIH Toolbox^® was employed to evaluate all participants' cognitive and motor function scores.

Results: In the blessing treatment group, language function score (p <0.01), working memory (p <0.0001), and episodic memory (p <0.0001) scores exhibited statistically significant differences compared to both the naïve control and sham control groups. Moreover, in the blessing intervention group, a substantial improvement was observed in locomotion (p <0.0001), standing balance (p <0.01), dexterity (p <0.01), grip strength (p <0.05), and muscle endurance (p <0.05) compared to the naïve control and sham control groups. Importantly, no adverse effects were reported during the study period.

Conclusion: The study outcomes revealed that distant/remote blessing/biofield energy therapy is safe, non-invasive, and less expensive. It enhances cognitive-motor functions in adults with perceived neuropsychological impairments.

Clinical trial registration: CTRI/2022/07/043736.

Background: Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Primary pharmacologic interventions include stimulants and non-stimulants. Diagnosing ADHD is typically more difficult in women due to a range of different symptoms between the sexes. Although ADHD has had more advocacy recently, misdiagnoses are still common, resulting in ADHD being mistaken for other disorders. This study aims to decipher the prevalence of undiagnosed ADHD.

Methods: A web-based survey was administered, comprising of a questionnaire derived from the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-V1.1), and two additional questions formulated to determine whether the individual was initially diagnosed with ADHD and whether they take medications for it. The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale is split into two parts where part A determines the symptoms and part B further probes into specific symptoms.

Results: Amongst the cohort of 200, the percentage undiagnosed ADHD was 14%. 61% were women, while 39% were men. The first two questions on the ASRS-V1.1, pertaining to task completion, were the most statistically significant results.

Conclusion: Although advocacy for ADHD has increased in the last twenty years, our study found that 14% of a layperson cohort are undiagnosed with ADHD. It appears that undiagnosed ADHD is more prevalent in women compared to men.

Objective: Are individuals who use hallucinogens self-medicating their mental illness and are they more likely to abuse other illegal substances?

Design setting participants: Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), collected by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) database was queried for correlations with hallucinogen use. Using age group as a control variable, different variables were run through a crosstab in order to find significant data pointing to the implications of hallucinogen use.

Results: The data from the crosstab analysis showed three key findings about hallucinogen use: Those with mental illness or substance abuse issues were substantially more likely to use hallucinogens, the hallucinogen use greatly increased with the pandemic along with further mental health issues, and those who used hallucinogens were more significantly likely to abuse other illegal substances, primarily in a younger population.

Conclusion: The positive correlation between mental health issues and hallucinogen use emphasizes the need for better mental health services, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.The positive correlation between hallucinogen use and other drug use indicates the widespread drug abuse problem, especially within a younger population in which drugs pose a larger neurological threat.

Background: Problematic TikTok Use (PTU) is a psychological condition marked by compulsive and excessive engagement with the app, often characterized by prolonged scrolling, content interaction, and seeking user feedback.

Methods: This qualitative study, conducted from February to March 2024, explored factors driving TikTok addiction, its consequences, and strategies for mitigation. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and surveys with 56 participants (23 men, 33 women).

Results: Thematic analysis identified key addiction-related factors, including excessive time spent on the app, emotional attachment, and cognitive rumination over viewed content. Women demonstrated a higher likelihood of developing PTU, particularly when using TikTok for over six hours daily and displaying significant emotional and cognitive ties to its content. Despite its addictive potential, participants acknowledged positive aspects of TikTok, such as its capacity to disseminate cultural, educational, and artistic content. However, negative effects, including procrastination, attention deficits, and exposure to harmful content, were also noted.

Conclusion: This study highlights the dual nature of TikTok's impact, emphasizing the need for balanced use and targeted interventions to reduce addiction while leveraging its positive features.