La crise de boulimie est vécue comme une perte de contrôle par les patientes atteint de boulimie (BN), d’anorexie avec crise de boulimie (ANB) et d’hyperphagie boulimique. Si ces patientes présentent effectivement des performances dégradées aux tâches neuropsychologiques évaluant les mécanismes du contrôle cognitif modulant la tendance à s’engager dans des actions sans prendre en compte leurs conséquences, la méthodologie employée ne permet pas de séparer les mécanismes propres à la crise de boulimie de ceux plus généraux du trouble. La comparaison des performances à une batterie de tâches évaluant les différents mécanismes du contrôle cognitif, de patientes BN, ANB, anorexiques restrictives avec des sujets sains en conditions alimentaire et neutre révèle que les crises de boulimie seraient liées à un contrôle cognitif perturbé par un surplus attentionnel vers les stimuli alimentaires lors de la réalisation de tâches intuitives, déséquilibrant la modulation de ce contrôle sur la tendance générale à choisir des options risquées ou immédiates explicites. En modifiant la séquence d’ingestion des aliments au cours de la crise de boulimie pour augmenter leurs compétences de contrôle faisant défaut en situation alimentaire, des patientes répondant faiblement à la thérapie comportementale et cognitive ont diminué spontanément de 44% les quantités ingérées et la moitié d’entre elles a guéri. Si ces résultats nécessitent confirmation par une étude en imagerie fonctionnelle, ils montrent l’utilité de modéliser finement les mécanismes de traitement automatique de l’information pour améliorer les thérapies actuelles / Binge eating episodes are experienced by bulimic (BN), anorexic binging subtype (ANB) and binge eating disorder (BED) patients as periods of loss of control. This feeling is corroborated by the impaired behavioral performances to neuropsychological tasks assessing cognitive control but these results do not allow separating the mechanisms that are specific to the binge from those related to the whole psychopathology of the disorder. The goal of this thesis is to identify these mechanisms, to build a model explaining the occurrence of binges and to design and test a new behavioral intervention to treat directly binges. BN, ANB and anorexic restrictive subtype patients as well as matched controls underwent a battery of neuropsychological tasks performed in food and neutral conditions. Comparison of performances between the two conditions exhibited an impairment in food condition of intuitive mechanisms of cognitive control due to a higher attention paid to food stimuli. This results in an unbalanced modulation of the general trend to choose risky or immediate options when explicitly mentioned. Another group of ANB, BN and BED patients modified the sequence of ingestion of foods during the binge in order to train themselves to recruit the impaired mechanisms of cognitive control identified at the previous step. They experienced a spontaneous reduction of 44% of food intake during binges and half of them recovered from binges. While these results need to be confirmed by a functional neuroimaging study, they stress the importance of modeling precisely the instantaneous automated mechanisms that mediate behavior in order to improve current therapies

Children with autism typically exhibit deficits in behavior and also in visual processing. Development and implementation of visually-cued instructional procedures, combined with electronic technology, have been used successfully to teach children with autism complex behavior chains. This study used photographic activity schedules on computer slideshow software to teach two children with autism to follow computer-mediated cues and engage in four play activities, and to transition between each activity in their homes without the presence of a trained behavior therapist. Results of this study demonstrated that these technologies can be utilized in children's homes to promote computer-mediated play behavior while eliminating the necessary cost of a home behavior therapist to prompt and supervise such activities.

Kognitiv beteendeterapi (KBT) bygger på teorier kring människans tankar, känslor och beteenden. Det är ett samlingsbegrepp för metoder som utformats för att hjälpa människor att förändra problematiska beteenden. Inledningsvis sammanfattas de begrepp som är relevanta för studiens syfte. Statistik visar att psykisk ohälsa är vanligt förekommande hos klassiska musiker. Syftet med studien var att undersöka hur KBT kan användas för att uppnå ändamålsenliga beteenden i musikalisk övning och fungera som ett hjälpmedel för att hantera problem. Studien byggde på en hermeneutisk grund. Materialet bestod av självobservationer från instudering av Mendelssohns violinkonsert. Dessa tolkades ur ett KBT–perspektiv för att besvara syftet. I resultatet visas integrerandet av KBT–interventioner i form av konkreta exempel där interventionen utformats för att bemöta ett problem i instuderingen. I studiens diskussion analyserades resultatet i form av vilken effekt KBT–interventionerna haft i den musikaliska övningen. / Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is based on theories about thoughts, feelings and behaviors. It’s a collective term for methods that serve the purpose of helping people with problematic behaviors. In the introduction the relevant concepts for the study are summarized. Statistics show that mental distress among classical musicians is common. The purpose of the study was to examine how CBT can be applied in order to reach effective behaviors in musical practice and serve as a tool for managing problems. The basis of the study was hermeneutic. The material consisted of self-observations from the study of Mendelssohn violin concerto. These were analyzed from a CBT-perspective to answer the purpose. In the result the integration of CBT-interventions can be viewed in terms of concrete examples where the interventions have been formed to respond to a problem in the practice. In the discussion of the study the result has been analyzed according to what effect the CBT-interventions have had in the musical practice.

L’émergence de la sexualité chez certains enfants peut se faire de façon inquiétante. C’est le cas lorsqu’ils présentent des comportements sexuels problématiques (CSP) envers d’autres enfants et que ces comportements sont caractérisés par la présence d’indices de sévérité comme la coercition, la persistance malgré les interventions et lorsqu’ils causent de la détresse émotionnelle, etc. Parmi d’autres, la littérature scientifique soutient que deux facteurs représentent des défisimportants : 1) la présence de difficultés concomitantes; 2) la mobilisation dans l’intervention qui se manifeste par un taux d’attrition élevé. Toutefois, peu d’études ont porté sur les dimensions qui évoluent dans le cadre d’une intervention spécialisée, particulièrement sur les autres difficultés qui se manifestent souvent chez ces enfants de façon concomitante. Ainsi, considérant les différentes difficultés vécues par ces enfants, il apparait important de noter si elles diminuent en intensité, tout comme les CSP, à la suite de la psychothérapie. De surcroît, considérant le taux d’attrition élevé dans les programmes destinés aux jeunes en difficulté, il s’avère pertinent de comprendre quels éléments sont susceptibles de prédire la non-complétion. La présente étude vise trois principaux objectifs : 1) décrire l’échantillon étudié, de même que les difficultés vécues par les enfants se manifestant en parallèle à leurs CSP ; 2) évaluer si les CSP et les difficultés concomitantes diffèrent à la suite de la thérapie ; 3) identifier les facteurs associés à la non-complétion de la psychothérapie. Cette recherche permet donc d’avoir une vision plus globale des différences entre le début et la fin de la thérapie quant aux difficultés éprouvées par ces enfants provenant de milieux variés. Elle permet également d’avoir une compréhension plus approfondie des enfants, mais plus globalement des familles qui ne complètent pas la thérapie leur étant destinée. L’échantillon initial est composé de 67 dyades parents-enfants référées dans un service de psychothérapie spécialisée en CSP. La psychothérapie adoptée étant d’approche cognitive comportementale, elle impliquait la participation d’une figure parentale et visait la gestion des CSP et la communication parent-enfant. Ces dyades ont été évaluées selon un devis à deux temps de mesure, impliquant des entrevues individuelles avant et après la psychothérapie. Les enfants, de même que les parents ont rempli différents questionnaires standardisés, portant notamment sur le développement de l’enfant et sur son comportement. Les résultats de la recherche révèlent des effets bénéfiques de la psychothérapie. Les enfants qui complètent la psychothérapie vivent davantage en situation de placement et ne sont pas accompagnés d’un parent biologique lors des rencontres, en comparaison à ceux qui ne la complètent pas. Aucune variable retenue dans la présente étude ne permet toutefois de prédire la non-complétion de la thérapie. Ces résultats sont discutés en considérant les implications pour la recherche et les interventions. / Sexual development can be worrisome in certain children, in particular when sexual behavior problems toward others are manifested. Such behaviors are characterized by the presence of severity indexes such as coercion, emotional distress, persistence despite interventions, etc. Among others, the scientific literature highlights two important challenges in children with SBP: 1) the presence of concomitant difficulties; 2) mobilization during the intervention as manifested by a high dropout rate. However, few studies have examined the outcomes of specialized intervention on difficulties manifested in conjunction to SBP. Considering the variety of concomitant difficulties experienced by these children, it seems important to assess the influence of psychotherapy on the intensity of these problems. Moreover, given the high rate of attrition in intervention behavior problems in children, it is important to understand the factors that might predict dropout. The aim of this study is : 1) to describe the sample, as well as difficulties that are manifested in conjunction to SBP; 2) assess changes in SBP as well as in other difficulties after psychotherapy (internalizing and externalizing behaviors problems, post-traumatic symptoms, dissociation, self-esteem, depression, anxiety and social problems); 3) to identify factors associated with the dropout of psychotherapy. This research provides a more holistic comprehension of the differences between the beginning and the end of therapy with respect to the difficulties experienced by children with SBP, which are coming from a variety of backgrounds. It also allows for a deeper understanding of those children, but more generally their families who do not complete the therapy. The initial sample is composed of 67 parent-child dyads referred to a specialized cognitive behavioral psychotherapy for children with SBP. The psychotherapy required the participation of a parental figure and aimed the management of SBP as well as parent-child communication. Data were obtained during individual interview prior and post psychotherapy. The children as well as the parents both completed different standardized questionnaires, regarding the child’s development and his behavior. The results of the research indicate beneficial effects of psychotherapy on SBP and on other indicators of distress. Furthermore, the study has shown that children who complete psychotherapy are more likely to live in foster homes and to be accompanied by their biological parents when attending appointments as compared to those who drop out. However, no variables used in this study predict dropout during psychotherapy. These results are discussed while considering the implications for research and practice.

Binge-eating disorder (BED) is characterized by recurrent objective binge eating that occurs in the absence of compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain. As the most common eating disorder emerging in youth, BED co-occurs with increased eating disorder and general psychopathology, impaired quality of life, and obesity [1]. Despite its clinical significance, there is a dearth of treatment studies in adolescents [1, 2]. Regarding cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), the most well-established treatment for adults with BED [2], one pilot randomized-controlled trial (RCT) in 25 adolescent girls with objective binge eating suggested superiority to wait-list (WL) in achieving binge-eating abstinence through 6 months following randomization and in improving eating disorder psychopathology, but not in reducing binge eating or standardized body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) [3]. Other CBT-related RCTs documented efficacy of Internet-based, weight loss-oriented self-help versus WL [4] and no differences in dialectical behavior therapy versus weight management [5]. Based on this preliminary evidence, the aim of the BEDA (Binge Eating Disorder in Adolescents) study was to provide a confirmatory test of the efficacy of CBT in adolescent BED. It was hypothesized that CBT will be superior to WL in improving binge eating, associated psychopathology, and quality of life, but not BMI, with long-term maintenance of effects.

Hintergrund. Für die durch wiederkehrende Essanfälle gekennzeichnete Binge Eating-Störung (BES) wurde die Kognitive Verhaltenstherapie (KVT) als Behandlungsmethode der Wahl etabliert. Zum Psychotherapieprozess, welcher das Therapieergebnis beeinflusst, ist jedoch wenig bekannt. Fragestellung. Da Untersuchungen zum Prozessaspekt der therapeutischen Adhärenz Unterschiede zwischen Patienten eines Therapeuten sowie zwischen verschiedenen Therapeuten belegen, soll der Einfluss von Patienten- und Therapeutenmerkmalen auf die therapeutische Adhärenz geprüft werden. Methode. In einer prospektiven, multizentrischen, randomisiert-kontrollierten Behandlungsstudie zum Wirksamkeitsvergleich von KVT und Internet-basierter angeleiteter Selbsthilfe (INTERBED) wurde die therapeutische Adhärenz in der KVT durch unabhängige Rater erfasst. Patienten- und Therapeutenmerkmale wurden mittels Interview und Selbstbericht erhoben. Ergebnisse. Soziodemografische Merkmale wie ein geringeres Bildungsniveau der Patienten und weibliches Geschlecht der Therapeuten wurden als signifikante Prädiktoren einer höheren therapeutischen Adhärenz identifiziert. Störungsspezifische Merkmale der Patienten waren nicht mit der therapeutischen Adhärenz assoziiert. Therapeutenmerkmale wie ein geringerer Ausbildungsgrad, eine geringere erlebte therapeutische Kompetenz und höhere Erwartungen sowie ein höheres emotionales Wohlbefinden der Therapeuten sagten eine höhere therapeutische Adhärenz vorher. Diskussion. Die etablierte hohe therapeutische Adhärenz erschien unabhängig vom Patienten, während einige Therapeutenmerkmale als Prädiktoren identifiziert wurden. Ungünstige Einflüsse auf die therapeutische Adhärenz bedürfen weiterer Erforschung und einer stärkeren Berücksichtigung in der Ausbildung von Therapeuten. / Background. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been established as the treatment of choice for binge-eating disorder (BED) which is characterized by recurrent binge eating episodes. However, only little is known about the impact of the psychotherapeutic process on treatment outcomes. Objectives. While studies concerning the process aspect of therapist adherence found differences between patients from one therapist as well as differences between therapists, the impact of patient and therapist characteristics on therapist adherence will be investigated. Methods. In a prospective multicenter randomized-controlled trial comparing CBT to Internet-based guided self-help (INTERBED), the therapist adherence to CBT was determined by independent raters. Patient and therapist characteristics were obtained via interview and self-report questionnaires. Results. Sociodemographic characteristics including lower education in patients and female sex in therapists were identified as predictors of higher therapist adherence. Disorder-specific characteristics of patients were not associated with the therapist adherence. Therapist characteristics including less postgraduate therapist training, lower self-rated therapeutic competence, and higher expectations as well as higher emotional well-being of therapists predicted higher therapist adherence. Conclusions. The high level of therapist adherence was mostly independent from patients, while some therapist characteristics were identified as predictors. Adverse impacts on therapist adherence should be investigated further and might be considered in therapeutic training.

(in English): A total of 62% of the Czech adult population currently suffer from overweight or obesity (BMI over 25). Overweight problems are mostly caused by bad eating and exercising habits. The web application Self-Coaching with cognitive behavioral therapy elements helps overweight or obese users to gradually change their bad habits. The objective of the research part of the thesis is to evaluate the effect of a 5-week use of the web application Self-Coaching and to find out whether or not this effect changes if the users are provided with a virtual intervention of an instructor trained in a cognitive behavioral approach to obesity treatment. I evaluated the percentage of weight loss as compared to the initial body weight, the energy and nutritional balance of the diet, vegetable intake, physical activity, the number of days of using the application and the use of the psychological section of the application (psycho-coaching). Weight loss was the identified main effect of the web application Self-Coaching. After five weeks, the users lost on average 2.5% of their initial weight. The intervention of the instructor helped to increase the number of days, for which the users used Self-Coaching.

No description available.

Equine Assisted Therapy is, from a social work perspective, a relatively unexplored arrangement of therapy in which the horse is part of the treatment. This study illustrates the equine therapist’ experiences of Equine Assisted Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (EA-CBT) and Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) up against people suffering from mental health issues. The research questions are: How do we use horses as a part of the treatment up against people with mental health issues? What components can be identified as a central part of the treatment in Equine Assisted Therapy? The empirical material was collected by using hermeneutic approach and qualitative semi-structured interviews with three practicing equine therapists. The main result showed that horses are used as therapeutical co-workers, as well as a metaphor for the individuals’ emotions. The horses take a significant part of the patients’ sense of coherence (KASAM) as well as the patients’ mentalization, especially through emotional understanding and communication. Furthermore, the result indicate that the horse is as an important link in the encounter between therapist and patient. The analysis was based on an analytic method, in which the empirical material is the starting point of coding and creating themes. The central conclusions were that the horse play a significant role in the promotion of the humans’ ameliorative mental health. It does not only play role for the mental health issues, but also for the patients’ conduction after the treatment.

TCC (Transitions of care clinic) is a specialized clinic visit where patients present to their primary clinic after a hospital stay. TCC deploys an interprofessional team to address a gamult of patient concerns. Traditionally, TCC interprofessional team includes a nurse and a doctor. The nurse calls the patient’s house within 2 days to check up on the patient and then they schedule a clinic visit, usually within 7-14 days. However it has been proposed that addition of team members from other disciplines could contribute to better health outcomes for patients seen in TCC. We studied a TCC model with an interprofessional team of not only physicians and nurses but also pharmacists and behavioral therapists for two months. Our aim was to uncover the utility of having a behavioral health team member in TCC visits. This was a prospective study of patients who attended a TCC clinic in a residency setting. An observer collected data on the time the behavioral health provider was in the patient room and the interventions/consultations he/she provided. Data collection is ongoing. We expect to find the following: the percentage of patients within TCC who utilized some form of behavioral therapy in their TCC visits; the percentage of common interventions that were used; average time spent in each visit; average age of patients; and average number of hospitalizations per patient. We expect that these results will demonstrate how behavioral health providers function on interprofessional TCC teams.