Background Different therapies have different theoretical backgrounds which makes their comparison difficult. Process research seeks to understand what the common mechanisms are at work which contribute to successful outcome. The current study sought to compare the content of two therapies (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Interpersonal Therapy) in the treatment of depression and measure any changes that participants reported. Method Taped therapy sessions of IPT and CBT were transcribed and a coding scheme measuring content of therapy was developed. Participants’ accounts of therapeutic change were recorded between the two models of therapy across three time periods using a mixed design. The times periods were divided into: beginning, middle and end of therapy. Quantitative content analysis was used to measure frequency of occurrence of categories in therapy. Qualitative Content Analysis was used to compliment quantitative findings and to compare participants' accounts of change between the beginning and end of therapy. Results The results indicated that differences in content reflected the theoretical background of both therapies. The categories: affect expression, task activation and review, behavioural change and cognitive change, solution generation, discussion of the model, homework and assumptions occurred significantly more in CBT compared to IPT. All other differences between the models were not significant. Differences in content of therapy occurred between the beginning, middle and end of therapy. There was a reduction in symptoms of depression for participants in both groups as measured by the BDI but this reduction was not significant. The discussion related the findings to the current literature and presented ideas for future research.

The purpose of the current study was to develop a manualized treatment for fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) and to examine the efficacy of the treatment in a randomized controlled clinical trial. FM is a chronic musculoskeletal pain disorder characterized by tender points and generalized pain. Depression, chronic fatigue, and sleep disturbance are common. A biopsychosocial model served as a framework for understanding FM by integrating psychological, social, and physical factors. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), an empirically validated treatment for arthritis, has also been used with FM patients in an attempt to improve pain control, reduce disability, and increase self-efficacy. Overall, the attention/placebo controlled studies employing CBT as a treatment for FM show that it is not superior to a credible attention placebo. The current study attempted to combine the necessary components of CBT with interpersonal therapy to address relational patterns and personality characteristics that can affect ability to cope with chronic pain. One hundred and five women diagnosed with FM by a rheumatologist were randomly assigned to the CBT-interpersonal treatment condition or an attention-control condition. There were 8 treatment groups with a mean of 6-7 participants in each. The treatment consisted of weekly 2-hour sessions over 8 consecutive weeks. Outcome measures included: FM impact, pain, health care utilization, depression, coping, and self-efficacy. An intention-to-treat analysis was conducted. Results showed that the impact of FM symptoms was reduced following treatment compared to the control group and this was statistically and clinically significant, but was not maintained at 3-month follow-up. Significant improvements were also observed in coping strategies, some of which were maintained at follow-up. Importantly, self-efficacy improved significantly following treatment compared to the control group. Self-efficacy beliefs have been related to pain, coping efforts, disability, and psychological functioning. Directions for future research may include a focus on long-term maintenance of treatment gains that may be mediated by improvements in self-efficacy. There is strong evidence that changes in self-efficacy are enduring and affect changes in health behaviours and health status.

The purpose of the current study was to develop a manualized treatment for fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) and to examine the efficacy of the treatment in a randomized controlled clinical trial. FM is a chronic musculoskeletal pain disorder characterized by tender points and generalized pain. Depression, chronic fatigue, and sleep disturbance are common. A biopsychosocial model served as a framework for understanding FM by integrating psychological, social, and physical factors. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), an empirically validated treatment for arthritis, has also been used with FM patients in an attempt to improve pain control, reduce disability, and increase self-efficacy. Overall, the attention/placebo controlled studies employing CBT as a treatment for FM show that it is not superior to a credible attention placebo. The current study attempted to combine the necessary components of CBT with interpersonal therapy to address relational patterns and personality characteristics that can affect ability to cope with chronic pain. One hundred and five women diagnosed with FM by a rheumatologist were randomly assigned to the CBT-interpersonal treatment condition or an attention-control condition. There were 8 treatment groups with a mean of 6-7 participants in each. The treatment consisted of weekly 2-hour sessions over 8 consecutive weeks. Outcome measures included: FM impact, pain, health care utilization, depression, coping, and self-efficacy. An intention-to-treat analysis was conducted. Results showed that the impact of FM symptoms was reduced following treatment compared to the control group and this was statistically and clinically significant, but was not maintained at 3-month follow-up. Significant improvements were also observed in coping strategies, some of which were maintained at follow-up. Importantly, self-efficacy improved significantly following treatment compared to the control group. Self-efficacy beliefs have been related to pain, coping efforts, disability, and psychological functioning. Directions for future research may include a focus on long-term maintenance of treatment gains that may be mediated by improvements in self-efficacy. There is strong evidence that changes in self-efficacy are enduring and affect changes in health behaviours and health status.

Abstract: Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder, affecting approximately 2% of men and 3.5% of women. BED has a complex etiology that includes both physical and psychological co-morbidities. Up to 50% of overweight and obese people seeking weight loss treatment have BED. Treatment includes pharmacological therapy and psychotherapy with the main goals of reducing binge frequency and weight reduction. Three categories of medications have been identified for the pharmacological treatment of BED: antidepressants, centrally acting appetite suppressants, and anticonvulsants Behavioral weight loss (BWL) includes modest weight reduction typically by reducing fat intake, eating regular meals and snacks and increasing weekly exercise. Interpersonal psychotherapy, Cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy are the most successful forms for psychotherapy used to treat BED. In conclusion, BED etiology is multifaceted and successful treatment must address the complexities of the disorder. / text

Background Being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and commencement of lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) with the requirement of high adherence can exacerbate or trigger depressive disorders. Prevalence of major depression is substantially higher in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) than those in the general population. More than 50% of PLWHA are likely to meet one or more criteria for depression in their lifetime. However, access to interventions for depressive disorders remains limited in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) where more than 90% of people with depressive disorders are not receiving formal treatment. The role of evidence-based psychological treatments has been fundamental in reducing the huge treatment gap in LMICs. Although brief, flexible and effective psychological treatments are emerging, issues in relation to their acceptability, feasibility and effectiveness in HIV populations remain unexplored. Therefore, this thesis aimed to adapt and pilot group interpersonal therapy (IPT) for treatment of depressive symptoms including its acceptability and feasibility for PLWHA. This thesis has been the first that attempted to adapt and pilot group IPT for treatment of depression in the HIV population in Ethiopia. The findings of this thesis can serve as a baseline for researchers interested in adapting or developing psychological treatments in the HIV population in Ethiopia. The findings contribute information on the process used in examining acceptability and feasibility of psychological interventions which provides indications for conducting future trials to test the effectiveness of group IPT. Methods First, a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials was conducted to identify the most effective psychological treatments for depressive symptoms for PLWHA in LMICs. Second, a survey of major depressive disorder (MDD) was conducted among PLWHA who were attending ART follow-up appointments at the Felege-Hiwot Referral Hospital (FHRH) in Northwest Ethiopia. The survey served as a baseline to identify cases for piloting of group IPT and helped to identify areas for intervention. Third, the intervention areas were further explored among stakeholders from the ART clinic including PLWHA and this was followed by a stepwise adaptation of the group IPT manual. Furthermore, a formative qualitative study was conducted to examine explanatory models of depression and to explore acceptable contexts for implementation of group IPT. A total of three focus groups were conducted with purposively selected case managers, adherence supporters and service users 2 at the ART clinic. The qualitative data were analysed based on a framework approach using predefined thematic concepts. Fourth, a pilot study of the group IPT intervention was conducted among PLWHA to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of peer-administered group IPT for treatment of depressive symptoms for PLWHA in Ethiopia. A single-arm, prepost, peer-administered, group IPT interventional study was conducted with 31 consecutively recruited participants. The participants were assigned to four IPT groups for the intervention. A post-intervention evaluation of depressive symptoms, perceived social support (PSS), functional disability and quality of life (QoL) was conducted using the same instruments used at the baseline. No control group was included in this pilot study. Results The findings of the systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that trials that used IPT have shown good effectiveness in treating depressive symptoms of PLWHA in LMICs. The baseline study found 32.5% prevalence of MDD among randomly selected PLWHA (N=393). MDD was positively associated with reduced adherence to ART, functional disability and negatively associated with overall QoL. Overall findings of the baseline and the qualitative study indicated that psychosocial problems are the most important factors that need intervention for depression for PLWHA. The main findings in relation to the adaptation of the WHO group IPT were: i) an IPT group that contains five to ten people was perceived to be acceptable and mixed gender groups were recommended; ii) sessions were recommended to be conducted in private rooms for 1.5 to 2 hours, and on a weekly basis. Findings of the pilot study indicated that depression scores reduced significantly between baseline and postintervention (mean difference (MD)=9.92; t=-7.82; p<0.001). The mean PSS scores (MD=0.79; t=2.84; p=0.009) and the mean QoL scores (MD=0.39, t=4.58, p<0.001) improved significantly between baseline and post-intervention. All the IPT intervention areas (life change, disagreement, grief and loneliness) were found to be applicable to and important areas associated with depression in PLWHA in Ethiopia. Most importantly, disagreement within a family and life change due to HIV/AIDS, such as sickness and separation were faced by almost all PLWHA included in the study, followed by loneliness or social isolation as result of HIV stigma, and grief due to loss of loved ones including a spouse, a child, a mother or a father. Overall evaluation of the pilot indicated that the procedures and outcomes of group based IPT were perceived as acceptable. Participants of the intervention gained benefits in resolving psychosocial problems and reported high satisfaction with counsellors and intervention setting. The eight weekly sessions that lasted around two hours were acceptable; however, 3 additional sessions were recommended by some counsellors until everyone recovers from depression. Conclusion The overall findings of this thesis suggested that group IPT was found to be acceptable and feasible for PLWHA in Ethiopia. Future studies should focus on examining its effectiveness for treating depressive disorders among PLWHA in Ethiopia.

Avslutningsbrev används i vissa psykoterapier. Det finns få studier kring patientens upplevelse av att få ett sådant. Åtta ungdomar har intervjuats med syfte att undersöka avslutningsbrevets upplevda betydelse utifrån metoden: ”Känsla av sammanhang – en metod på ungdomsmottagningen”. Ungdomarna intervjuades vid två tillfällen, direkt efter avslutad behandling och fem månader senare. Detta för att undersöka den upplevda betydelsen vid avslutning och om det förändras över tid. I en tematisk analys av dessa transkriberade semistrukturerade intervjuer identifieras tre teman vid båda intervjuomgångarna, 1; Avslutningsbrevet väcker känslor 2; Avslutningsbrevet påminner om relationer 3; Avslutningsbrevet kommer till användning. Resultatet visar att avslutningsbrevet är av betydelse, vid avslutad behandling och fortsatt över tid. Studien pekar på att avslutningsbrevet har en tydliggörande funktion av terapin och den förändringen man gjort vid avslut och att avslutningsbrevet och terapin har integrerats i ungdomen efter fem månader.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-22T20:49:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-11-24. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2015-08-11T03:26:29Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 Publico-346.pdf: 373324 bytes, checksum: b15251f6022f133299360a274f5cbd73 (MD5) / Objetivo: Avaliar eficácia da Psicoterapia Interpessoal no formato de grupo (TIP-G) adaptada para o Transtorno de Estresse Pós-Traumático (TEPT) como um tratamento adjunto para pacientes refratários a medicação. Método: Foram incluídos na pesquisa 40 pacientes do Programa de Atendimento e Pesquisa em Violência (Prove) do departamento de psiquiatria da Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp). Eles receberam tratamento farmacológico convencional por pelo menos 12 semanas e não obtiveram uma resposta clínica significativa. Após a assinatura do termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido (TCLE), o diagnóstico de TEPT era confirmado através da aplicação da entrevista diagnóstica semi-estruturada (SCID-I) segundo os critérios do DSM-IV. Ao início e no final da intervenção (TIP-G TEPT) foi aplicada a Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) para avaliar a gravidade dos sintomas, a Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) depressão, a Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) ansiedade, a Social Adjustment Scale (SAS) para avaliar o ajustamento social, a MOS 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) para avaliar a qualidade de vida, e os resultados comparados. Resultados: Dos 40 pacientes incluídos no estudo 33 completaram a intervenção e apresentaram melhora significativa em todas as mensurações, com "effect size" elevado. Os escores da CAPS [72,3 (4,4) vs 35,5(5,4) ES=1,169 p<0,0001], do BDI [26,2 (1,8) vs 13,3 (1,56) ES=1,291 p<0,0001], do BAI [31,97(2,01) vs 17,03(2,14) ES=1,201 p<0,0001, da SAS [2,6(0,12) vs 2,17(0,11) ES=0,633 p=0,0007, e da SF-36 [ 80,16(3,2) vs 104,4(4,18) ES=1,04 p<0,0001. Conclusão: A adaptação da TIP-G para o TEPT se mostrou eficaz como tratamento adjuntivo e com ótima tolerabilidade para os pacientes que não responderam ao tratamento medicamentoso, não só na diminuição dos sintomas do TEPT, mas também na diminuição dos sintomas de depressão e ansiedade. Assim como uma melhora significante no ajustamento social e qualidade de vida. Novos estudos randomizados e controlados devem ser feitos para a confirmação desses resultados. / Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a highly prevalent condition, yet available treatments demonstrate only modest efficacy. Exposure therapies, considered by many to be the “gold standard” therapy for PTSD, are poorly tolerated by many patients and show high attrition. We evaluated interpersonal therapy, in a group format, adapted to PTSD (IPT-G PTSD), as an adjunctive treatment for patients who failed to respond to conventional psychopharmacological treatment. Methods: Research participants included 40 patients who sought treatment through a program on violence in the department of psychiatry of Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP). They had received conventional psychopharmacological treatment for at least 12 weeks and failed to have an adequate clinical response. After signing an informed consent, previously approved by the UNIFESP Ethics Review Board, they received a semistructured diagnostic interview (SCID-I), administered by a trained mental health worker, to confirm the presence of a-PTSD diagnosis according DSM-IV criteria. Other instruments were administered, and patients completed out selfreport instruments at baseline, and endpoint to evaluate clinical outcomes.Results: Thirty-three patients completed the trial, but all had at least one second outcome evaluation. There were significant improvements on all measures, with large effect sizes. Conclusions: IPT-G PTSD was effective not only in decreasing symptoms of PTSD, but also in decreasing symptoms of anxiety and depression. It led to significant improvements in social adjustment and quality of life. It was well tolerated and there were few dropouts. Our results are very preliminary; they need further confirmation through randomized controlled clinical trials. / TEDE / BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertações