Psychiatry - Research Publications
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ItemArterial stiffness in underweight and weight-restored anorexia nervosa(WILEY, 2021-11)Cardiovascular complications have been demonstrated in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) in both the state of starvation and during weight restoration, however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The current study aimed to assess arterial stiffness via carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) in the acute and weight-restored states of AN. The study also aimed to determine the association between psychological distress and cfPWV. The sample included 37 participants; 10 participants with AN, 17 who were weight-restored (AN-WR; minimum body mass index >18.5 for at least 12 months) and 10 healthy controls (HCs). cfPWV via applanation tonometry was conducted to assess arterial stiffness. Psychological distress was assessed using the depression anxiety stress scale (DASS-21) and the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI). Between-group comparisons were performed to determine differences between groups, a two-stage hierarchical regression model was performed to determine the contribution of physiological and psychological variables on cfPWV and correlation analyses were also performed. Vascular stiffness was significantly increased in the AN and AN-WR groups, relative to HCs. The total DASS score was the only significant predictor of cfPWV across the sample. There were positive associations between cfPWV and depression, anxiety and stress, as assessed by the DASS. Furthermore, cfPWV was positively associated with STAI trait anxiety. Arterial stiffness was increased in individuals in the acute and weight-restored states of AN, demonstrating early signs of the development of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Increased arterial stiffness was associated with increased psychological distress, which may be a contributing mechanism to the increased cardiovascular risk in AN.
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ItemWhat is OSFED? The predicament of classifying 'other' eating disorders(CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS, 2021-08-12)The transition from DSM-IV to DSM-5 relaxed diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, and recognised a third eating disorder, binge eating disorder. However, a large proportion of cases remain in the ill-defined category of 'other specified feeding and eating disorders'. We sought to investigate the utility of a proposed solution to classify this group further, subdividing based on the dominant clinical feature: binge eating/purging or restraint. Cluster analysis failed to identify clusters in a treatment-seeking sample based on symptoms of restraint, binge eating, purging and over-evaluation of shape and weight. Further investigation of this highly heterogeneous group is required.
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ItemAutonomic Nervous System Function in Anorexia Nervosa: A Systematic Review(FRONTIERS MEDIA SA, 2021-06-28)Background: Autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction has been suggested to contribute to the high prevalence of cardiovascular complications in individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN), yet has not been thoroughly investigated. The current review aimed to synthesize the evidence of basal ANS function in individuals with a current diagnosis of AN and those with a previous diagnosis who had achieved weight restoration, as compared to controls. Methods: A systematic review of nine databases was conducted and studies that were published in a peer-review journal, in English, that included at least one assessment of ANS function in individuals with a current or previous diagnosis of AN were selected. Forty-six studies were included with a total of 811 participants with a current diagnosis of AN and 123 participants with a previous diagnosis of AN. Results: ANS function was assessed through heart rate variability (n = 27), orthostatic challenge, blood pressure variability or baroreflex sensitivity (n = 11), adrenergic activity (n = 14), skin conductance level (n = 4), and pupillometry (n = 1). Individuals with AN demonstrated increased parasympathetic activity and decreased sympathetic activity, suggestive of autonomic dysregulation. Following weight restoration, autonomic function trended toward, or was equivalent to, control levels. Discussion: Autonomic dysregulation is indicated through a range of assessments in individuals with AN. Future investigations should utilize a variety of assessments together in order to conclusively establish the nature of autonomic dysfunction in AN, and following extended weight restoration. Moreover, investigation into the co-occurrence of ANS function and cardiovascular risk is required.
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ItemA psychosocial intervention for individuals with advanced chronic kidney disease: A feasibility randomized controlled trial(WILEY, 2021-05)AIM: The current study evaluated the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a psychosocial intervention, the Kidney Optimal Health Program, in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety in individuals with advanced chronic kidney disease. METHODS: Patients with stage 4 or 5 chronic kidney disease were randomized to either a nine-session psychosocial intervention programme or usual care. Feasibility was assessed through recruitment and retention rates and programme acceptability. Participants completed assessments of depression, anxiety and psychosocial health at baseline and at 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-up. A repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare groups on outcomes over time. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-eight patients were screened for eligibility; 84 consented to participant and were randomized to receive the intervention (N = 42) or usual care (N = 42). 27 (32.1%) participants withdrew prior to baseline assessment. Of those who completed the baseline assessment (N = 57), trial retention was high (75.4% at 3-month, 80.7% at 6-month and 70.2% at 12-month follow-up). Participants reported high levels of programme acceptability. The patients who completed the intervention (N = 17) demonstrated significantly decreased depression at 12-month follow-up compared to the usual care group (N = 13). CONCLUSION: The results support the feasibility of the Kidney Optimal Health Program intervention in recruitment, retention and programme acceptability with an improved screening protocol. Preliminary support is provided for improvement in depressive symptoms in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease. Further investigation through a fully powered randomized controlled trial is warranted.
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ItemBridging the gap between diabetes care and mental health: perspectives of the Mental health IN DiabeteS Optimal Health Program (MINDS OHP)(BMC, 2021-05-08)BACKGROUND: Mental health problems are highly prevalent in people with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), which adversely impact physical health and quality of life. This study aimed to explore the experiences of people with T1DM who had completed the Mental health IN DiabeteS Optimal Health Program (MINDS OHP), a novel intervention developed to bridge the gap between physical and mental health care. METHOD: Participants with T1DM were invited to take part in a focus group or semi-structured interviews. Participants were recruited from outpatient and community settings. The focus group and interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic content analysis was used and identified themes were cross-validated by researchers and member-checked by participants. RESULTS: Ten people with T1DM were included. Two key themes emerged: 'MINDS OHP experiences' and 'lived experiences of diabetes'. MINDS OHP experiences included five sub-themes: program benefits, follow-up and timing, suggested improvements, collaborative partners, and materials suitability. Lived experiences also included five sub-themes: bridging the gap between mental and physical health, support networks, stigma and shame, management intrusiveness, and adolescence and critical life points. CONCLUSIONS: The MINDS OHP for people with T1DM was generally well received, though study findings suggest a number of improvements could be made to the program, such as including family members, and consideration being given to its routine early inclusion in diabetes management, ideally in primary care.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableExploring the Impact of Illness Perceptions, Self-efficacy, Coping Strategies, and Psychological Distress on Quality of Life in a Post-stroke Cohort(SPRINGER/PLENUM PUBLISHERS, 2021-03)This study evaluated the mediating role of self-efficacy, coping, depression and anxiety on the relationship between illness perceptions and quality of life in stroke survivors (n = 72; 32 females; mean [SD] age 65.09 [14.14] years; male mean [SD] age 69.83 [11.81]). Illness perceptions (Brief Illness Perceptions Questionnaire; BIPQ), coping styles (Carver Brief-COPE scale; B-COPE), depression/anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; HADS), self-efficacy (General Self-Efficacy Scale; GSE) and quality of life (Assessment of quality of life; AQOL-6D) were analysed. Correlation analyses showed illness perception, maladaptive coping, self-efficacy, depression and anxiety to have a significant negative relationship with quality of life. Mediation analyses showed that while maladaptive coping and self-efficacy did not mediate the relationship between illness perception and quality of life, depression and anxiety did. The final model explained 76.74% of the variance in quality of life. Although based on a relatively small sample size, these results provide evidence for the important role of psychosocial factors in quality of life in post-stroke cohorts.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableA psychosocial intervention for stroke survivors and carers: 12-month outcomes of a randomized controlled trial(TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD, 2020-11-16)Background and Purpose: Stroke can have a devastating impact on the mental and physical health of stroke survivors and their carers. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel psychosocial intervention designed to improve health outcomes in both groups.Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial of a personalized psychosocial intervention (eight 1-hour weekly sessions plus one booster) compared to usual care for adult stroke survivors and carers. Participants recruited from hospital services and community referrals completed questionnaires at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. Primary outcomes were quality of life and self-efficacy; secondary outcomes were depressive and anxiety symptoms, coping, illness perception, work and social adjustment, carer strain, and carer satisfaction. Mixed-effect model repeated measures analysis between groups and across time was conducted.Results: Of the 173 participants recruited (89 stroke survivors; 84 carers), a total of 137 participants - 73 stroke survivors (intervention n = 42; usual care n = 31) and 64 carers (intervention n = 35; usual care n = 29) - underwent analysis up to 12 months. No statistically significant differences were found in the primary outcomes between groups over time, though a significant improvement in carer satisfaction was found at 6 months in the intervention group compared to the usual care group.Conclusion: A personalized psychosocial intervention resulted in a significant improvement in carer satisfaction at 6 months but in no other outcomes. A lack of available services and barriers to social engagement may have impeded the effectiveness of this intervention.
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ItemA comparison of eating disorder symptomatology, psychological distress and psychosocial function between early, typical and later onset anorexia nervosa(BMC, 2020-11-04)OBJECTIVE: Epidemiological studies suggest that the incidence of anorexia nervosa (AN) is increasing in younger populations, with some evidence that clinical differences occur according to age of onset (AOO), which may impact prognostic outcomes. The current study sought to compare eating disorder (ED) symptomatology, psychological distress and psychosocial function between early onset (EO), typical onset (TO) and later onset (LO) AN in a large sample of treatment-seeking patients with a diagnosis of AN. METHODS: Participants included 249 individuals with a diagnosis of AN who were assessed at an outpatient ED service. The sample was divided into three groups based on AOO; those with an AOO ≤14 years (N = 58) were termed 'EO-AN', those with an AOO between 15 and 18 years (N = 113) were termed 'TO-AN' and those with an AOO of > 18 years (N = 78) were termed 'LO-AN'. Comparisons were made between AOO groups on assessments of ED symptomatology, psychological distress and psychosocial function. RESULTS: EO-AN patients reported a significantly longer illness duration than both TO-AN and LO-AN groups. After controlling for effect of illness duration, the EO-AN group demonstrated significantly higher ED symptomatology and dysmorphic concern compared to the LO-AN group. The EO-AN group demonstrated significantly decreased cognitive flexibility compared to both the TO-AN and LO-AN groups. DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that clinical differences do occur according to AOO in AN whereby EO-AN may represent a more severe form of illness that is not attributable to increased illness duration. Treatment strategies which specifically address patients with EO-AN may improve long term health outcomes and recovery.
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ItemPsychosocial Interventions and Wellbeing in Individuals with Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis(FRONTIERS MEDIA SA, 2017-12-05)Purpose: A number of studies, including systematic reviews, show beneficial effects of psychosocial interventions for people with diabetes mellitus; however, they have not been assessed using meta-analysis. The purpose of this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials is to investigate the effects of psychosocial interventions on depressive and anxiety symptoms, quality of life and self-efficacy in individuals with diabetes mellitus. Methods: The databases Pubmed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science and SocINDEX were searched with no year restriction. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials published in English that included individuals diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, aged 18 years or above, who engaged in a psychosocial intervention, with outcome measures addressing depressive or anxiety symptomology, quality of life or self-efficacy. Eligible studies needed to compare the intervention to usual care. Study selection was completed using Covidence and meta-analysis was undertaken using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software. Results: Seven studies were included in the meta-analysis. Five studies investigated the effects of psychosocial interventions and showed a medium to large benefit for depressive symptoms (SMD: -0.70; CI: -1.27, -0.13) which persisted at follow up (SMD: -1.54, CI: -2.97, -0.12). Similar results were not seen immediately post-intervention in the three studies that assessed anxiety symptoms (SMD: -0.30; CI: -0.69, 0.10); however, a medium beneficial effect was seen at follow up (SMD = -0.61, CI = -0.92 to -0.31). Small benefits were seen in the three studies assessing quality of life outcomes (SMD: 0.30, CI: 0.06, 0.55). No benefit was seen in the two studies assessing self-efficacy (SMD: 0.23, CI: -0.11, 0.57). Conclusions: The results of the current study provide preliminary evidence that psychosocial interventions, compared to usual care, reduce depressive symptoms, and may improve quality of life in individuals with diabetes. However, only a few studies were included and the clinical significance of these findings is unknown.
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ItemPeer mentoring for eating disorders: results from the evaluation of a pilot program(BMC, 2019-06-03)BACKGROUND: Eating disorders (EDs) are serious psychiatric illnesses that have high rates of morbidity and mortality, and low long-term recovery rates. Peer mentor programs (PMPs) have been associated with reduced psychiatric hospitalisation and shorter lengths of stay for those with other severe mental illnesses. The present study evaluated the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a PMP for individuals with EDs in improving symptomatology and quality of life. METHODS: Thirty mentees and seventeen mentors were recruited. The PMP involved thirteen sessions over 6 months. Participants completed measures assessing ED symptomatology, quality of life (QoL), mood and perceived disability. Changes in symptomatology before and after the PMP were tested by Wilcoxon signed rank tests. Semi-structured interviews were conducted for qualitative evaluation of the PMP. RESULTS: The program was deemed to have moderate feasibility with eight of 30 mentees, and two of 17 mentors withdrawing. Completion rates ranged from 2 to 16 sessions, and between 3 and 45 weeks. Mentees demonstrated improvements in body mass index, QoL, ED symptomatology, mood (depression, anxiety and tension/stress) and perceived disability from pre- to post-program. Mentors demonstrated significant increases in ED symptomatology, but no worsening of QoL, mood or perceived disability. Qualitative findings from both mentees and mentors were positive: emergent themes included hope for recovery, a sense of agency and inspiration gained from interaction with someone with lived experience of an ED. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study suggests feasibility of the PMP for individuals with EDs. Mentees demonstrated improvements in ED symptomatology, QoL, mood and perceived disability. However, the increase in ED symptomatology reported by the mentors over the PMP highlights potential risks and the need for thorough monitoring while preliminary evaluation is undertaken. The mentoring relationship was a positive experience for both mentees and mentors, instilling an increased hope for recovery in mentees and an opportunity for mentors to reflect on their own recovery with increased confidence. The novel relationship formed throughout mentorship highlights a potential gap in current clinical support services, which warrants further exploration within a controlled trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registration Number: ACTRN12617001412325. Retrospectively registered: 05/10/2017. Date of first enrolment: 20/01/2017. https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=373741&isReview=true.