Utilisation of standardised outcomes measures by clinical Physiotherapists working in Namibia: a nationwide cross-sectional study.

Introduction: The utilisation of standardised outcome measures (SOMs) is crucial for evaluating patients' health status. Physiotherapists are highly recommended to use SOMs routinely. Despite the well-documented benefits of using SOMs, the utilisation of SOMs in clinical practice is still problematic particularly in Africa.

Goal-Directed Treatment of Patients With Anxiety and Mood Disorders in a Regular Curative Mental Health Care Setting.

This study examined whether goal-directed treatment leads to improved treatment outcomes for patients with a primary mood or anxiety disorder and whether beneficial outcomes are achieved sooner compared to treatment as usual. In a quasi-experimental controlled study with a nested design, 17 therapists received training in goal-directed treatment and treated 105 patients with anxiety or mood disorders using principles of goal-directed treatment. Treatment results on a generic self-report instrument were compared with two control groups: a historical control group consisting of 16 of the 17 participating therapists, who provided treatment as usual to 97 patients before having received training in goal-directed treatment, and a parallel control group consisting of various therapists, who provided treatment as usual to 105 patients.

Mechanical Device Malfunction of the HeartMate II Versus the HeartMate 3 Left Ventricular Assist Device: The Rotterdam Experience.

Mechanical device malfunction remains a known issue in left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). We investigated the incidence of mechanical device malfunction in the HeartMate II and HeartMate 3 LVADs. We conducted a retrospective study of all HeartMate II and HeartMate 3 LVADs implanted in our center.

A randomized controlled trial to pilot the efficacy of a computer-based intervention with elements of virtual reality and limited therapist assistance for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Although well-established therapies exist for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), barriers to seek mental health care are high. Technology-based interventions may play a role in improving the reach of efforts to treat, especially when therapist availability is low. The goal of the current randomized controlled trial was to pilot the efficacy of a computer-based trauma intervention with elements of virtual reality (VR; system) and limited therapist involvement for the treatment of PTSD in a childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and war veteran sample and to compare this to "treatment as usual" (TAU).

Three- and five-year follow-up results of a randomized controlled trial on the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy before bariatric surgery.

Objective: Up to 37% of bariatric surgery patients suffer from insufficient weight loss or weight regain and mental health symptoms in the longer term. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may be an effective adjunct intervention to optimize patients' psychological functioning and weight loss results. To examine the value of adding preoperative CBT to bariatric surgery, three- and five-year follow-up data are presented.

Relapsing low-flow alarms due to suboptimal alignment of the left ventricular assist device inflow cannula.

Objectives: This retrospective study investigated the correlation between the angular position of the left ventricular assist device (LVAD) inflow cannula and relapsing low-flow alarms.

Methods: Medical charts were reviewed of all patients with HeartMate 3 LVAD support for relapsing low-flow alarms. A standardized protocol was created to measure the angular position with a contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Versus Usual Care Before Bariatric Surgery: One-Year Follow-Up Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Although early results of bariatric surgery are beneficial for most patients, some patients regain weight later. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been suggested as a way to improve patients' psychological health and maintaining weight loss in the longer term. The added value of preoperative CBT to bariatric surgery was examined.

A review of neuroimaging studies in generalized anxiety disorder: "So where do we stand?".

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a prevalent anxiety disorder, but is still poorly recognized in clinical practice. The aim of this review is to provide a coherent understanding of the functional neuroanatomy of GAD; second, to discuss the current theoretical cognitive models surrounding GAD; and finally to discuss the discrepancy between fundamental research and clinical practice and highlight several potential directions for future research in this domain. A systematic review of original papers investigating the neural correlates of DSM-IV and DSM-5 defined GAD samples was undertaken in Ovid literature search, PubMed, Medline, EMbase, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, and TRIP databases.

[Ear aid in Myanmar].

As the example of a small team working in Myanmar since 2010 has demonstrated, it is possible to achieve sustainable success in medical education and training in foreign countries with relatively little effort, in this case in middle ear surgery. The main requirements are outstanding communication within the team as well as with the authorities, organizations, and colleagues on site. Equally important is mindful and respectful work in the hosting country and the consideration of cultural particularities.

Metacognitive therapy versus exposure and response prevention for obsessive-compulsive disorder: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The recommended psychological treatment of choice for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is exposure with response prevention (ERP). However, recovery rates are relatively modest, so better treatments are needed. This superiority study aims to explore the relative efficacy of metacognitive therapy (MCT), a new form of cognitive therapy based on the metacognitive model of OCD.

Metacognitive therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder: A case report.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common and disabling disorder. The most effective psychological treatment for OCD is currently exposure with response prevention (ERP). Although ERP is an effective therapy, recovery rates are relatively modest, so there is room for improvement.

Economic Evaluation of an Internet-Based Preventive Cognitive Therapy With Minimal Therapist Support for Recurrent Depression: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is highly recurrent and has a significant disease burden. Although the effectiveness of internet-based interventions has been established for the treatment of acute MDD, little is known about their cost effectiveness, especially in recurrent MDD.

Objectives: Our aim was to evaluate the cost effectiveness and cost utility of an internet-based relapse prevention program (mobile cognitive therapy, M-CT).

Modification of a Ventricular Assistance Device for a Hemiplegic Left Ventricular Assist Device Patient.

Neurologic events occur in up to 18% of patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The current form of the LVAD equipment is not suited to serve patients who are impaired by a stroke. By creating an assistance device for the LVAD equipment, we have been able to greatly improve the quality of life and self-dependence of a hemiplegic LVAD patient.

Long-Term Mechanical Durability of Left Ventricular Assist Devices: An Urgent Call for Periodic Assessment of Technical Integrity.

Long-term durability and incidence of potential mechanical device failure (MDF) are largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the incidence and potential predictors of MDF in continuous flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) patients. We conducted a retrospective study of all CF-LVADs (type HeartMate II) implanted in our center.

Cognitive behavioral therapy and predictors of weight loss in bariatric surgery patients.

Purpose Of Review: Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for morbid obesity. However, 20-30% of patients undergoing bariatric surgery experience premature weight stabilization or weight regain postoperatively. We report on the recent literature of predictors of weight loss and the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in bariatric patients.

Does cognitive behavioral therapy strengthen the effect of bariatric surgery for obesity? Design and methods of a randomized and controlled study.

Background: (Extreme) obesity is a chronic harmful condition with high risk of medical comorbidities and negative social and emotional consequences. Bariatric surgery is an effective intervention for obesity, but approximately 20 to 30% of the patients experience adverse outcomes after surgery and there is a need for augmentation of current treatment strategies. This study examines the added value of pre-operative cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focused on modification of thoughts and behaviors in terms of eating behavior and physical exercise as well as preparation for surgery and postoperative life style.

Imagery rescripting as a stand-alone treatment for patients with social phobia: a case series.

Background And Objectives: The majority of patients with social phobia reports experiencing negative images, usually linked to memories of earlier aversive social experiences. Several studies have indicated that such negative self-imagery appears to have a causal role in maintaining social phobia, which suggests that interventions aimed at dealing with these images could be beneficial in the treatment of social phobia. One potentially powerful approach is imagery rescripting (IR), a clinical intervention that focuses on changing the meaning and impact of unpleasant memories.

Metacognitions in generalized anxiety disorder: theoretical and practical perspectives.

Cognitive behavioral therapy has been found to be efficacious in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). However, reviews of the clinical significance has indicated that approximately 50% of patients with GAD return to a 'well' status following treatment. So how might the field advance? One way is to base new treatments on GAD maintenance mechanisms.

Randomized controlled trial on the effectiveness of metacognitive therapy and intolerance-of-uncertainty therapy for generalized anxiety disorder.

This randomized controlled trial compared the effectiveness of metacognitive therapy (MCT) and intolerance-of-uncertainty therapy (IUT) for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in an outpatient context. Patients with GAD (N = 126) consecutively referred to an outpatient treatment center for anxiety disorder were randomly allocated to MCT, IUT, or a delayed treatment (DT) condition. Patients were treated individually for up to 14 sessions.

Malignant otitis externa: experience with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

With the low incidence of malignant otitis externa (MOE) and its variable manifestations, it is not possible to perform relevant prospective controlled studies in this condition. Therefore, the best evidence on which to base therapeutic decisions is likely to remain retrospective reviews of case series. Even though our knowledge in regard to MOE is not greatly increased by the retrospective case series by Saxby et al in this issue, nevertheless it has value.

Generalized anxiety disorder: clinical presentation, diagnostic features, and guidelines for clinical practice.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a prevalent and disabling disorder characterised by persistent worrying, anxiety symptoms, and tension. General practitioners and mental healthcare professionals frequently misdiagnose the presenting symptoms. This article addresses the clinical presentation of GAD and provides guidelines for discriminating GAD from other disorders, based on theoretical considerations and clinical experience.

Factor structure of the Dutch version of the Penn State Worry Questionnaire.

The Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) is a 16-item self-report scale for measuring the excessiveness and uncontrollability of worry. The current study examined the factor structure of the PSWQ in (1) a large community sample (N = 455), and (2) a clinical sample of patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD; N = 102), the disorder for which worry is the key feature. Confirmatory factor analysis was employed to test three models: (1) a one-factor model in which all items loaded on one and the same dimension, (2) a two-factor model in which positively and negatively worded items loaded on two separate but correlated factors, and (3) a one-factor model, that included the reverse items as a method factor.