Self-help therapy for insomnia: a meta-analysis.

Background: Insomnia is a prevalent problem which often leads to a reduced quality of life and diminished work productivity. Only a minority of patients are treated with effective non-pharmacological therapies. A self-help intervention might offer an inexpensive and more accessible alternative to face-to-face treatment.

Are psychological and pharmacologic interventions equally effective in the treatment of adult depressive disorders? A meta-analysis of comparative studies.

Objective: A large number of studies suggest that both psychological and pharmacologic therapies are effective in the treatment of mild-to-moderate depressive disorders. Whether both types of intervention are equally effective has not been established definitively.

Data Sources: A database was developed through a comprehensive literature search (from 1966 to May 2007) in which 6947 abstracts in PubMed (1244 abstracts), PsycINFO (1736), EMBASE (1911), and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (2056) were examined.

The diaphragm and lubricant gel for prevention of cervical sexually transmitted infections: results of a randomized controlled trial.

Background: We evaluated the effectiveness of the Ortho All-Flex Diaphragm, lubricant gel (Replens) and condoms compared to condoms alone on the incidence of chlamydial and gonococcal infections in an open-label randomized controlled trial among women at risk of HIV/STI infections.

Methods: We randomized 5045 sexually-active women at three sites in Southern Africa. Participants who tested positive for curable STIs were treated prior to enrollment as per local guidelines.

Incidence of social phobia and identification of its risk indicators: a model for prevention.

Objective: This study seeks to examine the incidence of social phobia in the general population and to establish a number of risk indicators.

Method: Data were derived from the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study (NEMESIS) which is a population based prospective study (n=7076). A sample of adults aged 18-64 years (n=5618) were re-interviewed 1 year later using Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI).

Characteristics of effective psychological treatments of depression: a metaregression analysis.

Although many meta-analyses have shown that psychological therapies are effective in the treatment of depression, no comprehensive metaregression analysis has been conducted to examine which characteristics of the intervention, target population, and study design are related to the effects. The authors conducted such a metaregression analysis with 83 studies (135 comparisons) in which a psychological treatment was compared with a control condition. The mean effect size of all comparisons was 0.

Self-help treatment for insomnia through television and book: a randomized trial.

Objective: Recently, a Dutch educational broadcasting company developed a 6 week self-help course for insomnia, which consists of a book and television programmes. In this study we examined its effects.

Methods: 247 subjects with sleep problems were recruited through the media and randomized to the self-help treatment (n=126) or a waiting list control group (n=121).

Preventing the onset of depressive disorders: a meta-analytic review of psychological interventions.

Objective: A growing number of studies have tested the efficacy of preventive interventions in reducing the incidence of depressive disorders. Until now, no meta-analysis has integrated the results of these studies.

Method: The authors conducted a meta-analysis.

Using objective markers to assess participant behavior in HIV prevention trials of vaginal microbicides.

The need to verify participant behavior exists in any study in which behavior may affect outcomes. In vaginal microbicide trials, the act of having sex and the use of study products and condoms all affect the risk of acquiring HIV/sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Until now, these behaviors have been assessed using self-reports.

Consistent condom use in married Zimbabwean women after a condom intervention.

Objectives: Condom use to prevent HIV in Africa has increased in nonmarital sexual encounters but remains low within marriage. Married women of reproductive age, however, are at high risk of HIV.

Goal: This study investigated factors associated with consistent condom use after a brief intervention.

Psychological treatment of social anxiety disorder: a meta-analysis.

Background: Older meta-analyses of the effects of psychological treatments of social anxiety disorder have found that these treatments have moderate to large effects. However, these earlier meta-analyses also included non-randomized studies, and there are many featured studies in this area which were published after the recent meta-analysis.

Method: We conducted a systematic literature search and identified 29 randomized studies examining the effects of psychological treatments, with a total of 1628 subjects.

Probiotics: potential to prevent HIV and sexually transmitted infections in women.

Women are at significant risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infection (STI) acquisition with the genital mucosa serving as the main portal of infection. Exogenously supplied lactobacillus used as a probiotic may prove a cost-effective, female-initiated method to prevent HIV and STI infection in women. A probiotic may act indirectly through treating and preventing recurrent bacterial vaginosis or directly by secreting endogenous (e.

Psychological treatment of depression: a meta-analytic database of randomized studies.

Background: A large number of randomized controlled studies have clearly demonstrated that psychological interventions are effective in the treatment of depression. The number of studies in this area is increasing rapidly. In this paper, we present a database of controlled and comparative outcome studies on psychological treatments of depression, based on a series of meta-analyses published by our group.

Consistent use of a combination product versus a single product in a safety trial of the diaphragm and microbicide in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Background: We examined the use and acceptability of a combination product (diaphragm and gel) compared to a single product (gel) during a 6-month safety trial in Zimbabwe.

Study Design: Women were randomized to the use of a diaphragm with gel or the use of gel alone, in addition to male condoms. Ever use and use of study product on the last act of sexual intercourse were assessed monthly by Audio Computer-Assisted Self-Interviewing.

Female condom uptake and acceptability in Zimbabwe.

As the first phase of a two-phase prospective cohort study to assess the acceptability of the diaphragm as a potential HIV/STI prevention method, we conducted a 2-month prospective study and examined the effect of a male and female condom intervention on female condom (FC) use among 379 sexually active women in Harare, Zimbabwe. Reported use of FC increased from 1.1% at baseline to 70.

Effectiveness of a web-based self-help intervention for symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress: randomized controlled trial.

Background: Self-help therapies are often effective in reducing mental health problems. We developed a new Web-based self-help intervention based on problem-solving therapy, which may be used for people with different types of comorbid problems: depression, anxiety, and work-related stress.

Objective: The aim was to study whether a Web-based self-help intervention is effective in reducing depression, anxiety, and work-related stress (burnout).

Long-term results of coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with left ventricular dysfunction.

Background: In this prospective study, we investigated the determinants of long-term outcome, symptoms, and left ventricular function after coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with a moderate to severely decreased left ventricular ejection fraction.

Methods: Between 1997 and 1998, 75 consecutive patients with moderate to severe left ventricular dysfunction underwent coronary artery bypass grafting procedures. The operative mortality rate was 4.

Social phobia and number of social fears, and their association with comorbidity, health-related quality of life and help seeking: a population-based study.

Objectives: Community based data were used to examine the association between social phobia and comorbidity, quality of life and service utilization. In addition, the correlations of the number of social fears with these domains were studied.

Method: Data are from the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study (NEMESIS) (N = 7,076).

Internet-administered cognitive behavior therapy for health problems: a systematic review.

Cognitive-behavioral interventions are the most extensively researched form of psychological treatment and are increasingly offered through the Internet. Internet-based interventions may save therapist time, reduce waiting-lists, cut traveling time, and reach populations with health problems who can not easily access other more traditional forms of treatments. We conducted a systematic review of twelve randomized controlled or comparative trials.

Psychological treatment of postpartum depression: a meta-analysis.

Postpartum depression is a widespread and disruptive depressive disorder seriously affecting the lives of new mothers and their families. We conducted a meta-analysis of controlled and comparative studies of psychological treatments of postpartum depression. Seventeen studies were included.

Internet-based treatment for adults with depressive symptoms: the protocol of a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Depression is a highly prevalent condition, affecting more than 15% of the adult population at least once in their lives. Guided self-help is effective in the treatment of depression. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of two Internet-based guided self-help treatments with adults reporting elevated depressive symptoms.

A randomized controlled safety trial of the diaphragm and cellulose sulfate microbicide gel in sexually active women in Zimbabwe.

Background: Cellulose sulfate (CS) is an antimicrobial and contraceptive agent. We assessed its safety when used alone or with the diaphragm in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Study Design: This was a randomized controlled safety trial with three arms: diaphragm with 6% CS gel vs.

Screening of depression in adolescents through the Internet : sensitivity and specificity of two screening questionnaires.

The Internet may offer new opportunities for treating depressed adolescents. However, before such treatments are possible, well-validated screening instruments are needed. In the current study, we validate two Internet-based screening instruments for depression among adolescents, the major depression inventory (MDI), and the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale (CES-D).

Diaphragm and lubricant gel for prevention of HIV acquisition in southern African women: a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Female-controlled methods of HIV prevention are urgently needed. We assessed the effect of provision of latex diaphragm, lubricant gel, and condoms (intervention), compared with condoms alone (control) on HIV seroincidence in women in South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Methods: We did an open-label, randomised controlled trial in HIV-negative, sexually active women recruited from clinics and community-based organisations, who were followed up quarterly for 12-24 months (median 21 months).

Preoperative thresholds for pulmonary valve replacement in patients with corrected tetralogy of Fallot using cardiovascular magnetic resonance.

Background: To facilitate the optimal timing of pulmonary valve replacement, we analyzed preoperative thresholds of right ventricular (RV) volumes above which no decrease or normalization of RV size takes place after surgery.

Methods And Results: Between 1993 and 2006, 71 adult patients with corrected tetralogy of Fallot underwent pulmonary valve replacement in a nationwide, prospective follow-up study. Patients were evaluated with cardiovascular magnetic resonance both preoperatively and postoperatively.