Associations between eating disorder related symptoms and participants' utilization of an individualized Internet-based prevention and early intervention program.

Objective: Flexible, individualized interventions allow participants to adjust the intensity of support to their current needs. Between-persons, participants with greater needs can receive more intense support, within-persons, participants can adjust utilization to their current level of symptoms. The purpose of the present study was to analyze associations between ED-related symptoms and utilization of the individualized program ProYouth both between- and within-persons, aiming to investigate whether participants adapt utilization intensity to their current needs.

Text Message Feedback to Support Mindfulness Practice in People With Depressive Symptoms: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: It has been shown that mindfulness practice can be helpful in preventing relapse from depression. However, practicing mindfulness regularly at home is often a challenge for people with depression. Mobile phone text messaging (short message service, SMS) may be a feasible approach to assist regular mindfulness home practice.

The core symptoms of bulimia nervosa, anxiety, and depression: A network analysis.

Bulimia nervosa (BN) is characterized by symptoms of binge eating and compensatory behavior, and overevaluation of weight and shape, which often co-occur with symptoms of anxiety and depression. However, there is little research identifying which specific BN symptoms maintain BN psychopathology and how they are associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety. Network analyses represent an emerging method in psychopathology research to examine how symptoms interact and may become self-reinforcing.

The assessment of skin picking in adolescence: psychometric properties of the Skin Picking Scale-Revised (German version).

Background: Skin picking disorder has received growing attention since the release of DSM-5, yet there are no evidence-based assessment instruments for adolescent samples.

Aim: The present study examines the psychometric properties of the Skin Picking Scale-Revised (SPS-R, German version) in adolescents.

Methods: A total of 76 adolescents (96% female) completed the SPS-R, the Clinical Psychological Diagnostic System (KPD-38), and a questionnaire assessing demographics and clinical characteristics online.

Predictors of dropout in face-to-face and internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for bulimia nervosa in a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: We sought to identify predictors and moderators of failure to engage (i.e., pretreatment attrition) and dropout in both Internet-based and traditional face-to-face cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for bulimia nervosa.

Perceived barriers and facilitators towards help-seeking for eating disorders: A systematic review.

Objective: To systematically review the literature on perceived barriers and facilitators of help-seeking for eating disorders.

Method: Three databases (PubMed, PsychInfo, Cochrane) were searched using keywords and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms. Retrieved abstracts (N = 3493) were double screened and relevant papers (n = 13) were double coded.

Can an internet-based program for the prevention and early intervention in eating disorders facilitate access to conventional professional healthcare?

Background: The majorities of individual suffering from eating disorders do not seek or receive adequate professional treatment. Internet-based approaches promise to facilitate access to conventional healthcare by providing an easy-access, low-threshold contact.

Aim: The current study investigated whether an Internet-based program for the prevention and early intervention for eating disorders (ProYouth) may contribute to the actual and intended uptake of professional care.

Internet-Delivered Disease Management for Recurrent Depression: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Strategies to improve the life of patients suffering from recurrent major depression have a high relevance. This study examined the efficacy of 2 Internet-delivered augmentation strategies that aim to prolong symptom-free intervals.

Methods: Efficacy was tested in a 3-arm, multicenter, open-label, evaluator-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Acceptability Study of "Ascenso": An Online Program for Monitoring and Supporting Patients with Depression in Chile.

Background: Major depression is a highly prevalent and severe mental disease. Despite the effective treatment options available, the risk of relapse is high. Interventions based on information and communication technologies generate innovative opportunities to provide support to patients after they completed treatment for depression.

Reducing eating disorder symptoms and risk factors using the internet: A meta-analytic review.

Objective: The purpose of this meta-analytic review was, first, to evaluate the efficacy of Internet-based programs in decreasing eating disorder (ED) symptoms, and, second, to identify moderator variables these effects.

Method: Twenty studies were identified and between-group effect sizes were calculated for ED symptoms and risk factors.

Results: Compared with control conditions, Internet-based programs successfully decreased body dissatisfaction (d = 0.

Effectiveness and Cost-effectiveness of School-based Dissemination Strategies of an Internet-based Program for the Prevention and Early Intervention in Eating Disorders: A Randomized Trial.

Only little is known about costs and effects (i.e., success) of dissemination strategies, although cost-effective dissemination strategies are crucial for the transfer of interventions into routine care.

Effectiveness of an Internet-based preparation for psychosomatic treatment: Results of a controlled observational study.

Objective: Patients often have to sustain long waiting periods between the time they first apply for psychotherapy and the actual uptake of the treatment. To support patients who are on a wait-list for inpatient psychosomatic treatment an Internet-based preparatory treatment (VORSTAT) was developed. In a randomized controlled trial, VORSTAT proved to increase treatment motivation prior to intake and to accelerate the accommodation phase at the beginning of inpatient treatment.

Relationships between clinician-level attributes and fidelity-consistent and fidelity-inconsistent modifications to an evidence-based psychotherapy.

Background: Clinicians often modify evidence-based psychotherapies (EBPs) when delivering them in routine care settings. There has been little study of factors associated with or implications of modifications to EBP protocols. This paper differentiates between fidelity-consistent and fidelity-inconsistent modifications and it examines the potential influence of two clinician characteristics, training outcomes, and attitudes toward EBPs on fidelity-consistent and fidelity-inconsistent modifications of cognitive behavioral therapy in a sample of clinicians who had been trained to deliver these treatments for children or adults.

Interpersonal Factors Are Associated with Lower Therapist Adherence in Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for Panic Disorder.

Objective: The contributions of disorder severity, comorbidity and interpersonal variables to therapists' adherence to a cognitive-behavioural treatment (CBT) manual were tested.

Method: Thirty-eight patients received panic control therapy (PCT) for panic disorder. Trained observers watching videotapes of the sixth session of a 24-session protocol rated therapists' adherence to PCT and their use of interventions from outside the CBT model.

Psychotherapy credibility ratings: patient predictors of credibility and the relation of credibility to therapy outcome.

Objective: The current investigation examined the relation between credibility ratings for adult psychotherapies and a variety of patient factors as well as the relation between credibility ratings and subsequent symptom change.

Method: A pooled study database that included studies evaluating the efficacy of cognitive and psychodynamic therapies for a variety of disorders was used. For all studies, a three-item credibility scale was administered at session 2.

Cost-effectiveness of an internet-based aftercare intervention after inpatient treatment in a psychosomatic hospital.

Objective: The implementation of new interventions into routine care requires the demonstration of both their effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.

Method: We explored the cost-effectiveness of an Internet-based aftercare program in addition to treatment as usual (CHAT) which was compared to treatment as usual (TAU) following inpatient treatment. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were calculated based on cost of the intervention, cost of outpatient treatment, and remission rates within 1 year after discharge from hospital.

Supportive monitoring and disease management through the internet: an internet-delivered intervention strategy for recurrent depression.

Major depression is a highly prevalent, disabling disorder associated with loss of quality of life and large economic burden for the society. Depressive disorders often follow a chronic or recurrent course. The risk of relapses increases with each additional episode.

Harnessing the power of technology for the treatment and prevention of eating disorders.

Objective: The objective of this article is to review the available literature regarding the development and evaluation of technology-enhanced interventions for eating disorders.

Method: Literature was reviewed pertaining to interventions that use technology (e.g.

Internet-based aftercare for patients with back pain-a pilot study.

Objective: In order to maintain treatment gains achieved during multidisciplinary treatments for chronic back pain, patients are challenged to implement the behavioral changes they learned during treatment into their daily life. Offering support during the critical time after treatment conclusion helps patients deal with relapses, provides them with practical advice and social support, and helps to master this transfer. As in-person offerings are not always feasible, innovative concepts are needed to enable hospitals to provide aftercare to their patients.

Technology-enhanced monitoring in psychotherapy and e-mental health.

Advances in technology increasingly facilitate data collection in the context of psychosocial and psychotherapeutic care. Such technology-enhanced assessments (e.g.

Technology-enhanced maintenance of treatment gains in eating disorders: efficacy of an intervention delivered via text messaging.

Objective: Given the lack of maintenance interventions for eating disorders, a program delivered via the short message service (SMS) and text messaging was developed to support patients after their discharge from inpatient treatment.

Method: The efficacy of the intervention was studied in a randomized controlled trial. Additionally, its impact on the utilization of outpatient treatment during follow-up was investigated.

Online counselling for eating disorders: reaching an underserved population?

Background: A substantial proportion of individuals suffering from eating disorders (ED) seek help late and many never access treatment. Internet-based services may have the potential to reach these underserved individuals by providing low-intense support and facilitating access to regular healthcare.

Method: Two hundred and thirty-eight individuals who used a counselling service for ED via email and/or moderated forums were surveyed.

Short-term dynamic psychotherapy versus pharmacotherapy for major depressive disorder: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Objective: To determine whether supportive-expressive psychotherapy (SET), a form of dynamic psychotherapy, and pharmacotherapy + clinical management (MED) for major depressive disorder (MDD) are more effective than pill-placebo + clinical management (PBO).

Method: This National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)-sponsored randomized controlled trial was conducted (from November 2001 through June 2007) at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School. The sample included 156 patients diagnosed with MDD (DSM-IV) and having a 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD(17)) score ≥ 14 for at least 2 consecutive weeks.

E-health for individualized prevention of eating disorders.

In the field of illness prevention, it is becoming increasingly important that effective treatments be broadly disseminated and easily accessible to large populations located over wide geographical areas. The internet offers many opportunities to improve illness prevention and has become an important tool for both providers and users. An increasing number of users are looking for help on web-pages, in forums and chat rooms, to access information and exchange experiences with other users or counselors.

Beliefs about the causes of depression and treatment preferences.

The relation between patients' beliefs about the causes of their depression, treatment preferences, and demographic variables was studied in a sample of 156 patients in a randomized controlled trial for depression (supportive-expressive psychotherapy vs. medication vs. placebo).