bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Psychosocial Adjustment in Newly Diagnosed Prostate Cancer
Authors: Love Anthony W. , Scealy Marita , Bloch Sidney , Duchesne Gill , Couper Jeremy , Macvean Michelle , Costello Anthony , Kissane David W. 
Published: December 2009

Objective: To examine the psychological and social adjustment of men with early or advanced stage prostate cancer and to compare them with a matched group of cancer-free community volunteers. Methods: A longitudinal observational study in which 367 men recently diagnosed with early (n=211) or advanced stage (n=156) prostate cancer were compared to 169 cancer-free men from the community, of similar age and residential area, using self-report measures of psychosocial adjustment. Results: On the mental health subscales of the Short-Form 36-item Health Survey, men with advanced disease had lower vitality and social functioning than the other two groups, and lower mental health scores than the comparison group. Both patient groups had lower role-emotional scores than the comparison group. With regard to the Brief Symptom Inventory, the advanced disease group had higher somatization scores, and lower interpersonal sensitivity and paranoid ideation scores than the early stage group and the community comparison group. In terms of psychiatric morbidity, there were higher rates of anxiety disorders but not depressive disorders in both patient groups although overall diagnosis rates were low. No differences were found in terms of couple or family functioning. Conclusions: There is impairment in psychosocial function in men with prostate cancer, particularly those with advanced disease, but no increase in the rate of formal psychiatric disorder or adverse effects on the couples and families. This suggests directions for psychosocial interventions with these patient groups.
Effects of Diagnostic Comorbidity and Dimensional Symptoms of Attention-Deficit–Hyperactivity Disorder in Men with Antisocial Personality Disorder
Authors: Semiz Umit B. , Basoglu Cengiz , Oner Ozgur , Munir Kerim M. , Ates Alpay , Algul Ayhan , Ebrinc Servet , Cetin Mesut 
Published: December 2009

Objective: Although children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at increased risk for later onset of antisocial personality disorder (APD) as adults, the utility of ADHD as either a comorbid diagnosis (ADHDc) or dimensional symptoms (ADHDd) in predicting behaviour and substance use problems in APD subjects has not been examined. Method: A total of 105 adult male offenders with Structured Clinical Interview for Axis II Disorders (SCID-II)-based DSM-III-R APD were studied in terms of: (i) psychopathy scores on the Hare Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL-R); (ii) ADHDc diagnostic comorbidity on clinically administered DSM-IV questionnaire; and (iii) ADHDd dimensional symptoms by means of Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS) and Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS) during a 12 month study period (May 2005–May 2006). Results: Sixty five per cent of APD subjects met criteria for ADHDc diagnostic comorbidity with significantly increased rates of childhood neglect, parental divorce and suicide attempt, but not of psychopathy. APD subjects with ADHDd symptoms were noted to have earlier onset and increased rate of self-injurious behaviour (SIB), suicide attempt, and psychopathy. The psychopathy scores, in turn, were predictive of earlier onset of SIB and behavioural problems. Conclusion: Both ADHDc diagnostic comorbidity and ADHDd symptoms need to be assessed in APD subjects and the dimensional measures may be better in detecting earlier onset SIB, suicide attempt and other behavioural problems.
Pilot Study Evaluating the Effect of Massage Therapy on Stress, Anxiety and Aggression in a Young Adult Psychiatric Inpatient Unit
Authors: Garner Belinda , Phillips Lisa J. , Schmidt Hans-Martin , Markulev Connie , O'Connor Jenny , Wood Stephen J. , Berger Gregor E. , Burnett Peter , McGorry Patrick D. 
Published: December 2009

Objective: The aim of the present pilot study was to examine the effectiveness of a relaxation massage therapy programme in reducing stress, anxiety and aggression on a young adult psychiatric inpatient unit. Method: This was a prospective, non-randomized intervention study comparing treatment as usual (TAU) with TAU plus massage therapy intervention (MT) over consecutive 7 week blocks (May–August 2006). MT consisted of a 20 min massage therapy session offered daily to patients during their period of hospitalization. The Kennedy Nurses’ Observational Scale for Inpatient Evaluation (NOSIE), the Symptom Checklist-90–Revised (SCL-90-R), the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and stress hormone (saliva cortisol) levels were used to measure patient outcomes at admission and discharge from the unit. The Staff Observation Aggression Scale–Revised (SOAS-R) was used to monitor the frequency and severity of aggressive incidents on the unit. Results: There was a significant reduction in self-reported anxiety (p < 0.001), resting heart rate (p < 0.05) and cortisol levels (p < 0.05) immediately following the initial and final massage therapy sessions. Significant improvements in hostility (p = 0.007) and depression scores (p < 0.001) on the SCL-90-R were observed in both treatment groups. There was no group×time interaction on any of the measures. Poor reliability of staff-reported incidents on the SOAS-R limited the validity of results in this domain. Conclusions: Massage therapy had immediate beneficial effects on anxiety-related measures and may be a useful de-escalating tool for reducing stress and anxiety in acutely hospitalized psychiatric patients. Study limitations preclude any definite conclusions on the effect of massage therapy on aggressive incidents in an acute psychiatric setting. Randomized controlled trials are warranted.
Anterior Cingulate Glutamate–Glutamine Levels Predict Symptom Severity in Women With Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder
Authors: Yücel Murat , Wood Stephen J. , Wellard R. Mark , Harrison Ben J. , Fornito Alex , Pujol Jesus , Velakoulis Dennis , Pantelis Christos 
Published: December 2009

Objective: Abnormalities of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) have consistently been identified in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), but very few studies have examined the biochemical basis of such changes. The purpose of the present study was to investigate how ACC biochemistry in OCD varies as a function of gender, hemisphere, subregion, and symptomatology. Method: 3 T proton-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to probe ACC biochemistry in 20 OCD patients (10 male, 10 female) and a comparable group of 26 healthy comparison subjects. Data were acquired from the left and right dorsal and rostral subregions of the ACC. Metabolites assessed included N-acetylaspartate (NAA), glutamate–glutamine (Glx), choline-containing compounds (Cho), creatine/phosphocreatine (Cr), and myoinositol-containing compounds (mI). Results: Female OCD patients had significantly reduced levels of Glx in all but one subregion of the ACC when compared to matched controls. Levels of Glx were correlated with clinical measures of symptom severity in female but not male patients. State levels of anxiety and depression did not explain this association. In addition, both male and female OCD patients had relatively higher concentrations of mI in their right ACC (rostral and dorsal) compared with healthy controls. No other compounds had any statistically significant group differences, nor were the concentrations of any other compounds correlated with symptom measures. Conclusions: To the authors’ knowledge this is the first study to demonstrate gender-specific neurochemical changes in OCD. Although these findings are tentative and require replication, they raise the possibility that MRS techniques may be of use in objectively monitoring patient progress and assessing the effectiveness of various treatments.
Physical Aggression During Admission to a Child and Adolescent Inpatient Unit: Predictors and Impact on Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Dean Angela J. , Duke Suzanne G. , Scott James , Bor William , George Michelle , McDermott Brett M. 
Published: December 2009

Objective: Aggressive behaviour is common in young people admitted to child and adolescent inpatient services. Little is known about how physical aggression during admission influences patient outcomes. The aim of the present study was to identify predictors of aggression in a child and adolescent inpatient unit and examine differences in clinical outcomes between aggressive and non-aggressive patients. Method: Episodes of aggression occurring within a child and adolescent inpatient unit were prospectively documented between October 2004 and December 2005. Patient factors (demographics, diagnoses, clinical history) were examined as predictors of aggression. Outcomes for admissions in which more than one episode of physical aggression occurred were compared to those in which no aggression occurred. Outcomes assessed were changes in symptom severity (as rated by the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for Children and Adolescents) length of stay, and initiation of medications. Results: A total of 134 patients were admitted during the study period (61.9% female, mean age=13.8years, SD=2.9); 31 patients (23.1%) exhibited physical aggression during admission and 20 of these exhibited more than one episode of physical aggression. Factors that predicted persistent physical aggression included history of aggression, use of medications at presentation and absence of self-harm. Persistent aggression was also associated with increased length of stay, but did not compromise improvements in clinical symptom ratings between admission and discharge or lead to increased medication prescribing Conclusion: Contrary to hypotheses and existing research, aggression during admission does not appear to be a barrier to clinical improvement. Further research is necessary to clarify how aggressive children can receive the most benefit from inpatient admission while minimizing the risks to the patient and those around them.
Validation of Attention-Deficit–Hyperactivity Disorder Subtypes Among Taiwanese Children Using Neuropsychological Functioning
Authors: Chiang Mengchun , Gau Susan S. F. 
Published: December 2009

Objective: The findings regarding the validity of attention-deficit–hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) subtypes using neuropsychological functioning have been inconsistent; and no such study has been conducted in an ethnic Chinese population. The aim of the present paper was therefore to examine the validity of attention tasks in distinguishing the ADHD-combined type (ADHD-C) from the ADHD-inattention type (ADHD-I), as compared to children without ADHD in Taiwan. Methods: Participants included 52 children with ADHD-C, 17 with ADHD-I, and 52 controls, aged 7–10years. The clinical diagnosis of DSM-IV ADHD was further confirmed by a standardized psychiatric interview. Four attention components were examined: sensory selection, response selection, capacity/focus, and sustained attention, using the Cancellation Test, Digit Span, Trail-Making Test (TMT), Continuous Performance Test (CPT), and Circle-Tracing Test. Behaviour symptoms were rated by the parents, teachers, and investigators. Results: Compared to children without ADHD, children with ADHD scored significantly higher in parent-reported and investigator-rated behavioural symptoms, and performed worse in the four domains of attention. Multiple comparisons indicated that children with ADHD-C had a worse performance on most tests than children with ADHD-I, except that children with ADHD-I had more off-target errors on the TMT with alphanumeric sequencing than children with ADHD-C. Conclusions: Attention tests can distinguish Taiwanese children with ADHD from those without ADHD, and these tests also demonstrate different profiles between the ADHD-C and ADHD-I groups. Further investigation on this topic should include the ADHD-hyperactivity–impulsivity subtype (ADHD-HI) and increase sample sizes of the children with ADHD-I and ADHD-HI. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00494819.)
Factor Structure of the Greek Translation of the Scale for the Assessment of Thought, Language and Communication
Authors: Andreou Christina , Bozikas Vasilis P. , Papouliakos Ioannis , Kosmidis Mary H. , Garyfallos George , Karavatos Athanasios , Nimatoudis Ioannis 
Published: December 2009

Objective: The Scale for the Assessment of Thought, Language and Communication (TLC) is a widely used instrument for the assessment of formal thought disorder. TLC disorders were initially conceptualized as having only two underlying dimensions, a negative and a positive one. But studies of the factorial structure of the TLC have not provided confirmation for the positive-versus-negative distinction. The aim of the present study was to assess the factorial structure of the Greek translation of the TLC. Method: Subjects were 103 patients (69 male, 34 female) with psychotic disorders randomly recruited from both inpatient and outpatient facilities. The TLC was assessed by two raters based on a 20 min clinical interview. Results: Principal component analysis with varimax rotation yielded a three-factor structure; the three factors consisted off items reflecting (i) disorganization of speech; (ii) peculiarities of speech; and (iii) verbosity. The disorganization factor could be further divided into two dimensions reflecting disturbances in the flow of ideas and in the structure of speech. Conclusion: The investigation of the factorial structure of the Greek translation of the TLC scale found no support for the positive-versus-negative distinction of TLC disorders. Three factors (disorganization, speech peculiarities, and verbal productivity) were found to underlie the variance of the scale.
Familial Psychopathology in the First Episode Psychosis Outcome Study
Authors: Morley Katherine I. , Cotton Susan M. , Conus Philippe , Lambert Martin , Schimmelmann Benno G. , McGorry Patrick D. , Foley Debra L. 
Published: December 2009

Objective: The aim of the present study was to characterize the utility of family history data for predicting psychiatric and functional status in first-episode psychosis (FEP) during the pre-treatment phase of illness, at first presentation, and at 18 months follow up. Method: An epidemiological study based upon a consecutive file audit of 661 patients admitted to the Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre between January 1998 and December 2000 using a standardized questionnaire. Results: In the total sample of FEP patients family history was not significantly associated with psychiatric or functional status pre-treatment, at first presentation, or at 18 months. Male patients with a family history of psychotic illness had a longer duration of prodrome compared to those with no family history of psychiatric illness (mean=481.4 days, SD=678.0 vs mean=383.5 days, SD=524.7; p=0.03). Family history of non-psychotic illness was associated with comorbidity at first presentation in female patients, both for substance-use related comorbidity (p=0.02) and non-substance-use related comorbidity (p=0.03). There was substantial agreement between clinician reports of family history of psychosis and those obtained using a structured interview instrument (κ=0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.41–0.86), but agreement for non-psychotic family history was comparatively low (κ=0.28, 95%CI:=−0.03 to 0.52). Conclusions: There are gender differences in the association between substance use disorder, duration of prodrome and family history. This supports the hypothesis that psychotic illness manifests differently in men and women. In the present sample, reports of family history of non-psychotic illness had lower convergent validity than reports of psychotic illness. The present reported associations with non-psychotic family history should therefore be interpreted with caution. Information on gender and family history of psychiatric illness may assist clinical diagnosis and determination of treatment in FEP patients, especially if specific familial risk factors can be identified.
Shyness 1: Distance Treatment of Social Phobia Over the Internet
Authors: Titov Nickolai , Andrews Gavin , Schwencke Genevieve , Drobny Juliette , Einstein Danielle 
Published: December 2009

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of an Internet-based clinician-assisted computerized cognitive behavioural therapy programme for social phobia. Method: A total of 105 individuals with social phobia were randomly assigned to a six-lesson cognitive behavioural treatment programme or to a waitlist control group. Treatment consisted of four components: six online lessons; homework assignments; participation in an online discussion forum; and regular email contact with a therapist. An intention-to-treat model was used for data analyses. Results: A total of 78% of treatment group participants completed all lessons, and post-treatment data were obtained from 93/105 participants. Significant post-treatment differences between treatment and waitlist participants were found on two measures of symptoms of social phobia. Mean within- and between-group effect sizes (Cohen's d) for the primary social phobia outcome measures were 1.15, and 0.95, respectively. Conclusions: These results were comparable with those obtained in exemplary face-to-face treatment programmes. They provide further positive data about the utility of Internet-based guided self-help programmes for people with common mental disorders.
Shyness 2: Treating Social Phobia Online: Replication and Extension
Authors: Titov Nickolai , Andrews Gavin , Schwencke Genevieve 
Published: December 2009

Objective: In a randomized controlled trial Titov et al. (2008) demonstrated significant benefit from an Internet- and email-based treatment programme for social phobia. The present study (Shyness 2) seeks to replicate that finding and compares results with benchmark data. Method: Eighty-eight individuals with social phobia were randomly assigned to a clinician-assisted computerized cognitive behavioural treatment programme or to a waitlist control group. Participants completed the same treatment programme used in Shyness 1, consisting of six online lessons, cognitive behavioural homework assignments, email contact with a therapist, and participation in an online discussion forum. An intention-to-treat model was used for data analyses. Results: A total of 80% of treatment group participants completed all lessons, and post-treatment data were obtained from 78/81 participants. Treatment group participants each had an average of 127 min of therapist contact over the 10 week programme, including an average of 22 email contacts plus therapist responses to forum postings. Pre- to post-treatment differences were seen between treatment and waitlist participants across two measures of symptoms of social phobia, and across a measure of disability. Mean within- and between-group effect sizes (Cohen's d) across the two primary outcome measures were 1.18, and 1.20, respectively. Quantitative and qualitative data indicate that the procedure is very acceptable to participants. Conclusions: These results closely replicate those obtained in Shyness 1, indicating that the treatment procedure is reliable. These results compare favourably with outcomes reported in benchmarking studies from high-quality face-to-face treatment programmes for social phobia. These results provide further positive data about the utility of Internet-based guided self-help programmes for people with social phobia.
Regulator of G-Protein Signalling 4 Expression is Not Altered in the Prefrontal Cortex in Schizophrenia
Authors: Stuart Gibbons Andrew , Scarr Elizabeth , McOmish Caitlin E. , Hannan Anthony J. , Thomas Elizabeth A. , Dean Brian 
Published: December 2009

Objectives: Regulator of G-protein signalling 4 (RGS4) modulates signal transduction through several neurotransmitter receptor systems associated with the pathology of schizophrenia. A reported decrease in RGS4 expression in the prefrontal cortex of schizophrenia patients followed by supporting evidence from association studies implicated RGS4 as a susceptibility gene for schizophrenia. Subsequent efforts to extend these findings in post-mortem brain tissue have produced conflicting results. The aim of the present study was to reconcile these discrepancies by examining RGS4 expression in the dorsolateral prefrontal and parietal cortices from subjects with schizophrenia. Methods: RGS4 mRNA and protein levels were measured in post-mortem Brodmann area (BA)9 and BA40 tissue from 19 schizophrenia patients subjects and 19 pair-matched controls using in situ hybridization and western blotting. Results: Levels of RGS4 mRNA (F1,73=1.845; p >0.05) or protein (F1,72=3.336×10−4, p >0.05) did not vary significantly with diagnosis in BA9 or BA40 from subjects with schizophrenia. Conclusions: Altered RGS4 expression is not universally present throughout the cortex of people with schizophrenia.
Early Childhood Predictors of Early Substance use and Substance use Disorders: Prospective Study
Authors: Hayatbakhsh Mohammad R. , Mamun Abdullah A. , Najman Jake M. , O'Callaghan Michael J. , Bor William , Alati Rosa 
Published: December 2009

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to examine the longitudinal association between early childhood factors and early initiation of use of substances and substance use disorders in a large prospective study. Method: Data were from the Mater Hospital University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy, a prospective birth cohort study in Brisbane, Australia. Use of nicotine, alcohol and cannabis and age of initiation of such use were reported at the 21 year follow up. DSM-IV diagnosis of nicotine, alcohol and cannabis use disorders was assessed at 21 years using a computerized version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI-Auto). Early childhood factors were measured between mother's pregnancy and child age 5 years. Results: Of the 3647 respondents with complete data, 15.4% had started to smoke cigarettes before 15 years. Another 17.4% and 12.2% reported having started to consume alcohol or use cannabis in early adolescence, respectively. Some 16.2%, 27.8% and 21.9% had ever had nicotine, alcohol or cannabis abuse or dependence (disorder) by 21 years, respectively. In multivariate models early initiation of use of substances, and substance use disorders were associated with disrupted families or drug-using parents, childhood problem behaviours, and poor parental monitoring and supervision in childhood. Conclusions: There are four independent factors in early or middle childhood that predict early initiation of use of substances and subsequent substance use disorders by early adulthood. There is a need to consider whether what is known about the risk factors that predict young age of substance use, and substance use disorders, may be incorporated into treatment and/or prevention initiatives.