bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sociodemographic and psychological parameters of adult’s commitment to exercise
Authors: Zartaloudi A. , Christopoulos D. , Kelesi M. , Govina O. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionMotivation is an important indicator of predicting an adult’s commitment to exercise so it is important to explore the reasons that may lead a person to participate in physical activity programs.ObjectivesTo investigate the socio-demographic and psychological parameters that motivate adults to participate in exercise programs and athletic activities.Methods245 adults, being engaged in physical activity programs were given a questionnaire to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics, possible previous problems with body weight, type of exercise, frequency and main reason for their participation in exercise programs, as well as the somatometric characteristics of the participants.ResultsIt is noteworthy that participants’ motive for exercise was pleasure (for 46.1% of the participants), championship (for 20.8% of the participants), health reasons (for 18.4% of the participants), weight loss (for 7.8% of the participants) and improvement of physical appearance (for 6.9% of the participants). A greater percentage of male compared to female participants were engaged to exercise due to championship reasons, while more women than men exercised to a statistically significant extent in order to improve their appearance and for health reasons.ConclusionsUnderstanding the main factors that make individuals being engaged to physical activity may help health professionals to implement educational and counseling intervention programs regarding the positive effects of exercise on individuals’ mental and emotional health. Physical activity contributes to the improvement of their quality of life, which may be the most important issue for mental and public health.
Understanding stress in patients with multiple sclerosis: The joint predictive role of disease characteristics and emotion regulation processes
Authors: Carvalho T. , Sousa-Mendes A. , Gomes C. , Guedes C. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory, demyelinating, and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system. This condition is enhanced by stress. In turn, stress symptoms are a risk factor for the onset and progression of MS. However, knowledge about predictors of stress in patients with MS is scarce.ObjectivesThis preliminary study aimed to verify whether the number of relapses, fatigue, physical disability (MS characteristics), experiential avoidance and self-judgment (emotion regulation processes) predict stress symptoms in patients diagnosed with MS.MethodsA convenience sample of 101 patients diagnosed with MS and without other neurological diseases participated in this study. Participants completed the Depression Scale of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales-21, Analog Fatigue Scale, World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule-12, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, and Self-Judgment Subscale of the Self-Compassion Scale.ResultsAll predictors initially hypothesized and years of education have significant correlations with stress symptoms. Simple linear regression analyses showed that the variables significantly predicted stress symptoms and were, therefore, included in the multiple linear regression model. This model explained 51.8% of the variance of the stress symptoms and showed that years of education, the number of relapses, fatigue, and experiential avoidance significantly predicted those symptoms.ConclusionsThe promotion of mental health mental in patients with MS must develop functional skills to deal with stress induced by years of education (possibly responsible for the degree of awareness about MS and its consequences), recurrence of relapses and fatigue, and should minimize emotion regulation strategies focused on experiential avoidance.
The role of peer-led mental health training in undergraduate medical education - a way forward?
Authors: Cole G. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionMental health is no doubt a topical conversation at medical school. We noted that whilst many students appreciated the power in talking openly about challenges faced, it was a topic many found hard to approach. In response, we have implemented a peer-led training programme at Bristol Medical School. The aim of the programme is to improve confidence and enable students to recognise and respond to their own, a peer or patient’s distress in a more proactive, supportive and overall effective way. It utilised peer-led, discussion based workshops during the first few months of medical school to achieve this.ObjectivesTo evaluate the role of peer-led mental health training in undergraduate medical education.MethodsThe program was piloted in November 2019. T-tests compared 142 participating students’ baseline self-reported understanding and confidence and follow up, as measured on a likert scale (1-5). Qualitative feedback was also welcomed.ResultsStudents showed a significant improvement in their self-reported understanding (24%, P<0.05), confidence when supporting a peer (18%, P<0.05) and confidence if faced with a more acute situation (21%, P<0.05). Students expressed particular admiration for the fact that the session was peer led ‘as it emphasised the importance of mental health in…society’.ConclusionsThis programme may be beneficial in creating a stronger community of doctors who are equipped with the confidence and ability to better care for themselves, their colleagues, and patients. Further evaluation is required to determine whether this reduces rate or severity of mental illness in participants or the broader student population.
Psychological well-being of students living in russia and azerbaijan, depending on their native language
Authors: Zinchenko Y. , Shaigerova L. , Dolgikh A. , Almazova O. , Shilko R. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionSince the post-Soviet space is distinguished by a wide ethnolinguistic diversity with Russian language being the basis of identity for a significant part of the population, the role of ethnolinguistic identity in psychological well-being needs deep analysis.ObjectivesThe study explores the relationship between mental well-being and belonging to different ethnolinguistic categories in Russia and Azerbaijan.MethodsThe Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (Tennant et al., 2007) was used as a measuring tool. The study involved 90 students, 45 participants from multilingual regions of Russia and 45 Russian-speaking students from Azerbaijan. Both samples included three categories of subjects: indicating Russian (1); one or more regional languages in the Russian sample or Azerbaijani in the sample from Baku (2); two native languages - Russian and one of regional languages or Russian and Azerbaijani (3) - as their native language.ResultsNo significant differences were observed in the level of psychological well-being in both Russian (KW = 0.594; p = 0.743) and Azerbaijanian students (KW = 1.535; p = 0.464). However, the level of psychological well-being in Russian students from multilingual regions, who indicate the regional language as their native language, is significantly higher than in Azerbaijani students, whose native language is Russian (U = 55,000; p = 0.045).ConclusionsThe sociocultural context is reflected in mental well-being of the individual, depending on his native language and ethnocultural identity. The reported study was funded by RFBR, project number 17-29-09167.
The traps of the internet in the covid era
Authors: Rădulescu I.D. , Luca L. , Bokolas V. , Mărineanu V.D. , Rawat S. , Ciubară A.B. , Piotrowski A. , Vashdi E. , Ciubară A. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionThe paper presents the results of one international study due by our team in the period of restrictions imposed by Covid-19, between March and June 2020.ObjectivesTo inform the population about the risks concerning the excessiv use of internet To prevent the effects of those behaviors which affects the global functioning of individualsMethodsQuestionnaire applied to a number of 549 subjects, 18 to 60 years old, 217 from Romania and 332 from other European and Asian countriesResultsThe results allowed us to verify the assumption that there is a change in communications needs of individuals, as well gender and age differences in terms of time spent on the internet during the covid period.ConclusionsThe issue of psycho-education regarding the awareness of dangers and the traps of the virtual era remain relevant.
Impulse control disorders and dopamine agonists
Authors: Martins D. , Faria R. , Pinho M. , Rodrigues S. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionImpulse control disorders (ICDs) are an adverse effect of dopamine agonists (DAAs) that affects the quality of life and can lead to legal, criminal and familiar problems.ObjectivesPresenting a review of the mechanisms, prevalence and factors associated with the development of an ICD due to DAA use.MethodsSearch on Pubmed database with combination of the following keywords were used: “Impulse control disorders”, “dopamine agonist” or “therapy”. We focused on data from studies published between 2015 and 2020. The articles were selected by the author according to their relevance.ResultsDAAs are mainly indicated in the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease (PD), and are also used on symptoms of restless legs syndrome (RLS) and prolactinoma or lactation inhibition. Dopamine replacement therapy act on dopamine receptors in the nigrostriatal and the reward pathways, which plays a role in addictive behavior. The prevalence of ICDs ranged from 2.6 to 34.8% in PD patients and a lower prevalence in RLS patients. Some of the ICDs reported were pathological gambling, hypersexuality, compulsive shopping, obsessive hobbying, punding, and compulsive medication use. The factors associated with the development include the type of DAAs, dosage, male gender, younger age, history of psychiatric symptoms, earlier onset of disease, longer disease duration, and motor complications in PD.ConclusionsFurther studies are needed to clarify the pathophysiology of the ICD in DAA therapy and determinate premorbid risk factors. The percentage of patients with ICDs is underrated, so it’s important to improve the patient’s evaluation, using validated and consensual assessment tools.
Clinical case of animal hoarding – characterization and management of a new disorder
Authors: Lopes L. , Certo A. , Pereira S. , Venâncio Â. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionAnimal hoarding is characterized by hoarding of a large number of animals without providing minimum conditions of nutrition and sanitation, accompanied by lack of insight for the behavior and by social isolation. Despite studies detecting an increasing incidence, the behavior is still poorly understood.ObjectivesTo review clinical evidence on animal hoarding and to report a clinical case.MethodsWe report a clinical case based on patient’s history and clinical data, along with a review of the literature on animal hoarding. The terms “Noah syndrome” and “animal hoarding disorder” were searched on PubMed® database.ResultsWe present the case of a 51-years-old woman, living alone, with higher education. His first contact with psychiatry was in August 2019 upon aggravated self-neglect and behavioral disorganization. She was living with around 40 cats, her home was extremely deteriorated. In December 2019 she was admitted to a psychiatric unit. A schizophrenia diagnosis was established and pharmacological treatment was initiated. She was discharged to a chronic psychiatric institution. Studies found out that animal hoarders are typically middle age/older women living alone in squalid conditions. Animal hoarding is characterized by a chronic course and intense emotional attachment to animals. It seems to be associated with traumatic situations, as well as mental disorders such as schizophrenia or dementia. Published data on intervention and treatment is still limited.ConclusionsAnimal hoarding phenomenon requires further investigation, regarding developmental risk factors and co-morbid mental disorders. Comprehensive approaches to clinical intervention and management strategies in animal hoarding are necessary.
Clinical features, effectiveness of therapy and quality of life of patients with type 2 diabetes and comorbid schizophrenia
Authors: Artemieva M. , Varnakova T. , Danilin I. , Lazukova A. , Suleimanov R. , Sokolov V. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionAccording to previous studies, about 8,8-14,5% cases of schizophrenia is comorbid to type 2 diabetes. The focus of the study was the evaluation and dynamics of positive and negative symptoms in case of combination of the diseases.Objectives100 patients were divided in two groups: 48 patients was assigned to receive a monotherapy treatment with antipsychotic; 52 patients received the combination of antipsychotics, nootropics and antioxidants. The efficiency criterion was the dynamics of the questionnaire The quality of life of patients SF- 36, Hamilton’s scale of Depression and anxiety, overall score on a scale for evaluation positive and negative symptoms (PANSS).MethodsAfter treatment the physical component of health is 41,38% in the first group and 56,34% in the second group (p≤ 0,05). The psychical component of health is 39,79% in the first group and 50,8% in the second group (p≤ 0,05). Also statistically confirmed (p≤ 0,05) in the patients of the second group the improvement on the Hamilton’s scale of Depression and anxiety questionnaire and PANSS.ResultsAfter treatment the physical component of health is 41,38% in the first group and 56,34% in the second group (p≤ 0,05). The psychical component of health is 39,79% in the first group and 50,8% in the second group (p≤ 0,05). Also statistically confirmed (p≤ 0,05) in the patients of the second group the improvement on the Hamilton’s scale of Depression and anxiety questionnaire and PANSS.ConclusionsAccording to Quality of Life questionnaire combination of antipsychotic, nootropic, antioxidant is significant more effective than treatment only with antipsychotic.
Benzodiazepines prescribing in insomnia : Between practice and guidelines
Authors: Lagha M. , Ouali U. , Nacef F. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionBenzodiazepines (BZD) are psychotropic drugs prescribed in psychiatry for their anxiolytic, hypnotic and sedative properties. Several guidelines aimed to limit the chronic use of BZDs. However, BZDs prescribing that does not comply with international recommendations remains widespread, estimated in France at 20% for hypnotic BZDs.ObjectivesThe aims of our study were to evaluate BZDs prescribing practices in the treatment of insomnia and to assess their compliance with international recommendations.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study conducted through a Google-forms self-administered questionnaire,intended for psychiatrists and psychiatric residents, over a period of two months, from April 1 to May 31, 2019.ResultsOne hundred physicians practicing in psychiatry answered our questionnaire. The response rate was 28%. Four BZDs are recommended for the treatment of insomnia, none of which is available in Tunisia. Almost the third of the participants did not systematically look for signs of sleep apnea syndrome before treating an insomnia (30.5%). For treating insomnia, the majority of the participants began by indicating hygieno-dietetic rules (64%), 4% prescribed directly a BZD. Cognitive behavioral therapy was not indicated at all by the particiants. The maximum duration of prescribing BZDs in insomnia was 4 weeks in 20% of cases, and more than 4 weeks in 38% of cases. Among the participants, 41% prescribed BZDs for the treatment of chronic insomnia.ConclusionsInsomnia appear to be badly managed and early drug prescribing is frequent. These practices do not comply with the recommendations of good practice and increase the risk of dependance and other side effects.
Use of botulinum toxin type a in psychiatry - new perspectives and future potential
Authors: Viegas F. Gonçalves , Figueiredo I. , Ferreira F. , Lourenço A. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionFor almost three decades, botulinum toxin type A (BT-A) has been used for medical purposes. Evidence of the potential use of BT-A is emerging for psychiatric disorders, like unipolar and bipolar depression, borderline personality disorder (BPD), late dyskinesia, amongst others. This may represent a new role of BT-A treatment and could expand the therapeutic arsenal in psychiatry.ObjectivesThe goal is to review current evidence regarding BT-A and psychiatry disorders.MethodsLiterature review of BT-A use in psychiatric conditions using Medline database.ResultsThere’s evidence supporting the use of BT-A in resistant unipolar depression, with studies showing an 8 and 4 times higher response and remission rates comparing with placebo. Beneficial effects were also found in bipolar depression. Preliminary data suggest that BT-A therapy may also be effective in the treatment of mental disorders characterized by an excess of negative emotions, such as BPD. The underlying mechanism might be the “facial feedback hypothesis”. Hyperhidrosis is a common comorbidity in social anxiety disorder and may itself give rise to depressive or anxiety symptoms. BT-A has proved to be a safe and effective treatment for hyperhidrosis. BT-A can also be safely used for dystonia secondary to the use of psychiatric medication, when there’s an inadequate response to anticholinergic medication. Also, BT-A injections in the salivary glands have been investigated for treating clozapine-induced sialorrhea and studies reported successful reduction in hypersalivation.ConclusionsAlthough more studies are needed to evaluate the potential of BT-A in psychiatry, there is growing evidence of its potential use for some psychiatric conditions.
How to manage antipsychotic-induced akathisia
Authors: Moura N. , Esteves-Sousa D. , Facucho-Oliveira J. , Laginhas C. , Quintão A. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionAkathisia is a relatively common adverse effect of antipsychotics although some second-generation antipsychotics are known to have a lower liability for the condition. The core feature of akathisia is mental unease characterized by a sense of agitation, usually accompanied by motor restlessness, which can cause patients to pace up and down and be unable to stay seated for more than a short time. An association between this discomfiting subjective experience and suicidal ideation has been postulated but remains uncertain.ObjectivesOur aim is to perform a non-systematic review of the literature regarding the current understanding of antipsychotic-induced akathisia and its management.MethodsA semi-structured review was conducted on Pubmed concerning the relationship between akathisia and antipsychotics.ResultsAll antipsychotics drugs can cause akathisia. The management of antipsychotic-induced akathisia should include a dose reduction of the antipsychotic treatment or a switch to quetiapine or olanzapine. If ineffective, a trial with propranolol may be useful as well as the addition of a 5-HT2A antagonist like mirtazapine or mianserine. At last the inclusion of a benzodiazepine may be helpful albeit the risk of dependence and anticholinergics mainly when other extrapyramidal symptoms are present.ConclusionsHigh‐dose antipsychotic medication, antipsychotic polypharmacy and rapid increase in antipsychotic dosage should be avoided to prevent akathisia. There is limited evidence for any pharmacological treatment for akathisia such as switching to an antipsychotic medication with a lower liability for the condition, or adding a beta‐adrenergic blocker, a 5‐HT2A antagonist or an anticholinergic agent although some patients may benefit from such interventions.
Lithium monitoring in clinical practice
Authors: Sciberras E. , Bellizzi A. , Rapa L. , Vassallo C. , Grech A. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionLithium is widely used for the treatment of bipolar disorder. Owing to its narrow therapeutic index and side-effect profile, regular monitoring is recommended by all major guidelines on lithium use.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine whether routine lithium monitoring practice at the local mental hospital in Malta reaches the standard set by the most recent NICE guidelines (NICE, 2014a).MethodsAll patients on lithium maintenance treatment for bipolar disorder at the local Mental Hospital were included. Blood tests within the last one year were collected using iSOFT clinical manager (iCM). After the first audit cycle, a lithium monitoring sheet was created in accordance with the NICE guideline and after 6 months of implementation, the second audit cycle was conducuted.ResultsIn the first cycle, 28 patients met the NICE criteria for increased risk of toxicity and have a recommended testing frequency for lithium levels of every 3 months. However, only 1 patient was observed to meet this criteria. When assessing the last lithium level only 35.7% were within 0.4-0.8 mmol/L. In the second audit cycle, 28 patients met the NICE criteria for increased risk of toxicity and have a recommended testing frequency for lithium levels of every 3 months. Almost half of the patients (12 patients, 42%) were to observed to meet this criteria. When assessing the last lithium level, 50% were within 0.4-0.8 mmol/LConclusionsAfter the introduction of the lithium monitoring sheet, monitoring improved substantially especially in high risk patients. Moreover, the majority of test results for lithium levels were within the therapeutic range.
Benzodiazepine prescribing in tunisia: A study about psychiatrists prescribing habits
Authors: Lagha M. , Ouali U. , Nacef F. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionBenzodiazepines (BZDs) are psychotropic drugs that are predominantly prescribed in psychiatry and that can have serious side effects. BZDs prescribing is well codified by several guidelines, yet the epidemiological data on their prescribing remains alarming.ObjectivesOur study aimed to evaluate the general modalities of BZDs prescribing in psychiatry in Tunisia.MethodsThis is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted through a Google-forms self-administered questionnaire, intended for psychiatrists and psychiatric residents, over a period of two months, from April 1 to May 31, 2019.ResultsOne hundred physicians practicing in psychiatry answered our questionnaire. The response rate was 28%. The purpose of treatment with BZDs was explained to the patient at its initiation in 98.2% of cases and the risks associated with it in 87.7% of cases. Special precautions were taken in elderly patients (96.5%), at risk of respiratory failure (94.7%), and in cases of personality disorders (80.7%). Only three quarters of physicians took precautions before prescribing BZDs to a pregnant woman (77.9%). In cases of rebellious or refractory symptoms, 14.4% of the participants stated that they combine two BZDs. Before reproducing/repeating a BZD prescription, 18.4% of the participants indicated that they did not systematically and regularly assess its necessity.ConclusionsThe severity of the side effects associated with BZDs, especially those of tolerance and dependence, are at the origin of strict prescribing rules, dictated by several guidelines. According to the results of our study and to the literature data, the prescribing practices of these molecules remain nonetheless in many cases non-compliant with the recommendations.