Randomized controlled evaluation of the effect of music therapy with cognitive-behavioral therapy on social anxiety symptoms

Exploring the role of personal quantification in alleviating generalized anxiety disorder among Chinese PhD students: A cross-sectional study

Personal quantification plays a crucial role in preserving individual mental health. However, in previous research, its effectiveness in alleviating generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) has not been conclusively established. This study explores the impact of personal quantification on GAD among PhD students. The research data was obtained through questionnaires distributed to 308 PhD students across universities in China. Among these students, 118 anxiety-free participants were excluded, yielding valuable data from 190 students with GADs. We employed Python programming language and SPSS software for the empirical analysis. The results illustrated that personal quantification significantly and negatively impacted GAD (β = -0.148, P = .002), concurrently producing a significantly positive effect on self-efficacy (β = 0.359, P < .001). Further analysis showed that through 5000 sampling iterations and a 95% confidence level, self-efficacy significantly reduced certain symptoms of GAD (β = -0.1183; P = .026; 95% Cl: -0.2222 to -0.0144). Moreover, when the coefficient of self-efficacy was significantly negative, the impact of personal quantification on GAD remained statistically significant (β = -0.1056; P = .033; 95% Cl: -0.2025 to -0.0087). The findings indicated that personal quantification has a significant role in alleviating GAD among PhD students, which is partly mediated through self-efficacy. This study contributes valuable insights to the nonpharmacological alleviation of GAD in Chinese PhD students.

The impact of group music therapy in ameliorating the depression among patients with dementia in care homes: A randomized control trial

Despite the increasing use of music therapy to treat patients with dementia, studies focused on developing nations are still in their embryonic stages. In this view, this study examined the impact of group music therapy intervention in ameliorating depression levels among older people in two care homes. A randomized control trial (RCT) was carried out in which a total of 121 patients were randomly divided into control 61 and experimental group 60. After 6 weeks, 12-session experiment which involved passive and active music therapy, it was found that music group therapy intervention reduced the depression level of older persons in the experimental group, compared to those who were not exposed to the music therapy; control group. The music therapy session also influenced the salivary cortisol of the patients as it was shown to reduce their salivary cortisol levels. It was also observed that after three months of follow-up, participants in the experimental group still maintained a low level of depression and salivary cortisol level, but the control group's level was still high, thus, substantiating the effect of music in reducing depression among older people. We encouraged clinicians, nursing practitioners and care homes in Nigeria to incorporate music therapy as part of the treatment offered to patients with dementia.

Top-down modulation of DLPFC in visual search: a study based on fMRI and TMS

Effective visual search is essential for daily life, and attention orientation as well as inhibition of return play a significant role in visual search. Researches have established the involvement of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in cognitive control during selective attention. However, neural evidence regarding dorsolateral prefrontal cortex modulates inhibition of return in visual search is still insufficient. In this study, we employed event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging and dynamic causal modeling to develop modulation models for two types of visual search tasks. In the region of interest analyses, we found that the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and temporoparietal junction were selectively activated in the main effect of search type. Dynamic causal modeling results indicated that temporoparietal junction received sensory inputs and only dorsolateral prefrontal cortex →temporoparietal junction connection was modulated in serial search. Such neural modulation presents a significant positive correlation with behavioral reaction time. Furthermore, theta burst stimulation via transcranial magnetic stimulation was utilized to modulate the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex region, resulting in the disappearance of the inhibition of return effect during serial search after receiving continuous theta burst stimulation. Our findings provide a new line of causal evidence that the top-down modulation by dorsolateral prefrontal cortex influences the inhibition of return effect during serial search possibly through the retention of inhibitory tagging via working memory storage.

Research Review: Psychological and psychosocial interventions for children and adolescents with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder in low- and middle-income countries - a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The incidence of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among children and adolescents residing in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) poses a significant public health concern. However, there is variation in the evidence of effective psychological interventions. This meta-analysis aims to provide a complete overview of the current body of evidence in this rapidly evolving field.

METHODS

We conducted searches on PubMed, Embase.com, and EBSCO/APA PsycInfo databases up to June 23, 2022, identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effectiveness of psychological interventions in LMICs that targeted children and adolescents with elevated symptoms above a cut-off score for depression, anxiety, and PTSD, comparing a psychological or psychosocial intervention with other control conditions. We conducted random effects meta-analyses for depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms. Sensitivity analysis for outliers and high-risk studies, and analyses for the publication bias were carried out. Subgroup analyses investigated how the intervention type, intervention format, the facilitator, study design, and age group of the participant predicted effect sizes.

RESULTS

Thirty-one RCTs (6,123 participants) were included. We found a moderate effect of interventions on depression outcomes compared to the control conditions (g = 0.53; 95% CI: 0.06-0.99; NNT = 6.09) with a broad prediction interval (PI) (-1.8 to 2.86). We found a moderate to large effect for interventions on anxiety outcomes (g = 0.88; 95% CI: -0.03 to 1.79; NNT = 3.32) with a broad PI (-3.14 to 4.9). Additionally, a moderate effect was observed on PTSD outcomes (g = 0.54; 95% CI: 0.19-0.9; NNT = 5.86) with a broad PI (-0.64 to 1.72).

CONCLUSIONS

Psychological and psychosocial interventions aimed at addressing depression, anxiety, and PTSD among children and adolescents in LMICs have demonstrated promising results. However, future studies should consider the variation in evidence and incorporate long-term outcomes to better understand the effectiveness of these interventions.

Cognitive-behaviour intervention for critical thinking disposition of religion and social science students

BACKGROUND

The dispositions of students towards critical thinking (CT) no doubt improve their clinical practice and performance. Hence, efforts to explore ways to help students become aware and conscious of the need for CT are imperative for their self-actualization, development, and improved professional practice. It is worrisome that in spite of the limited intervention addressing CT disposition challenges, scholars are yet to study the problem, especially in developing countries.

METHODS

In view of that, we assessed how CT disposition can be improved among students enrolled in cognitive-behavioral reflective training programme (CBRT-P) using a group-randomized control study with three months follow-up. To achieve this, 163 students were allocated to different groups. The recruited participants were exposed to CBRT-P.

RESULTS

Repeated-measures analysis performed shows that at the posttest, the mean CT disposition scores of the participants enrolled in CBRT-programme (treatment group) were significantly greater compared to the counterpart group that is the comparison group. At the third assessment, the mean score of the dependent measure consistently remained higher in favor of the experimental group.

CONCLUSION

Given the results, it is concluded that the treatment programme improves the CT disposition of students over time.

Effect of both dance exergame and a traditional exercise on state anxiety and enjoyment in women

BACKGROUND

Anxiety disorders affect many people around the world and women are more affected than men. Physical exercise might be an important nonpharmacological tool to ameliorate these disorders. The aim of this study was to compare state anxiety level and enjoyment between a dance exergame session and a traditional aerobic exercise.

METHODS

Twenty healthy young women completed 3 visits, on separate days. At the first visit, participants performed a graded exercise testing and familiarization procedures. In other two visits, participants completed two exercise sessions (dance exergame and traditional aerobic exercise), with similar intensities and duration. Each session lasted approximately 45 minutes. State anxiety level was evaluated before, immediately post- and 10 minutes post sessions. Enjoyment was evaluated immediately post sessions.

RESULTS

There was a significant interaction between session and time (p<0.001), a main effect of time (p=0.007) but no significant main effect of session (p=0.057) on state anxiety level. State anxiety level immediately post (p<0.001) and 10 minutes post-session (p<0.001) were significantly lower than pre-dance exergame session. There were no significant changes between pre-, immediately post and 10 minutes post-traditional aerobic exercise session (p>0.05). State anxiety level at immediately post dance exergame session was significantly lower than immediately post traditional aerobic exercise session (p=0.026). Dance exergame session was significantly more enjoyable than traditional aerobic exercise session (p<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Dance exergames might be used as a tool to reduce anxiety level in young women.

Efficacy of music-based cognitive behavior therapy on the management of test-taking behavior of children in basic science using a randomized trial group: Implication for community development

BACKGROUND

This study sought the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy-based music group (CBT-Music) intervention program on primary school children's test-taking behavior in Southeast Nigeria.

METHODS

A pretest, posttest randomized controlled trial experimental design was adopted for the study using a sample of 53 primary three (3) children. A test-taking behavior questionnaire was used for data collection. The instrument was face validated by test development experts. Construct validation of the instrument was done by subjecting the instrument to factor analysis after trial testing. Data were analyzed using independent samples t-test and paired samples t-test.

RESULTS

The findings of the study revealed that CBT-Music had a significant effect on the management of test-taking behavior of among children. Furthermore, the test-taking scores of children in the music-based CBT group were significantly lower than those in the control group at the follow-up measure. This implies that the test-taking behavior of the children can be better managed using the CBT-music intervention program to enable the children to grow better academically and contribute to the community they belong to.

CONCLUSION

Music-based CBT demonstrated significant efficacy in the management of children's test-taking behavior. Thus, primary school teachers should be enlightened on how to make use of CBT-Music in the management of test-taking behavior among children.