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Shalev A, Cho D, Marmar CR. Neurobiology and Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Am J Psychiatry 2024; 181:705-719. [PMID: 39086292 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.20240536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
The recent worldwide surge of warfare and hostilities exposes increasingly large numbers of individuals to traumatic events, placing them at risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and challenging both clinicians and service delivery systems. This overview summarizes and updates the core knowledge of the genetic, molecular, and neural circuit features of the neurobiology of PTSD and advances in evidence-based psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, neuromodulation, and digital treatments. While the complexity of the neurobiology and the biological and clinical heterogeneity of PTSD have challenged clinicians and researchers, there is an emerging consensus concerning the underlying mechanisms and approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of PTSD. This update addresses PTSD diagnosis, prevalence, course, risk factors, neurobiological mechanisms, current standard of care, and innovations in next-generation treatment and prevention strategies. It provides a comprehensive summary and concludes with areas of research for integrating advances in the neurobiology of the disorder with novel treatment and prevention targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arieh Shalev
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York
| | - Dayeon Cho
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York
| | - Charles R Marmar
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York
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Bruce MJ, Pagán AF, Acierno R. State of the Science: Evidence-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder delivered via telehealth. J Trauma Stress 2024. [PMID: 38946118 DOI: 10.1002/jts.23074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Psychotherapy delivered via telehealth technology is not an artifact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, widespread, telehealth-delivered, evidence-based psychotherapy preceded the pandemic, as did randomized controlled noninferiority trials supporting this modality. It is, thus, not difficult to predict that telehealth will be an integral part of daily clinical life moving forward. With respect to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) specifically, there is a substantial number of studies on the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of evidence-based treatments provided via videoconferencing. In this review, we delineate the literature establishing strong support for remote delivery of prolonged exposure (PE) and cognitive processing therapy (CPT); there is also promising support for written exposure therapy (WET) and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT). We also mention adjunctive and integrative modifications to better serve patients with PTSD. One such intervention, behavioral activation and therapeutic exposure (BATE), has several studies supporting telehealth delivery, whereas concurrent treatment of PTSD and substance use disorders using the PE protocol (COPE) and cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) would benefit from further research. Integrating instrumental peer support into telehealth-delivered PE shows promise in retaining patients in treatment. Finally, we provide ideas to maximize telehealth delivery effectiveness, explore future research directions, and discuss ways to advocate for the expansion of telehealth services from an equity perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline J Bruce
- Faillace Department of Psychiatry, McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Antonio F Pagán
- Faillace Department of Psychiatry, McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Ron Acierno
- Faillace Department of Psychiatry, McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas, USA
- Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
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Scott AM, Sanders S, Atkins T, van der Merwe M, Sunner C, Clark J, Glasziou P. The impact of telehealth care on escalation to emergency care: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Telemed Telecare 2024:1357633X241259525. [PMID: 38839244 DOI: 10.1177/1357633x241259525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We compared the impact of accessing healthcare (1) by telehealth (via telephone or video) vs face-to-face; and (2) by telephone vs video telehealth care, on escalation to emergency care. METHODS We searched Medline, Embase and Cochrane CENTRAL to 24 July 2023; and conducted a citation analysis on 19 September 2023. We included randomised controlled trials. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane Tool 2. We calculated risk ratios for dichotomous outcomes and standardised mean difference for continuous outcomes. RESULTS Ten trials compared telehealth (five telephone, four video, one both) to face-to-face care. Six were overall low, three some concerns and one high risk of bias. There were no differences between telehealth and face-to-face for visits to the emergency department (RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.89 to 1.29), hospitalisations up to 12 months (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.56 to 1.41), deaths or other adverse events. Costs of care were similar, as were patient satisfaction scores.Six trials compared telephone to video telehealth: three were overall low, two some concerns, and one high risk of bias. There were no differences between telephone and video for visits to the emergency department (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.41 to 1.12), hospitalisations (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.48), deaths, other adverse events, costs, or patient satisfaction. Healthcare provider satisfaction was high. CONCLUSIONS Telehealth care - delivered by telephone or by video - may be an appropriate alternative to face-to-face provision of care, as it does not increase the likelihood of escalation of care to the emergency department for patients in primary care, hospital outpatients, post-discharge patients or residents in aged care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Mae Scott
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Robina, Australia
| | - Sharon Sanders
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Robina, Australia
| | - Tiffany Atkins
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Robina, Australia
| | | | - Carla Sunner
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| | - Justin Clark
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Robina, Australia
| | - Paul Glasziou
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Robina, Australia
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Yoshikawa M, Narita Z, Kim Y. Digital health-based exposure therapies for patients with posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. J Trauma Stress 2024. [PMID: 38637958 DOI: 10.1002/jts.23052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Although exposure therapies have established effects in treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), these therapies might be hindered by issues of cost, distance, time, and human resources, which are potentially alleviated by digital health. Despite the potential of digital health, there is currently no systematic review specifically evaluating digital health-based exposure therapies. We aimed to conduct a systematic literature review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the impact of digital health-based exposure therapies in treating patients with PTSD. A literature search was conducted from December 31, 2023, to February 22, 2024, using the PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycINFO databases. A total of 12 RCTs with 1,361 participants were included in the systematic review. These RCTs were conducted mainly in the United States and primarily enrolled military samples. Overall, the utility of digital health-based exposure therapies appeared plausible and comparable to that of in-person therapies. The dropout rate was counterintuitively high, potentially due to technological issues and the absence of personal connections. The findings suggest that digital health-based exposure therapies may potentially resolve the issues of cost, distance, time, and human resources in the treatment of patients with PTSD. Future RCTs should employ larger sample sizes. Addressing technological challenges and the absence of personal connection may be important in resolving the high dropout rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayu Yoshikawa
- Department of Psychiatry, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Zui Narita
- Department of Psychiatry, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshiharu Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
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Härkönen H, Lakoma S, Verho A, Torkki P, Leskelä RL, Pennanen P, Laukka E, Jansson M. Impact of digital services on healthcare and social welfare: An umbrella review. Int J Nurs Stud 2024; 152:104692. [PMID: 38301306 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2024.104692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Digital services can be effective and cost-efficient options for treating non-communicable diseases, but generalizability is limited due to heterogeneous treatment effects. This umbrella review aims to evaluate the impact of digital services on population health, costs, and patient and healthcare professional satisfaction, and to identify facilitators and barriers to using digital services in healthcare and social welfare. METHODS The protocol of the study was registered on the 4th of September 2022 to the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, PROSPERO (CRD42022355635). The review was performed using the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, Cochrane, Ovid Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science in June 2022. The methodological quality of the included reviews was assessed. The impact of digital services was categorized as no evidence, no dominance, and mixed and positive effect. Inductive content analysis was used to identify facilitators and barriers. RESULTS A total of 66 studies were included in the review, 64 % of which were evaluated as high quality. Studies on the impact of digital services in social welfare were not identified. Sixty-five percent of reviews evaluated the impact of digital services on population health with mixed effects; 21 % were on costs with mixed effects; 27 % were on patient satisfaction with positive effects; and 7.6 % were on healthcare professionals' satisfaction with mixed effects. Various features, allocation, end-user support, organized services, and service development facilitated the use of digital services. Correspondingly, barriers were related to service limitations, digital competency, funding- and service strategies, resources and change management. CONCLUSIONS Compared to usual care, digital services had a mixed impact on population health and costs with high satisfaction in patients. Mixed healthcare professionals' satisfaction was associated with the use of digital services, and it was less studied. To ensure successful implementation and sustainability of digital services, attention must be paid to address barriers and supporting facilitators at all levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henna Härkönen
- University of Oulu, Research Unit of Health Sciences and Technology (HST), P.O. BOX 8000, FI-90014, Finland.
| | - Sanna Lakoma
- University of Helsinki, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health, P.O. BOX 00020, 00014, Finland
| | - Anastasiya Verho
- University of Helsinki, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health, P.O. BOX 00020, 00014, Finland
| | - Paulus Torkki
- University of Helsinki, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health, P.O. BOX 00020, 00014, Finland
| | | | - Paula Pennanen
- Nordic Healthcare Group, Vattuniemenranta 2, 00210 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Elina Laukka
- Nordic Healthcare Group, Vattuniemenranta 2, 00210 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Miia Jansson
- University of Oulu, Research Unit of Health Sciences and Technology (HST), P.O. BOX 8000, FI-90014, Finland; RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
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Kelber MS, Smolenski DJ, Boyd C, Shank LM, Bellanti DM, Milligan T, Edwards-Stewart A, Libretto S, Parisi K, Morgan MA, Evatt DP. Evidence-based telehealth interventions for posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Telemed Telecare 2024:1357633X231224491. [PMID: 38254285 DOI: 10.1177/1357633x231224491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The goal of this systematic review was to examine the efficacy of behavioral health care treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety delivered via telehealth. METHODS We searched a combination of keywords related to telehealth, relevant mental health disorders, and evidence-based psychotherapies in three databases (PubMed, PsycInfo, and Embase) from database inception to April 2022. We included randomized controlled trials published in English wherein at least one arm received an evidence-based psychotherapy via telehealth. To be included, studies also had to enroll an adult population with symptoms or diagnosis of PTSD, depressive disorder, or anxiety disorder. RESULTS Moderate quality of evidence was consistent with only small differences, if any, in efficacy between video teleconferencing (VTC) and in-person delivery for patients with PTSD (d = 0.06, 95% CI -0.17, 0.28). However, for those with depression, in-person delivery was associated with better outcomes compared to VTC (d = 0.28, 95% CI 0.03, 0.54; low quality of evidence). We also found that evidence-based treatments delivered over telephone were more efficacious for depression compared to treatment as usual (d = -0.47, 95% CI -0.66, -0.28; very low quality of evidence). Very low quality of evidence supported the use of telehealth versus waitlist for anxiety (d = -0.48, 95% CI -0.89, -0.09). CONCLUSIONS A synthesis across 29 studies indicates that the efficacy of telehealth for delivery of evidence-based behavioral health interventions varies by target diagnosis and telehealth modality. More research is needed on the efficacy of telehealth treatments for depression and anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija S Kelber
- Psychological Health Center of Excellence, Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, VA, USA
| | - Derek J Smolenski
- Psychological Health Center of Excellence, Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, VA, USA
| | - Courtney Boyd
- Psychological Health Center of Excellence, Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, VA, USA
| | - Lisa M Shank
- Psychological Health Center of Excellence, Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, VA, USA
| | - Dawn M Bellanti
- Psychological Health Center of Excellence, Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, VA, USA
| | - Tiffany Milligan
- Psychological Health Center of Excellence, Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, VA, USA
| | | | - Salvatore Libretto
- Psychological Health Center of Excellence, Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, VA, USA
| | - Kelly Parisi
- Psychological Health Center of Excellence, Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, VA, USA
| | - Maria A Morgan
- Psychological Health Center of Excellence, Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, VA, USA
| | - Daniel P Evatt
- Psychological Health Center of Excellence, Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, VA, USA
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Dell L, Sbisa AM, Forbes A, O'Donnell M, Bryant R, Hodson S, Morton D, Battersby M, Tuerk PW, Elliott P, Wallace D, Forbes D. Massed v. standard prolonged exposure therapy for PTSD in military personnel and veterans: 12-month follow-up of a non-inferiority randomised controlled trial. Psychol Med 2023; 53:7070-7077. [PMID: 36911997 PMCID: PMC10719628 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723000405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The utilisation of massed therapy for treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is gaining strength, especially prolonged exposure. However, it is unknown whether massed prolonged exposure (MPE) is non-inferior to standard prolonged exposure (SPE) protocols in the long term. The current study aimed to assess whether MPE was non-inferior to SPE at 12 months post-treatment, and to ascertain changes in secondary measure outcomes. METHODS A multi-site non-inferiority randomised controlled trial (RCT) compared SPE with MPE in 12 clinics. The primary outcome was PTSD symptom severity (CAPS-5) at 12 months post-treatment commencement. Secondary outcome measures included symptoms of depression, anxiety, anger, disability, and quality of life at 12 weeks and 12 months post-treatment commencement. Outcome assessors were blinded to treatment allocation. The intention-to-treat sample included 138 Australian military members and veterans and data were analysed for 134 participants (SPE = 71, MPE = 63). RESULTS Reductions in PTSD severity were maintained at 12 months and MPE remained non-inferior to SPE. Both treatment groups experienced a reduction in depression, anxiety, anger, and improvements in quality of life at 12 weeks and 12 months post-treatment commencement. Treatment effects for self-reported disability in the SPE group at 12 weeks were not maintained, with neither group registering significant effects at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS The emergence of massed protocols for PTSD is an important advancement. The current study provides RCT evidence for the longevity of MPE treatment gains at 12 months post-treatment commencement and demonstrated non-inferiority to SPE. Promisingly, both treatments also significantly reduced the severity of comorbid symptoms commonly occurring alongside PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Dell
- Phoenix Australia - Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alyssa M Sbisa
- Phoenix Australia - Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew Forbes
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Meaghan O'Donnell
- Phoenix Australia - Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Richard Bryant
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stephanie Hodson
- Department of Veteran's Affairs, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - David Morton
- Defence, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Malcolm Battersby
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, South Australia, Australia
| | - Peter W Tuerk
- Department of Human Services, Sheila C. Jonson Center for Clinical Services, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Peter Elliott
- Phoenix Australia - Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Duncan Wallace
- Australian Defence Force Centre for Mental Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David Forbes
- Phoenix Australia - Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Campbell K, Greenfield G, Li E, O'Brien N, Hayhoe B, Beaney T, Majeed A, Neves AL. The Impact of Virtual Consultations on the Quality of Primary Care: Systematic Review. J Med Internet Res 2023; 25:e48920. [PMID: 37647117 PMCID: PMC10500356 DOI: 10.2196/48920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The adoption of virtual consultations, catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic, has transformed the delivery of primary care services. Owing to their rapid global proliferation, there is a need to comprehensively evaluate the impact of virtual consultations on all aspects of care quality. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the impact of virtual consultations on the quality of primary care. METHODS A total of 6 databases were searched. Studies that evaluated the impact of virtual consultations, for any disease, were included. Title and abstract screening and full-text screening were performed by 2 pairs of investigators. Risk of bias was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. A narrative synthesis of the results was performed. RESULTS In total, 30 studies (5,469,333 participants) were included in this review. Our findings suggest that virtual consultations are equally effective to or more effective than face-to-face care for the management of certain conditions, including mental illness, excessive smoking, and alcohol consumption. Overall, 4 studies indicated positive impacts on some aspects of patient-centeredness; however, a negative impact was noted on patients' perceived autonomy support (ie, the degree to which people perceive those in positions of authority to be autonomy supportive). Virtual consultations may reduce waiting times, lower patient costs, and reduce rates of follow-up in secondary and tertiary care settings. Evidence for the impact on clinical safety is extremely limited. Evidence regarding equity was considerably mixed. Overall, it appears that virtual care is more likely to be used by younger, female patients, with disparities among other subgroups depending on contextual factors. CONCLUSIONS Our systematic review demonstrated that virtual consultations may be as effective as face-to-face care and have a potentially positive impact on the efficiency and timeliness of care; however, there is a considerable lack of evidence on the impacts on patient safety, equity, and patient-centeredness, highlighting areas where future research efforts should be devoted. Capitalizing on real-world data, as well as clinical trials, is crucial to ensure that the use of virtual consultations is tailored according to patient needs and is inclusive of the intended end users. Data collection methods that are bespoke to the primary care context and account for patient characteristics are necessary to generate a stronger evidence base to inform future virtual care policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Campbell
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Geva Greenfield
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Edmond Li
- Institute of Global Health Innovation, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Niki O'Brien
- Institute of Global Health Innovation, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Benedict Hayhoe
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Beaney
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Azeem Majeed
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ana Luísa Neves
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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Constantini J, Bliem HR, Crepaz M, Marksteiner J. A Qualitative Literature Search and Pilot Study of Online Support Groups for Patients With Dementia and Their Carers. Gerontol Geriatr Med 2023; 9:23337214231205689. [PMID: 37881348 PMCID: PMC10594960 DOI: 10.1177/23337214231205689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The ever-growing group of people living with dementia (PLWD) and their relatives face great challenges. The Covid 19 pandemic has once again placed a particular challenge on this vulnerable group. What started a decade earlier with telephone-based support groups experienced a real push during the pandemic in the form of video-based self-help services. The aim of this qualitative literature search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO with keywords related to online, support group, caregiver, and dementia was to collect the reported experiences by the end of 2022. Peer reviewed journal papers were included when published and written in English. After the joint decision of two reviewers, it was decided to only include studies that were published in Medline. The results of the literature search are compared with experiences of the participants in a presentation group that was transformed into an online group at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic via Zoom. In search yielded a total of 129 articles. 113 articles described different types of interventions, 30 of which had a randomized design. The qualitative literature search showed on the one hand a high interest in online support groups but on the other hand that the effectiveness and efficacy in randomized trials is much less clear. In addition, we investigated the assessments and experiences of the participants in a presentation group that was transformed into an online group at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic via Zoom. This study demonstrates that PLWD and carers on virtual group meetings can express significant emotive capacity and enhanced connectivity with one another despite a diagnosis of mild to moderate dementia. Further research on entry criteria, concerns about online support services in general and necessary support for use is essential to develop the time- and location-independent possibility of video-based online self-help into an important form of support for both PLWD and their caregivers as an additional support option independent of exceptional pandemic situations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marc Crepaz
- University of Applied Sciences Tyrol, Innsbruck, Austria
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