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Research involving international research communities has been advocated in the field of behavior analysis (Dymond et al., 2000; Martin et al., 2016). The purpose of the present study was to report the status of behavioral research in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, in terms of number of publications, types of research, and frequency of collaboration with international researchers. Fifteen behavioral journals were selected from the list by Cooper et al. (2020). These were searched by hand to find publications conducted in or authored by researchers from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan dating from each journal's inception to December 2021. The earliest publication we found appeared in 1980 in The Psychological Record. Over the following four decades (1980–1989; 1990–1999; 2000–2009; 2010–2021), the number of publications per decade increased dramatically and continues in recent years to rise. Publications include research reports, review papers, and conceptual articles, with the majority being basic research reports published in Behavioral Processes. Approximately half the publications involve collaboration with international researchers, mostly in North America. Implications for behavioral research, practice, and policy in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) are an important part of PD. In recent years, more and more non-drug interventions have been applied to alleviate the non-motor symptoms of PD, but the relevant evidence is limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis was designed to evaluate the efficacy of non-drug interventions in patients with non-motor symptoms in patients with PD. Methods: Seven databases, including Pubmed, Embease, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang database (WANFANG), VIP database (VIP), and China Biomedical Literature Service System (CBM) were searched from the establishment of the database to December 2023. Non-drug interventions such as acupuncture, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exercise, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease were selected as search words, and two independent evaluators evaluated the included literature's bias risk and data extraction. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by the Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale (PDSS), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Minimum Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39). RevMan 5.4.1 (Reviewer Manager Software 5.4.1). Cochrane Collaboration, Oxford, United Kingdom analyzed the data and estimated the average effect and the 95% confidence interval (CI). A heterogeneity test is used to assess differences in the efficacy of different non-drug treatments. Results: We selected 36 from 4,027 articles to participate in this meta-analysis, involving 2,158 participants. Our combined results show that: PDSS: [mean difference (MD) =-19.35, 95% CI (-30.4 to -8.28), p<0.0006]; HAMD: [MD = -2.98, 95% CI (-4.29 to -1.67), p<0.00001]; BDI: [MD = -2.69, 95% CI (-4.24 to 4.80), p = 0.006]; HAMA: [MD=-2.00, 95% CI (-2.83 to -1.17), p<0.00001]; MMSE: [MD = 1.20, 95% CI (0.71 to 1.68), p< 0.00001]; CoMA: [MD = 2.10, 95% CI (-0.97 to 3.23), p = 0.0003]; PDQ-39: [MD = -4.03, 95% CI (-5.96 to -1.57), p < 0.00001]. Conclusion: The four non-drug measures used in our review showed significant improvements in sleep, depression, anxiety, cognition, constipation, and quality of life compared with the control group, and no serious adverse events were reported in the included research evidence, and we found that there were some differences among the subgroups of different intervention methods, but due to the less literature included in the subgroup, and the comparison was more indirect. So, we should interpret these results carefully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Caregivers of children with chronic diseases suffer from great parenting pressure, which directly affects the treatment and rehabilitation of children, reduces the quality of life of caregivers and damages family functioning. Existing reviews have not systematically summarized and evaluated interventions for parenting stress in caregivers of children with chronic diseases. Data Sources: Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, OVID, CNKI, CBM, Wan Fang and Cochrane Library were searched for eligible reviews in November 2021 and October 2022. Methods: Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts, reviewed full texts of articles for eligibility, and appraised the quality of reviews using JBI. The quality of the evidence was assessed using GRADE. Findings are reported in accordance with PRISMA checklist. Narrative summaries grouped findings by intervention types. Results: Out of 2632 records, we included 21 systematic reviews for a synthesis. Interventions for parenting stress in children with chronic diseases were divided into seven categories. Cognitive behavioural interventions, psychosocial interventions, child behavioural and/or developmental parent interventions and synthesized interventions have shown high‐level evidence in reducing parenting stress for caregivers of children with chronic diseases. Furthermore, outcome measures and intervention protocols were highly heterogeneous across interventions. Conclusions: This umbrella review suggest that reducing the parenting stress of caregivers of children with chronic diseases can directly target caregivers' parenting stress through cognitive behavioural interventions/psychosocial interventions and/or provide guidance to parents on the behavioural and developmental problems of children with chronic diseases. A more standardized approach to outcome measures is essential to assess efficacy and compare interventions across studies. Relevance to Clinical Practice: The findings provide information and evidence for reducing parenting stress among caregivers of children with chronic diseases to guide the development of comprehensive intervention strategies. Patient or Public Contribution: Patient or public contribution does not apply to this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for Chinese diabetic patients suffering from depression. Method: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we researched seven electronic databases and two professional websites. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plot. Meta-analysis was conducted using meta-regression with robust variance estimation. Results: Final analysis included a total of 23 controlled trials containing 201 effect size estimates (including 5025 participants). Subgroup analyses indicated significant treatment effects for (1) depression outcomes, anxiety outcomes, psychological stress/distress outcomes, physiological outcomes, and general wellness outcomes, (2) studies with/without manuals, (3) studies using individual-based/group-based CBT, (4) studies in person/assisted with technology, and (5) studies providers with/without training. The treatment outcomes and intervention composition (CBT only versus CBT plus other approaches) were significant moderators. Conclusions: Findings of the study suggested CBT is a promising treatment option for depression among Chinese diabetes patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Subthreshold depression (sD) negatively impacts well-being and psychosocial function and is more prevalent compared with major depressive disorder (MDD). However, as adults with sD are less likely to seek face-to-face intervention, internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (ICBT) may overcome barriers of accessibility to psychotherapy. Although several trials explored the efficacy of ICBT for sD, the results remain inconsistent. This study evaluated whether ICBT is effective in reducing depressive symptoms among Chinese adults with sD. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was performed. The participants were randomly assigned to 5 weeks of ICBT, group-based face-to-face cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), or a waiting list (WL). Assessments were conducted at baseline, post-intervention and at a 6-month follow-up. The primary outcome measured depressive symptoms using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Outcomes were analyzed using a mixed-effects model to assess the effects of ICBT. Results: ICBT participants reported greater reductions on all the outcomes compared to the WL group at post-intervention. The ICBT group showed larger improvement on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) at post-intervention (d = 0.12) and at follow-up (d = 0.10), and with CES-D at post-intervention (d = 0.06), compared to the CBT group. Conclusions: ICBT is effective in reducing depressive symptoms among Chinese adults with sD, and improvements in outcomes were sustained at a 6-month follow-up. Considering the low rates of face-to-face psychotherapy, our findings highlight the considerable potential and implications for the Chinese government to promote the use of ICBT for sD in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic is a huge public health crisis in the 21st century. In addition to the acute symptoms, a considerable proportion of patients worldwide have suffered from post-COVID-19 syndrome, commonly known as Long COVID. The impact of Long COVID on individual and public health burden cannot be ignored. According to recent researches, Long COVID has been affecting multiple organ systems throughout the body, with respiratory, mental, nervous and digestive symptoms often seen in Chinese population. Clinical studies have proved that symptoms were alleviated by a variety of treatments, such as physical therapy, rehabilitation training, psychological support, behavioral cognitive therapy, stem cell therapy, etc. Based on the current clinical evidence, it is recommended to strengthen the scientific research on Long COVID and actively carry out early monitoring and intervention in the future, so as to effectively prevent the long-term disease burden and economic pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The objective is to help Chinese Shidu parents who have lost their only child to relieve post-traumatic stress disorder. Methods. A qualitative phenomenology study using the hermeneutical phenomenological method was employed in a major metropolitan city in China. Participants were 46 parents who had lost their only child and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. Three major themes are: (1) to conduct semistructured in-depth interviews with 46 Shidu parents; (2) to develop and implement a psychological intervention program combining with group intervention and individual counseling based on cognitive-behavioral therapy; (3) to assess the effect of psychological intervention through PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Results. Those Shidu parents who lost their only child got great relief from PTSD. The Shidu parents got great relief and changed a lot after the intervention. They became active to participate in group counseling and willing to help others because they experienced the value and fun in the process. They rebuilt their attachment and looked forward to their future life. Conclusion. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can alleviate and even cure post-traumatic stress disorder in Shidu parents who have lost their only child. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rise of the mobile Internet, APP treatment models for autism have also emerged. In China, there are not many applications of health education for children with autism. Its functions are mainly focused on prevention and improvement of knowledge. Many behavioral therapies include applying pressure to the invisible external pressure of autism to achieve appropriate stimulation and correction. This has brought great injustice to the wishes of the children. When children with autism strongly oppose this unfair behavior, it may lead to other extreme behaviors in children with autism. This article adopts the method of letting children with autism actually apply this APP for comprehensive intervention treatment, and let this APP combine with their daily courses: comprehensive sports training, speech training, cognitive training, game training, self‐care training. For courses such as art training and computer games, the children were evaluated for the first time before training, and then evaluated every 2 months. Data were collected to compare whether the children's background factors had a significant impact on the rehabilitation effect of comprehensive interventions. The results of the experiment proved that in the five assessments of perception, gross motor, fine motor, language and communication, cognition, the children had statistically significant differences in the three scores (P < 0.05). This also shows from the side that our APP has a certain effect on children with autism, and is of great strategic significance for adjuvant treatment of autism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the experiences of professionals and parents from the United Kingdom and China of autism-relevant policies, school involvement, and applied behavior analysis-based interventions. Semistructured interviews involving 36 parents and professionals and direct behavioral observations were carried out of five parents and three professionals. Results found: (1) a lack of autism support and applied behavior analysis-related services in both countries; (2) applied behavior analysis-based intervention was not as widely endorsed by healthcare or educational systems in the United Kingdom; Chinese parents faced challenges around inclusive education and accessing high-quality services and there was a social stigma attached to autism; (3) a limited awareness and application of early intensive behavior intervention in both regions; and (4) intervention fidelity with regards to the practice of one particular applied behavior analysis-based intervention, discrete trial teaching, was similar and increased with ongoing training. Professional and parental experiences were discussed in the context of policy and educational involvement. This study illustrates the need to support children with autism and to consider regional adaptations of evidence-based practice of behavior analysis for the affected population. The prevalence of autism is increasing, and the development of these children and the lived experience of their families have become a global concern. Applied behavioral analytic intervention is proved to be effective in improving their cognitive abilities, language skills, and social and emotional skills, but the service delivery between developed and developing countries is different. A qualitative study was conducted to explore personal experiences with actual practice fidelity of behavior analytic services for children with autism in a Western developed country (United Kingdom) and an Eastern developing country (China). The study found: (1) a lack of support for autism and behavioral analytic services in both countries; (2) applied behavioral analytic intervention was not as widely endorsed by healthcare or educational systems in the United Kingdom; Chinese parents faced challenges around inclusive education and accessing high-quality services and there was a social stigma attached to autism; (3) a limited awareness and application of early intensive behavior intervention in both regions; and (4) intervention fidelity with regards to the practice of one particular aspect of behavioral analytic interventions was similar and increased with ongoing training. This study emphasizes the need to support children with autism, and to consider regional adaptations of evidence-based practice of behavior analytic interventions for the affected population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Relatively few studies have compared posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms following a disaster among children of different ethnicities. We sought to investigate the differences in PTSD symptoms between the ethnic Hui and Han child survivors of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in China. Methods: This study collected data from 1,951 Han and 247 Hui child survivors of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in China. The children ranged from 7 to 15 years of age. Earthquake-related exposures were measured using a modified version of the PsySTART Rapid Triage System. PTSD symptoms were evaluated using the University of California, Los Angeles PTSD-Reaction Index (UCLA PTSD-RI). Personality characteristics were assessed using the Junior Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (JEPQ). Multiple linear regression was used to investigate the association between the ethnicity and the severity of PTSD symptoms. Multiple logistic regression was used to investigate the association between the ethnicity and the percentage of screening positive for PTSD symptoms. Results: The average UCLA PTSD-RI total score of the ethnic Hui group (27.01 ± 9.24) was significantly higher than that of the ethnic Han group (25.12 ± 9.17) (t = −3.05, p = 0.002), as were the avoidance/numbness (Hui: 10.02 ± 4.82; Han: 9.04 ± 4.60, t = −3.12, p = 0.002) and arousal scores (Hui: 9.36 ± 3.64; Han: 8.79 ± 3.42, t = −2.44, p = 0.015). The percentage of screening positive for D criteria (arousal symptoms) also differed significantly between the ethnic Han (41.9%, 95% CI [39.7–44.1%]) and Hui (48.6%, 95% CI [42.3–54.9%]) groups (χ² = 3.97, p = 0.046). Ethnicity was associated with the avoidance/numbness symptom score following adjustments for sex, age, personality traits and earthquake exposure experiences by multiple linear regression (B: 0.61, 95% CI [0.04–1.17], p = 0.035). The initial significant associations between the ethnicity and the arousal symptoms score and the PTSD total score disappeared while adjusting for the subjective earthquake exposure experiences (Model 5: arousal symptoms, B = 0.41, 95% CI [−0.01 to 0.83], p = 0.056; PTSD, B = 1.00, 95% CI [−0.07 to 2.07], p = 0.066). The initial significant association between the ethnicity and the percentage of screening positive for D criteria disappeared while adjusting for the objective earthquake exposure experiences (Model 4: OR = 1.32, 95% CI [1.00–1.75], p = 0.052). Conclusion: This study is the first to report the relationship between the ethnicity and PTSD symptoms among child survivors following a disaster. The findings of this study suggest that the trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy could also be an effective treatment for Chinese ethnic Hui and Han children who are suffering from PTSD. Future research could be designed to examine whether cultural differences in perceptions and interpretations may account for the variations in subjective experiences. More attention should be paid to the ethnic minority children with PTSD in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]