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Abstract: The psychotherapeutic care of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is highly relevant. In addition to the obvious motor and sensory dysfunctions, the quality of life of those affected is also limited by the so-called "invisible symptoms" of MS. These invisible symptoms include depressive symptoms, fatigue, anxiety, pain, and cognitive deficits. This review provides an overview of the psychotherapeutic treatment options for evidence-based interventions regarding each symptom as well as a recommendation for action for treating (neuro-)psychologists and therapists. We conducted a (nonsystematic) literature search via PubMed for this purpose. The review shows that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based interventions (AIs) are potentially effective methods for reducing the symptoms mentioned, but that high-quality studies with sufficient sample sizes are still lacking in this field of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the current discussion on new forms of quality assurance (QA) in outpatient psychotherapy, exemplified by the new german »DeQS«-guidelines, is dominated by issues of outcome quality, a new model is introduced that expands the QA discussion to include quality monitoring for the exploration and management of process quality in psychotherapy. The so-called »circle model« (www.therapiefeedback.de) is a transdisciplinary, digital, case-oriented, intersubjective, and reflective model for capturing the process quality of outpatient psychotherapy (quality monitoring). The circle model enables both therapists and patients to provide individual feedback on the shared psychotherapeutic process through self-reporting according to scientific quality criteria. Both response behaviors (patient and therapist) can then be superimposed in a color-coded circular network diagram, allowing the therapy process to be intersubjectively reflected upon during joint consideration. The construction of the feedback axes is theory- and research-based. The model is applicable across all four german psychotherapeutic guideline procedures (psychodynamically oriented therapy, psychoanalytic psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral psychotherapy, systemic psychotherapy). The specificity of the intersubjective approach emphasizes that the understanding of psychotherapeutic processes does not occur in isolation but is rooted in a network of relationships and social exchange characterized by reciprocity, shared meanings, exchange of experiences, co-construction of reality, and empathy. Important impulses for potential adjustments and management of the therapy process for QA are made possible. The aim is to develop an innovative (digital) instrument that optimizes the psychotherapeutic process from within the process itself (quality monitoring through process feedback) and contributes to greater active participation of patients in the psychotherapy process. By collecting data from multi-level response scales, which are then interactively integrated and jointly reflected upon, the model methodologically combines quantitative and qualitative approaches. Initial qualitative results from an exploratory pilot study are presented. The results provide initial insights into the utility of the model for QA in outpatient psychotherapy, with a focus on process quality. The compatibility of the system with established peer-reviewed QA systems, such as peer review (»intervision«), supervision, and quality circles, is emphasized. The necessity for further and systematic research is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this article is to summarize the current state of research on the effectiveness of psychotherapeutic treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Methods: The results of current meta-analyses and trend-setting individual studies are summarized and the most important forms of intervention are explained. Results: The psychotherapeutic treatment methods for PTSD are very effective, the effect sizes are large and superior to those of pharmacotherapy. Trauma exposure and cognitive restructuring are most effective. Trauma-focused procedures are generally superior to other forms of psychotherapy. A range of different cognitive behavioral procedures as well as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing are recommended. The most recent initial findings confirm a very good effectiveness for imagery rescripting methods as protective interventions without a formal confrontation with trauma. Individual therapy works better than group psychotherapy. In the group setting cognitive processing therapy has proven to be the best intervention. Trauma-focused treatment should also be used when comorbid conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or addiction are present. Discussion: Trauma-focused psychotherapy in an individual setting is the treatment of choice for PTSD. A large selection of effective methods and well-reviewed manuals are available. The German language S3 guidelines are currently being updated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Zeitschrift für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie is the property of Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht GmbH & Co. KG and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Treatment resistance in anxiety disorders represents a clinical challenge, contributes to the chronicity of the diseases as well as sequential comorbidities, and is associated with a significant individual and socioeconomic burden. This narrative review presents the operational definition of treatment resistance in anxiety disorders according to international consensus criteria (< 50% reduction in the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, HAM‑A, score or < 50% reduction in the Beck Anxiety Inventory, BAI, score or a clinical global impression-improvement, CGI‑I, score > 2). At least two unsuccessful guideline-based treatment attempts with pharmacological monotherapy or at least one unsuccessful treatment attempt with adequately delivered cognitive behavioral therapy are required. Pharmacotherapeutically, after excluding pseudo-resistance, switching the medication within one class or to another class and augmentation strategies with other antidepressants (mirtazapine, agomelatine), antipsychotics (quetiapine) or anticonvulsants (valproate) are recommended. Psychotherapeutically, third-wave therapies, psychodynamic therapy, systemic therapy and physical exercise can be considered for therapy resistance. In cases of no response to psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy, the respective other form of therapy or a combination of both should be offered. Compounds targeting the glutamatergic and endocannabinoid systems as well as neuropeptides are being tested as potential innovative pharmaceuticals for treatment-resistant anxiety disorders. There is an urgent need for further research to identify predictive markers and mechanisms as well as to develop innovative pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions for treatment-resistant anxiety disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) are mainly treated with disorder-specific cognitive behavioral therapy using exposure and response management and/or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors; however, a significant subgroup of patients does not sufficiently benefit from this approach. Objective: This article provides an overview of treatment-resistant OCD. Material and methods: In this narrative review the definition, causes, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to treatment-resistant OCD are addressed. Results: Treatment resistance can be assumed in the absence of clinically relevant improvement under therapy, in the sense of a reduction of < 25% on the Yale-Brown obsessive-compulsive scale and a score of 4 (no change) on the clinical global impression-improvement scale. The number of unsuccessful treatment attempts required to establish treatment resistance is defined differently. Causative factors include misdiagnosis, a high severity, comorbid disorders, substance use, specific symptom constellations, organic causes, environmental factors, and aggravating factors in psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. Suggestions for diagnostic and therapeutic approaches based on the German S3 guideline on OCD are presented. Conclusion: For patients with treatment resistance to first-line therapy, useful diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations are available (psychotherapeutic, psychopharmacological and neurostimulation procedures). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic pain in the elderly is becoming increasingly important and is associated with serious health impacts. Therefore, international guidelines demand that pain therapy for the elderly preferably be a multimodal therapy based on a bio-psycho-social pain model. Specific psychometric tests and interview guidelines are available for the interdisciplinary pain assessment. Evidence for the effectiveness of multimodal pain therapy in the elderly remains limited. However, controlled clinical trials have shown that these patients benefit—especially if the intervention is adapted to their specific needs. The focus of movement therapy is not only muscle strengthening but also coordination exercises. In individual physical therapy and occupational therapy, everyday solutions can be developed for individual physical limitations that are more frequent in old age. In psychological training, pain acceptance, balancing rest and activity, social integration and dealing with aging are particularly important topics. Relaxation and mindfulness techniques can also favorably affect pain and function. Thus, these are popular with patients and are often adopted in everyday pain management. Pain education is considered useful as an adjunctive measure and can also be increasingly supported by digital media in the elderly. Complementary therapy components include confrontational treatment of fear-avoidance beliefs (the German AMIKA scale, Ältere Menschen in körperlicher Aktion, "older people in physical action") and naturopathic applications as an active self-help strategy. Since it is unclear how long the achieved therapeutic effects last, follow-up care is of particular importance in therapy for older patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Praxis der Kinderpsychologie und Kinderpsychiatrie is the property of Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht GmbH & Co. KG and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Praxis der Rechtspsychologie is the property of Hogrefe Verlag GmbH & Co. KG and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: Insomnia negatively affects quality of life in cancer survivors. Expectations of insomnia treatment efficacy may influence response to intervention. We sought to determine whether pre-treatment outcome expectancy predicts response to two non-pharmacological interventions for insomnia among cancer survivors. Methods: We analyzed data from a randomized clinical trial that compared acupuncture versus cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) in cancer survivors. Patient expectancy was measured by the Mao Treatment Expectancy Scale (MTES) at baseline. Insomnia severity was assessed using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) at treatment completion (week 8). Multivariate linear regression was used to evaluate the associations between pre-treatment expectancy and ISI score at week, 8 adjusting for co-variates. Results: Expectancy for acupuncture and CBT-I were similar at baseline (acupuncture: 13.3 ± 4.0; CBT-I: 13.2 ± 2.9, p = 0.17). Greater baseline expectancy scores were associated with a greater and statistically significant insomnia severity reduction at week 8 in the acupuncture group (beta coefficients [Coef.] = - 0.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] = - 0.6 to - 0.1, p = 0.016) adjusted for co-variates. Baseline expectancy was not statistically associated with insomnia severity reduction in the CBT-I group (Coef. = - 0.2, 95% CI = - 0.7 to 0.2, p = 0.31). High expectancy was significantly associated with greater proportion of treatment responders at week 8 in the acupuncture group (76% vs. 38%, p = 0.001) but not in the CBT-I group (83% vs. 70%, p = 0.21). Conclusions: Higher pre-treatment outcome expectancy predicted significantly greater insomnia improvement in patients receiving acupuncture but not in those receiving CBT-I. Implications for cancer survivors: Aligning treatment provision with expected outcomes may lead to personalized non-pharmacological insomnia management for cancer survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and pharmacotherapy with antidepressants are both a highly effective treatment for agoraphobia and/or panic disorder; however, a combination of CBT and antidepressants is under debate due to potentially unfavorable interference effects. The associations of existing antidepressant medication with panic and agoraphobia symptom burden and their change in the context of a structured 5‑week day hospital and exposure-focused treatment in a naturalistic setting were investigated. Methods: Out of a total of n = 488 patients medication use during treatment was retrospectively determined for n = 380: n = 100 (26.3%) were taking antidepressants of different drug classes. Calculations were performed using multiple linear regression analysis, t‑tests, response analyses, and χ2-tests. Results: Patients with existing antidepressant medication more often met the criteria for comorbid depressive disorder (p < 0.001). The measure of symptom change and treatment response rates did not differ between patients with and without antidepressants with respect to anxiety symptoms. Discussion: In the context studied, patients with and without existing antidepressant medication benefited equally from CBT with respect to anxiety symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Zeitschrift für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie is the property of Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht GmbH & Co. KG and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article "What drives the fraudster (and what drives fraud out of him)?: Specific problems in the therapy of fraud offenders" examines the difficulties in the therapeutic treatment of fraud offenders. Many of these individuals have a personality structure known as the "Dark Triad," which includes narcissism, Machiavellian intelligence, and psychopathic traits. Suitable therapeutic approaches include cognitive behavioral therapy, psychagogy, and logotherapy. Fraud is considered a form of property delinquency that is based on deception and occurs at a higher psychological level than robbery. There is little literature on the treatment of fraud offenders, although fraud offenses are considered prone to recidivism. Various difficulties in the therapy of fraud offenders are highlighted, such as the authenticity of the perpetrator and the differences between court-ordered therapy and voluntary treatment. The essential characteristics of white-collar criminals can influence the therapeutic process. Cognitive behavioral therapy is recommended as an effective method for treating offenders. The application of therapy approaches to fraudsters and sex offenders is also discussed. Further research and evaluation of therapeutic approaches for fraud offenders are necessary. [Extracted from the article]

Anxiety disorders are frequent, with a 12-month prevalence of 14%, tend to be chronic, and display a high comorbidity with substance abuse disorders. Anxiety and substance abuse disorders are associated with a pronounced individual as well as socioeconomic burden. This article reviews the epidemiological, etiological, and clinical aspects of the dual diagnosis of anxiety and substance abuse disorders, with a particular focus on alcohol and cannabis. The treatment comprises nonpharmacological strategies, mainly cognitive behavioral therapy combined with elements of motivational interviewing (MI) and pharmacological management with antidepressants; however, the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI)/serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) is not unreservedly recommended. The use of gabapentinoids requires careful risk-benefit consideration because of their potential for abuse and dependence in substance abuse disorders. Benzodiazepines are reserved exclusively for crisis management. Rapid diagnosis and treatment initiation targeting both disorders are essential for successful treatment of comorbid anxiety and substance abuse disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People with a disorder of intellectual development (German draft of the ICD-11, which came into force on 1 January 2022) suffer more frequently from mental illnesses. According to the international treatment guidelines multimodal approaches should include not only psychopharmacological treatment, but also disorder-specific psychotherapeutic methods. These psychotherapeutic interventions have to be adapted to the communicative and cognitive abilities (performance diagnostics with IQ tests) as well as the emotional developmental stage (developmental diagnostics, e.g., with the scale of emotional development, short version, SED-S 2; [1]). To ensure this, the rules of simple language should be observed and when appropriate relatives or caregivers should be involved in the therapeutic process. The effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy has received most scientific attention, especially for affective disorders. Posttraumatic stress disorders can be validly treated with eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). There is also good evidence for exposure therapy with reinforcement in the treatment of anxiety disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2020, prescription-based digital interventions were introduced in Germany. These digital courses have to meet safety and data privacy requirements and must prove positive effects on symptoms and/or other outcome parameters. Interventions are available for a range of mental disorders. For patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia, several applications based on cognitive behavioral therapy have been developed. Within these digital courses, patients can typically access psychoeducational content and practice psychotherapeutic strategies such as exposure therapy. Recent meta-analyses prove the effectiveness of such interventions when compared with waitlist control conditions. According to current German guidelines, digital courses can be used to prepare psychotherapy and as an accompanying tool during psychotherapy. In Germany, physicians and psychotherapist can prescribe digital interventions for outpatients and as a post-hospital treatment.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mentalizing Behavioral Therapy (MVT) is a further development of the Strategic Behavioral Therapy SBT. Two new modules will be added to their therapy modules: Emotion Tracking - an adaptation of Albert Pesso’s microtracking for use in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) - and Mentalization Promotion - an adaptation of the MBT questioning technique. While the mentalization-based therapy MBT is a psychoanalytically based therapy method within psychodynamic therapy, the mentalization module of the MVT is a cognitive-behavioural instrument for building a reality-based theory of mind (TOM). These two modules have become the core of the MVT and are therefore one General psychotherapeutic basic competence, which in our opinion should not be missing in any therapy. The treatment progresses from Module 1: establishing a secure attachment in the therapeutic relationship to Module 2: extracting the dysfunctional survival rule from childhood injuries and transforming it into a permission-giving rule of life, on to Module 3: noticing and accepting feelings through mindfulness: Then come the two new modules mentioned (emotion tracking and mentalization promotion), followed by the two development modules (6. Development from the affect to the thinking level and 7. Development from the thinking to the empathy level, the goal of which is functional affect regulation and relationship skills in the Sense of empathy and compassion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ergoscience is the property of Schulz-Kirchner Verlag Gmbh and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A randomized controlled study examined the effectiveness of digital cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (dCBT-I) in the German standard care. The study included 238 participants aged ≥ 18 years who were assigned to either the dCBT-I group or the waitlist control group. After 8 weeks, the dCBT-I group showed a significant reduction in the severity of insomnia compared to the control group. dCBT-I also led to long-term improvements in daytime functioning, quality of life, and symptoms of depression and anxiety. The authors interpreted the study as evidence of the effectiveness of dCBT-I in standard care, although some methodological limitations were discussed. [Extracted from the article]

This article outlines which advantages and disadvantages of the current psychotherapy training reform are particularly significant for students. Current students are in a transition period between the old and new systems, characterized by uncertainty and pressure. The transition period within which a final degree must be obtained in the old system, creates enormous time pressure. Many of the concrete features and associated consequences of the new system are not yet foreseeable. One advantage already is that the status under social law will be secured; however, students are under earlier pressure to decide on a specific professional field. Also, the hope of an adequate rather than the previously precarious payment during training does not seem to be sufficiently fulfilled. In previous psychology studies, of the psychotherapeutic methods recognized by the scientific advisory board, only cognitive behavioral therapy is appropriately and expertly taught, whereas the other methods are barely taught or in a devalued manner. While the reform basically takes into account the diversity of methods and thus remedies this shortcoming, the legal anchoring of "expert" teaching of all guideline procedures, which is crucial for high-quality studies, is missing. Overall, the reform is both an opportunity for high-quality psychotherapeutic training in a demanding profession and an obstacle for students who are already burdened by high study requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article deals with the topic of fatigue and describes the definition and symptoms of fatigue. Various causes for acute, subacute, or chronic fatigue are listed, including psychological/psychiatric causes, idiopathic causes, sleep disorders, medication-related causes, and endocrine-metabolic causes. The guideline provides recommendations for the investigation and treatment of fatigue as a symptom. Chronic fatigue that lasts longer than six months is referred to as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). The treatment of CFS includes various measures such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy. [Extracted from the article]

In 2022, the first revised version of the S3 guidelines on obsessive-compulsive disorder will be published under the auspices of the German Society for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (DGPPN). This article contains a summary of the most important recommendations for therapy in a condensed form. There were no major changes in the central basic therapy recommendations compared with the first version of the guidelines, as the evidence base has not fundamentally changed since then. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with exposure and response management is the most effective form of therapy for this clinical picture and therefore the therapy of first choice. Regarding pharmacotherapy, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the first-line medications. They are indicated when CBT with exposure is not available or has not been effective, when CBT is rejected by the patient and in the patient's personal preference for medication, or to increase the readiness for CBT with exposure. New recommendations include, e.g., the use of Internet therapy, and recommendations for the use of CBT and exposure, e.g., also in group format, including video conferencing if appropriate as well as in intensive format. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: E‑mental health mainly plays a role in the outpatient treatment of patients with depressive disorders. The goal of this study was to implement and evaluate the web-based, therapist-guided self-management tool "iFightDepression" (iFD) to clarify if there is a benefit for inpatient use. Material and methods: In this study 78 inpatients with affective disorders (ICD-10 F32.0‑3, F33.0-3) or dysthymia (F34) were recruited. The intervention duration with the iFD tool went from admission until discharge, therapeutic support was granted by the ward staff. Symptom severity, intervention expectations and experience with therapy were processed in an online questionnaire before the intervention (T0) while intervention satisfaction was captured after the intervention shortly before discharge (T1) in a paper-pencil questionnaire. Results: Out of 78 participating inpatients 42 used the iFD tool at least once. Moderate to high levels of expectation regarding the iFD tool and mildly above-average level of satisfaction after the intervention were observed. Of the active users 67% indicated they would continue to use the iFD tool after discharge. The main reasons for not using the iFD tool were short duration of stay, severity of disease and lack of digital literacy. Conclusion: An implementation of the iFD tool is feasible on principle. Active users gave positive feedback concerning the intervention and most participants claimed to continue using the iFD tool after discharge; however, low usage rates among study participants (42/78, 54%) showed barriers of implementation that have to be addressed and underline the importance of adaptations regarding the use of the intervention in a clinical setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Zeitschrift für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie is the property of Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht GmbH & Co. KG and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Zeitschrift für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie is the property of Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht GmbH & Co. KG and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

An overview of eating and feeding disorders according to the future criteria of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) is presented, including information on differential diagnosis, epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis as well as therapy. Binge-eating disorder is new and the most frequent eating disorder. While anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa mostly affect women, the gender ratio in binge-eating disorder is more balanced. Concerning etiology, socio-cultural, biological and psychological factors are discussed. Cognitive behavioral psychotherapy is the best-validated treatment for all three eating disorders. According to the German guidelines for treatment (2019), focal psychodynamic psychotherapy is also a treatment option for anorexia nervosa. Evidence for the positive effect of psychopharmacologic drugs in the treatment of anorexia nervosa is still lacking. Fluoxetine has been shown to have a limited effect in the treatment of bulimia nervosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Work-related stress, as a potential cause of burnout, can lead to higher cognitive and emotional hyperarousal, which are themselves central elements of the vicious circle model of chronic insomnia. Therefore, the relationship between sleep disorders (e.g., insomnia) and work-related stress or burnout becomes obvious. In this review original studies, dealing with sleep and burnout are summarized and their limitations are discussed. In general, research results indicate a negative cross-sectional relationship between sleep quality and burnout. Although there are a large number of cross-sectional studies in this field, the generalizability of the findings is limited due their focus on health-related professions. In contrast, the findings of the few longitudinal studies are very heterogeneous. Therefore, it remains an open question whether insufficient sleep quality or sleep disorders might predict burnout or vice versa. In sum, previous findings indicate a significant relationship between sleep quality and burnout, which should be considered in therapeutic settings. Besides psychoeducative interventions, cognitive behavioral therapy of insomnia in the case of burnout with sleep disorder and a general reduction of work-related stress by short- and long-term strategies are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The term "coronasomnia" is used in popular science to describe sleep disorders associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. These disorders may also affect part of the population in the aftermath of the pandemic. Early scientific evidence suggests that COVID-19-associated insomnia and insomniac symptoms can become chronic and will continue to preoccupy the sleep medicine community even after the pandemic has ended. Methods: A literature review was conducted in Medline and Google Scholar using the following combination of keywords: "insomnia and COVID-19", "insomnia and long COVID", "insomnia, PTSD and COVID-19", and "fatigue and insomnia in long COVID". In addition, the authors reviewed several recent articles published by members of the European Insomnia Network. Results: Studies on insomnia and COVID-19 show significant associations between acute infection and insomnia in affected individuals. The prevalence of insomnia symptoms in COVID-19-affected individuals was 36 to 88%, which is significantly higher than the estimated 10 to 40% prevalence of insomnia in the general population. Conclusion: Digital therapy as a current treatment option for insomnia can be offered to patients regardless of physical distance. Accordingly, not only early approval of therapy apps, but also person-led, digital therapy options for insomnia would be recommended. The inclusion of personalised and sleep-coaching measures in the area of occupational health management is encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Personality traits act as a predisposing factor in the development of insomnia. In this context, neuroticism, low conscientiousness and perfectionism appear to be of particular interest. Prior research indicates that personality traits contribute to a poorer sleep quality via several underlying mechanisms and coping strategies. On a cognitive level, these mechanisms include rumination, worry and dysfunctional beliefs about sleep and on an emotional level, these mechanisms include emotion dysregulation. Empirical findings suggest that such processes may make patients vulnerable to arousal before going to bed. Besides, it remains unclear whether interindividual differences in personality traits impact the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). Based on findings in this area, however, CBT‑I could be more individualized. With high neuroticism, the focus could be on reducing ruminating and worrying as well as improving emotion regulation. If patients are less conscientious, the focus may be more on sleep hygiene rules, such as adhering to regular sleep times. Perfectionist patients could be encouraged to question a possible pressure to achieve concerning their sleep quality. Further research is needed to empirically validate these hypotheses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Sleep-related cognitions, but also sleep-related metacognitions (dealing with cognitions), play a role in insomnia etiology, especially in maintaining insomnia. So far, an English version of a questionnaire measuring sleep-related metacognitions with 60 items is available. The aim of the present study was the construction of a shorter German version showing satisfactory reliability and validity. Materials and methods: Overall, 512 patients with varying sleep disorders (264 women, 248 men; mean age: 45.04 ± 16.70 years) participated. The MCQ‑I was completed prior to the consultation in the sleep center. Results: The 20-item version showed high internal consistency (r = 0.906) and high retest reliability (r = 0.916). Patients with insomnia diagnosis had higher MCQ-I 20 sum scores compared to patients with other sleep disorders. Interestingly, patients with diagnoses of depressive disorder or nightmare disorder also reported higher values of sleep-related metacognitions. Conclusion: Sleep-related metacognitions seem to play a role in insomnia etiology. It would be very interesting to test whether metacognitive therapy can be as effective as cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia in alleviating insomnia symptomatology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that occurs during childhood and adolescence. In many cases, however, the disorder persists into adulthood. In addition to the core symptoms of inattention, impulsivity and restlessness, the adult disorder is also characterized by affective dysregulation and impairment of executive functions. Patients show functional limitations in their daily lives and an increased risk of comorbid disorders. The German S3 guidelines suggest a combination of medication and psychosocial interventions. In controlled studies, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in particular showed positive effects in compensating for functional impairments and treating comorbid internalizing symptoms in adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Praxis der Kinderpsychologie und Kinderpsychiatrie is the property of Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht GmbH & Co. KG and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Praxis der Kinderpsychologie und Kinderpsychiatrie is the property of Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht GmbH & Co. KG and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Shift work is associated with high rates of sleep disorders. Digital cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (dCBT-I) might be an appropriate tool to treat this target population. Dropout rates in dCBT‑I trials are relatively high. The literature suggests that women prefer face-to-face contact in psychotherapy settings. Objectives: We implemented an online platform to provide dCBT‑I specifically for shift workers. In this secondary analysis, we aimed to examine gender differences between dropouts and completers in our trial. We hypothesized that a higher percentage of women would drop out of the study compared to men. Materials and methods: We perform post-hoc analysis (chi-square tests and t‑tests) on the data from our four-week dCBT‑I trial. Specifically, we compared dropout rates and time of dropout by gender. Results: The trial was initiated by N = 50 participants (13 female/37 male), of which 56% did not complete the program. Dropout rates are significantly higher in women (77%) than men (49%; p = 0.034). There are no significant gender differences regarding time of dropout or other sample characteristics, such as total sleep time, symptom severity, or age. Conclusions: Even though they suffer from just as many symptoms of insomnia, female shift workers may be more likely to drop out of dCBT‑I programs than their male counterparts. This highlights the need for additional research to improve engagement and adherence in dCBT‑I, specifically for women. The relatively small sample size limits the transferability of these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ergoscience is the property of Schulz-Kirchner Verlag Gmbh and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article reviews the efficacy of couple-based, cognitive-behavioral interventions for psychopathology. Over the past two decades, cognitive-behavioral couples therapy has been adapted and systematically integrated with individual cognitive-behavioral therapy for the treatment of a range of individual mental disorders. These integrated approaches are distinct from typical couples therapy and serve as psychotherapy interventions with a primary focus on the disorder, while incorporating partners in the treatment. The article introduces core concepts of couples-based interventions and reviews the findings of clinical trials. Overall, clinical trials of couple-based interventions for depression, substance-use disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and eating disorders show significant symptom improvements that are always at least as large and often larger than that found in individual treatments where a comparison is available. Additionally, couple-based interventions often have significant positive effects on relationship satisfaction as well as interpersonal risk factors for adverse treatment outcomes and relapse such as expressed emotion and symptom accommodation. Further randomized controlled trials are needed to provide a direct comparison with individual cognitive behavioral therapy for several disorders and to pinpoint factors that support clinical decision making to recommend an individual versus couple-based treatment. Finally, clinical recommendations are summarized briefly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Praxis der Kinderpsychologie und Kinderpsychiatrie is the property of Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht GmbH & Co. KG and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Digitally provided psychological interventions for sleep disorders are currently a very intensively researched topic. In this review, original work and meta-analyses are summarized. Thus, it was shown that internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) in adults is consistently very effective, with only slightly reduced effects compared with the same treatment with the physical presence of therapists and patients. Treatment effects are also shown for secondary outcome parameters such as depression, anxiety, fatigue, and quality of life. On the other hand, research on the effectiveness of internet-based CGT‑I in adults with comorbid mental disorders or physical illnesses, and on the issue of how much contact with therapists should be integrated into treatment, does not seem to provide any conclusive answers. Further research seems to be needed in these areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]