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Decision-making deficits are strong predictors of poor clinical outcomes in addiction treatment. However, research on interventions that address decision-making deficits among people with addiction is scarce and has not been analyzed. We aimed to systematically review evidence on neuropsychological interventions for decision-making deficits in addiction to identify promising therapies. Eligibility criteria were (1) participants with a diagnosis of substance use or behavioral addictive disorders, (2) interventions consisting of (neuro) psychological treatments that address decision-making, (3) comparators comprising control (sham) interventions, treatment as usual or no-treatment, (4) outcomes including a decision-making task, and (5) studies including RCTs and non-randomized trials. Search terms included addiction (or alcohol/drug/substance use/gambling) AND treatment (or specific interventions) AND decision-making (or specific tasks). The search yielded 728 hits, and two independent assessors agreed on the final selection of 12 articles. Interventions included Contingency Management (3 studies), Working Memory Training (2 studies) Goal Management Training (2 studies), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (2 studies), Reality Therapy, Motivational Interview and Monetary Management. The main outcome measures were tasks of delay discounting, risk-taking and reward-based decision-making. Results showed that Goal Management Training improves reward-based decision-making, while Contingency Management combined with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has beneficial effects on delay discounting. The evidence on Working Memory Training and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as stand-alone treatments was mixed. Motivational Interview and Monetary Management had no significant effects on decision-making. Bias control across studies was moderate. We conclude that Goal Management Training and Contingency Management combined with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy have potential to modify decision-making in people with addiction. RCTs are needed to establish the efficacy of these interventions.

This systematic review aims to review the potential psychosocial benefits of individual reminiscence therapy for people with dementia. Five randomized controlled trials were identified. All were carried out in nursing or care homes, and several different approaches were represented. The studies reported some immediate and longer-term psychosocial benefits to people with dementia of individual reminiscence work, where this involved a life review process or personalized, specific reminiscence work. These benefits included mood, well-being and aspects of cognitive function. There was no evidence that the use of general reminiscence materials was associated with psychosocial benefits. The use of life story books and multimedia alternatives, with or without an associated life review process, does appear to be worth pursuing from both clinical and research perspectives.

Thesis: Since Socrates, western philosophy has been concerned with the study of humankind, with a strong emphasis on how we ought to live and why. Philosophy, in its multiple forms and expressions, has enabled many to pursue their lives with greater depth, richness, and variety; yet it can also act as a therapeutic method for the achievement of a healthier life. Asking and answering philosophical questions such as 'How best ought I live?', 'What is the meaning of my life in relation to the whole?', 'Why should I live?', 'What constitutes a healthy life?' can act as therapeutic entryways, not only within the parameters of one's own mind or in a university classroom, but also within a health care/therapy context. Philosophy, both as subject and method, is a powerful, largely unrecognized, therapeutic instrument for social medicine, an instrument whose application in various health care settings could benefit those--patient and staff--in need of consolation and support when they need it most.

The author mentions and describes in detail three dynamically oriented psychiatric activities which proved useful and became thus an important component of comprehensive treatment of demented patients. Part of the activating programme for patients with advanced affections of memory, orientation and concentrating capacity is Training in orientation and reality (TOR). Relaxation training (TR) helps patients to get rid of the sensation of tension, fear and uncertainty. Cognitive training (KT) helps to restore and improve cognitive functions. By means of the mentioned activities the authors reinforce persisting abilities and skills. In the conclusion the authors present recommendations which make the reader familiar with suitable communication with and treatment of clients suffering from organic brain affections.

Various psychological approaches to the treatment of elderly patients (including activity and stimulation programmes, reality orientation, environmental approaches and behabiour modification) are discussed with regard to their efficacy and those features that approaches claiming success have in common. The importance of the attitudes of the care staff is discussed, especially in relation to the consistency and intensity of application of treatment programmes. It is argued that the behavioural model is a useful starting point for future progress, and that much of the present literature is comprehensible in this framework.

The author schematically describes the three predominating themes in the development of the psychotherapies: dynamic, behavioral, and experiential. These themes represent different conceptualizations of the fundamental nature of man and his ills, therapeutic processes or change agents, the basic nature of the physician-patient relationship, and the primary techniques and methods used. Although there appears to be some unifying thread connecting the four different areas within each theme, a comparable bond does not exist across the three themes. The author questions the potential unification of the psychotherapies and poses specific dimensions for further exploration.

To recognize the influence of the social and physical environment on demential pathology has methodological and therapeutical implications. Since the beginning of the seventies, many works have demonstrated that senile deterioration is not a continuous nor insurmountable process. There is no ineluctable evolution, independent of environment. The different therapeutical strategies can be analysed in terms of behavior modification through an action upon the physical and social determinants of the environment. The authors present two complementary methods of revalidation: an individualised reeducation of necessary behaviors for a social autonomy (toilet, dressing, continence) and a program of physical and psychic activation, to maintain or reestablish social skills (management of the institutional environment, physical mobilisation, ergotherapy and sociotherapy). These methods are relevant to the functional analysis and behavior modification. They are in concordance with the goals of the contemporary gerontology.

This paper describes validation therapy--a method of communicating with disorientated people through the use of specific interactive techniques. It is compared with reality orientation as this is the most widely used therapy for demented patients. The method of evaluating the effects of validation group therapy is included. The authors suggest that validation therapy is an exciting and important therapeutic development which can restore self-worth and ease the stress suffered by elderly people with dementia.

Provides background of Glasser's Reality Therapy (RT) since its inception in l960s. Discusses incorporation of Control Theory Psychology into Reality Therapy, growth of RT during past 16 years, and development of Educator Training Center. Cites l98l establishment of annual conference and Senior Faculty examination (l98l) as evidence of continued growth of Reality Therapy. (CM)

Background and aims: Nursing is a high-risk profession often associated with burnout, leading to conditions such as workplace fatigue and job dissatisfaction. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of positive psychotherapy and reality therapy training in reducing compassion fatigue and job burnout among the medical staff during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test and post-test and a control group. A total of 45 male and female staff members from Kashani Hospital in Shahrekord were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to three groups: two experimental and one control (15 participants each). Participants completed questionnaires measuring compassion fatigue and job burnout prior to the intervention. After eight sessions of training in positive psychotherapy and reality therapy for the experimental groups, participants completed the questionnaires again for the post-test phase. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Results: The findings indicated a significant difference between the effectiveness of positive psychotherapy and reality therapy training on compassion fatigue and job burnout among the medical staff, with reality therapy demonstrating greater effectiveness (p<0.01). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that both positive psychotherapy and reality therapy training are effective in mitigating compassion fatigue and job burnout. Moreover, reality therapy is more effective than positive psychotherapy in achieving these outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Anxiety disorders are among the most common psychiatric conditions and have a rising prevalence. Patients with anxiety disorders can, however, be deterred from seeking treatment due to associated stigmas and medication side effects. Evidence indicates that promising digital health solutions to address those concerns reside in the growing field of extended reality (XR). The limited literature synthesis from the perspectives of patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs) regarding the experiences and effectiveness of XR-based anxiety disorder therapies motivated the undertaking of this systematic review. (2) Methods: A systematic search of the literature was conducted according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines on the following databases: CINAHL, APA PsycNet and PubMed. The search was completed on 23 January 2024 with no restriction on the time of publication. Studies were screened based on a predetermined selection criteria relevant to the research aims. (3) Results: Five studies fulfilled the inclusion requirements. The majority investigated the use of XR tools for individual therapy and indicated that they can be as effective for patients as traditional methods and can aid in HCPs' therapeutic tasks. (4) Conclusions: XR-based anxiety disorder therapies are generally perceived as immersive and with minimal side effects by patients, while HCPs mostly consider XR tools as practical and assistive. However, refinements with the XR setup could further improve the experience. Such modalities represent potent drug-free alternatives or supplements to traditional therapy and could be considered for remote, individual care. The findings' generalisability requires further research into more conditions within the anxiety disorder group, as well as larger sample sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The Fear of Childbirth (FOC) is regarded as a general problem, which affects women's health and well-being, justifying demanding caesarean section. Several primary studies have been performed in relation to the interventions performed to reduce the fear of childbirth, which show contradictions between the results of these studies. This review aims to provide a comprehensive review of the different types of interventions used to reduce the fear of childbirth in pregnant mothers. In this study, systematic review of study information related to the effect of different therapies on reducing the fear of childbirth using subject-related keywords and validated with MeSH in SID, MagIran, IranMedex, IranDoc, Embase, ProQuest, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science (ISI) databases and Google Scholar Search Engine were extracted without any time limit until February 2021. After removing duplicates and irrelevant works from among the 5396 articles found, 63 articles remained in the study. The participants in these 63 articles were 5415 cases and 5770 controls. In addition, three studies were on epidural anesthesia, 33 on the effects of psychotherapy, 19 on the effects of education, and eight on the influence of other interventions on alleviating FOC. As shown by the results, psychotherapy intervention and education decreased FOC significantly. According to the results of this study, to prevent the fear of childbirth, pregnancy training and prenatal preparation courses are recommended to empower pregnant women. It also seems beneficial to use psychotherapy approaches for women who are afraid of childbirth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existential therapy (ET) is a form of psychological and existence therapy that links a clinical approach with a philosophical reading of reality. Compared to other psychotherapeutic approaches, ET’s identity is not anchored to etiological certainties or codified treatment techniques. This feature, along with the complexity of the theoretical assumptions it refers to, has resulted in a reputation that is not very high in terms of popularity among both practitioners and possible patients that had resulted in a prejudice of a psychotherapy without tools. The aim of the paper is to modify this prejudice and underline how existential psychotherapy uses many tools and techniques, also borrowed from other psychotherapies. The core of existential therapy is its epistemological approach and its mental attitude of non-invasiveness of the emotional sphere and the noetic development of the client. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Procrastination is considered as an obstacle to academic progress because it reduces the quality and quantity of academic success by increasing stress and negative consequences in the academic life of students. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of reality therapy on exam anxiety and academic procrastination among male high school students. Methods: The current research is a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test and follow-up design. The statistical population of the current research is all high school male students in Sari city (Academic year 2021-2022), and the participants were selected using simple random allocation sampling method. 2 high schools were randomly selected from each district. The participants of this research included 40 male students who were allocated to two groups of experiment and control (20 in each group), using the simple random sampling. The experimental group received online reality therapy during 8 one-and-a-half-hour sessions, and the control group were placed on the waiting list. After the end of the treatment period, both groups were subjected to a post-test and a follow-up test. Friedman's test anxiety questionnaires and Solomon's academic procrastination were used to collect data. The data were analyzed through analysis of variance test with repeated measures using SPSS-25 software. Results: The results showed that mean±SD reality therapy significantly reduced the mean exam anxiety (46.96±7.65 vs. 21.54±4.50; P=0.001) and procrastination (51.30±6.16 vs. 93.82±9.93; P=0.001) was effective for the students' academic performance, and the changes made were stable until the follow-up period. Conclusion: Based on the findings of the research, it can be concluded that reality therapy is effective in reducing exam anxiety and academic procrastination of students, so it can be used as an effective method the to reduce exam anxiety and academic procrastination of high school students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Technology‐supported exposure and response prevention (ERP) for patients with obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) as tested in clinical research, holds promise but also has limitations. The present study aims to overcome these limitations by using mixed reality for ERP (MERP). The objectives of this pilot study were to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and acceptance of MERP and to identify possible obstacles. Methods: Twenty inpatients with contamination‐related OCD were recruited and randomized to two conditions: MERP (six sessions in 3 weeks) and care as usual treatment. Patients were assessed before treatment (baseline), after the 3‐week intervention period (post), as well as 3 months after post assessment (follow‐up) regarding symptomatology (Y‐BOCS). Results: Results showed a similar reduction in symptomatology in both groups from baseline to post. Regarding safety, no clinically significant deterioration was detected in the MERP group. Patients' evaluation of the MERP was heterogeneous. The qualitative feedback provided helpful indications for further development of the software. Sense of presence was below the midpoint of the scales. Conclusion: This is the first study evaluating a MERP for patients with OCD that shows cautious evidence for the acceptance and safety of MERP. The results of the subjective evaluation suggest revisions of the software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) do not receive cognitive behavioral therapy with exposure and response prevention (first line treatment for OCD), for example, due to patients' fear of the exposure and reservations of the therapists. Technology-supported exposure (e.g., exposure therapy with response prevention in mixed reality [MERP]) for patients with OCD may help to overcome this obstacle. Building upon findings of our pilot study objectives of this study are to evaluate the efficacy, expectations of treatment success, feasibility, and acceptance of MERP as well as to identify possible limitations. In total, 64 outpatients with contamination-related OCD will be recruited and randomized to one of two conditions: MERP (six sessions in six weeks) and self-guided exposure therapy (six exercises in six weeks). Participants will be assessed before (baseline), after the six-week intervention period (post), as well as three months after post assessment (follow-up) regarding symptomatology (Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale; Y-BOCS), their subjective evaluation of MERP (acceptance) and sense of presence. The planned study is the first to investigate MERP in patients with OCD. Trial registration: German Registry for Clinical Studies (DRKS00020969), 14.06.2021. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various articles within the issue on topics including study on post-traumatic growth; prevalence of resilience in the youth in foster care; and Individual Psychology conceptualization of subjectivity.

Background and Objectives: Virtual reality (VR) therapy may be an effective tool in treating urges and cravings in substance use disorder (SUD). Given the high co‐occurrence of difficulties with mood, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation with SUD, this review sought to examine the extant literature on the efficacy of VR for SUD in improving these secondary treatment outcomes. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines in PubMed, PsychInfo, and Embase. Studies were included if they utilized immersive VR, were conducted with individuals with substance use disorder/dependence/misuse, and included measures of mood, anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, or retention in treatment. Results: Seven articles met our inclusion criteria. Five studies were conducted on patients using nicotine and utilized a cue‐exposure intervention. VR was effective at reducing substance use and cravings in the majority of studies. Results on the efficacy of VR for improving mood, anxiety, and emotional regulation were mixed. Work examining retention in treatment was limited. Discussion and Conclusions: VR for SUD has the potential to improve mood and anxiety symptoms as well as retention in treatment for patients with SUD, particularly if the therapy targets these psychological symptoms. Future studies examining components of VR for SUD in individuals with drug use disorders, as well as examinations of targeted interventions for associated mood, emotional dysregulation, and retention in treatment, are necessary. Scientific Significance: This is the first systematic review of the impact of VR on mood, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation for individuals with substance use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of a Choice Theory/Reality Therapy (CT/RT) based psychoeducation program on the psychological need satisfaction and subjective well-being levels of teachers. This study was conducted with paired experimental and control groups with pre, post and follow up measures with a quasi-experimental 2x3 factorial design. Within the scope of the study, a psychoeducation program of six sessions was developed, and this program was administered to the teachers on a once-a-week basis. As data collection instruments, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule-PANAS (Watson et. al., 1985), The Satisfaction with Life Scale-SWLS (Diener et. al., 1985), and The Psychological Needs Inventory-PNI (Eşici, 2014) were used. The data were analyzed with a mixed-design ANOVA. As a result of the present study, it was observed that for the experimental group that received the psychoeducation program, the SWLS, the Positive Affect (PA) subscale of the PANAS, and the PNI scores of participants were significantly increased compared to the control group, whereas the Negative Affect (NA) subscale of the PANAS scores were significantly decreased compared to the control group. The demonstrated changes were also observed to continue in the follow-up tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure therapy in virtual reality is successful in treating anxiety disorders. Studies on exposure and response prevention in virtual reality (VERP) in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are rare, and it is unclear whether distress associated with other emotions than anxiety (e.g., disgust) can be evoked. The present study aimed to investigate whether distress can be induced during VERP in patients with contamination-related OCD (C-OCD) and a primary feeling of disgust. We treated eight female patients with C-OCD with the primary emotion of disgust over six weeks with VERP and assessed their OC symptoms before and after the intervention period with the Y-BOCS. We measured subjective units of distress (SUD), heart rate and skin conductivity (arousal), sense of presence, and simulator sickness during four consecutive exposure sessions. VERP was able to induce distress and arousal. The qualitative feedback was heterogeneous and sense of presence moderate. Patients' OC symptoms reduced over the treatment period with medium to large effect sizes, but only two patients were considered responders; two patients discontinued treatment due to lack of treatment success. Although VERP was able to induce distress and arousal associated with disgust and evoked a moderate sense of presence, the low rate of symptom reduction diminishes the positive results. Possible reasons for the heterogeneous results and implications are discussed. Trial registration: German Registry for Clinical Studies (DRKS00016929), 10.04.2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtual reality (VR) allows users to experience highly immersive, simulated events that would otherwise be too dangerous, expensive, or just impossible to achieve in a real environment. While VR was once only available to a handful of researchers, commercialization and decreased costs have greatly increased its accessibility to all. Because it provides the capability to precisely control the virtual world, VR has become an increasingly popular tool for use by psychological researchers and therapists, alike. The vast growing literature on VR documents how it has been used for such purposes as gaming and entertainment, knowledge elicitation, training and education, exposure therapy, and physical rehabilitation. However, though the use of VR holds great potential, it may not be suitable for everyone. Many factors must be considered before adopting this technology. This article reviews some of the many uses for VR, as well as its strengths and limitations when used for research and therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common neurological diseases that severely affects the patients‘ quality of sleep. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of reality therapy and positive psychotherapy on sleep quality in women with MS. Materials & Methods: The research method was quasi-experimental with a pre-test, post-test design and a control group. The study population included all women with MS referred to the Guilan MS Association in the summer and fall of 2019 who were selected by purposive sampling method. They were randomly assigned in three groups of 15 people for reality therapy training, positive psychotherapy, and control group. Both experimental groups received eight 90-minute sessions of psychotherapy interventions, but the control group received no training. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to collect data. Data analysis was performed by Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) and Bonferroni post hoc test in SPSS version 22. Results: Both reality therapy and positive psychotherapy significantly improved sleep quality in women with MS (P

Perceived Locus of Control and Self-Evaluation Perceived locus of control is a traditional and helpful principle used in counseling and psychotherapy for decades. This major contribution of Julian Rotter is a significant part of the effective use of reality therapy. This article illustrates how a reality therapist can assist clients to move from a sense of powerlessness to the belief that they have more inner control than previously believed. The author illustrates this process with a client and suggests that the principles of perceived locus of control and reality therapy have implications for use on a societal basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtual reality (VR) has been used as a complementary therapy for managing psychological and physical symptoms in cancer patients. In palliative care, the evidence about the use of VR is still inadequate. This study aims to assess the effect of an immersive VR-based intervention conducted at home on anxiety, depression, and pain over 4days and to evaluate the short-term effect of VR sessions on cancer-related symptomatology. Participants were advanced cancer patients assisted at home who were provided with a VR headset for 4days. On days one and four, anxiety and depression were measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and pain by the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). Before and after each VR session, symptoms were collected by the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS). Participants wore a smart wristband measuring physiological signals associated with pain, anxiety, and depression. Fourteen patients (mean age 47.2±14.2years) were recruited. Anxiety, depression (HADS), and pain (BPI) did not change significantly between days one and four. However, the ESAS items related to pain, depression, anxiety, well-being, and shortness of breath collected immediately after the VR sessions showed a significant improvement (p <0.01). A progressive reduction in electrodermal activity has been observed comparing the recordings before, during, and after the VR sessions, although these changes were not statistically significant. This brief research report supports the idea that VR could represent a suitable complementary tool for psychological treatment in advanced cancer patients assisted at home. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) have been combined with physical rehabilitation and psychological treatments to improve patients' emotional reactions, body image, and physical function. Nonetheless, no detailed investigation assessed the relationship between VR or AR manual therapies (MTs), which are touch-based approaches that involve the manipulation of tissues for relieving pain and improving balance, postural stability and well-being in several pathological conditions. The present review attempts to explore whether and how VR and AR might be integrated with MTs to improve patient care, with particular attention to balance and to fields like chronic pain that need an approach that engages both mind and body. MTs rely essentially on touch to induce tactile, proprioceptive, and interoceptive stimulations, whereas VR and AR rely mainly on visual, auditory, and proprioceptive stimulations. MTs might increase patients' overall immersion in the virtual experience by inducing parasympathetic tone and relaxing the mind, thus enhancing VR and AR effects. VR and AR could help manual therapists overcome patients' negative beliefs about pain, address pain-related emotional issues, and educate them about functional posture and movements. VR and AR could also engage and change the sensorimotor neural maps that the brain uses to cope with environmental stressors. Hence, combining MTs with VR and AR could define a whole mind-body intervention that uses psychological, interoceptive, and exteroceptive stimulations for rebalancing sensorimotor integration, distorted perceptions, including visual, and body images. Regarding the technology needed to integrate VR and AR with MTs, head-mounted displays could be the most suitable devices due to being low-cost, also allowing patients to follow VR therapy at home. There is enough evidence to argue that integrating MTs with VR and AR could help manual therapists offer patients better and comprehensive treatments. However, therapists need valid tools to identify which patients would benefit from VR and AR to avoid potential adverse effects, and both therapists and patients have to be involved in the development of VR and AR applications to define truly patient-centered therapies. Furthermore, future studies should assess whether the integration between MTs and VR or AR is practically feasible, safe, and clinically useful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studying the perceptions of the therapists and the clients on the meaning of psychotherapy is important because through them one can grasp some of the realities of therapy that cannot be studied through conventional quantitative research. Reintroducing a phenomenological perspective may further ease our understanding of psychotherapy in general. In this study, the action of giving significance to one's experience is used to describe the perceptions of the psychotherapists (N=137) and the clients (N=103). The analysis used in the study, a version of grounded theory research, revealed that when it comes to the significance given to therapy, psychotherapists and clients tend to have similar opinions. The categories found in the clients verbatim were self-knowledge, personal development, answer, help, healing and others and in therapists' responses were: self-knowledge, healing, solution, personal development, change and others. The different themes were help for the clients and change for therapists. The difference in the analysed categories is a conceptual one, psychotherapists tending to be more idealistic in their meaning giving process than clients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Irrational beliefs in brilliant talent students can influence their psychological hardiness and lead to adverse social and academic outcomes. The present study mainly aimed to compare the effectiveness of group reality therapy and positive psychotherapy in improving the irrational beliefs and psychological hardiness of male brilliant talent high school students in Shahrekord during 2017. Methods: The present experimental research, used pretest and posttest design including intervention and control groups. The study population included all the male gifted students in Shahrekord (N=276) who were first screened and then, 60 individuals were selected by convenience random sampling. Next, the individuals were assigned a number and then divided into two experimental groups (each containing 20 students) and one control group (including 20 students) using a random number table. Afterward, group reality therapy and positive psychotherapy interventions were performed within eight and ten weeks for the experimental groups, respectively. In addition, Jones Irrational Beliefs Test (IBT) and Kobasa's Psychological Hardiness Scale were employed to data collection. Six months after post-test implementation, the students were followed up. Finally, the data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc test. Results: The findings revealed that group reality therapy and positive psychotherapy led to a decrease in irrational beliefs while such therapies improved psychological hardiness in brilliant talent students (P < 0.001). Conversely, the results of the post-hoc test indicated no significant difference between the effects of group reality therapy and positive psychotherapy on irrational beliefs and psychological hardiness in brilliant talent students (P > 0.05). Conclusion: In general, group reality therapy and positive psychotherapy reduced irrational beliefs whereas they improved psychological hardiness of the brilliant talent students and therefore, these therapies can be used as effective interventions for the intended population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This submission is part two of an edited transcription of Lojk's keynote for the 5th EART Faculty Retreat, Medulin Croatia, Sept. 2014. In part one of his keynote, Lojk discussed some of the philosophical and theoretical approaches that have been used to explain human behavior. Lojk compares these ideas to William Glasser's Choice Theory. Lojk explains how the incorporation of Choice Theory with Reality Therapy lead to the New Reality Therapy. In part two of Lojk's keynote, Lojk explains how practitioners of Choice Theory and Reality Therapy can add to our approach to teaching these ideas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Our previous work showed that non-pharmacological interventions could effectively reduce the severity of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), while the factors influencing the effect of intervention were less explored. Therefore, the main purpose of the present study was to investigate the predictors of the non-pharmacological intervention effect for old veterans with dementia and BPSD. Methods A total of 141 old veterans with dementia living in two veterans' homes in northern Taiwan were recruited. The participants received an organized non-pharmacological intervention program of physical activity/exercise, music therapy, reality orientation, art therapy, reminiscence therapy and horticultural therapy once every week for 6 months. All participants were evaluated by the Barthel Index, Lawton-Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale, Mini-Mental State Examination, neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI), and the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia before and after the intervention. Logistic regression was used to investigate factors associated with improvement/maintenance of cognition (measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination), and improvement of BPSD (measured by NPI) and its subdomains during the intervention period. Results Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the improvement/maintenance of cognitive function was independently associated with a lower Mini-Mental State Examination score at baseline (odds ratio [OR] 0.88, 95% CI 0.80-0.97, P = 0.008), whereas participants with antipsychotic use were less likely to gain the effect (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.17-1.04, P = 0.061). In addition, the improvement of BPSD was associated with a higher baseline total NPI score (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.15-1.55, P < 0.001), and the result was consistent in different NPI subdomains (psychotic domain: OR 1.96, 95% CI 0.83-4.58, P = 0.123; affective domain: OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.25-2.13, P < 0.001; behavior domain: OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.53-3.30, P < 0.001) and caregiver burden (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.24-2.14, P < 0.001). In addition, a higher Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia score was correlated with an improvement in the NPI behavior domain (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.01-2.18, P = 0.047), whereas participants with hearing impairment had a lower chance of improvement in the NPI behavior domain (OR 0.11, 95% CI 0.01-1.23, P = 0.073) and care burden (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.03-0.99, P = 0.050). Conclusions Our findings show that non-pharmacological intervention programs have a significant effect on reducing overall NPI score, NPI caregiver burden score and NPI subdomains - psychotic, affective and behavior syndrome - in old veterans with dementia. In addition, participants with lower cognitive performance, more severe BPSD and depressive symptoms at baseline were more likely to gain benefit from the intervention, whereas antipsychotic use and hearing impairment were negative predictors of improvement of cognition and BPSD, respectively. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017: 17 (Suppl. 1): 28-35. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the development of Choice Theory, Reality Therapy and Lead Management (CTRTLM) in Japan between 1985 and 2016. It includes the meeting of Rhon Carleton and Masaki Kakitani and their collaboration to spread the ideas and teachings of Dr. William Glasser throughout Japan. In addition to teaching intensive weeks, Japan has uniquely included radio broad casting programs on CT and its use in business consulting firms. Japan has two organizations: the William Glasser Institute Japan which is a nonprofit organization and the Japan Association for Choice Theory Psychology, which is an academic organization. Those organizations work together to provide training programs in CTRTLM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intention of this article is to shine a light on some of the people and key events that have occurred on the journey of CT/RT & LM in the UK; the development of which feels like it's still going on, by the way. Of the many influential people, from both the UK and overseas, there is none more so than Dr. Bob Wubbolding, who with his energy, generosity, and brilliance as a teacher and practitioner, really provided the 'lift off' needed for these ideas and skills to get significantly underway in the UK. In addition to that, it is important to highlight several significant 'landings' (visits) by Bill and Carleen Glasser and to mention the unique opportunities these 'landings' provided to learn some very useful ideas and insights, from Dr. Glasser himself. These included such ideas and insights as the importance of focusing on conscious choice versus unconscious and involuntary behaviour; mental illness; the place of meaning and purpose; and even of spirituality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article tracks the early beginnings of the Glasser institute in Australia to the present time, starting with Glasser's first visit to Australia in 1979. It acknowledges the energy and commitment of the early devotees of William Glasser's work and all those that have come after them. It outlines how over the years the organization has adapted to and is continuing to adapt to the challenges that present themselves. As a result there are structures and systems in place as well as Faculty at all levels to continue to offer Quality training and teach CT/RT/ LM in a variety of ways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dr. Ong Kwee Hiong, Clare, discusses her introduction to Reality Therapy and Choice Theory (CT/RT) and the development of these ideas in Singapore. She was instrumental in facilitating training and was an officer in the Association for Reality Therapy in Singapore, now known as William Glasser Institute Singapore. She is passionate about helping children who are marginalized/ignored/ or left behind because of their learning/developmental/ emotional difficulties, and provides an example of how she has used CT/RT in her work as a psychologist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reality Therapy began in Korea in the mid 1980's under the leadership of Dr. Rose In-za Kim, the first female dean at Sogang University and director of the Korea Counseling Center. The growth of choice theory and reality therapy (CT/RT) has been the result of the relentless work of Dr. Kim and her staff, students, and family. Because of their dedication and leadership, hundreds of individuals have been certified in CT/RT. As of July 2016, there have been 350 studies on reality therapy conducted under the leadership of Professor Kim and her colleagues. She and her beloved husband Charley (d. 2015) have devoted a countless number of hours and days as well as personal resources to making choice theory and reality therapy a Korean system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This submission is an edited transcription of Lojk's keynote for the 5th EART Faculty Retreat, Medulin Croatia, Sept. 2014. In part one of his keynote, Ljok discusses some of the philosophical and theoretical approaches that have been used to explain human behaviour. Ljok compares these ideas to William Glasser's Choice Theory. Finally, Ljok explains how the incorporation of Choice Theory with Reality Therapy lead to the New Reality Therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article pays tribute to Leon Lojk, who devoted 40 years of his life to the advancement of Choice Theory and Reality Therapy. As a result of his efforts, Reality Therapy attained recognition in Europe as scientifically grounded psychotherapeutic approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]