Search

Introduction There is strong evidence that physical activities are important in increasing and maintaining mental health as well as in preventing relapse after mental health disorders (Schulz et al., 2011). Physical activity is an integral part of the treatment program in psychiatric hospitals in Switzerland (CH; Brand et al., 2016). However, after discharge from the hospital in CH, there are insufficient opportunities to engage in physical activity for individuals with mental health disorders (IMHD). To close this gap, voluntary sports groups (VSG) for IMHD have been growing in Switzerland since 2016, mainly organized by the PluSport Umbrella Organization of Swiss Disabled Sports (Kiselev & Loosli, 2019). Yet, little is known about these VSG and their training settings. The perspectives of IMHD and trainers of these groups as well as the perceived barriers and facilitators for participating for IMHD have neither been assessed nor included in the design of sports programs. Therefore, two studies aimed to explore the point of view of the IMHD (first study) and the trainers of these groups (second study) on challenges, barriers, and facilitators for IMHD regarding participation in VSG for IMHD. Additionally, given the crucial role of the trainers in the training process and the importance of their interpersonal characteristics, both studies aimed to identify reasons/motivations and proper personality characteristics of the VSG trainers from the interviewees’ perspective. Methods Both studies consisted of 15 semi-structured interviews each (with participants (1st study) and with trainers (2nd study) of VSG for IMHD). The results were analyzed using thematic analysis using Nvivo (Guest et al., 2012). Results Several training facilitators and trainers’ characteristics supporting the participation of the IMHD in VSG for IMHD were named by interviewees (e.g., offer-specific, emotional, rational motives, social skills of the trainers, and ability to set boundaries). At the same time, respondents reported several barriers as possible inhibitors for the participation of IMHD in VSG for IMHD (e.g., intrapersonal, structural, offer-specific, interpersonal and socio-cultural). Within the interviews, IMHD described predominantly positive perceived outcomes from participating in VSG for IMHD. On the other side, trainers of VSG for IMHD highlighted the satisfaction of doing sports with IMHD and of the contribution to improving the physical activity habits of IMHD as the main factors for their commitment as coaches (Baumberger et al., under review; Epiney et al., 2023). Discussion/Conclusion IMHD benefit socially, physically, and psychologically from participating in VSG for IMHD. However, participation is associated with barriers that need to be minimized in the future to make participation more accessible. Furthermore, the findings suggest improving the recruitment of future trainers of VSG for IMHD by focusing on assessing the appropriate personality characteristics of trainers and their motives. Additionally, findings should be integrated into the educational materials of Swiss disabled sports systems to ensure the proper upskilling of the new and present trainers of VSG for IMHD and ensure the quality and attractiveness of these groups for the target population . Finally, a large-scale survey is necessary to validate the results among the population. References Baumberger, C., Wieber, F., Pauli, C., Loosli, D., Kleim, B., & Kiselev, N. (under review). Active bodies - Active minds? A deep dive into the voluntary sports programs for individuals with psychiatric disorders in Switzerland: Participants view. BMC Public Health. Brand, S., Colledge, F., Beeler, N., Pühse, U., Kalak, N., Sadeghi Bahmani, D., Mikoteit, T., Holsboer-Trachsler, E., & Gerber, M. (2016). The current state of physical activity and exercise programs in German-speaking, Swiss psychiatric hospitals: Results from a brief online survey. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 12, 1309-1317. https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S107313 Epiney, F., Wieber, F., Loosli, D., Znoj, H., & Kiselev, N. (2023). Voluntary sports programs for individuals with mental health disorders: The trainer’s view. Plos one, 18(10), Article e0290404. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0290404 Guest, G., MacQueen, K., & Namey, E. (2012). Applied Thematic Analysis. SAGE. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781483384436 Kiselev, N., & Loosli, D. (2019). Kann ich mitmachen? Behinderten- und Rollstuhlsportclubs in der Schweiz und der Zugang zum Behinderten- und Rollstuhlsport [Disabled and wheelchair sports clubs in Switzerland and access to disabled and wheelchair sports]. Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Heilpädagogik, 25(5-6), 13-20. Schulz, K. H., Meyer, A., & Langguth, N. (2011). Körperliche Aktivität und psychische Gesundheit [Physical activity and mental health]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz, 55(1), 55-65. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00103-011-1387-x

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290404.].

IntroductionAcute myocardial infarction (MI) is a potentially fatal condition, leading to high psychological distress and possibly resulting in the development of depressive symptoms and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). The aim of this study was to investigate the association of clusters of positive psychosocial factors (resilience, task-oriented coping, positive affect and social support) with both MI-induced depressive symptoms and PTSS, independent of demographic factors.MethodsWe investigated 154 consecutive patients with MI, 3 and 12 months after hospital discharge. All patients completed the short version of the German Resilience Scale, the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS), the Enriched Social Support Inventory (ESSI) and the Global Mood Scale (GMS). The level of interviewer-rated MI-induced posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms at 3- and 12-months follow-up was evaluated through the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS). Depressive symptoms were assessed at 3- and 12-month follow-up with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II).ResultsThree different clusters were revealed: (1) lonely cluster: lowest social support, resilience and average task-oriented coping and positive affect; (2) low risk cluster: highest resilience, task-oriented coping, positive affect and social support; (3) avoidant cluster: lowest task-oriented coping, positive affect, average resilience and social support. The clusters differed in depressive symptoms at 3 months (F = 5.10; p

Objective: A growing body of literature suggests a relationship between personality traits and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms after acute coronary events (ACS). However, specific personality profiles have not been examined in patients after ACS. Thus, the aim of the present study was to examine personality profiles created from response patterns on the resilience, alexithymia and type D personality (TDP) scales and to examine associations with PTSD symptoms, symptom clusters and coping styles among a sample of ACS patients. Methods: A cluster analytic approach was utilized to identify risk profiles based on personality variables and a series of ANOVAs in 154 patients. Post hoc analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between each profile, and interviewer-rated PTSD symptoms and different coping styles. Results: The analyses indicated a three-cluster solution, including low- (high resilience, low alexithymia and non-TDP), medium- (average resilience, average alexithymia and non-TDP) and high-risk (low resilience, high alexithymia and TDP) profiles. Clusters differed significantly in all three coping subscales. At 3-month follow up, clusters differed significantly in all three PTSD subscales (re-experiencing, avoidance and hyperarousal). At 12-month follow up, the differences remained significant for the hyperarousal subscale only. Conclusions: The personality profiles identified and the respective associations to PTSD symptoms and coping strategies highlight the potential impact for the psychological adjustment following ACS.

Objective: Myocardial infarction (MI) results in mental health consequences, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The risk and protective factors of such mental consequences are not fully understood. This study examined the relation between MI severity and future mental health consequences and the moderating role of vagal nerve activity. Methods: In a reanalysis of data from the Myocardial Infarction-Stress Prevention Intervention (MI-SPRINT) study, 154 post-MI patients participated. MI severity was measured by the Killip Scale and by troponin levels. Depression and PTSD symptoms were assessed with valid questionnaires, both at 3 and 12 months. Vagal nerve activity was indexed by the heart rate variability (HRV) parameter of the root-mean square of successive R-R differences (RMSSD). Following multivariate analyses, the association between MI severity and distress was examined in patients with low and high HRV (RMSSD = 30 ms). Results: In the full sample, the Killip index predicted post-MI distress only at 3 months, while troponin predicted distress at 3- and 12-months post-MI. However, HRV moderated the effects of the Killip classification; Killip significantly predicted symptoms of depression and PTSD at 3- and 12-months post-MI, but only in patients with low HRV. Such moderation was absent for troponin. Conclusion: MI severity (Killip classification) predicted post-MI depression and PTSD symptoms, but only in patients with low HRV, suggesting that the vagal nerve is a partial protective (moderating) factor in the relation between Killip score and post-MI distress.

Abstract Background Refugees and asylum seekers are frequently exposed to violence, human rights violations and unstable living conditions before, during, and after their displacement. Elevated prevalence rates of psychiatric disorders in forcibly displaced persons are well documented. However, less is known about other problems related to common refugee experiences, such as embitterment, moral injury, and diminished self-efficacy, and how they are related to trauma exposure and post-migration living difficulties. Methods A cross-sectional sample of 71 refugees and asylum seekers in treatment were examined regarding exposure to potentially traumatic events, post-migration living difficulties, moral injury appraisals, self-efficacy, and embitterment. Results Elevated levels of embitterment were reported by 68% of participants. The regression analysis revealed that greater moral injury appraisals and low levels of self-efficacy were significantly associated with higher levels of embitterment. Conclusion The results provide first insights into embitterment and associated factors in refugee populations. Furthermore, they highlight the significance of moral transgressions and low levels of self-efficacy emerging from displacement and traumatic experiences for the development of mental health problems in a clinical sample of refugees. The findings have implications for future research, policy development and clinical practice.

Abstract Background The coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) has reached pandemic status and is affecting countries all over the world. The COVID-19 pandemic is accompanied by various stressors that require adjustment in everyday life and possibly changes in personal future prospects. While some individuals cope well with these challenges, some develop psychological distress including depressive symptoms, anxiety, or stress. Internet-based self-help interventions have proven to be effective in the treatment of various mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. Based on that, we developed an internet-based self-help program for individuals with psychological distress due to the situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. The 3-week self-help program consists of 6 modules comprising texts, videos, figures, and exercises. Participants can request guidance within the self-help program (guidance on demand). The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of the self-help program compared to a waiting control condition. Methods The design is a parallel group randomized controlled trial. Participants are allocated to a 3-week self-help intervention plus care as usual or a 3-week waiting period with only care as usual. There are follow-ups after 6 weeks and 18 weeks. At least 80 participants with COVID-19 pandemic related psychological distress will be recruited. Primary outcome are depressive symptoms. Secondary outcomes include anxiety and chronic stress, suicidal experiences and behavior, health-related quality of life, generalized optimism and pessimism, embitterment, optimistic self-beliefs, emotion regulation skills, loneliness, resilience, and the satisfaction with and usability of the self-help program. Discussion To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the first studies investigating the efficacy of an internet-based self-help program for psychological distress due to the situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, the results of this study may give further insight into the use of internet-based self-help programs in pandemic-related psychological distress. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04380909 . Retrospectively registered on 8 May 2020.

IntroductionFirst evidence suggests that internet-based self-help interventions effectively reduce COVID-19 related psychological distress. However, it is yet unclear which participant characteristics are associated with better treatment outcomes. Therefore, we conducted secondary analyses on data from a randomized controlled trial investigating the efficacy of a 3-week internet-based self-help intervention for COVID-19 related psychological distress. In this exploratory analysis, we examined several predictors ranging from sociodemographic variables to psychological distress, resource-related, and treatment-related variables. This includes, for example, age, motivation, and emotion regulation skills. Treatment outcomes were defined as post-treatment depressive symptoms and post-treatment resilience.MethodsIn a total of 107 participants with at least mild depressive symptoms, possible predictor variables and treatment outcomes were assessed using self-report measures. For example, emotion regulation skills were assessed by the Self-report measure for the assessment of emotion regulation skills. In a first step, we performed a separate linear regression analysis for each potential predictor. In a second step, predictors meeting a significant threshold of p < 0.05 were entered in linear multiple regression models. Baseline scores of the respective outcome measure were controlled for.ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 40.36 years (SD = 14.59, range = 18–81 years) with the majority being female (n = 87, 81.3%). Younger age predicted lower post-treatment depressive symptoms. Additionally, higher motivation to use the intervention and better pre-treatment emotion regulation skills predicted higher post-treatment resilience.ConclusionThe current study provides preliminary evidence regarding the relationship between participant characteristics and treatment outcome in internet-based self-help interventions for COVID-19 related distress. Our results suggest that under the circumstances surrounding COVID-19 such interventions might be particularly beneficial for young adults regarding depressive symptoms. Moreover, focusing on participants' existing strengths might be a promising approach to promote resilience through internet-based self-help interventions. However, since this was an exploratory analysis in an uncontrolled setting, further studies are needed to draw firm conclusions about the relationship of participant characteristics and treatment outcome in internet-based self-help interventions for COVID-19 related psychological distress.

ObjectivePsychological consequences of myocardial infarction (MI) are substantial, as 4% of all MI patients develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and 12% clinically relevant posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). The study investigated the course and development within 12 months of MI-induced PTSS to gain novel insights in potentially delayed response to early trauma-focused counseling aimed at preventing the incidence of MI-induced PTSS.MethodsIn the MI-SPRINT two-group randomized controlled trial, 190 MI-patients were randomly allocated to receive a single-session intervention of either trauma-focused counseling or an active control intervention targeting the general role of stress in patients with heart disease. Blind interviewer-rated PTSS (primary outcome) and additional health outcomes were assessed at 12-month follow-up.Results12-month follow-up of outcomes were available for 106 (55.8%) of 190 participants: In the entire sample, one patient (0·5%, 1/190) who received trauma-focused counseling developed full PTSD. There was no significant difference between trauma-focused counseling and stress counseling regarding total score of interviewer-rated PTSS (p > 0.05). The only group difference emerged in terms of more severe hyperarousal symptoms in the trauma-focused counseling group in the ITT analysis, but not in the completer analysis.ConclusionsNo benefits were found for trauma-focused counseling after 12 months when compared with an active control intervention. PTSD prevalence in the present study was low highlighting a potential beneficial effect of both interventions. Further studies are needed to determine the most accurate approach of counseling.

BackgroundAfter acute coronary syndrome (ACS), one in eight patients develops clinically significant symptoms of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We hypothesized that changes in cardiac symptoms from 3 to 12 months after ACS are associated with changes in ACS-induced PTSD symptoms.MethodsAt 3 (n = 154) and/or 12 months (n = 106) post-ACS, patients (n = 156, mean age 59 years, 85% men) completed a clinical interview assessing chest tightness/pain (at rest and/or during exertion), heartbeat symptoms (heart palpitations, racing of heart, heart stumbling or skipping a beat) and PTSD symptoms during the prior 4 weeks. Random mixed regression models examined the association between the onset (or remission) from 3 to 12 months in cardiac symptoms with changes in PTSD symptoms, adjusting for a range of potential predictors of ACS-induced PTSD symptoms.ResultsThe onset of chest tightness/pain [estimate = 0.588, 95% confidence interval: 0.275, 0.090; p < 0.001] and of heartbeat symptoms [0.548 (0.165, 0.931); p = 0.005] from 3 to 12 months was independently associated with an increase in total PTSD symptoms. There were also independent associations between the onset of chest tightness/pain and heartbeat symptoms with an increase in PTSD symptom clusters. Specifically, the onset of chest tightness/pain showed associations with an increase in re-experiencing [0.450 (0.167, 0.733); p = 0.027] and avoidance/numbing [0.287 (0.001, 0.574); p = 0.049]. The onset of heartbeat symptoms showed associations with an increase in re-experiencing [0.392 (0.045, 0.739); p = 0.002], avoidance/numbing [0.513 (0.161, 0.864); p = 0.004] and hyperarousal [0.355 (0.051, 0.659); p = 0.022]. An increase in the total number of cardiac symptoms (score range 0–6) was also associated with an increase in total PTSD symptoms [0.343 (0.202, 0.484); p < 0.001]. Psychotherapy in the post-hospital period moderated the association between the change in heartbeat symptoms and the change in total PTSD symptoms [−0.813 (−1.553, −0.074); p = 0.031 for interaction]; the association between the onset of heart beat symptoms and an increase in total PTSD symptoms was weaker in patients who attended psychotherapy [0.437 (−0.178, 1.052); p = 0.16] than in those who did not [0.825 (0.341, 1.309); p < 0.001].ConclusionChanges in cardiac symptoms between 3 and 12 months after hospitalization are associated with changes in ACS-induced PTSD symptoms. ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT01781247.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and its far-reaching impact on physical and mental health generate high demand and, accordingly, a great need for treatment opportunities that promote well-being and manage psychological distress. Internet-based interventions are particularly suitable for this purpose. They are easily scalable, readily accessible, and the online format allows for adherence to social distancing. For this reason, we developed an internet-based self-help intervention called ROCO to address psychological distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This randomized controlled trial aimed to examine the efficacy of the ROCO intervention. Methods: A total of 107 German-speaking adults with at least mild depressive symptoms were randomized either to the intervention group with direct access to the three-week ROCO intervention plus care as usual or the waiting control group receiving care as usual. Primary outcome (depressive symptoms) and secondary outcomes (stress, anxiety, resilience, emotion regulation, health-related quality of life, embitterment, loneliness, optimism, and self-efficacy) were assessed pre- and post-treatment and at a 6-week follow-up using self-report questionnaires (e.g. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for depressive symptoms). Results: The average age was 40.36 years (SD = 14.59) and 81.3% of participants were female. The intervention did not significantly reduce primary depressive symptoms (between-group effect size: d = 0.04) and secondary outcomes such as anxiety and stress symptoms (between-group effect size: d = −0.19). However, the intervention led to a significant increase in emotion regulation skills (between-group effect size d = 0.35) and resilience (between-group effect size d = 0.38). Conclusions: The internet-based self-help intervention cannot be recommended for the purpose of reducing depressive symptoms. However, the increase in emotion regulation skills and resilience suggest that the intervention may be suitable for preventive purposes, like improving overall coping with psychological distress or potential stressors. Future research is needed to examine for whom and how the intervention is most effective.

Background Sleep disturbance has been associated with poor prognosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This study examined the course of sleep disturbance and associated factors in patients with ACS who were followed for one year. Methods Study participants were 180 patients (mean age 59.6 years, 81.7% men) with ACS admitted to a tertiary hospital to undergo acute coronary intervention. Sleep disturbance was interviewer-assessed at admission (n = 180), at 3 months (n = 146), and at 12 months (n = 101) using the Jenkins Sleep Scale (JSS)-4, with a total of 414 assessments over one year. Random linear mixed regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between sociodemographic factors, cardiac diseases severity, perceived distress during ACS, comorbidities, medication, health behaviors, and sleep disturbance over time. Results At admission, 3 months, and 12 months, 56.7%, 49.3%, and 49.5% of patients, respectively, scored above the mean value for sleep disturbance in the general population (JSS-4 score ≥5). There was a significant decrease in continuous JSS-4 scores over time [estimate (SE) = -0.211 (0.074), p = 0.005]. Female sex [0.526 (0.206), p = 0.012], greater fear of dying [0.074 (0.026), p = 0.004], helplessness during ACS [0.062 (0.029), p = 0.034], and a history of depression [0.422 (0.171), p = 0.015] were independently associated with higher JSS-4 scores over time. Conclusion Despite a decrease from admission to 3 months, sleep disturbance is prevalent in the first year after ACS. Female sex, depression history, and distress during ACS identify patients at increased risk of developing persistent sleep disturbance and may inform interventions to prevent sleep disturbance.

Intimate partner loss in later life can be one of the most stressful events in adulthood. Individuals who struggle to adapt to the new life conditions may need support from a mental health professional. However, less is known about the likelihood to seek professional help after separation, divorce, or bereavement in later life and associated factors. This study investigated professional help-seeking (PHS) for partner loss after a long-term marriage in separated, divorced, and bereaved individuals and examined the extent to which specific person and event-related variables, as well as depressive symptoms, increase its likelihood. The data were derived from the LIVES “Intimate Partner Loss Study.” The self-administered questionnaires were completed by 388 adults. PHS was higher after separation (57%) and divorce (49%), compared to widowhood (18%). Higher likelihood of PHS was associated with separation and divorce, female gender, having someone to count on, loss unexpectedness, needing more time to overcome the loss, and more depressive symptoms. Informing individuals unlikely to seek help (e.g., males, bereaved, and individuals with no confidant) about PHS benefits may facilitate adaptation to partner loss.

Background: Although illegal in most countries, cannabis remains the most common illicit drug in Switzerland and worldwide. While there is growing evidence on adverse effects of cannabis use, most users do not report any problems or negative consequences. In the face of a sustained high prevalence of cannabis use and the recent legalization waves in different parts of the world, it is important to know how cannabis is perceived in the general population and how current users regulate their own use. The present study aims to investigate users’ and non-users’ attitudes towards cannabis regulations and towards current users. Additionally, self-rated health measures as well as protective behavioral strategies and other cannabis related variables were assessed. Design and Method: We collected data from 380 current users and 659 non-users who were recruited by invitation letter or online media platforms. The data was analyzed using basic descriptive statistical procedures. Results: Results revealed that both groups favor moderate cannabis regulation measures over prohibition and no regulation at all. On average, they report the same subjective health. Protective strategies are often used and are associated with better health and lower severity of dependence in cannabis users. Conclusions: Taken together, results indicate that safe use of cannabis is possible for most users, while there is a group of users at risk of 15-20 %, which may benefit from control by regulatory measures.

Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) induce post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in one out of eight patients. Effects of preventive interventions, the course and potential moderators of ACS-induced PTSS are vastly understudied. This study explored whether a preventive behavioral intervention leads to a decrease in myocardial infarction (MI)-induced PTSS between two follow-up assessments. Sociodemographic, clinical and psychological factors were additionally tested as both moderators of change over time in PTSS and predictors of PTSS across two follow-ups. Within 48 h after reaching stable circulatory conditions, 104 patients with MI were randomized to a 45-min one-session intervention of either trauma-focused counseling or stress counseling (active control). Sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological data were collected at baseline, and PTSS were assessed with the Clinician-Administered Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Scale 3 and 12 months post-MI. PTSS severity showed no change over time from 3 to 12 months post-MI, either in all patients or through the intervention [mean group difference for total PTSS = 1.6 (95% CI −1.8, 4.9), re-experiencing symptoms = 0.8 (95% CI −0.7, 2.2), avoidance/numbing symptoms = 0.1 (95% CI −1.6, 1.7) and hyperarousal symptoms = 0.6 (95% CI −0.9, 2.1)]. Patients receiving one preventive session of trauma-focused counseling showed a decrease from 3 to 12 months post-MI in avoidance symptoms with higher age (p = 0.011) and direct associations of clinical burden indices with total PTSS across both follow-ups (p's ≤ 0.043; interaction effects). Regardless of the intervention, decreases in re-experiencing, avoidance and hyperarousal symptoms from 3 to 12 months post-MI occurred, respectively, in men (p = 0.006), participants with low education (p = 0.014) and with more acute stress symptoms (p = 0.021). Peritraumatic distress (p = 0.004) and lifetime depression (p = 0.038) predicted total PTSS across both follow-ups. We conclude that PTSS were persistent in the first year after MI and not prevented by an early one-session intervention. A preventive one-session intervention of trauma-focused counseling may be inappropriate for certain subgroups of patients, although this observation needs confirmation. As predictors of the development and persistence of PTSS, sociodemographic and psychological factors could help to identify high-risk patients yet at hospital admission.

Background Benzodiazepines and morphine are given during acute coronary syndromes (ACSs) to alleviate anxiety and pain, and β‐blockers may also reduce pain. ACS may induce posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (PTSS). When taken during trauma other than ACS, benzodiazepines increase the risk of PTSS, but it is unknown if benzodiazepines increase the risk of PTSS in ACS. We examined the effects of drug exposure during ACS on the development of PTSS. Methods and Results Study participants were 154 patients with a verified ACS. Baseline demographics, clinical variables, and psychological measures were obtained through a medical history, through a psychometric assessment, and from patient records, and used as covariates in linear regression analysis. Three months after ACS, the severity of PTSS was assessed with the Clinician‐Administered PTSD Scale. During ACS, 37.7% of patients were exposed to benzodiazepines, whereas 72.1% were exposed to morphine and 88.3% were exposed to β‐blockers, but only 7.1% were exposed to antidepressants. Eighteen (11.7%) patients developed clinical PTSD. Adjusting for all covariates, benzodiazepine use was significantly associated with the Clinician‐Administered PTSD Scale total severity score (unstandardized coefficient B [SE], 0.589 [0.274]; partial r=0.18; P=0.032) and the reexperiencing subscore (B [SE], 0.433 [0.217]; partial r=0.17; P=0.047). Patients exposed to benzodiazepines had an almost 4‐fold increased relative risk of developing clinical PTSD, adjusting for acute stress disorder symptoms (odds ratio, 3.75; 95% CI, 1.31–10.77). Morphine, β‐blockers, and antidepressants showed no predictive value. Conclusions Notwithstanding short‐term antianxiety effects during ACS, benzodiazepine use might increase the risk of ACS‐induced PTSS with clinical significance, thereby compromising patients' quality of life and prognosis. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT01781247.

Background It has been acknowledged that medical life-threatening experiences such as an acute myocardial infarction (MI) often lead to acute stress disorder symptoms (ASS), which in turn can result in the development of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Previous studies have suggested an association between various traumatic experiences and alexithymia. The association of alexithymia with ASS and PTSS in patients with MI is elusive. Objectives The aim of this study was to examine the association of alexithymia with MI-induced ASS and PTSS in patients at high risk of developing PTSD. Method Patients (N = 154) were examined twice, once within 48 hours, and then again three months after acute MI. All patients completed the self-rating Acute Stress Disorder Scale (ASDS) within 48 hours after the cardiac event. Three months after hospital discharge, all patients completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and underwent the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), a structured interview to assess the severity of PTSS. Descriptive statistics, correlations, multivariate linear regressions, and moderation analysis were conducted. Results The linear regression model explained 23% of the variance in MI-induced PTSS-symptoms (F(6.109) = 5.58, p 0.05). Conclusion In MI patients with high levels of DIF, ASS predicted the development of PTSS. If replicated, the finding may inform emotion-oriented interventions to investigate whether increasing the capacity to identify feelings following acute MI could be beneficial in preventing the development of PTSS.

It was previously shown that forensic outpatient psychiatric treatment lowers recidivism and improves mental health. However, there is no data specifically from Switzerland, a fact that has been repeatedly criticized by local policymakers in the course of healthcare planning. The present study aimed to describe two groups of mentally ill offenders referred to a Swiss forensic outpatient clinic, namely those accepted for treatment and those who were left untreated because their treatment was rejected. The recidivism rates of the two groups were then compared, to determine whether differences in recidivism rates between the two groups might be related to socio-demographic characteristics and mental health. Finally, improvements regarding general functional level and severity of psychopathology were evaluated over the course of time. A total of n = 131 mentally ill offenders were studied. After an average time at risk of 42.6 months, our preliminary results show that 18% of those accepted for treatment relapsed into delinquent activities, while 38% of the rejected offenders did so. We found no sociodemographic variable that differentiated between reoffenders in the two samples. Likewise, the prevalence of personality disorders was similar in the two groups. Regarding comorbidity, the combination of any substance abuse disorder and any personality disorder was more prevalent in the treated sample. Over the course of therapy, the treated group showed improvements regarding their general functional level and the severity of their psychopathology. This is the first study to explore the effects of therapeutic outpatient treatment of mentally ill offenders on Swiss recidivism rates.

Abstract Background Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and insomnia are frequent sleep problems that are associated with poor prognosis in patients with coronary heart disease. The mechanisms linking poor sleep with an increased cardiovascular risk are incompletely understood. We examined whether a high risk of OSA as well as insomnia symptoms are associated with neuroendocrine hormones and coagulation factors in patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction. Methods We assessed 190 patients (mean age 60 years, 83% men) in terms of OSA risk (STOP screening tool for the assessment of high vs. low OSA risk) and severity of insomnia symptoms (Jenkins Sleep Scale for the assessment of subjective sleep difficulties) within 48 h of an acute coronary intervention. Circulating concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, fibrinogen, D-dimer, and von Willebrand factor were measured the next morning. The association of OSA risk and insomnia symptoms with neuroendocrine hormones and coagulation factors was computed using multivariate models adjusting for demographic factors, health behaviors, somatic and psychiatric comorbidities, cardiac disease-related variables, and OSA risk in the model for insomnia symptoms, respectively, for insomnia symptoms in the model for OSA risk. Results High OSA risk was identified in 41% of patients and clinically relevant insomnia symptoms were reported by 27% of patients. Compared to those with low OSA risk, patients with high OSA risk had lower levels of epinephrine (p = 0.015), norepinephrine (p = 0.049) and cortisol (p = 0.001). More severe insomnia symptoms were associated with higher levels of fibrinogen (p = 0.037), driven by difficulties initiating sleep, and with lower levels of norepinephrine (p = 0.024), driven by difficulties maintaining sleep. Conclusions In patients with acute myocardial infarction, sleep problems are associated with neuroendocrine hormones and coagulation activity. The pattern of these relationships is not uniform for patients with a high risk of OSA and those with insomnia symptoms, and whether they contribute to adverse cardiovascular outcomes needs to be established. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01781247.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between illness perception and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms at three months following acute myocardial infarction (MI).Methods: Patients (n = 96) were examined within 48 h and 3 months after the illness episode. The brief revised illness perception questionnaire (Brief-IPQ) was used to assess patients' cognitive representation of their MI. At 3-month follow-up, the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale (PDS) and the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) were used to assess the level of PTSD symptoms.Results: The subjective perception of the illness, including higher harmful consequences (r > 0.35, p < 0.01), higher illness concerns (r > 0.24, p < 0.05) and more emotional impairment (r > 0.23, p < 0.05), was associated with both self-rated and clinician-rated PTSD symptoms. Beliefs regarding harmful consequences after acute MI were independently associated with levels of PTSD symptoms assessed with both the self-rated PDS and CAPS interview (standardized β coefficient = 0.24; P < 0.05) adjusted for demographic factors, cognitive depressive symptoms, fear of dying during MI, factors related to study design, and illness severity.Conclusions: The findings suggest that initial perception of acute MI is significantly associated with PTSD symptoms attributable to MI at 3 months follow-up.

Objective: Decreased heart rate variability (HRV) has been reported to be a predictor of mortality after myocardial infarction (MI). Patients’ beliefs and perceptions concerning their illness may play a role in decreased HRV. This study investigated if illness perceptions predict HRV at three months following acute MI. Methods: 130 patients referred to a tertiary cardiology centre, were examined within 48 hours and three months following acute MI. At admission, patients’ cognitive representations of their MI were assessed using the German version of the self-rated Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (Brief IPQ). At admission and after three months (follow-up), frequency and time domain measures of HRV were obtained from 5-min electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings during stable supine resting. Results: Linear hierarchical regression showed that the Brief IPQ dimensions timeline (β coefficient = -0.29; p = .044), personal control (β = 0.47; p = .008) and illness understanding (β = 0.43; p = .014) were significant predictors of HRV, adjusted for age, gender, baseline HRV, diabetes, beta-blockers, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), attendance of cardiac rehabilitation, and depressive symptoms. Conclusions: As patients’ negative perceptions of their illness are associated with lower HRV following acute MI, a brief illness perception questionnaire may help to identify patients who might benefit from a specific illness perceptions intervention.

The aim of this study was to examine whether heart drawings of patients with acute myocardial infarction reflect acute distress symptoms and negative illness beliefs and predict posttraumatic stress symptoms 3 months post-myocardial infarction. In total, 84 patients aged over 18 years drew pictures of their heart. The larger the area drawn as damaged, the greater were the levels of acute distress ( r = 0.36; p

BackgroundPrevious meta-analyses comparing the efficacy of psychotherapeutic interventions for depression were clouded by a limited number of within-study treatment comparisons. This study used network meta-analysis, a novel methodological approach that integrates direct and indirect evidence from randomised controlled studies, to re-examine the comparative efficacy of seven psychotherapeutic interventions for adult depression.Methods and findingsWe conducted systematic literature searches in PubMed, PsycINFO, and Embase up to November 2012, and identified additional studies through earlier meta-analyses and the references of included studies. We identified 198 studies, including 15,118 adult patients with depression, and coded moderator variables. Each of the seven psychotherapeutic interventions was superior to a waitlist control condition with moderate to large effects (range d = -0.62 to d = -0.92). Relative effects of different psychotherapeutic interventions on depressive symptoms were absent to small (range d = 0.01 to d = -0.30). Interpersonal therapy was significantly more effective than supportive therapy (d = -0.30, 95% credibility interval [CrI] [-0.54 to -0.05]). Moderator analysis showed that patient characteristics had no influence on treatment effects, but identified aspects of study quality and sample size as effect modifiers. Smaller effects were found in studies of at least moderate (Δd = 0.29 [-0.01 to 0.58]; p = 0.063) and large size (Δd = 0.33 [0.08 to 0.61]; p = 0.012) and those that had adequate outcome assessment (Δd = 0.38 [-0.06 to 0.87]; p = 0.100). Stepwise restriction of analyses by sample size showed robust effects for cognitive-behavioural therapy, interpersonal therapy, and problem-solving therapy (all d>0.46) compared to waitlist. Empirical evidence from large studies was unavailable or limited for other psychotherapeutic interventions.ConclusionsOverall our results are consistent with the notion that different psychotherapeutic interventions for depression have comparable benefits. However, the robustness of the evidence varies considerably between different psychotherapeutic treatments.