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Pitch correction has been a part of music production ever since the introduction of AutoTune, back in 1997. Previous research regarding the topic has not found any significant differences when comparing pitch correctors to one another, in terms of how they correct pitch, however little to no research has been done on pitch correctors introduction of timbral and quality differences, when compared to an un-processed original. This study aims to test the notion that the usage of pitch correction software affects the timbre and quality of a vocal performance. The two pitch correctors chosen for this study was Antares Auto-Tune and Celemony Melodyne. 17 experienced listeners participated in an ABX-style listening test during which pitch corrected stimuli were compared to one another, and to un-tuned stimuli to find if subjects could differentiate between the different excerpts. The subjects also gave qualitative motivations for the perceived difference between the excerpts. The result of the listening test verifies the notion that pitch correction signal processing affects the timbre and quality, as it was found that subjects could, with statistical significance, differentiate the different excerpts. The result also shows that the most prevalent differentiating factor was the treble of the material.

Studies have suggested that fluoxetine might improve neurological recovery after stroke, but the results remain inconclusive. The EFFECTS (Efficacy oF Fluoxetine - a randomisEd Controlled Trial in Stroke) reached its recruitment target of 1500 patients in June 2019. The purpose of this article is to present all amendments to the protocol and describe how we formed the EFFECTS trial collaboration in Sweden. Methods In this investigator-led, multicentre, parallel-group, randomised, placebo-controlled trial, we enrolled non-depressed stroke patients aged 18 years or older between 2 and 15 days after stroke onset. The patients had a clinical diagnosis of stroke (ischaemic or intracerebral haemorrhage) with persisting focal neurological deficits. Patients were randomised to fluoxetine 20 mg or matching placebo capsules once daily for 6 months. Results Seven amendments were made and included clarification of drug interaction between fluoxetine and metoprolol and the use of metoprolol for severe heart failure as an exclusion criterion, inclusion of data from central Swedish registries and the Swedish Stroke Register, changes in informed consent from patients, and clarification of design of some sub-studies. EFFECTS recruited 1500 patients at 35 centres in Sweden between 20 October 2014 and 28 June 2019. We plan to unblind the data in January 2020 and report the primary outcome in May 2020. Conclusion EFFECTS will provide data on the safety and efficacy of 6 months of treatment with fluoxetine after stroke in a Swedish health system setting. The data from EFFECTS will also contribute to an individual patient data meta-analysis., Correction in: TRIALS, Volume: 21, Issue: 1, Article Number: 388, DOI: 10.1186/s13063-020-04327-w

Following publication of the original article [1], we were notified that one of the corresponding author's affiliations was omitted.

QC 20201123

Background: One third of the depressed patients are not improved by antidepressant drugs and psychological treatments, and there is a need for additional treatments. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is being developed towards an alternative in treatment-resistant depression. Deep transcranial stimulation (dTMS) with the Hesel-coil (H-coil) is a further development of rTMS aiming to enhance the effect by getting the magnetic pulses to penetrate deeper into the brain. Aims: This report aims to assess the evidence-base for dTMS for depression. The report also includes an assessment of the ethical and economic aspects involved. Methods: A systematic review of the effects of H-coil dTMS on depression was conducted and the scientific support was evaluated using GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation). Results: Only one controlled study was identified. In the sham-controlled randomized study, 212 participants with major depression that had not responded to antidepressant medication were enrolled. A two-point superiority in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale was observed in the dTMS arm vs the sham-arm at 4 weeks, but the difference was not statistically significant. No serious adverse events were reported apart from rare cases of epileptic seizures. Conclusions: The existing scientific support for H-coil dTMS therapy for depression is insufficient. The clinical implication is that the use of dTMS in depression should be restricted to the framework of clinical trials pending further studies. Fortunately, additional studies are underway and the evidence base should presumably improve over the next several years., Funding Agency:Swedish Council on Health Technology Assessment and Assessment of Social Services (SBU)

Over the last 20 years light therapy has been increasingly used for the treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted by the Swedish Council on Technology Assessment in Health Care (SBU) to assess the scientific basis for that treatment. Papers assessed were published between 1984 and November 2006, indexed in the PubMed database and included adult patients (>18 years) with SAD or major depression (MD). The search generated 11 RCTs that fulfilled set criteria. The efficacy of light therapy in SAD was assessed with meta-analysis. There was no difference in response rate between those given active treatment and those given placebo in any of the studies on light therapy for SAD. The effect on remission rate differed between studies. The meta-analysis showed a weak and only transient effect (effect size 0.4) which was noticeable after two and three weeks of treatment, but not later. Studies on light therapy for non-seasonal depression were few and heterogeneous with respect to type of depression and patient population. No conclusions on efficacy of light therapy could be drawn.

Background: Poststroke depression is a frequent condition and important to treat. The aim of this trial was to study the efficacy and tolerability of sertraline. Method: In 4 Swedish stroke centers, 123 patients (aged 70.7 ± 9.9 years) were enrolled during the period September 1998 to January 2001 in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 26-week trial, at a mean of 128 ± 97 days (range, 3-375 days) after stroke, if they fulfilled DSM-IV criteria of major depressive episode (N = 76) or minor depressive disorder (N = 47). The primary efficacy variable was a change in depression assessed by the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale. The Emotional Distress Scale (EDS) was administered and the occurrence of emotionalism and quality of life (QoL) were assessed, as well as neurologic recovery. Efficacy analyses were intention-to-treat, short-term (week 6) and long-term (week 26). Results: Of the 123 patients, 62 were treated with sertraline (50-100 mg/day) and 61 with placebo. Both groups improved substantially, with no differences between the treatments, either for major depressive episode or minor depressive disorder, or for short- or long-term antidepressant effect and neurologic outcome. EDS revealed a better outcome with sertraline at week 6 (p < .05). At week 26, the improvement in QoL was better in sertraline patients (p < .05) and there was a trend for emotionalism (p = .07). No serious side effects were seen. Conclusion: Poststroke depression as measured by a conventional depression rating scale improved over time irrespective of treatment. Positive effects specific to sertraline were identified in emotional distress, emotionalism, and QoL. The study indicates that poststroke emotional reactions comprise depression and other domains susceptible to pharmacologic therapy.