Bernard Pimentel Rangé

Quality of life and symptom dimensions of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of different dimensions of obsessive-compulsive symptoms, of co-morbid anxious depressive symptoms, and of sociodemographic characteristics on the quality of life of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We evaluated 53 patients with OCD and 53 age- and gender-matched individuals from the community with a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnosis of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth Edition, (DSM-IV), the Short-Form Health Survey-36 (SF-36), the Saving Inventory-Revised, the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised, the Beck Depression Inventory and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. A series of stepwise linear regression analyses were performed, having the SF-36 dimensions as the dependent variables and the sociodemographic and clinical features as the independent ones. Patients with OCD displayed significantly lower levels of quality of life in all dimensions measured by the SF-36, except bodily pain. A model that included depressive symptoms, hoarding and employment status predicted 62% of the variance of the social functioning dimension of the quality of life of patients with OCD. Washing symptoms explained 31% of the variance of limitation due to physical health problems. Further, a series of models that included depressive, but not obsessive-compulsive symptoms, explained the remaining SF-36 dimensions. The severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms seems, therefore, to be powerful determinants of the level of quality of life in patients with OCD.

Terapia cognitivo-comportamental de transtornos de abuso de álcool e drogas

OBJECTIVE: Cognitive-behavioral therapies have been successfully used to treat addiction. This article is in part a review on addiction models such as relapse prevention by Marlatt & Gordon, stages of change by Prochaska, DiClemente & Norcross, deriving from motivational interview, developed by Miller & Rollnick, as well as the cognitive models by Beck et al. METHOD: Based on literature evidence for the development of effective treatment programs, we report on a group treatment model used in a group of alcoholics referred by the Department of Workers Health Surveillance at Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro to the Alcoholism Rehabilitation and Research Center. RESULTS: Results are presented indicating that this type of treatment could be one alternative to others treatments in use. CONCLUSIONS: New research is needed to better validate cognitive-behavioral approach to alcohol and drug problems.OBJECTIVE Cognitive-behavioral therapies have been successfully used to treat addiction. This article is in part a review on addiction models such as relapse prevention by Marlatt & Gordon, stages of change by Prochaska, DiClemente & Norcross, deriving from motivational interview, developed by Miller & Rollnick, as well as the cognitive models by Beck et al. METHOD Based on literature evidence for the development of effective treatment programs, we report on a group treatment model used in a group of alcoholics referred by the Department of Workers Health Surveillance at Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro to the Alcoholism Rehabilitation and Research Center. RESULTS Results are presented indicating that this type of treatment could be one alternative to others treatments in use. CONCLUSIONS New research is needed to better validate cognitive-behavioral approach to alcohol and drug problems.

The effectiveness of cognitive behavioral group therapy in treating bipolar disorder: a randomized controlled study

OBJETIVO: Estudos recentes sugerem que uma psicoterapia estruturada aplicada junto com a farmacoterapia pode alterar o curso do transtorno afetivo bipolar. Entretanto, poucos estudos investigam os resultados da terapia cognitivo-comportamental em grupo sobre este transtorno psiquiatrico. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a eficacia de 14 sessoes de terapia cognitivo-comportamental em grupo concomitante a farmacoterapia para bipolares e comparar com a farmacoterapia sozinha. METODO: Quarenta e um pacientes com transtorno bipolar I e II participaram do estudo e foram alocados aleatoriamente para um dos dois grupos; trinta e sete preencheram todas as escalas. Os sintomas de humor e ansiedade de todos os participantes foram acessados. A analise estatistica foi utilizada para investigar se os grupos diferiam com relacao aos dados demograficos e entre os escores pre-, durante e pos-tratamento (intra/intergrupos). RESULTADOS: Os participantes dos dois grupos mostraram-se similares nas caracteristicas demograficas. A adicao da terapia cognitivo-comportamental em grupo ao tratamento farmacologico foi efetiva. O grupo da terapia cognitivo-comportamental em grupo apresentou menos sintomas de mania, depressao e ansiedade, bem como uma reducao na frequencia e duracao dos episodios de humor. CONCLUSAO: As sessoes de terapia cognitivo-comportamental em grupo foram especialmente importantes na melhora dos sintomas depressivos.OBJECTIVE Recent studies suggest that, when combined with pharmacotherapy, structured psychotherapy may modify the course of bipolar disorder. However, there are few studies that have examined the effects of cognitive behavioral group therapy on the course of this disorder. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of 14 sessions of cognitive behavioral group therapy, combined with pharmacotherapy, on the treatment of patients with bipolar disorder, and to compare our results against those from the use of pharmacotherapy alone. METHOD Forty-one patients with bipolar I and II disorder participated in the study and were randomly allocated to one of two treatment groups; thirty-seven patients remained in the study until its completion. Mood and anxiety symptoms were measured in all subjects. Statistical analysis was used to investigate if the groups differed with respect to demographic characteristics and the scores recorded in the pre- and post-treatment stages, as well as during treatment (intra/inter groups). RESULTS Patients showed statistically similar population characteristics. The association of cognitive behavioral group therapy and pharmacological treatment proved to be effective. Patients who had undergone cognitive behavioral group therapy presented fewer symptoms of mania, depression and anxiety, as well as fewer and shorter mood change episodes. CONCLUSION Cognitive behavioral group therapy sessions substantially contributed to the improvement of depression symptoms.

The use of a manual-driven group cognitive behavior therapy in a Brazilian sample of obese individuals with binge-eating disorder.

OBJECTIVE To assess the effectiveness of a manual-based cognitive behavior therapy adapted to a group format in a sample of Brazilian obese subjects with binge-eating disorder. METHOD In an open trial, 21 obese subjects with binge-eating disorder received a group cognitive-behavioral therapy program. Changes in binge-eating frequency, weight, body shape concerns, and depressive symptoms were compared between baseline and the end of the study. RESULTS The mean frequency of binge-eating episodes significantly decreased from baseline to post-treatment (p < 0.001), with a binge eating remission rate of 76.1% at the end of the trial. Depressive symptoms and body shape concern also improved (p < 0.001). In addition, weight loss was statistically and clinically significant. CONCLUSION The use of this adapted manual-based cognitive behavior therapy in this sample resulted in a marked improvement in binge-eating, weight, body shape concern, and depressive symptoms related to binge-eating disorder.

Group cognitive behavior therapy for bipolar disorder can improve the quality of life

Bipolar disorder (BD) can have an impact on psychosocial functioning and quality of life (QoL). Several studies have shown that structured psychotherapy in conjunction with pharmacotherapy may modify the course of some disorders; however, few studies have investigated the results of group cognitive behavior therapy (G-CBT) for BD. Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of 14 sessions of G-CBT for BD patients, comparing this intervention plus pharmacotherapy to treatment as usual (TAU; only pharmacotherapy). Forty-one patients with BD I and II participated in this study and were randomly allocated to each group (G-CBT: N = 27; TAU: N = 14). Thirty-seven participants completed the treatment (women: N = 66.67%; mean age = 41.5 years). QoL and mood symptoms were assessed in all participants. Scores changed significantly by the end of treatment in favor of the G-CBT group. The G-CBT group presented significantly better QoL in seven of the eight sub-items assessed with the Medical Outcomes Survey SF-36 scale. At the end of treatment, the G-CBT group exhibited lower scores for mania (not statistically significant) and depression (statistically significant) as well as a reduction in the frequency and duration of mood episodes (P < 0.01). The group variable was significant for the reduction of depression scores over time. This clinical change may explain the improvement in six of the eight subscales of QoL (P < 0.05). The G-CBT group showed better QoL in absolute values in all aspects and significant improvements in nearly all subscales. These results were not observed in the TAU control group.

Current concept of anxiety: implications from Darwin to the DSM-V for the diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder

This article proposes a revision of the historical evolution of the concepts of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Currently, Darwin’s evolutionary theory is the hegemonic paradigm for modern science and influences research on mental disorders. Throughout the 20th Century, the editions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM; American Psychiatric Association) have changed the diagnostic criteria for GAD, reflecting the prevailing psychiatric understanding of this disorder. The prevalence and symptoms of major depression and GAD show the fragility of the categorical conception of these conditions. Differences in cultural views towards anxiety disorders also suggest that anxiety cannot have a uniform definition. This article provides contributions for reflecting future guidelines concerning the diagnostic criteria for GAD in DSM-V.

Cognitive–behavioral therapy for bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is one of the most serious and prevalent psychiatric disorders. The aim of the present article is to review the efficiency of cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) for bipolar patients. Some studies show consistent evidence that cognitive therapy, concomitant to psycho-education and pharmacological treatment, offers efficacy in different phases of the disease. In most of the studies, patients undergoing CBT showed improvements in quality of life, with a reduction in both frequency and duration of mood episodes, as well as higher degrees of compliance and fewer hospitalizations. More studies are required to prove the effectiveness of CBT for bipolar disorder in the context of standardizing diagnostic criteria and measuring instruments to evaluate the disorder’s different phases and severity.

THE BRAZILIAN PORTUGUESE VERSION OF THE SAVING INVENTORY-REVISED: INTERNAL CONSISTENCY, TEST-RETEST RELIABILITY, AND VALIDITY OF A QUESTIONNAIRE TO ASSESS HOARDING

Pathological hoarding results in clutter that precludes normal activities and creates distress or dysfunction. It may lead to an inability to complete household functions, health problems, social withdrawal, and even death. The aim of this study was to describe the validation of the Brazilian version of the hoarding assessment instrument, the Saving Inventory–Revised. Sixty-five patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and 70 individuals from the community were assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnosis of DSM–IV (clinical sample), the Saving Inventory–Revised, the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory–Revised, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. The Brazilian version of the Saving Inventory–Revised exhibited high internal consistency (Cronbachs alpha = .94 for OCD and .84 for controls), high to moderate test-retest reliability and, using the hoarding dimension of the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory–Revised as a reference point, high to moderate convergent validity. The Saving Inventory–Revised total scores also correlated significantly with comorbid anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Habilidades Sociais na Agorafobia e Fobia Social

Anxiety disorders are commonly associated to social skills deficits. Social phobia is often related to this deficit, while agoraphobia is not considered. The purpose of this review is to investigate the literature on this association. An electronic search was conducted in the following databases: PsycINFO, MEDLINE and SCIELO, besides the references of some selected articles. Social skills deficit were more frequent in the studies that evaluated the performance of anxious individuals on unstructured tasks. Agoraphobia appears to be associated to an assertiveness deficit, although few studies were conducted.

Reducing the symptomatology of panic disorder: the effects of a yoga program alone and in combination with cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Introduction: Yoga is a holistic system of different mind–body practices that can be used to improve mental and physical health. It has been shown to reduce perceived stress and anxiety as well as improve mood and quality of life. Research documenting the therapeutic benefits of yoga has grown progressively for the past decades and now includes controlled trials on a variety of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and panic disorder. Objectives: The primary goal of this study was to investigate the effects of yoga in patients suffering from panic disorder. We aimed at observing the efficacy of yoga techniques on reducing the symptomatology of panic disorder (anxiety and agoraphobia), compared to a combined intervention of yoga and psychotherapy. Method: Twenty subjects previously diagnosed with panic disorder were selected. Subjects were randomly assigned to both experimental groups: Group 1 (G1-Yoga: 10 subjects) attended yoga classes and Group 2 (G2-CBT + Yoga: 10 subjects) participated in a combined intervention of yoga practice followed by a cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) session. Both interventions occurred weekly for 100 min and lasted 2 months. Subjects were evaluated two times during the study: pre-test and post-test. Psychometric tools included the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), The Panic Beliefs Inventory (PBI), and Body Sensations Questionnaire (BSQ). Results: Statistical analysis showed significant reductions in anxiety levels associated with panic disorder (G1: BAI – p = 0.035, HAM-A – p = 0.000; G2: BAI – p = 0.002, HAM-A – p = 0.000), panic-related beliefs (G1: PBI – p = 0.000; G2: PBI – p = 0.000) and panic-related body sensations (G1: BSQ – p = 0.000; G2: BSQ – p = 0.000) both in G1 and G2. However, the combination of yoga and CBT (G2) showed even further reductions in all observed parameters (mean values). Conclusion: This study observed significant improvement in panic symptomatology following both the practice of yoga and the combination of yoga and psychotherapy. While contemplative techniques such as yoga promote a general change in dealing with private events, CBT teaches how to modify irrational beliefs and specific cognitive distortions. The results observed in G2 might indicate that the techniques complemented each other, increasing the intervention efficacy. These findings are in agreement with many investigations found in the literature which observed improvements in different mental health parameters after the practice of contemplative techniques alone or combined to psychotherapy. Future research joining psychological and physiological variables could help better elucidate the mechanisms through which mind-body practices work to improve mental health.