Machulska, Alla
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Publication Access status: Open Access , Intensive smoking cessation treatment as an adjunct to concurrent psychotherapy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trialTobacco use is globally recognized by the World Health Organization as the foremost risk factor for premature mortality. Individuals with mental disorders exhibit a notably heightened dependence on tobacco, approximately twice as high as that of the general population. The long-term effects of nicotine consumption include an exacerbation of depressive symptoms and a decline in mental health, which can be considered additional risk factors for the vulnerable population of smokers with preexisting mental disorders. Successful smoking cessation is associated with an increase in mental health, comparable or superior to that of pharmacological antidepressant treatments. However, smoking is frequently disregarded within the realm of psychotherapeutic care, unlike in the treatment of other substance use disorders. Smoking may hinder patients' recovery and responsiveness to psychotherapy, potentially distorting improvements in symptom severity or negative affect. Integrating smoking cessation initiatives into standard psychotherapeutic interventions thus holds significant potential and may be considered essential for long-term mental health. The current study's objective is to assess the potential of a guideline-based smoking cessation intervention within an outpatient psychotherapeutic setting concerning changes in smoking intensity, nicotine dependence, and mental health outcomes among patients with a mental disorder adjunct to concurrent psychotherapy. This trial aims to bridge the gap between the state of research in light of evidence of the positive effects of successful smoking cessation and the actual practical provision of care in Germany.Source Type:Article10 55 - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Publication Access status: Open Access , Self-guided digital treatment with virtual reality for panic disorder and agoraphobiaBackground Cognitive behavioral therapy is the first-line treatment for patients with panic disorder (PD) and agoraphobia (AG). Yet, many patients remain untreated due to limited treatment resources. Digital self-guided short-term treatment applications may help to overcome this issue. While some therapeutic applications are already supported by health insurance companies, data on their efficacy is limited. The current study investigates the effect of self-guided digital treatment comprising psychoeducation and virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET). Methods Thirty patients diagnosed with PD, AG, or panic disorder with agoraphobia (PDA) will be randomly assigned to either the experimental group (EG) or the control group (CG). Participants of both groups will undergo baseline diagnostics in the first two sessions. The subsequent treatment for the EG consists of a self-guided 6-week phase of application-based psychoeducation, one therapy session preparing for the VRET, and 4 weeks of application-based self-guided VRET. To control for the potential effects of the therapy session with the therapist, the CG will receive relaxation and stress-reduction training instead. All patients will then undergo a closing session which terminates with the post-assessment (~ 10 weeks after baseline assessment) and a follow-up assessment 6 weeks following the closing session. Symptom severity (primary outcome) will be assessed at baseline, interim, post-treatment, and follow-up. Additionally, remission status (secondary outcome) will be obtained at follow-up. Both measures will be compared between the groups. Discussion The current study aims at providing insights into the efficacy of short-term treatment applications including psychoeducation and self-guided VRET. If successful, this approach might be a feasible and promising way to ease the burden of PD, AG, and PDA on the public health system and contribute to a faster access to treatment.Source Type:Article516 255