Effectiveness of the Combination of Solution-Focused Therapy and Narrative Therapy in Marital Adjustment among Incompatible Iranian Women

The present study aims to examine the effectiveness of the combination of solution-focused therapy and narrative therapy in marital adjustment of incompatible women. This research is a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study design with a nonequivalent control group. The statistical population comprises all the incompatible women who referred to the counseling clinics of Neyshabour in May 2016 (1500 admission per month). The research sample consists of 24 incompatible women who were selected through Randomand available sampling method. For data collection, Marital Adjustment Scale by Spinner was applied. The data were analyzed using the analysis of covariance test and with the aid of SPSS-22 software. The findings demonstrated that the combination of solution-focused therapy and narrative therapy is significantly effective in marital adjustment of incompatible women (P < 0.05). Thus, it can be stated that the combination of solution-focused therapy and narrative therapy can help to promote adjustment among incompatible women.

Toward a Synergistic Version of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: Enhanced Efficacy through the Body and Emotion

A number of prominent solution-focused brief therapists have expressed the view that, to its detriment, this school of therapy tends to downplay emotion. Accordingly, we contend that, given that emotion is a primal binding force, the bonding component of the crucially important therapeutic alliance risks being compromised in the current practice of this approach. We further argue that the prioritization of the depiction of actions that accompany the emotion expressed by the client over the actual participation in this emotion by the therapist tends to superficialize therapeutic communication. This is especially likely to happen when the therapist lapses into a formulaic, action-soliciting interrogatory mode in response to the emotion expressed by the client. In addition, we claim that the incorporation of emotion- and body-based approaches into the solution-focused canon could remedy the affective lacuna referred to above. We note, however, that such a modification would most likely face stiff resistance from some of the gatekeepers of solution-faced therapy, in particular those who subscribe to the “surface-only” descriptive approach advocated by the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein. And yet, the effectiveness of depth-oriented therapies, such as sensorimotor psychotherapy and somatic experiencing, is supported by neurophysiological considerations. Finally, we suggest that these therapies, and even creativogenic elements of psychoanalysis, can actually synergize solution-focused brief therapy through the generation of affect-laden images, sensations and thoughts that lend themselves to the realization of outcomes desired by the client, which is the raison d’etre of solution-focused brief therapy. This paper pleads for the incorporation of the above-noted depth approaches into solution-focused brief therapy with a view to augmenting its effectiveness through a stronger therapeutic bond owing to an increased emotional engagement on the part of the therapist.

Impact of group music therapy on the depression mood of college students

The goal of this study was to examine the effects of group music therapy on depression and mental health among college students. 80 students participated in this study, with 40 assigned to control group and other 40 assigned to experimental group. The results showed that after the group music therapy, for the experimental group, the depression scores have reduced significantly and the mental health scores have improved, while for the control group, no significant difference was obtained on the de-pression and mental health scores. This indicates that group music therapy can effectively reduce depression and improve mental health.

Nurse-led group cognitive behavioral therapy for major depressive disorder among adults in Japan: A preliminary single-group study

Objectives:The prevalence and burden of disease of depression necessitates effective and accessible treatment options worldwide.Since April 2016,Japanese national health insurance has covered nurseadministered cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT)for mood disorders.However,empirical support for nurse-led CBT for depression in Asian countries,especially in Japan,is still lacking.This preliminary study aimed to examine the feasibility and acceptability of nurse-led group CBT for Japanese patients with depression.Methods:In this single-arm study,we evaluated the effects of a 6-week group CBT,led by trained nurses,on patients with major depression.The primary outcome was the Beck Depression Inventory-Ⅱ(BDI-Ⅱ).Assessments were conducted at the beginning and end of the intervention.Results:Of 25 participants screened,23 were eligible for the study(of these,three dropped out during the trial but were included in the analysis).Nurse-led group CBT led to significant improvements in the severity of depression(BDI-Ⅱ,P<0.001).The mean total BDI-Ⅱscore improved from 23.1(SD=7.56)to 12.4(SD=8.57),and the pre-to post-effect size was large(Cohen's d=1.33).After CBT,45%of the participants were judged to be treatment responders,and 34%met the remission criteria.Conclusions:Our preliminary findings indicate that 6 weeks of nurse-led group CBT produced a favorable treatment outcome for individuals with major depression in a Japanese clinical setting.The results of this study might encourage more Asian nurses to provide CBT as a part of their nursing practice.Further controlled trials that address the limitations of this study are required.

Effect of cognitive behavioral group therapy on rehabilitation of community patients with schizophrenia:A short-term randomized control trial

BACKGROUND The efficacy of cognitive behavioral group therapy(CBGT)for cognitive dysfunction and negative symptoms of schizophrenia is established,but more evidence is required.AIM To assess the effectiveness of CBGT combined with mental health education as a treatment for schizophrenia compared with mental health education alone.METHODS In all,120 schizophrenia out-patients were randomized into CBGT combined with mental health education or single mental health education.The primary outcomes were positive and negative symptoms,cognitive function,excitatory factor,anxiety and depression symptom improvements on the positive and negative syndrome scale score.Secondary outcome measures included social function and drug compliance.RESULTS There were significant differences between CBGT combined with mental health education and single mental health education on measures of positive and negative symptoms,cognitive functions,excitatory factor,anxiety and depression symptoms,and social functions.No other significant difference in outcomes was observed.CONCLUSION CBGT combined with mental health education may be relevant beneficial treatment method in reducing symptoms,cognitive and social functions of patients with schizophrenia.

Cognitive behavioral therapy group intervention for HIV transmission risk behavior in perinatally infected adolescents

Purpose: This study analyzed treatment effects of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) group counseling intervention on HIV transmission risk behavior, depression, anxiety, and alcohol use in HIV perinatally infected adolescents attending an HIV clinical care center in Uganda, Africa. Method: A total of 186 adolescents were randomly assigned to an experimental or control arm and assigned into groups of 11 - 16 adolescents. The experimental groups received an 80-minute CBT based weekly intervention for 8 consecutive weeks, while the control groups received only standard group care. Data from self report assessments were analyzed at pre- and post-test using repeated measures of analysis of variance. The participants, analyzed by variable, included 115 for sexual behavior, 106 for depression, 88 for anxiety, and 115 for alcohol use. Results: The results from the study show a large significant difference (p = 0.006) between the experimental and control groups on the anxiety variable. There were no significant differences between the experimental and control groups on the variables of sexual behavior (p = 0.876), depression (p = 0.700), and alcohol use (p = 0.815). There was an indication of reduced levels of HIV sexual transmission risk behavior, depression, and alcohol use levels in the participants in both the experimental and control groups. Conclusions: Risky sexual behavior places HIV perinatally infected adolescents at risk of re-infection, sexually transmitted diseases, and transmitting HIV to their sexual partners. CBT group counseling intervention equipped the participating adolescents with appropriate life skills to deal with psychological distress and anxiety often seen in their lives and may be useful in routine medical care to reduce transmission risks and improve wellness and call for its incorporation into HIV preventive programs and counselor education.

Group Therapy in Adults with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Review

In the treatment of OCD, several therapeutic approaches have been developed, including individual, group and/or pharmacological therapeutic methods. However, group therapy on OCD has received little research attention in comparison with other therapeutic methods and some studies demonstrated that OCD can be treated in group settings. In the literature, mentioned group therapies to treat OCD involve behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, ERP (exposure and response prevention), cognitive behavioral therapy, ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy), supportive groups and individual therapy with family member involvement. In relation to their effectiveness, research indicated inconsistent findings. Therefore, the aim of this study was to address and to review whether group treatments on OCD are efficacious. This review focused on cognitive-behavioral group therapy (CBGT), ERP, and ACT.

Effectiveness of Group Therapy Based on Transactional Analysis (TA) in Marital Burnout and Forbearance of Female Students

This research is a semi-experimental study (pretest-posttest design with unequal control group). This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the group therapy based on transactional analysis in marital burnout and forbearance of married female students. The research on statistical population comprised all married female students studying in humanities subjects in Neishabour Islamic Azad University in the academic year 2015-16. The sample included 24 of these students, who were selected voluntarily and through Random sampling method and were randomly assigned into two experimental and control groups. Measurement tools consisted of Couple Burnout Measure (CBM) and Evans marital forbearance questionnaire. The experimental group received 10 one-half hour sessions of the treatment based on the transactional analysis whereas in the meantime, the control group received nutritional trainings. The results indicated that the therapy based on the transactional analysis had been effective in reducing marital burnout and increasing the forbearance of couples.

EFFICACY OF ACUPUNCTURE THERAPY ON A, B AND O BLOOD GROUPS ──Relationship between A, B, O blood groups and the acupuncture therapy

Efficacy of acupuncture therapy varies in patients with similar ailments. The present study was undertaken to search for a marker for better efficacy of acupuncture therapy. The study was made in 224 patients including osteoarthritis 141 (62.94 %), polyarthritis 23 (10.26 %), Bursitis & synovitis 15 (6.69 %) and others 45 (20.08 %). ABO blood groups were tested for each patient. It appears that patients belonging to group AB and B responded well to acupuncture therapy in proportionately more number. Good result was achieved in 47.82 % cases in group AB and 46.04 % cases in group B, whereas patients of group A and O showed good result in 27.65 % and 26.15 % cases respectively. Apparently it may be concluded that patients of AB & B blood groups would respond comparatively well to acupuncture therapy.

Photo-activated microtubule targeting drugs: Advancing therapies for colorectal cancer

Over the years immunotherapy has demonstrably improved the field of cancer treatment.However,achieving long-term survival for colorectal cancer(CRC)patients remains a significant unmet need.Combination immunotherapies incor-porating targeted drugs like MEK or multi-kinase inhibitors have offered some palliative benefit.Nevertheless,substantial gaps remain in the current therapeutic armamentarium for CRC.In recent years,there has been a surge of interest in exploring novel treatment strategies,including the application of light-activated drugs in conjunction with optical devices.This approach holds promise for achie-ving localized and targeted delivery of cytotoxic agents,such as microtubule-targeting drugs,directly to cancerous cells within the colon.

Impact of solution-focused brief therapy and vacuum sealing drainage on mental health of wound care patients

BACKGROUND Improving mental health is crucial for patients who require wound treatment.AIM To analyze the effects of solution-focused brief therapy(SFBT)combined with vacuum sealing drainage on the psychological health of patients undergoing wound treatment,providing a basis for selecting wound treatment protocols.METHODS A total of 102 patients undergoing wound treatment were included,with the study period from March 2020 to March 2024.Sex was not a factor,and patients were randomly assigned to two groups of 51 cases each.The control group received negative pressure wound therapy(NPWT),while the experimental group received NPWT plus SFBT.The recovery of wounds,granulation tissue scores,and psychological health levels were compared between the two groups.Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS Windows software version 26.0 and GraphPad Prism 8.0.RESULTS Post-treatment,the levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein,white blood cell count,and lactate dehydrogenase in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The two groups had no significant difference in granulation tissue scores(P<0.05).The psychological health level in the experimental group was significantly higher than in the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The combination of SFBT and NPWT accelerates wound healing,promotes granulation tissue growth,and improves psychological well-being,making it a valuable approach for clinical application.

Study on group intervention regarding interpersonal trust among college students with campus psychodrama

Purpose: To explore the interventional effects of campus psychodrama on improving the interpersonal trust among college students. Methods: 16 college students with low levels of interpersonal trust were selected to conduct 5 sessions of psychodrama therapy. Results: The subject group has gone through stages of ice breaking, performance, and sharing. Through group counseling with psychodrama, the social avoidance and distressful behaviors of the subjects have been alleviated, and their levels of interpersonal trust demonstrated notable change. Conclusion: Campus psychodrama is an effective group counseling approach for improving college students’ interpersonal trust.

Association between thrombomodulin and high mobility group box 1 in sepsis patients

BACKGROUND High mobility group box 1(HMGB1)has been studied as a molecule associated with severe outcomes in sepsis and thrombomodulin(TM)seems to decrease HMGB1 activity.AIM To investigate the role of the thrombomodulin/high mobility group box 1(T/H)ratio in patients with sepsis and their association with their clinic,testing the hypothesis that higher ratios are associated with better outcomes.METHODS Twenty patients diagnosed with sepsis or septic shock,according to the 2016 criteria sepsis and septic shock(Sepsis-3),were studied.Patients were followed until they left the intensive care unit or until they achieved 28 d of hospitalization(D28).The following clinical outcomes were observed:Sequential Organ Failure Assessment(SOFA)score;Need for mechanical pulmonary ventilation;Presence of septic shock;Occurrence of sepsis-induced coagulopathy;Need for renal replacement therapy(RRT);and Death.RESULTS The results showed that patients with SOFA scores greater than or equal to 12 points had higher serum levels of TM:76.41±29.21 pg/mL vs 37.41±22.55 pg/mL among those whose SOFA scores were less than 12 points,P=0.003.The T/H ratio was also higher in patients whose SOFA scores were greater than or equal to 12 points,P=0.001.The T/H ratio was,on average,three times higher in patients in need of RRT(0.38±0.14 vs 0.11±0.09),P<0.001.CONCLUSION Higher serum levels of TM and,therefore,higher T/H ratio in the first 24 h after the diagnosis of sepsis were associated with more severe disease and the need for renal replacement therapy,while those with better clinical outcomes and those who were discharged before D28 showed a tendency for lower T/H ratio values.

Age and Gender-Related Differences in Physical Functions of the Elderly Following One-Year Regular Exercise Therapy

Reports on physical functions during maintenance period of the elderly with cardiac and other serious diseases are limited. This study aims to clarify age and gender-related differences in their physical functions. Participants included 167 elderly individuals (males, 78;mean age, 76.5 years;SD = 6.0 years;females, 89;mean age, 75.5 years;SD = 4.5 years) who participated in a 1-year regular exercise therapy twice a week. The following eight physical function tests were selected: grip strength, 10-m obstacle walking time, one-legged balance with eyes open, sit-ups, sitting trunk flexion, 6-min walk, stepping by sitting position, and a timed up & go (TUG). Two-way analysis of variance was used to examine mean differences by gender and age: young elderly group (aged 65 - 74 years) and old elderly group (aged ≥ 75 years). In the grip strength, sit-ups, 6-min walk, 10-m obstacle walking time, stepping by sitting position, and sitting trunk flexion tests, males were superior in the former four tests, and females were superior in the latter two tests. The young elderly group was superior in all tests except for sit-ups compared with the old elderly group. The balance during one-legged with eyes open test was superior in males compared with females in the young elderly group, but decreased in males in the old elderly group. In conclusion, physical functions of the elderly during maintenance period are different between genders. Muscle strength, muscle endurance, whole-body endurance, and walking ability are superior in males, whereas flexibility and agility are superior in females. The old elderly group was inferior in all the elements of physical function except muscle endurance.

Creation of a Training Course Program for Cancer-Patient Group Facilitators and Its Effects

Background: The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of a facilitator training course focused on teaching beginners facilitator intervention skills. Intervention Method: One-and-a-half-day program combining education, role plays and relaxation. Methods: Participants were 11 participants, and of these 8 gave valid responses to our questionnaire. The scores of the participants on a facilitator intervention skills scale and on a scale of facilitator skills to cope with difficult situations were compared before and after the course, using SPSS16 for windows. In addition, the participants’ impressions before and after the course were analyzed qualitatively and inductively. Results: Seven of the 16 items on the facilitator intervention skills scale and 7 of the 12 items on the facilitator skills to cope with difficult situations improved the participants after the facilitator training. All participants indicated that they could understand the lectures. Their impressions changed from anxiety and enthusiasm to pleasure of learning and discovery of specific problems. Conclusion: The results suggested that the educational method created in this study, with emphasis on role-playing, is useful.

The Value of Support Group Participation in Influencing Adherence to Antiretroviral Treatment among People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Advances in antiretroviral therapy for both Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) treatment and prevention have increased interest in adherence to HIV treatment. This is because the individual patient and public health benefits of antiretroviral treatment?(ART) greatly depend on the extent to which people living with HIV (PLHIV) adhere to the prescribed daily dosing regimens. Studies have shown that nonadherence to ART increases drug resistance, morbidity and person-to-person HIV transmission. Public health experts are trying different innovations to enhance ART adherence, including promoting support groups of PLHIV. The purpose of this study was to determine the value of support group participation in enhancing ART adherence. The study used a cross-sectional design to compare ART adherence among PLHIV who participate in support group activities and those who do not. Respondents were adults who were initiated on ART between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2012. Multistage probability sampling was used to select study sites and respondents. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire from 1676 respondents between February and May 2014. Data was analyzed using STATA. Univariate analysis was carried out to generate descriptive statistics, while Chi-square tests were used to examine if there was an association between participation in support group activities and antiretroviral treatment adherence. ART adherence was self-reported by 745/788 (95%) and 814/888 (92%) respondents who had ever and had never participated in support group activities respectively. Among respondents who reported nonadherence to ART, 74/117 (8%) had never participated in support group activities compared to just 43/117 (5%) who participated in support group activities. These findings suggest that PLHIV who participate in support group activities are more likely to adhere to ART than those who do not participate. This implies that there is value in participating in support groups by PLHIV in terms of ART adherence.

短程焦点解决团体疗法对脑瘫患儿父母创伤后成长体验病耻感及照顾能力的影响

目的探讨短程焦点解决团体疗法对脑瘫患儿父母创伤后成长体验、病耻感及照顾能力的影响。方法将脑瘫患儿的81名父母按照随机数字表法分为研究组(40名)和对照组(41名)。对照组患儿父母给予常规心理护理,研究组患儿父母在对照组基础上给予短程焦点解决团体疗法,观察3周。比较干预前后两组患儿父母焦虑自评量表(SAS)、抑郁自评量表(SDS)、创伤后成长量表(PTGI)、连带病耻感量表(ASS)、家属照顾者照顾能力量表(FCTI)评分及护理满意度。结果干预后两组患儿父母SAS评分、SDS评分、ASS各维度评分、FCTI各维度评分均较干预前降低,研究组患儿父母低于对照组(P<0.01)。干预后两组患儿父母PTGI各维度评分均较干预前升高,研究组患儿父母高于对照组(P<0.01)。研究组患儿父母护理总满意度高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论短程焦点解决团体疗法能缓解脑瘫患儿的父母焦虑、抑郁情绪,减轻其病耻感,促进其创伤后成长,提升其照顾能力,有利于提高护理满意度。

照片艺术治疗在高职大学生自我意识完善与发展中的应用研究

目的:以高职大学生为对象,以照片艺术治疗活动为介质,探讨其对促进高职大学生自我意识完善与发展的影响。方法:实验时间分为两个阶段,分别是:2022年3月至6月和2023年3月至6月,通过发布招募信息,学生主动报名,采取随机分组的方式分为实验组(20人)和控制组(20人)。主要观察指标为:自我接纳问卷、自尊量表、自我调控能力问卷、自我认同量表、田纳西自我概念量表。实验组接受8次照片艺术治疗团体心理辅导;控制组不接受任何实验处理。结果:实验组成员经过照片艺术治疗团体心理辅导后其自我意识发生了显著的提升(p<0.05),相较于控制组也呈现出显著性差异(p<0.05)。此外,四周后的追踪结果显示照片艺术治疗团体辅导对学生自我意识的完善与发展方面仍具有持续作用(p<0.05),但这取决于学生通过团体辅导对照片治疗的理念和方法内化于心、外化于行的效果。结论:照片艺术治疗是促进高职大学生自我意识完善与发展的有效途径。