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Greenberg JL, Weingarden H, Hoeppner SS, Berger-Gutierrez RM, Klare D, Snorrason I, Costilla-Reyes O, Talbot M, Daniel KE, Vanderkruik RC, Solar-Lezama A, Harrison O, Wilhelm S. Predicting response to a smartphone-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for body dysmorphic disorder. J Affect Disord 2024; 355:106-114. [PMID: 38521133 PMCID: PMC11044861 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.03.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a severe, chronic disorder if untreated. Smartphone cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for BDD is efficacious and can reduce key treatment barriers (e.g., lack of clinicians, cost, stigma). While promising, little is known about who is more or less likely to benefit from this approach. METHODS This is a secondary data analysis of a randomized, waitlist-controlled trial of smartphone CBT for BDD. Participants (N = 80) were recruited nationally and randomized to receive a 12-week, coach-guided CBT for BDD app, either immediately or after a 12-week waitlist. The main outcome for this analysis was BDD severity (BDD-YBOCS) over time (baseline, week 6, week 12) during the active app use phase in each randomized group (n = 74). Secondary outcomes included treatment response (≥30 % reduction in BDD-YBOCS) and remission (total BDD-YBOCS ≤16) at end-of-treatment. RESULTS Immediate (vs. delayed) CBT predicted better outcomes (symptom improvement), as did gender identity (symptom improvement), higher baseline treatment credibility and expectancy (response, remission), lower baseline BDD severity (remission), and sexual minority status (vs. heterosexual; response, remission). LIMITATIONS Limitations include the relatively small sample, drop-out rate of 22 %, and limited gender and racial-ethnic diversity. CONCLUSIONS These results highlight a potential advantage of smartphone CBT in historically marginalized populations, and the importance of efforts to hasten treatment access, bolster confidence in the treatment at treatment onset, and develop stratified care models to optimize treatment allocation and efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Greenberg
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Hilary Weingarden
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Susanne S Hoeppner
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Dalton Klare
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ivar Snorrason
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Omar Costilla-Reyes
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Morgan Talbot
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, USA; Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Katharine E Daniel
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rachel C Vanderkruik
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Armando Solar-Lezama
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Sabine Wilhelm
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA, USA
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Bernstein EE, Greenberg JL, Weingarden H, Snorrason I, Summers B, Williams J, Quist R, Curtiss J, Harrison O, Wilhelm S. The use of coaching in smartphone app-based cognitive behavioral therapy for body dysmorphic disorder. Internet Interv 2024; 36:100743. [PMID: 38660465 PMCID: PMC11039337 DOI: 10.1016/j.invent.2024.100743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is severe and undertreated. Digital mental health could be key to expanding access to evidence-based treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy for BDD (CBT-BDD). Coach guidance is posited to be essential for effective uptake of digital interventions. However, little is known about how different patients may use coaching, what patterns correspond to meaningful outcomes, and how to match coaching to patient needs. Methods Participants were 77 adults who received a 12-week guided smartphone CBT-BDD. Bachelor's-level coaches were available via asynchronous messaging. We analyzed the 400 messages sent by users to coaches during treatment. Message content was coded using the efficiency model of support (i.e., usability, engagement, fit, knowledge, and implementation). We aimed to clarify when and for what purposes patients with BDD used coaching, and if we can meaningfully classify patients by these patterns. We then assessed potential baseline predictors of coach usage, and whether distinct patterns relate to clinical outcomes. Results Users on average sent 5.88 messages (SD = 4.51, range 1-20) and received 9.84 (SD = 5.74, range 2-30). Regarding frequency of sending messages, latent profile analysis revealed three profiles, characterized by: (1) peak mid-treatment (16.88 %), (2) bimodal/more communication early and late in treatment (10.39 %), and (3) consistent low/no communication (72.73 %). Regarding content, four profiles emerged, characterized by mostly (1) engagement (51.95 %), (2) fit (15.58 %), (3) knowledge (15.58 %), and (4) miscellaneous/no messages (16.88 %). There was a significant relationship between frequency profile and age, such that the early/late peak group was older than the low communication group, and frequency profile and adherence, driven by the mid-treatment peak group completing more modules than the low contact group. Regarding content, the engagement and knowledge groups began treatment with more severe baseline symptoms than the fit group. Content profile was associated with dropout, suggesting higher dropout rates in the miscellaneous/no contact group and reduced rates in the engagement group. There was no relationship between profile membership and other outcomes. Discussion The majority of participants initiated little contact with their coach and the most common function of communications was to increase engagement. Results suggest that older individuals may prefer or require more support than younger counterparts early in treatment. Additionally, whereas individuals using coaching primarily for engagement may be at lower risk of dropping out, those who do not engage at all may be at elevated risk. Findings can support more personalized, data-driven coaching protocols and more efficient allocation of coaching resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily E. Bernstein
- Massachusetts General Hospital, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer L. Greenberg
- Massachusetts General Hospital, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, United Kingdom
| | - Hilary Weingarden
- Massachusetts General Hospital, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, United Kingdom
| | - Ivar Snorrason
- Massachusetts General Hospital, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, United Kingdom
| | - Berta Summers
- Massachusetts General Hospital, United States of America
| | | | - Rachel Quist
- Massachusetts General Hospital, United States of America
| | - Joshua Curtiss
- Massachusetts General Hospital, United States of America
- Northeastern University, United States of America
| | | | - Sabine Wilhelm
- Massachusetts General Hospital, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, United Kingdom
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Wilhelm S, Bernstein EE, Bentley KH, Snorrason I, Hoeppner SS, Klare D, Greenberg JL, Weingarden H, McCoy TH, Harrison O. Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Efficacy of a Smartphone App-Led Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression Under Therapist Supervision: Open Trial. JMIR Ment Health 2024; 11:e53998. [PMID: 38592771 DOI: 10.2196/53998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Major depressive disorder affects approximately 1 in 5 adults during their lifetime and is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Yet, a minority receive adequate treatment due to person-level (eg, geographical distance to providers) and systems-level (eg, shortage of trained providers) barriers. Digital tools could improve this treatment gap by reducing the time and frequency of therapy sessions needed for effective treatment through the provision of flexible, automated support. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary clinical effect of Mindset for Depression, a deployment-ready 8-week smartphone-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) supported by brief teletherapy appointments with a therapist. METHODS This 8-week, single-arm open trial tested the Mindset for Depression app when combined with 8 brief (16-25 minutes) video conferencing visits with a licensed doctoral-level CBT therapist (n=28 participants). The app offers flexible, accessible psychoeducation, CBT skills practice, and support to patients as well as clinician guidance to promote sustained engagement, monitor safety, and tailor treatment to individual patient needs. To increase accessibility and thus generalizability, all study procedures were conducted remotely. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed via attrition, patient expectations and feedback, and treatment utilization. The primary clinical outcome measure was the clinician-rated Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, administered at pretreatment, midpoint, and posttreatment. Secondary measures of functional impairment and quality of life as well as maintenance of gains (3-month follow-up) were also collected. RESULTS Treatment credibility (week 4), expectancy (week 4), and satisfaction (week 8) were moderate to high, and attrition was low (n=2, 7%). Participants self-reported using the app or practicing (either on or off the app) the CBT skills taught in the app for a median of 50 (IQR 30-60; week 4) or 60 (IQR 30-90; week 8) minutes per week; participants accessed the app on an average 36.8 (SD 10.0) days and completed a median of 7 of 8 (IQR 6-8) steps by the week 8 assessment. The app was rated positively across domains of engagement, functionality, aesthetics, and information. Participants' depression severity scores decreased from an average Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score indicating moderate depression (mean 19.1, SD 5.0) at baseline to a week 8 mean score indicating mild depression (mean 10.8, SD 6.1; d=1.47; P<.001). Improvement was also observed for functional impairment and quality of life. Gains were maintained at 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS The results show that Mindset for Depression is a feasible and acceptable treatment option for individuals with major depressive disorder. This smartphone-led treatment holds promise to be an efficacious, scalable, and cost-effective treatment option. The next steps include testing Mindset for Depression in a fully powered randomized controlled trial and real-world clinical settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05386329; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05386329?term=NCT05386329.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Wilhelm
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Emily E Bernstein
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Kate H Bentley
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ivar Snorrason
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Susanne S Hoeppner
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Dalton Klare
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jennifer L Greenberg
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Hilary Weingarden
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Thomas H McCoy
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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Bernstein EE, Klare D, Weingarden H, Greenberg JL, Snorrason I, Hoeppner SS, Vanderkruik R, Harrison O, Wilhelm S. Impact of sleep disruption on BDD symptoms and treatment response. J Affect Disord 2024; 346:206-213. [PMID: 37952909 PMCID: PMC10842714 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is severe, undertreated, and relatively common. Although gold-standard cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for BDD has strong empirical support, a significant number of patients do not respond. More work is needed to understand BDD's etiology and modifiable barriers to treatment response. Given its high prevalence and impact on the development, maintenance, and treatment of related, frequently comorbid disorders, sleep disruption is a compelling, but not-yet studied factor. METHODS Data were drawn from a randomized controlled trial of guided smartphone app-based CBT for BDD. Included participants were offered 12-weeks of treatment, immediately (n = 40) or after a 12-week waitlist (n = 37). Sleep disruption and BDD symptom severity were assessed at baseline, week-6, and week-12. RESULTS Hypotheses and analysis plan were pre-registered. Two-thirds of patients reported significant insomnia symptoms at baseline. Baseline severity of sleep disruption and BDD symptoms were not related (r = 0.02). Pre-treatment sleep disruption did not predict BDD symptom reduction across treatment, nor did early sleep improvements predict greater BDD symptom improvement. Early BDD symptom improvement also did not predict later improvements in sleep. LIMITATIONS Limitations include the small sample, restricted ranges of BDD symptom severity and treatment response, and few metrics of sleep disruption. CONCLUSIONS Although insomnia was disproportionately high in this sample and both BDD symptoms and sleep improved in treatment, results suggest sleep and BDD symptoms may function largely independent of one another. More work is encouraged to replicate and better understand findings as well as potential challenges and benefits of addressing sleep in BDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily E Bernstein
- Massachusetts General Hospital, United States of America; Harvard Medical School, United States of America.
| | - Dalton Klare
- Massachusetts General Hospital, United States of America
| | - Hilary Weingarden
- Massachusetts General Hospital, United States of America; Harvard Medical School, United States of America
| | - Jennifer L Greenberg
- Massachusetts General Hospital, United States of America; Harvard Medical School, United States of America
| | - Ivar Snorrason
- Massachusetts General Hospital, United States of America; Harvard Medical School, United States of America
| | - Susanne S Hoeppner
- Massachusetts General Hospital, United States of America; Harvard Medical School, United States of America
| | - Rachel Vanderkruik
- Massachusetts General Hospital, United States of America; Harvard Medical School, United States of America
| | | | - Sabine Wilhelm
- Massachusetts General Hospital, United States of America; Harvard Medical School, United States of America
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Weingarden H, Garriga Calleja R, Greenberg JL, Snorrason I, Matic A, Quist R, Harrison O, Hoeppner SS, Wilhelm S. Characterizing observed and effective behavioral engagement with smartphone cognitive behavioral therapy for body dysmorphic disorder: A methods roadmap and use case. Internet Interv 2023; 32:100615. [PMID: 36969390 PMCID: PMC10031461 DOI: 10.1016/j.invent.2023.100615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Smartphone psychotherapies are growing in popularity, yet little is understood about (1) how people prefer to engage with psychotherapy apps, or (2) which engagement patterns constitute effective engagement. The present study uses secondary data from a 12-week randomized waitlist-controlled trial of smartphone-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) (N = 77) to address these aims. Additionally, using the present study as a use-case, we seek to provide a roadmap for how researchers may improve upon methodological limitations of existing smartphone psychotherapy engagement research. We measured behavioral engagement via 19 objective variables derived from phone analytics data, which we reduced via factor analysis into two factors: 1) use volume and frequency, and 2) session duration. Cluster analysis based on engagement factors yielded three engager types, which mapped onto "deep" users, "samplers," and "light" users. The clusters did not differ significantly in improvement in BDD severity across treatment, although deep users improved more than light users at a marginally significant level. Results suggest that varying patterns of preferred engagement may be efficacious. Moreover, the study's methods provide an example of how researchers can measure and study behavioral engagement comprehensively and objectively. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04034693.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary Weingarden
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Jennifer L. Greenberg
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ivar Snorrason
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Rachel Quist
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Susanne S. Hoeppner
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sabine Wilhelm
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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6
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Bernstein EE, Weingarden H, Greenberg JL, Williams J, Hoeppner SS, Snorrason I, Phillips KA, Harrison O, Wilhelm S. Credibility and expectancy of smartphone-based cognitive behavioral therapy among adults with body dysmorphic disorder. J Obsessive Compuls Relat Disord 2023; 36:100781. [PMID: 38313683 PMCID: PMC10835574 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocrd.2023.100781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few patients receive cognitive behavioral therapy, the gold-standard for body dysmorphic disorder (CBT-BDD). Smartphones can make evidence-based interventions, like CBT-BDD, more accessible and scalable. A key question is: how do patients view it? Low credibility and expectancy would likely translate to low uptake and engagement outside of research settings, diminishing the impact. Thus, it is important to understand patients' beliefs about digital CBT-BDD. METHODS We compared credibility and expectancy in a coach-guided app-based CBT-BDD trial (N=75) to a previous in-person CBT-BDD trial (N = 55). We further examined the relationship of perceptions of digital CBT-BDD to baseline clinical and demographic factors and dropout. RESULTS Credibility did not differ between the in-person (M=19.3) and digital (M=18.3) trials, p=.24. Expectancy for improvement was moderately higher for in-person (M=58.4) than digital (M=48.3) treatment, p=.005. In the digital trial, no demographic variables were associated with credibility or expectancy. Better BDD-related insight and past non-CBT BDD therapy were associated with greater expectancy. Credibility was associated with lower likelihood of dropout. DISCUSSION Digital CBT-BDD was regarded as similarly credible to in-person CBT-BDD but with lower expectancy. Tailored expectancy-enhancing strategies could strengthen this novel approach, particularly among those with poorer insight and without prior BDD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Katharine A. Phillips
- Rhode Island Hospital and Alpert Medical School of Brown University
- New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical College
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Weingarden H, Wilhelm S, Jacobs JM, Carrellas J, Cetrulo C, Austen WG, Colwell AS. Prospective examination of psychological risk and maintenance factors for body image distress after mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction. Body Image 2022; 42:120-125. [PMID: 35691103 PMCID: PMC9398976 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Reconstructive breast surgery aims to improve body image following mastectomy, yet many women experience ongoing body image distress (BID). The relationship between the esthetic outcome of reconstructive surgery with BID has been underexplored in mastectomy. This study aimed to assess whether reconstruction outcome following mastectomy is associated with post-surgery BID, and to examine potential psychological risk and maintenance factors for BID above reconstruction outcome. In 49 women undergoing mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction, we prospectively assessed hypothesized pre-surgery psychological risk factors and post-surgery maintenance factors for post-surgery BID. Reconstruction outcome was assessed via blind surgeon ratings of post-surgery photographs. Surgeon-rated reconstruction outcome was uncorrelated with BID, or with patients' ratings of surgical outcome. Higher pre-surgery depressive symptoms and lower pre-surgery patient expectations for reconstruction predicted greater post-surgery BID, above reconstruction outcome. Post-surgery body checking also predicted greater BID, above reconstruction outcome. Results suggest that the medical team cannot assume their perception of reconstruction outcome matches the patient's view or degree of BID. If replicated, results point to potential psychological risk and maintenance factors that are stronger predictors of post-reconstruction BID, highlighting opportunities for light-touch prevention and intervention to reduce BID after mastectomy with breast reconstruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary Weingarden
- Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge St., Suite 2000, Boston, MA 02114, United States.
| | - Sabine Wilhelm
- Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge St., Suite 2000, Boston, MA 02114, United States.
| | - Jamie M Jacobs
- Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St., Boston, MA 02114, United States.
| | - Julia Carrellas
- Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge St., Suite 2000, Boston, MA 02114, United States.
| | - Curtis Cetrulo
- Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St., Boston, MA 02114, United States.
| | | | - Amy S Colwell
- Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St., Boston, MA 02114, United States.
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Wilhelm S, Weingarden H, Greenberg JL, Hoeppner SS, Snorrason I, Bernstein EE, McCoy TH, Harrison OT. Efficacy of App-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Body Dysmorphic Disorder with Coach Support: Initial Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. Psychother Psychosom 2022; 91:277-285. [PMID: 35588706 PMCID: PMC9394457 DOI: 10.1159/000524628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is severe, chronic, and undertreated. Apps could substantially improve treatment access. OBJECTIVE We provide an initial test of the usability and efficacy of coach-supported app-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for BDD. The Perspectives app covers core treatment components: psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, exposure with response prevention, mindfulness, attention retraining, and relapse prevention. METHODS A randomized waitlist-controlled trial was conducted. Adults (N = 80) with primary BDD were assigned to 12 weeks of Perspectives or waitlist. Coaches promoted engagement and answered questions via in-app messaging and phone calls. BDD severity was measured at baseline, mid-treatment, and end of treatment by blinded independent evaluators (Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale Modified for BDD; BDD-YBOCS). Secondary outcomes included BDD-related insight, depression, quality of life, and functioning. RESULTS App uptake and satisfaction were high. In intent-to-treat analyses, Perspectives app-based CBT was associated with significantly lower BDD-YBOCS severity at end of treatment (M [SD]: 16.8 [7.5]) compared to the waitlist (26.7 [6.2]; p < 0.001, d = 1.44). App-based CBT was associated with greater improvements across all secondary measures, with medium to large effects. CONCLUSIONS Perspectives, supported by a bachelor's-level coach, is an efficacious, scalable treatment for adults with BDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Wilhelm
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hilary Weingarden
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jennifer L Greenberg
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Susanne S Hoeppner
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ivar Snorrason
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Emily E Bernstein
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA,
| | - Thomas H McCoy
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Mavragani A, Weingarden H, Wolfe EC, Hall MD, Snorrason I, Wilhelm S. Human Support in App-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapies for Emotional Disorders: Scoping Review. J Med Internet Res 2022; 24:e33307. [PMID: 35394434 PMCID: PMC9034419 DOI: 10.2196/33307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Smartphone app-based therapies offer clear promise for reducing the gap in available mental health care for people at risk for or people with mental illness. To this end, as smartphone ownership has become widespread, app-based therapies have become increasingly common. However, the research on app-based therapies is lagging behind. In particular, although experts suggest that human support may be critical for increasing engagement and effectiveness, we have little systematic knowledge about the role that human support plays in app-based therapy. It is critical to address these open questions to optimally design and scale these interventions. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to provide a scoping review of the use of human support or coaching in app-based cognitive behavioral therapy for emotional disorders, identify critical knowledge gaps, and offer recommendations for future research. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most well-researched treatment for a wide range of concerns and is understood to be particularly well suited to digital implementations, given its structured, skill-based approach. METHODS We conducted systematic searches of 3 databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, and Embase). Broadly, eligible articles described a cognitive behavioral intervention delivered via smartphone app whose primary target was an emotional disorder or problem and included some level of human involvement or support (coaching). All records were reviewed by 2 authors. Information regarding the qualifications and training of coaches, stated purpose and content of the coaching, method and frequency of communication with users, and relationship between coaching and outcomes was recorded. RESULTS Of the 2940 titles returned by the searches, 64 (2.18%) were eligible for inclusion. This review found significant heterogeneity across all of the dimensions of coaching considered as well as considerable missing information in the published articles. Moreover, few studies had qualitatively or quantitatively evaluated how the level of coaching impacts treatment engagement or outcomes. Although users tend to self-report that coaching improves their engagement and outcomes, there is limited and mixed supporting quantitative evidence at present. CONCLUSIONS Digital mental health is a young but rapidly expanding field with great potential to improve the reach of evidence-based care. Researchers across the reviewed articles offered numerous approaches to encouraging and guiding users. However, with the relative infancy of these treatment approaches, this review found that the field has yet to develop standards or consensus for implementing coaching protocols, let alone those for measuring and reporting on the impact. We conclude that coaching remains a significant hole in the growing digital mental health literature and lay out recommendations for future data collection, reporting, experimentation, and analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hilary Weingarden
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Emma C Wolfe
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Ivar Snorrason
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sabine Wilhelm
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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10
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Weingarden H, Laky ZE, Ladis I, Austen WG, Wilhelm S. Body Image After Mastectomy Scale: A New Measure of Body Image Behaviors and Beliefs in Women Following Mastectomy. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2022; 31:47-54. [PMID: 34449252 PMCID: PMC8785764 DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2021.0131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Body image distress is frequently reported by women after mastectomy and is associated with negative health outcomes, such as reduced quality of life, elevated depression and anxiety symptoms, and impaired sexual functioning. To reduce body image distress after mastectomy, we must first understand the factors that contribute to its development and maintenance. We therefore developed a new measure, the Body Image after Mastectomy Scale (BIMS), to comprehensively assess maladaptive appearance-related beliefs and behaviors (e.g., avoidance and rituals) that may trigger and maintain body image distress after mastectomy. Materials and Methods: Forty-seven female patients undergoing mastectomy with breast reconstruction completed the BIMS and other measures 3 months after breast reconstruction. Results: Evaluation of the BIMS' initial psychometric properties showed that the overall scale has good internal consistency and strong construct validity. Domain-specific subscales ranged in reliability from good to poor. Conclusions: The BIMS can be used clinically to identify cognitive and behavioral psychotherapy targets to reduce body image distress resulting from mastectomy. It can also be used in research to identify factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of body image distress after mastectomy. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03428399.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary Weingarden
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Zoë E. Laky
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ilana Ladis
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - William Gerald Austen
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sabine Wilhelm
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Phillips KA, Greenberg JL, Hoeppner SS, Weingarden H, O’Keefe S, Keshaviah A, Schoenfeld DA, Wilhelm S. Predictors and moderators of symptom change during cognitive-behavioral therapy or supportive psychotherapy for body dysmorphic disorder. J Affect Disord 2021; 287:34-40. [PMID: 33773357 PMCID: PMC8276884 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research on predictors of treatment outcome in body dysmorphic disorder, a common and severe disorder, is very limited, and no prior studies have examined moderators of outcome. Because treatment is often but not always efficacious, it is important to identify who is more likely to benefit. We examined predictors and moderators of improvement with therapist-delivered cognitive-behavioral therapy versus supportive psychotherapy in the only study of these treatments for body dysmorphic disorder. This report presents secondary analyses from a study whose primary findings have previously been published (Wilhelm et al., 2019). METHODS Participants (N=120) with DSM-IV body dysmorphic disorder were randomized to therapist-delivered weekly cognitive-behavioral therapy or supportive therapy for 24 weeks. Using reliable and valid measures, we tested baseline body dysmorphic disorder severity, insight/delusionality, and depression severity as predictors and moderators of overall and treatment modality-specific symptom change. We explored additional variables as predictors and moderators of outcome. RESULTS Greater treatment credibility (p=0.02) and presence of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (p=0.03) predicted greater improvement. Serotonin-reuptake inhibitor treatment at baseline (unchanged during the study) (p=0.01) predicted less improvement. No other variables predicted or moderated outcome (all p>0.05). LIMITATIONS The study was not powered a priori to detect predictor or moderation effects, which limited our ability to detect them unless they were strong. CONCLUSIONS Because greater treatment credibility predicted better outcomes, fostering credibility during therapy may maximize gains. Improvement was not impeded by more severe body dysmorphic disorder, depressive symptoms, or poorer insight. No variables moderated treatment-specific improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine A. Phillips
- Rhode Island Hospital,Alpert Medical School of Brown University,New York-Presbyterian Hospital,Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University
| | | | | | | | | | - Aparna Keshaviah
- Massachusetts General Hospital,Harvard Medical School,Mathematica Policy Research
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Weingarden H, Hoeppner SS, Snorrason I, Greenberg JL, Phillips KA, Wilhelm S. Rates of remission, sustained remission, and recurrence in a randomized controlled trial of cognitive behavioral therapy versus supportive psychotherapy for body dysmorphic disorder. Depress Anxiety 2021; 38:10.1002/da.23148. [PMID: 33724643 PMCID: PMC8443701 DOI: 10.1002/da.23148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little data exist on remission rates following psychotherapy for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). METHODS Using data from a large study of therapist-delivered cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) versus supportive psychotherapy (SPT) for BDD (N = 120), we estimated remission rates at treatment endpoint, and rates of delayed remission, sustained remission, and recurrence at 6-month follow-up. We also examined improvement in broader mental health outcomes among remitters. RESULTS Full or partial remission rates at end-of-treatment were significantly higher following CBT (68%) than SPT (42%). At 6-month follow-up, an additional 10% (CBT) and 14% (SPT) experienced delayed remission, 52% (CBT) and 27% (SPT) experienced sustained remission, and 20% (CBT) and 14% (SPT) experienced recurrence. Remission was never achieved by 18% (CBT) and 45% (SPT). Participants in remission at end-of-treatment experienced significant improvements in functional impairment, depression severity, BDD-related insight, and quality of life compared to nonremitters. CONCLUSIONS Full or partial remission rates are high following CBT for BDD and higher than after SPT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary Weingarden
- Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
| | | | - Ivar Snorrason
- Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
| | | | - Katharine A. Phillips
- New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical College
- Rhode Island Hospital and Alpert Medical School of Brown University
| | - Sabine Wilhelm
- Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
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Weingarden H, Matic A, Calleja RG, Greenberg JL, Harrison O, Wilhelm S. Optimizing Smartphone-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Body Dysmorphic Disorder Using Passive Smartphone Data: Initial Insights From an Open Pilot Trial. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2020; 8:e16350. [PMID: 32554382 PMCID: PMC7333068 DOI: 10.2196/16350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Smartphone-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is becoming more common, but research on the topic remains in its infancy. Little is known about how people typically engage with smartphone CBT or which engagement and mobility patterns may optimize treatment. Passive smartphone data offer a unique opportunity to gain insight into these knowledge gaps. Objective This study aimed to examine passive smartphone data across a pilot course of smartphone CBT for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a psychiatric illness characterized by a preoccupation with a perceived defect in physical appearance, to inform hypothesis generation and the design of subsequent, larger trials. Methods A total of 10 adults with primary diagnoses of BDD were recruited nationally and completed telehealth clinician assessments with a reliable evaluator. In a 12-week open pilot trial of smartphone CBT, we initially characterized natural patterns of engagement with the treatment and tested how engagement and mobility patterns across treatment corresponded with treatment response. Results Most participants interacted briefly and frequently with smartphone-delivered treatment. More frequent app usage (r=–0.57), as opposed to greater usage duration (r=–0.084), correlated strongly with response. GPS-detected time at home, a potential digital marker of avoidance, decreased across treatment and correlated moderately with BDD severity (r=0.49). Conclusions The sample was small in this pilot study; thus, results should be used to inform the hypotheses and design of subsequent trials. The results provide initial evidence that frequent (even if brief) practice of CBT skills may optimize response to smartphone CBT and that mobility patterns may serve as useful passive markers of symptom severity. This is one of the first studies to examine the value that passively collected sensor data may contribute to understanding and optimizing users’ response to smartphone CBT. With further validation, the results can inform how to enhance smartphone CBT design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary Weingarden
- Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | | | - Jennifer L Greenberg
- Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Sabine Wilhelm
- Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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14
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Greenberg
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston
| | - Hilary Weingarden
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston
| | - Sabine Wilhelm
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston
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15
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Wilhelm S, Weingarden H, Greenberg JL, McCoy TH, Ladis I, Summers BJ, Matic A, Harrison O. Development and Pilot Testing of a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Digital Service for Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Behav Ther 2020; 51:15-26. [PMID: 32005333 DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2019.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) has a severe presentation and chronic course when untreated. Although effective BDD treatments exist, most individuals do not have access to them. We therefore developed and pilot tested the first smartphone-delivered individual cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) treatment for adults with BDD. The digital service was developed via user-centered design, integrating input from engineering, design, and psychology experts, plus BDD patient consultants. We conducted a 12-week open pilot trial (N = 10) to describe preliminary results for feasibility, acceptability, and treatment outcome. Attrition rates (0%) and feedback on usability and satisfaction indicated that smartphone-based CBT for BDD may be feasible, acceptable, and satisfactory. Initial results suggest that smartphone-based CBT for BDD may hold promise for improving BDD symptom severity, BDD-related insight, functional impairment, and quality of life, as scores from baseline to posttreatment improved with large-to-very large effects; depression improved with a medium effect. Ninety percent of participants were responders at posttreatment and 3-month follow-up. Smartphone-based CBT for BDD may have strong potential as a standardized, low cost, and accessible treatment for this debilitating illness. A test of efficacy is merited as a next step, using a well-powered, randomized control trial design.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ilana Ladis
- Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School
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16
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Wilhelm S, Weingarden H, Ladis I, Braddick V, Shin J, Jacobson NC. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in the Digital Age: Presidential Address. Behav Ther 2020; 51:1-14. [PMID: 32005328 PMCID: PMC7155747 DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2019.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Our field has come a long way in establishing cognitive-behavioral therapy as the empirically supported treatment of choice for a wide range of mental and behavioral health problems. Nevertheless, most individuals with mental disorders do not receive any care at all, and those who do often have difficulty accessing care that is consistently high in quality. Addressing these issues is complex and costly and thus progress has been slow. We are entering an exciting stage in which emerging technologies might offer novel solutions to the treatment gap. This paper discusses a number of technology-enabled solutions to our field's challenges, including Internet-based and smartphone-based cognitive-behavioral therapy. Nevertheless, we must remain attentive to potential pitfalls of these emerging technologies. The paper incorporates suggestions for how the field may approach these potential pitfalls and provides a vision for how we might develop powerful, scalable, precisely timed, personalized interventions to enhance global mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ilana Ladis
- Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School
| | | | - Jin Shin
- Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School
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17
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Weingarden H, Scahill L, Hoeppner S, Peterson AL, Woods DW, Walkup JT, Piacentini J, Wilhelm S. Self-esteem in adults with Tourette syndrome and chronic tic disorders: The roles of tic severity, treatment, and comorbidity. Compr Psychiatry 2018; 84:95-100. [PMID: 29729555 PMCID: PMC6002935 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2018.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2018] [Revised: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tourette syndrome (TS) and chronic tic disorders (CTD) are stigmatizing disorders that may significantly impact self-esteem. Alternatively, comorbid psychiatric illnesses may affect self-esteem more than tics themselves. Extant research on self-esteem in TS/CTD is limited, has inconsistently examined the effect of comorbidities on self-esteem, and yields mixed findings. METHOD This study aimed to clarify the roles of tics versus comorbid diagnoses on self-esteem in a large, carefully diagnosed sample of adults with TS/CTD (N = 122) receiving 10 weeks of Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) or Psychoeducation and Supportive Therapy (PST). RESULTS Baseline self-esteem did not differ between adults with TS/CTD only and normative means, whereas self-esteem was significantly lower among adults with TS/CTD with a comorbid psychiatric illness. In a multiple regression testing the baseline association between tic severity, presence of comorbid psychiatric illness, and depression severity with self-esteem, comorbidity and depression severity were significantly associated with self-esteem, whereas tic severity was not. Finally, using a generalized linear model, we tested the effects of treatment assignment, comorbidity, and their interaction on changes in self-esteem across treatment, controlling for baseline depression severity. Results showed that for those with a comorbid illness, self-esteem improved significantly more with CBIT than with PST. CONCLUSIONS Comorbid illnesses appear to affect self-esteem more so than tics among adults with TS/CTD. Therapeutic attention should be paid to treating comorbid diagnoses alongside tics when treating TS/CTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary Weingarden
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge Street, Suite 2000, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Lawrence Scahill
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Marcus Autism Center, 1920 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.
| | - Susanne Hoeppner
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge Street, Suite 2000, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Alan L Peterson
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7550 IH-10 West, Suite 1325, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; Research and Development Service, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, 7400 Merton Minter Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
| | - Douglas W Woods
- Department of Psychology, Cramer Hall 317, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA.
| | - John T Walkup
- Department of Psychiatry, Anne and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, 225 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 420 E Superior St, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - John Piacentini
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angles, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1759, USA.
| | - Sabine Wilhelm
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge Street, Suite 2000, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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Greenberg JL, Weingarden H, Reuman L, Abrams D, Mothi SS, Wilhelm S. Set shifting and visuospatial organization deficits in body dysmorphic disorder. Psychiatry Res 2018; 260:182-186. [PMID: 29202381 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2017.11.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Revised: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Individuals with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) over-attend to perceived defect(s) in their physical appearance, often becoming "stuck" obsessing about perceived flaws and engaging in rituals to hide flaws. These symptoms suggest that individuals with BDD may experience deficits in underlying neurocognitive functions, such as set-shifting and visuospatial organization. These deficits have been implicated as risk and maintenance factors in disorders with similarities to BDD but have been minimally investigated in BDD. The present study examined differences in neurocognitive functions among BDD participants (n = 20) compared to healthy controls (HCs; n = 20). Participants completed neuropsychological assessments measuring set-shifting (Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery Intra-Extra Dimensional Set Shift [IED] task) and visuospatial organization and memory (Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test [ROCF]). Results revealed a set-shifting deficit among BDD participants compared to HCs on the IED. On the ROCF, BDD participants exhibited deficits in visuospatial organization compared to HCs, but they did not differ in visuospatial memory compared to HCs. Results did not change when accounting for depression severity. Findings highlight neurocognitive deficits as potential endophenotype markers of clinical features (i.e., delusionality). Understanding neuropsychological deficits may clarify similarities and differences between BDD and related disorders and may guide targets for BDD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Greenberg
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Simches Research Building 185 Cambridge Street, Suite 2000, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Hilary Weingarden
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Simches Research Building 185 Cambridge Street, Suite 2000, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Lillian Reuman
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Davie Hall, Campus Box 3270, Chapel Hill, 27599 NC, USA.
| | - Dylan Abrams
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Simches Research Building 185 Cambridge Street, Suite 2000, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Suraj S Mothi
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Simches Research Building 185 Cambridge Street, Suite 2000, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Sabine Wilhelm
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Simches Research Building 185 Cambridge Street, Suite 2000, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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Weingarden H, Renshaw KD, Davidson E, Wilhelm S. Relative relationships of general shame and body shame with body dysmorphic phenomenology and psychosocial outcomes. J Obsessive Compuls Relat Disord 2017; 14:1-6. [PMID: 29057211 PMCID: PMC5648067 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocrd.2017.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is characterized by a preoccupation with a perceived flaw in appearance and repetitive avoidance behaviors. BDD involves severe psychosocial outcomes (e.g., depression, suicidality, functional impairment). Identifying correlates of BDD symptoms and outcomes can inform treatment. Shame, a painful emotion felt in response to critical self-judgment, may be one key correlate. However, research on shame in BDD is scarce and previous studies have not distinguished general shame from body shame. This study examines the relative relationships between body shame and general shame with body dysmorphic phenomenology and psychosocial outcomes. Participants (N = 184) were recruited online via BDD organizations and completed a survey. Path analysis was used to examine associations between body and general shame with 1) body dysmorphic phenomenology and 2) depression severity, suicide risk, and functional impairment. Both types of shame were differentially related to outcomes. Body shame was more strongly related to phenomenology, whereas general shame was more strongly related to psychosocial outcomes. Thus, it may be important for BDD treatment to focus on reducing both general and body shame. Further research should evaluate whether current treatments adequately address and reduce general and body shame, and whether addressing shame promotes better treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary Weingarden
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge Street, Suite 2000, Boston, MA, USA, 02114
| | - Keith D Renshaw
- Department of Psychology, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA, USA 22030
| | - Eliza Davidson
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge Street, Suite 2000, Boston, MA, USA, 02114
| | - Sabine Wilhelm
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge Street, Suite 2000, Boston, MA, USA, 02114
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Weingarden H, Curley EE, Renshaw KD, Wilhelm S. Patient-identified events implicated in the development of body dysmorphic disorder. Body Image 2017; 21:19-25. [PMID: 28285175 PMCID: PMC5440192 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2017.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Revised: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Little is known about the causes of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), but researchers have proposed a diathesis-stress model. This study uses a patient-centered approach to identify stressful events to which patients attribute the development of their BDD symptoms. An Internet-recruited sample of 165 adults with BDD participated. A large minority of participants attributed the development of their BDD to a triggering event. Bullying experiences were the most commonly described type of event. Additionally, most events were interpersonal and occurred during grade school or middle school. There were no differences in severity of psychosocial outcomes between participants who did or did not attribute their BDD to a specific triggering event. However, participants who specifically attributed their BDD development to a bullying experience had poorer psychosocial outcomes (i.e., perceived social support, depression severity, functional impairment, quality of life) compared to those who attributed their BDD development to another type of triggering event.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary Weingarden
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge Street, Suite 2000, Boston, MA 02114, United States.
| | - Erin E Curley
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge Street, Suite 2000, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Keith D Renshaw
- Psychology Department, David King Hall, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030, United States
| | - Sabine Wilhelm
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge Street, Suite 2000, Boston, MA 02114, United States
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Abstract
Body shame is described as central in clinical literature on body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). However, empirical investigations of body shame within BDD are rare. One potential reason for the scarcity of such research may be that existing measures of body shame focus on eating and weight-based content. Within BDD, however, body shame likely focuses more broadly on shame felt in response to perceived appearance flaws in one's body parts. We describe the development and validation of the Body-Focused Shame and Guilt Scale (BF-SGS), a measure of BDD-relevant body shame, across two studies: a two time-point study of undergraduates, and a follow-up study in two Internet-recruited clinical samples (BDD, obsessive compulsive disorder) and healthy controls. Across both studies, the BF-SGS shame subscale demonstrated strong reliability and construct validity, with Study 2 providing initial clinical norms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary Weingarden
- George Mason University, Department of Psychology, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030-4444
- Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Keith D. Renshaw
- George Mason University, Department of Psychology, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030-4444
| | - June P. Tangney
- George Mason University, Department of Psychology, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030-4444
| | - Sabine Wilhelm
- Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, MA 02114
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Weingarden H, Renshaw KD. Body Dysmorphic Symptoms, Functional Impairment, and Depression: The Role of Appearance-Based Teasing. The Journal of Psychology 2015; 150:119-31. [DOI: 10.1080/00223980.2015.1012144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
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Riskind JH, Kleiman EM, Weingarden H, Danvers AF. Cognitive vulnerability to anxiety in the stress generation process: further investigation of the interaction effect between the looming cognitive style and anxiety sensitivity. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2013; 44:381-7. [PMID: 23651606 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2013.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2012] [Revised: 03/06/2013] [Accepted: 03/15/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The goal of the present study was to replicate and extend previous research on the relationship between stress generation and two well-documented anxiety related cognitive vulnerabilities, Looming Cognitive Style (LCS) and Anxiety Sensitivity (AS). We first sought to replicate findings that LCS and AS augment each other's stress generation effect. Next, we expanded upon these findings by conducting fine grained analyses not possible in the prior study, by using the third edition of the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (Taylor et al., 2007) and examined the individual facets of AS, which includes: Mental Incapacitation (fear of mental impairment), Physical (fear of catastrophic outcomes such as death), and Social (fear of being noticed for trembling, blushing) facets. METHODS We followed 99 female undergraduates who were assessed twice over a six-week interval. RESULTS First, the results replicated a previous study and showed that LCS and AS magnified each other's impact on stress generation. Second, analyses using the individual subscales of AS indicated significant interactions between LCS and the Mental Incapacitation and Physical facets of AS but not the Social facet. LIMITATIONS Limitations of the present study include reliance on self-report measures and the use of a female only sample. Using such a sample is consistent with previous literature, but limits generalizability to males. CONCLUSIONS The present findings are consistent with the emerging view that stress generation is an active, transactional process and that anxiety-related cognitive styles (much like depressive styles) contribute to stress generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- John H Riskind
- Department of Psychology, George Mason University, Mail Stop 3F5, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA.
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Weingarden H, Renshaw KD. Early and late perceived pubertal timing as risk factors for anxiety disorders in adult women. J Psychiatr Res 2012; 46:1524-9. [PMID: 22901773 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2012.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2012] [Revised: 07/19/2012] [Accepted: 07/19/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Anxiety disorders generally have an early age of onset and can contribute to the development of comorbid disorders later in life. Thus, it is important to identify adolescent risk factors for anxiety. Past research has identified early pubertal timing as a risk factor for anxiety, typically measured as a general construct through self-report. The current study used data from the National Comorbidity Survey-Replication (NCS-R) to examine recollection of early and late menarche as a predictor of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), specific phobias (SP), social anxiety disorder (SAD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and panic disorder (PD) among women. Findings showed that early timing predicted increased risk of a lifetime diagnosis of PTSD, SP, and SAD, whereas late pubertal timing only predicted increased rates of SAD. Examination of race as a potential moderator of these relationships did not yield significant findings, but these analyses were limited by low power. Other limitations and future directions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary Weingarden
- Department of Psychology, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA.
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Kleiman EM, Riskind JH, Schaefer KE, Weingarden H. The Moderating Role of Social Support on the Relationship Between Impulsivity and Suicide Risk. Crisis 2012; 33:273-9. [DOI: 10.1027/0227-5910/a000136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Background: Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. There has been considerable research into risk factors for suicide, such as impulsivity, but considerably less research on protective factors. Aims: The present study examines the role that social support plays in the relationship between impulsivity and suicide risk. Methods: Participants were 169 undergraduates who completed self-report measures of impulsivity and social support. Suicide risk was assessed using an interview measure. Results: Social support moderates the relationship between impulsivity and suicide risk, such that those who are highly impulsive are less likely to be at risk for suicide if they also have high levels of social support. Conclusions: Social support can be a useful buffer to suicide risk for at-risk individuals who are highly impulsive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan M. Kleiman
- Department of Psychology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - John H. Riskind
- Department of Psychology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
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Weingarden H, Marques L, Fang A, LeBlanc N, Buhlmann U, Phillips KA, Wilhelm S. Culturally Adapted Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Case Examples. Int J Cogn Ther 2011; 4:381-396. [PMID: 25346783 DOI: 10.1521/ijct.2011.4.4.381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Individuals with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) have distressing or impairing preoccupations with imagined or slight defects in their appearance (e.g., nose too big). BDD is a severe psychiatric disorder often associated with high rates of suicidality as well as social and occupational impairment (Phillips, Coles et al., 2005). Researchers have only recently begun to investigate psychological treatments for BDD, with available data suggesting that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) appears efficacious for BDD (Williams, Hadjistavropoulos, & Sharpe, 2006). To our knowledge, however, there are no reports of whether CBT for BDD can be effectively generalized to ethnic minority and other special populations. The current report suggests specific modifications within the CBT for BDD framework that might improve the effectiveness and retention rates of CBT among ethnic minority patients with BDD. Specifically, the present study describes the cases of Ben, a 40-year-old, Jewish, married male, and John, a 30-year-old, African American, single male, both with a primary diagnosis of BDD. Various treatment techniques were used to make the course of CBT more culturally responsive. This case report illustrates the challenges and benefits of integrating cultural variables into a CBT framework for BDD, and it highlights the need for more work in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luana Marques
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School
| | | | - Nicole LeBlanc
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School
| | - Ulrike Buhlmann
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Rhode Island Hospital and Alpert Medical School of Brown University
| | - Katharine A Phillips
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Rhode Island Hospital and Alpert Medical School of Brown University
| | - Sabine Wilhelm
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School
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Marques L, LeBlanc N, Robinaugh D, Weingarden H, Keshaviah A, Wilhelm S. Correlates of quality of life and functional disability in individuals with body dysmorphic disorder. Psychosomatics 2011; 52:245-54. [PMID: 21565596 DOI: 10.1016/j.psym.2010.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2010] [Revised: 07/23/2010] [Accepted: 07/26/2010] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a chronic mental illness characterized by low quality of life and functional disability across multiple domains. Despite the clinical importance of understanding impairment in BDD, there has been little research examining the factors that contribute to these constructs. The present study was designed to examine sociodemographic and clinical correlates of quality of life and disability (work, social, and family) in a sample of individuals with moderately severe BDD symptoms. METHOD Participants completed an internet survey with questions about demographics, BDD phenomenology, treatment, and impairment. Only participants who completed all study measures and received a score≥16 on the 10-item Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale, Modified for BDD (BDD-YBOCS), indicating the presence of clinical BDD symptoms, were included in the analysis (n=256). Multivariate regression with backwards variable selection was used to identify significant predictors of quality of life and functional disability, assessed with the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Scale-Short Form (QLESQ-SF) and the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), respectively. RESULTS BDD symptom severity was inversely associated with quality of life and directly associated with disability in all domains. After controlling statistically for BDD symptom severity, sociodemographic and clinical factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, insurance, body parts of concern, depression symptoms, and anxiety symptoms were significantly associated with impairment. CONCLUSION Results suggest a multidimensional nature of quality of life and functional disability and underscore the importance of developing holistic treatment strategies to address impairment in BDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Marques
- Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Psychiatry and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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Marques L, LeBlanc N, Weingarden H, Greenberg JL, Traeger LN, Keshaviah A, Wilhelm S. Body dysmorphic symptoms: phenomenology and ethnicity. Body Image 2011; 8:163-7. [PMID: 21354876 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2010.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2010] [Revised: 12/21/2010] [Accepted: 12/31/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Differences in the presentation of clinical features of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) across ethnic groups have received little investigation. The current study assessed BDD symptoms in an ethnically diverse sample of adults (n=401) using an online survey. Participants completed self-report measures assessing BDD symptoms, body parts of concern and BDD behaviors. Compared to Caucasian participants, no significant differences were found in body parts or behaviors reported by Latino or African American participants. Significant group differences did emerge between Asian and Caucasian participants. Specifically, Asians reported more concern with straight hair and dark skin and fewer body shape concerns than Caucasians. Asians also endorsed lower rates of grooming, touching body parts, and camouflaging and higher rates of exercise compared to Caucasians. Although most clinical features of BDD appear similar across ethnic groups, results showed some differences in body parts and behaviors between Caucasians and Asian Americans with BDD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Marques
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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Abstract
Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) in stroke patients has been demonstrated to provide clinical benefits such as improvement in movement, skills, function and decrease of spasticity. Imaging and neurophysiological studies have shown cortical excitability and reorganization. After injury, the parameters of timing, intensity, frequency, and duration of FES are still to be determined. Additional issues that should be determined are whether the changes induced by FES are long-lasting, and which clinical and electrophysiological parameters are important and to what extent.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Ring
- Neurological Rehabilitation Department, Loewenstein Hospital, Rehabilitation Center, Raanana, Israel.
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Weingarden H, Ring H. Functional electrical stimulation-induced neural changes and recovery after stroke. Eura Medicophys 2006; 42:87-90. [PMID: 16767055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Rehabilitation as a treatment approach to affect neural remodeling or ''plasticity'' of the injured brain is gaining increasing attention and appreciation. While rehabilitation continues to emphasize re-establishment of functional abilities, the approach of neurorehabilitation attempts to improve recovery by impacting on changes within the central nervous system rather than reliance on compensatory techniques. Functional electrical stimulation is one of the prominent modalities being used for neurorehabilitation. This report provides an overview of the relevance of brain plasticity to rehabilitation, and of the physiological and clinical studies that indicate the effects of functional electrical stimulation as a potential tool in neural remodeling.
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Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Prospective study. OBJECTIVE To identify and define dermatological conditions following acute traumatic spinal cord injury (ATSCI) during inpatient rehabilitation. SETTING Spinal Cord Injury Unit, The Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Israel. METHODS During a 1-year study, all patients following ATSCI were prospectively studied for new dermatological findings during their inpatient rehabilitation. Every new dermatological finding was defined concerning its location with regard to the patient's neurological level, the time from injury to appearance and the exact dermatological diagnosis. RESULTS During the study year, 46 ATSCI patients were hospitalized in our department, of whom were 38 (82.6%) males and eight (17.4%) females (mean age 30.2 years). A total of 21 (45.6%) patients were tetraplegic and 25 (54.3%) paraplegic. Of the patients, 28 (60.9%) had complete neurological injuries and 18 (39.1%) incomplete. In all, 14 (30.4%) patients developed a dermatological condition. There was no significant age or sex correlation to the development of these complications. There was a greater likelihood of paraplegia (48 versus 9.5%, P=0.005) and being neurologically complete (42.9 versus 11.1%, P=0.02). The dermatological findings appeared on an average of 80.3 days after the initial neurological insult. There were a total of 22 different dermatological findings: 11 (50%) were local fungal infections, two (9.1%) psoriatic lesions, two (9.1%) hyperkeratotic lesions, two (9.1%) bacterial infections (one folliculitis, one impetigo) and single cases of seborrheic dermatitis, acne, alopecia, scabies and allergic reaction. Of the findings, 14 (63.6%) were below the neurological level, including all of the fungal infections. CONCLUSIONS Dermatological findings are common during rehabilitation of ATSCI. The clinical impact of these findings is low, but nevertheless, they are troublesome to the patient. The most common dermatological disorder was a local fungal infection below the neurological level. Paraplegic patients are more susceptible to the development of this condition. Patient and staff education regarding proper skin care may reduce these infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Rubin-Asher
- The Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
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Abstract
STUDY DESIGN We present our cumulative experience with patients sustaining the most dramatic type of Conversion Disorder (CD) - Conversion Motor Paralysis. SETTING Rehabilitation departments, Reuth Medical Center, Tel-Aviv and Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel. METHODS During the period 1973-2000, 34 patients with neurological symptoms without any anatomical or physiological basis were admitted to both rehabilitation departments. This number consists of less than 1% of the total acute traumatic and non-traumatic spinal cord disorders admitted annually to these centers. RESULTS Twenty-five of the subjects were men (mean age of 30 years) and nine were women (mean age of 31.4 years). Neurological symptoms included: paraplegia (complete or incomplete) (18), hemiplegia or hemi paresis (11), tetraplegia (complete or incomplete) (three), monoplegia (one), triplegia (one). The final diagnosis on discharge was CD in 30 of the 34 cases, the remaining four being diagnosed as malingering. Functionally, nine patients had a complete recovery, 10 a partial recovery and 15 remained unchanged. CONCLUSION Disabled people who experienced traumatic events resulting in various disabilities are admitted usually to a rehabilitation center. However, some of them are later diagnosed as having Conversion Disorder or malingering. We believe that their participation in active regular and integrative rehabilitation process is beneficial to most of them. Most of these patients gain functional independence and return to the main stream of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Heruti
- Department of Rehabilitation, Reuth Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the long-term mortality rate and the types of morbidity among all people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) that occurred during the 1948 Israel War of Independence. METHOD Chart review and telephone interviews for collecting demographic data, injury characteristics, marital status, physical activities, employment, morbidity and mortality. RESULTS Twenty individuals with SCI (19 males, one female). There was no regular follow-up during the first 20 years post injury. The most frequent morbidities were genito-urinary, cardiovascular and decubiti. Ten (50%) had died during this overall follow-up interval. The average age at death was 60 years. The cause of death was cardiovascular in six, neoplastic disease in two, pneumonia in one, and one died from an unknown cause. CONCLUSIONS The data analysis showed that those who died participated less in physical activity and fewer were employed as compared to the survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Zeilig
- Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
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Ohry A, Weingarden H, Kiwerski J, Otom A, el-Masry WS, Kovindha A, Biering-Sørensen F. Spinal injury rehabilitation complicated by psycho-social problems. Spinal Cord 1998; 36:262-5. [PMID: 9589526 DOI: 10.1038/sj.sc.3100643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A Ohry
- Department of Neuro-Rehabilitation, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
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Alon G, Dar A, Katz-Behiri D, Weingarden H, Nathan R. Efficacy of a Hybrid Upper Limb Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation System in Lessening Selected Impairments and Dysfunctions Consequent to Cerebral Damage. Neurorehabil Neural Repair 1998. [DOI: 10.1177/154596839801200205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- H Ring
- Neurological Rehabilitation Ward, Loewenstein Hospital, Tel-Aviv University Medical School, Raanana, Israel
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Johnson EW, Weingarden H, Alexander M. Asymmetric iliotibial band contracture following muscle biopsy: case report. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1977; 58:28-9. [PMID: 831661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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