The purpose of the study was to explore the association between depression and medication adherence in heart failure (HF) patients. Studies have shown that people with depression are likely to be nonadherent to their prescribed medication treatment. But other studies suggest that nonadherence may be overestimated by people with depression. A total of 244 adults with Stage C HF completed the study. Self-reported medication adherence was obtained using the Basel Assessment of Adherence Scale (BAAS); objective data on medication adherence were collected using the electronic Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS). Depression was measured via self-report with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). There was a significant difference between depressed and nondepressed participants in self-reported medication nonadherence (p = .008), but not in objectively measured medication nonadherence (p = .72). The depressed sample was 2.3 times more likely to self-report poor medication adherence than those who were nondepressed (p = .006).

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Audio Visual Stimulation (AVS), a form of neurofeedback, is a non-pharmacological intervention that has been used for both performance enhancement and symptom management. We review the history of AVS, its two sub-types (close- and open-loop), and discuss its clinical implications. We also describe a promising new application of AVS to improve sleep, and potentially decrease pain. AVS research can be traced back to the late 1800s. AVS's efficacy has been demonstrated for both performance enhancement and symptom management. Although AVS is commonly used in clinical settings, there is limited literature evaluating clinical outcomes and mechanisms of action. One of the challenges to AVS research is the lack of standardized terms, which makes systematic review and literature consolidation difficult. Future studies using AVS as an intervention should; (1) use operational definitions that are consistent with the existing literature, such as AVS, Audio-visual Entrainment, or Light and Sound Stimulation, (2) provide a clear rationale for the chosen training frequency modality, (3) use a randomized controlled design, and (4) follow the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials and/or related guidelines when disseminating results.

Background Patients with lung cancer suffer from significant psychological distress. The underlying theoretical model that may explain what predicts or mediates the degree of psychological distress has not been elucidated. Objectives To describe the incidence of psychological distress in patients with lung cancer and to test a predictive theoretical model of psychological distress based on symptom burden, type D personality, social support, and intrusive thoughts. Methods Three hundred eighty-nine patients with stages I to IV lung cancer were recruited. Participants completed a battery of scales, including measures of psychological distress, symptom burden, type D personality, perceived social support, intrusive thoughts, and demographic and clinical characteristics. The predictive theoretical model was tested using structural equation modeling. Results Experiencing clinically significant psychological distress was reported by 63.75% of participants. Consistent with the social cognitive processing model, symptom burden, type D personality, social support, and intrusive thoughts all significantly and directly predicted the level of psychological distress in patients with lung cancer. Moreover, intrusive thoughts mediated the effects of type D personality and symptom burden on psychological distress; social support and symptom burden mediated the effects of type D personality on psychological distress. Conclusions The majority of the participants experienced psychological distress at a clinically significant level. Intrusive thoughts and social support mediated the effects of type D personality and symptom burden on psychological distress. Implications for Practice Patients with type D personality and symptom burden should be identified. Interventions for targeting social support and intrusive thoughts might ultimately reduce their psychological distress.

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