Background: Depressive symptoms are common in individuals suffering from severe somatic conditions. There is a lack of interventions and evidence-based interventions aiming to reduce depressive symptoms in patients with severe somatic conditions. The aim of the NEVERMIND project is to address these issues and provide evidence by testing the NEVERMIND system, designed to reduce and prevent depressive symptoms in comparison to treatment as usual. Methods: The NEVERMIND study is a parallel-groups, pragmatic randomised controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of the NEVERMIND system in reducing depressive symptoms among individuals with severe somatic conditions. The NEVERMIND system comprises a smart shirt and a user interface, in the form of a mobile application. The system is a real-time decision support system, aiming to predict the severity and onset of depressive symptoms by modelling the well-being condition of patients based on physiological data, body movement, and the recurrence of social interactions. The study includes 330 patients who have a diagnosis of myocardial infarction, breast cancer, prostate cancer, kidney failure, or lower limb amputation. Participants are randomised in blocks of ten to either the NEVERMIND intervention or treatment as usual as the control group. Clinical interviews and structured questionnaires are administered at baseline, at 12 weeks, and 24 weeks to assess whether the NEVERMIND system is superior to treatment as usual. The endpoint of primary interest is Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) at 12 weeks defined as (i) the severity of depressive symptoms as measured by the BDI-II. Secondary outcomes include prevention of the onset of depressive symptoms, changes in quality of life, perceived stigma, and self-efficacy. Discussion: There is a lack of evidence-based interventions aiming to reduce and prevent depressive symptoms in patients with severe somatic conditions. If the NEVERMIND system is effective, it will provide healthcare systems with a novel and innovative method to attend to depressive symptoms in patients with severe somatic conditions.
Problem gambling has become a major public health concern, with psychosocial and mental health consequences. Some efforts have been done in the last years by regulatory and health related bodies worldwide for assuring that betting can be safer and less harmful. A vast consensus concerning the need to promote Responsible Gambling strategies have been put forward, even though the implementation of policies in this domain is very broad, poorly systematized and often does not translate, in an evident manner, to consolidated and valid practices for promoting safe gambling and the prevention of morbidity. This paper aims to review theoretical and research‑based arguments supporting the need of investment in responsible gambling field, and to propose some recommendations for sponsoring strategic policies in which harm‑minimization and prevention tools are prioritized. A literature review was carried out through an intensive search of online electronic databases and collaborative contacts with researchers in the field of non‑substance addictive behaviors. Papers and documents from scientific and governmental boards, related to prevention and harm minimization or reduction of gambling problems and published between 1998 and 2018 were selected. Different tools in the field of responsible gambling are pointed as good and evidence‑based practices that need to be continuously implemented and replicated. Some others can be promising but need further research. The findings of this study may help many entities and stakeholders involved in this behavioral addiction field (researchers, governmental and health agencies, regulators and gambling industry) for strengthening responsible gambling national policies and strategies.
Background: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a chronic disease with significant comorbidity with mental disorders. Patients with mental health problems are at an increased risk of contracting HIV and infected patients are also at an increased risk of developing mental health problems, both cases contributing to a worse global prognosis. This cross-sectional study intends to characterize a sample of patients followed in a psychiatric department in order to understand the crucial role of Liaison Psychiatry in this area.
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