Improved quality of life and reduced depressive symptoms in medical students after a single-session intervention

Abstract

Objective: Anxiety and depression are prevalent among medical students. Brazilian medical students have higher levels of depression and lower quality of life than their U.S. counterparts, and no preventive intervention exists for this risk group in Brazil. The Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP), a cognitive-behavioral treatment protocol for neuroticism, was recently adapted into a single-session, preventive intervention. This study tested the impact of this protocol on psychiatric symptoms and quality of life in Brazilian medical students. Methods: In this open trial, the intervention protocol was translated and adapted to Brazilian Portuguese. Medical students over 18 years of age without psychotic symptoms, severe depressive episodes, or acute psychiatric risk were included, undergoing a psychiatric clinical interview (Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview [MINI]) and evaluation at baseline and at 7 and 30 days after a single-session UP that included experimental avoidance, quality of life, self-esteem, empathy, and anxiety symptom scales. A new evaluation was performed 90 days after the intervention. Results: Sixty-two students participated. Ninety days after the intervention, there were significant reductions in the number of students who met the criteria for social anxiety disorder (p = 0.013) or panic disorder (p = 0.001). There were also significant improvements in depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory, p o 0.001) and quality of life (Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire, p o 0.001). Conclusion: UP improved anxiety and depressive symptoms in medical students. The single-session group format could reduce costs and facilitate application. Future placebo-controlled studies are necessary to confirm these findings.

Depression, its correlates and quality of life of undergraduate medical students in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand state, India

“…As mentioned earlier, medical students experience a lot of stress during their training years; this may contribute in development of mental health disorders including depression among them. It has been reported that even a single session of appropriate intervention can reduce the depressive symptoms and improve quality of life among medical students (26). However in India so far no medical college or medical university -to best of authors knowledge -have implemented structured intervention or program to deal with the mental health problems of medical students.…”

Effectivity of Psychotherapy Interventions for Anxiety in Medical Students: A Systematic Review

“…Among all studies included in the review, there were 12 RCTs [15], [16], [17], [18], [19], [20], [21], [22], [23], [24], [25], [26], [27], [28], [29], [30], [31], [32], [33], [34], [35], [36] and nine quasi-experimental studies [16], [17], [18], [18], [19], [22], [23], [30], [32], [36]. The risk of bias of the randomized studies based on the RoB-2 tool is reported in Table 2.…”

“…Table 1 shows the characteristics of the included studies. Four studies were conducted in America [15], [16], [17], [18], three in Malaysia [19], [20], [21], three in India [22], [23], [24], three in China [25], [26], [27], two in Australia [28], [29], two in Brazil [30], [31], one in Switzerland [32], one in Germany [33], one in Canada [34], Thailand [35], and one more in Iran [36].…”

“…Three studies reported cognitive and behavioral interventions [19], [26], [30]. In the first study, participants were invited to use an internet-based CBT program focused on mood management and symptom prevention for 16 weeks.…”

Taking care of medical students: the pillars of future healthcare

“…Comprehensive assessment and targeted interventions are critical in reducing stress among students and thus preventing deterioration in long-term mental health. In this issue, Bermudez et al 5 have applied an adapted form of the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP) as a preventive intervention for depression in medical students (n=62). They conducted an open-label, single-session, cognitive-behavioral intervention for medical students in small groups, followed up for 90 days.…”