The relaxation exercise and social support trial-resst: study protocol for a randomized community based trial

Abstract

BackgroundStudies suggests a possible link between vaginal discharge and common mental distress, as well as highlight the implications of the subjective burden of disease and its link with mental health.Methods/DesignThis is a community-based intervention trial that aims to evaluate the impact of a psycho-social intervention on medically unexplained vaginal discharge (MUVD) in a group of married, low-income Lebanese women, aged 18-49, and suffering from low to moderate levels of anxiety and/or depression. The intervention consisted of 12 sessions of structured social support, problem solving techniques, group discussions and trainer-supervised relaxation exercises (twice per week over six weeks). Women were recruited from Hey el Selloum, a southern disadvantaged suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, during an open recruitment campaign. The primary outcome was self-reported MUVD, upon ruling out reproductive tract infections (RTIs), through lab analysis. Anxiety and/or depression symptoms were the secondary outcomes for this trial. These were assessed using an Arabic validated version of the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist-25 (HSCL-25). Assessments were done at baseline and six months using face-to face interviews, pelvic examinations and laboratory tests. Women were randomized into either intervention or control group. Intent to treat analysis will be used.DiscussionThe results will indicate whether the proposed psychosocial intervention was effective in reducing MUVD (possibly mediated by common mental distress).Trial RegistrationThe trial is registered at the Wellcome Trust Registry, ISRCTN assigned: ISRCTN: ISRCTN98441241

The efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for post-traumatic stress disorder and depression among Syrian refugees: results of a randomized controlled trial

“…The total score, showing emotional stress, is the average of all 25 questions while the depression score is the average of depression items and ranges between 1 and 4. Previous studies indicated good evidence that the Arabic version of the HSCL-25 is reliable and valid (Kobeissi et al 2011). In the present study, the baseline administration of the checklist yielded a Cronbach's α value of 0.87, indicating good reliability for items.…”

Culturally adapted cognitive behavioral therapy for Syrian refugee women in Turkey: A randomized controlled trial.

“…Each item is rated on a 4-point Likert scale that ranges from 1 to 4 (1 = Not at all, 2 = A little, 3 = Quite a bit, 4 = Extremely). Previous studies with an Arabic version indicated that HSCL-25 is statistically reliable (Acarturk et al, 2016;Kleijn et al, 2001;Kobeissi et al, 2011). The cut-off score of 1.75 and above indicates clinically relevant level of anxiety and depression symptoms (Aragona et al, 2013;Hasanovi c & Herenda, 2008;Mollica et al, 1996).…”

On Somatic Symptoms Measurement: The Scale for Assessment of Somatic Symptoms Revisited

“…The above study was conducted to reassess the reliability of the tool which has been widely used to measure somatic symptoms. [ 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ] Since, there are going to be significant changes in the classification of somatoform disorders and focus is on the medically unexplained symptoms, it was pertinent to establish whether the tool maintained its test retest reliability and also inter-rater reliability.…”

“…[2] Scale for assessment of somatic symptoms (SASS) has been in use since the mid-1980s until date. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] It has been used in assessing somatic symptoms and somatization in different groups of general medical,…”

“…Scale for assessment of somatic symptoms (SASS) has been in use since the mid-1980s until date. [ 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 ] It has been used in assessing somatic symptoms and somatization in different groups of general medical, psychiatric and cancer patients. [ 3 4 5 ] When used for measurement of somatic symptoms in a medical disorder, such as cancer, besides the severity scores, there is a provision to differentiate if the physical symptoms are purely organic, psychological, both organic and psychological, or neither physical nor psychogenic (idiopathic).…”