Outcome of neuropsychiatric symptoms and daily functioning of patients with dementia treated on an acute psychogeriatric ward

Abstract

Background: Dementia is associated with progressive deterioration in multiple cognitive domains, functional impairment and neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS).

Aims: The aim of this study was to explore the factors associated with the outcome of NPS and daily functioning in patients with dementia during acute psychogeriatric hospitalization.

Materials and method: The data (n?=?175) were collected between 2009 and 2013 in naturalistic settings on one acute psychogeriatric ward at one university hospital in Finland. Behavioural symptoms were assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and activities of daily living using the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study–Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL).

Results: During the hospital stay (45 days ±30.4) NPI total score decreased from 33.9 to 18.2 (p?<?.001). Daily functioning score decreased from 31.7 to 20.9 (p?<?.001). The number of patients taking antipsychotics (96–130, p?=?.004) and anxiolytics (54–102, p?<?.001) increased from admission to discharge. Overall mean dosage (mg/day) of antipsychotics (from 40.2 to 72.0 in chlorpromazine equivalents, p?<?.00) and anxiolytics (from 3.43 to 7.47 in diazepam equivalents, p?<?.001) also increased. Higher antipsychotic dosage at discharge was a significant predictor for large NPI score change (p?=?.002) indicating better symptom reduction. Neither higher antipsychotic dosage or anxiolytic dosage at discharge were significant predictors for ADL score change.

Conclusions: Neuropsychiatric symptoms improved while deterioration was found in daily functioning from admission to discharge. Higher antipsychotic dosage at discharge was a predictor for larger NPI score change indicating better symptom reduction. Preventing threatening ADL decline during hospital stay is especially important.     

Misophonia and comorbid psychiatric symptoms: a preliminary study of clinical findings

Abstract

Objective: Misophonia is a neurophysiological disorder, phenotypically characterized by heightened autonomic nervous system arousal which is accompanied by a high magnitude of emotional reactivity to repetitive and pattern-based auditory stimuli. This study identifies the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms in misophonia sufferers, the association between severity of misophonia and psychiatric symptoms, and the association between misophonia severity and gender.

Methods: Fifty-two misophonia sufferers, 30 females (mean age?=?40.93 ± 15.29) and 22 males (mean age?=?51.18 ± 15.91) were recruited in our study and they were diagnosed according the criteria proposed by Schröder et al. The participants were evaluated by the A-MISO-S for the severity of misophonia and the MINI to assess the presence of psychiatric symptoms.

Results: The most common comorbid symptoms reported by the misophonia patients were respectively PTSD (N?=?8, 15.38%), OCD (N?=?6, 11.53%), MDD (N?=?5, 9.61%), and anorexia (N?=?5, 9.61%). Misophonia severity was associated with the symptoms of MDD, OCD, and PTSD as well as anorexia. There was an indication of a significant difference between men and women in the severity of misophonic symptoms.

Conclusion: Our findings highlight the importance of recognizing psychiatric comorbidity among misophonia sufferers. The presence of these varying psychiatric disorders’ features in individuals with misophonia suggests that while misophonia has unique clinical characteristics with an underlying neurophysiological mechanism, may be associated with psychiatric symptoms. Therefore, when assessing individuals with misophonia symptoms, it is important to screen for psychiatric symptoms. This will assist researchers and clinicians to better understand the nature of the symptoms and how they may be interacting and ultimately allocating the most effective therapeutic strategies.     

Experience and outcomes of stepping stones triple P for families of children with autism

This study investigated the experience and perceived outcomes of a behavioural family intervention, standard stepping stones triple P (SSTP), for parents of children with autism. An indepth, prospective, mixed-methods, multiple case-study design was employed. Parent participants and SSTP practitioners took part. Participation in SSTP was consistently associated with improved parental self-efficacy, and was also associated with improved parental psychological well-being and decreased perceived need for behavioural services for some families. Three key themes emerged from the qualitative interview data, reflecting changes attributed to participation in SSTP: (1) changes in the “attribution of cause” of misbehaviour, (2) “Who's the boss?” reflecting a change to parents feeling more in charge of their child's behaviour, daily routines and choices, and (3) “Rewarding is rewarding!” reflecting appreciation of a positive approach to behaviour management. Practitioners discussed their impressions of appropriate participants, timing, structure, and session preferences for SSTP, and implications related to the professional qualifications of practitioners delivering SSTP. Clinical implications for the use of SSTP with families of children with autism are discussed.     

Implementing physical exercise and music interventions for patients suffering from dementia on an acute psychogeriatric inpatient ward

Abstract

Background: Increasing attention is focusing on psychosocial interventions for treating patients with dementia.

Aims: This observational intervention study investigated the impact of physical exercise and music interventions among patients with dementia on an acute psychogeriatric ward.

Materials and methods: The data were collected during February 2009–December 2010 (n?=?89; treatment as usual) and during April 2011–March 2013 (n?=?86; treatment as usual with physical exercise, e.g. balance, flexibility, strength training, and music interventions, e.g. singing, listening to music and playing instruments). The primary outcome measure was the Neuropsychiatric Inventory and the secondary outcome measures were the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study–Activities of Daily Living, the Barthel Index, and the Mini-Mental State Examination.

Results: In both groups, neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) decreased (p?<?.001) but daily functioning deteriorated (p?<?.001). No significant between-group differences for either outcome variable were found. Based on linear mixed models, fewer exercise sessions associated with more severe symptoms (p?=?.030), and the time variable (admission/discharge) with a decline in the level of NPS (p?<?.001). Moreover, female gender (p?=?.026) and more exercise sessions (p?=?.039) associated with an increased level of functioning (p?=?.031) and the time variable (admission/discharge) with a drop in the level of functioning during hospitalization (p?<?.001).

Conclusion: Although no differences were found between the study groups, analysis within the intervention group suggest that physical exercise may have some positive effects for both NPS and the level of functioning in some patients with dementia while no positive effects regarding music interventions were found.     

疑病症的预设信念冲突理论的研究进展

疑病症是一种充满争论且难以治疗的躯体形式障碍。近年来,研究者们开始关注心理创伤对心理健康的影响,并为创伤后应激障碍和强迫症等焦虑障碍构建了相应的理论。疑病症与心理创伤关系密切,而且在症状学上与一些焦虑障碍相似。现探索性地从心理创伤的角度提出疑病症的预设信念冲突理论。未来研究可对该理论的合理性进行验证,并在其基础上建立更为整合的模型。