5 results
Early detection and intervention of psychosis in children and adolescents in Zurich, Switzerland: Clinical Data from 2017-2022
- M. Franscini, N. Traber-Walker, F. Probst, M. Gerstenberg, S. Walitza
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, pp. S1075-S1076
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Introduction
The construct of a clinical high-risk (CHR) state of psychosis has been established to describe potentially prodromal symptoms which typically appear during adolescence and young adulthood. This is a very sensitive developmental period and the clinical high risk (CHR) is associated with increased functional impairment. To address the specialities in the care for this patient population a specialized outpatient care unit for early intervention in psychosis at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Psychiatric University Hospital, of the University Zürich (CAPS) is established. The interdisciplinary team (psychiatrists and psychologists) supports children and adolescents with psychotic disorders or at clinical high risk for developing psychosis. The early intervention service offers specialized assessment, treatment and case management for minors with a first psychosis or CHR-state in an outpatient or inpatient setting as well as by day clinic care.
ObjectivesThe evaluation main objective was to get a better understanding about this vulnerable patient group. Therefore we analysed the clinical data about CHR-state, comorbid diagnosis, treatment, medication and hospitalisation of the patients who entered the service for early intervention in psychosis.
MethodsParticipants who entered the service for early intervention in psychosis were followed up in the years 2017-2021 and descriptive analysis was used to summarize the data. For the evaluation of the risk construct the participants have been classified in “no increased risk”, “CHR” or “early onset psychosis” (EOP). Additionally, ICD diagnosis, demographics and treatment (medication, psychotherapy, treatment setting) were assessed. Therapy was either psychotherapy and/or group training called DBT2P (Dialectical behavioral group training for adolescents, to prevent psychiatric disorders). Additionally, the use of a smartphone application “Robin Z”(add-on treatment tool to support the patients between the sessions) was assessed.
ResultsIn the last five years we saw 300 patients (112 female, mean age 15.7) who sought the care unit for early intervention. The evaluation of the risk showed that 44 patients had no increased risk, 205 were classified with a CHR and 51 fulfilled the criteria of an early onset psychosis (18.5%). Most of the patients showed comorbid diagnosis, mainly depressive disorders (42%). The data about the treatment will be analyzed for the congress.
ConclusionsDespite clinical implications, there is little data about early detection and early intervention in psychosis for children and adolescent. Therefore, the evaluation of the clinical data of the CAPS is of clinical importance and expected to add essential information in the fields of prevention and early intervention in psychosis.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Clinical implementation of the smartphone app Robin Z as an additional treatment tool to support adolescents with psychiatric symptoms
- N. Traber-Walker, E. Voets, C. Bühlmann, M. Gerstenberg, F. Probst, M. Franscini, S. Walitza
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, pp. S858-S859
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Introduction
Interest in the development of innovative technologies in the health sector has increased due to their potential to improve accessibility, efficacy, quality, and cost-effectiveness of treatment. Based on these considerations, we developed the app Robin Z to support adolescents in psychiatric treatment. Robin Z is intended as an add on therapy-tool. It aims to assess symptoms in real time, offer help in coping with symptoms and everyday life and to support medication adherence. Despite initial encouraging research findings supporting the use of smartphone technology in psychotherapy, it remains unclear whether the consistent use of smartphone technology in outpatient clinics is practical outside of research projects. Thus, it is uncertain whether patients will engage with this technology over an extended period of time and whether clinicians will be willing to integrate this new technology into their routine. In view of these factors, it is crucial to evaluate the use of smartphone apps for their applicability, effectiveness, and efficiency in clinical routine. In our investigation, we want to address these questions and fill the gap between research and clinical practice.
ObjectivesThe aim of our evaluation is to identify barriers in clinical implementation plus to assess the usability and applicability of the Robin Z app in clinical practice.
MethodsWe started the clinical implementation of Robin Z in four community-based outpatient services. We collected data of 27 adolescent patients and their caregivers (N=15) over a six-week period. They all completed questionnaires on user-friendliness and satisfaction. Further, user data about mood logs, symptom trajectories, achieved weekly goals and entries for positive reinforcement were gathered to examine the clinical impact of using the app.
ResultsThe clinical implementation and evaluation will provide data on feasibility, user-friendliness, clinical implication and satisfaction of patients and therapists with the smartphone app Robin Z.
ConclusionsAlthough many apps are available for young people with mental health problems, most of these have not been developed by professionals, and their effectiveness has not been evaluated. To the best of our knowledge, Robin Z is one of the first apps of its kind to be specifically developed by clinical experts as an additional tool to support psychotherapy for adolescent patients. The results of this evaluation are of clinical importance to the field of eMental Health. They will provide preliminary evidence of the clinical utility of the app. In addition, the results will improve our understanding of potential barriers and facilitators to using Robin Z for both patients and therapists.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Treatment effects on adolescents at increased risk for psychosis: evaluation of a treatment approach combining a standardized manual with a smartphone app
- N. Traber-Walker, F. Probst, M. Gerstenberg, C. Bertossa, S. Walitza, M. Franscini
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S633
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Introduction
The goal of psychotic disorders has led researchers to focus on early identification of individuals at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis and treatment of CHR symptoms. CHR symptoms typically occur in adolescence and young adulthood. This is a very sensitive developmental period, and CHR-state is associated with increased functional impairment. Age-appropriate treatment approaches that address youth-specific interests, complex symptomatology, associated distress, and functional impairment are needed. However, there is a lack of research on treatment strategies for this vulnerable age group. To address this gap, we developed the combined treatment program “Robin” (standardized manual and smartphone app). The treatment program targets CHR symptoms, comorbid symptoms, and improvement of quality of life and daily functioning. The smartphone app “Robin Z” is an add-on treatment tool to support patients between their sessions. While a number of studies using smartphone apps in therapy have shown promising effects with adult psychosis patients, little is known about their use in therapy with minor patients. “Robin Z” is one of the first smartphone apps targeting adolescent patients with CHR or full-blown psychotic symptoms.
ObjectivesThe investigation of efficacy of this specific intervention versus treatment as usual
MethodsOur study was designed as a naturalistic clinical intervention study with a matched controlled design (treatment as usual). A total of 40 help-seeking adolescents (67% female) with CHR symptoms aged 13-18 years (mean age 15.86) were recruited to the intervention condition between September 2017 and May 2022. For the control group, data from 62 patients from a previous study are available and will be matched for age and gender. CHR symptoms, comorbid symptoms, functioning, self-efficacy, and quality of life will be monitored at six time points (baseline, during the treatment phase, immediately after the intervention, and 6, 12, and 24 months later).
ResultsAll participants have now completed the intervention phase. In Paris, the first results on treatment effects will be presented at the symposium. This will include baseline data for the intervention group and their intraindividual changes in symptomatology, well-being, and level of functioning during and immediately after treatment. In addition, the results of the first follow up examinations compared to the control group will be presented.
ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a specific treatment for adolescents with early psychosis combined with a smartphone app. The results of our evaluation are of clinical importance and should provide essential information for both the field of eMental Health and the topic of early intervention in psychosis.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Clinical high-risk criteria of psychosis in 8- to 17-year-old community subjects and inpatients not suspected to develop psychosis: not pluripotential or transdiagnostic
- F. Schultze-Lutter, C. Michel, M. Franscini, N. Traber-Walker, P. Walger, B. Schimmelmann
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 65 / Issue S1 / June 2022
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 01 September 2022, p. S681
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Introduction
Based on high rates of non-converters to psychosis, especially in children and adolescents, it was suggested that CHR criteria were (1) pluripotential, (2) a transdiagnostic risk factor, or (3) simply a severity marker of mental disorders rather than specifically psychosis-predictive. If any of these three alternative explanatory models were true, their prevalence should differ between persons with and without mental disorders, and their severity should be associated with functional impairment as a measure of severity.
ObjectivesTo compare the prevalence and severity of CHR criteria/symptoms in children and adolescents of the community and inpatients.
MethodsWe compared CHR criteria/symptoms in 8-17-year-olds of the community and of inpatients not clinically suspected to develop psychosis.
ResultsThe 7.3%-prevalence rate of CHR criteria in community subjects did not differ significantly from the 9.5%-rate in inpatients. Frequency/severity of CHR criteria never differed between the community and the four inpatient groups, while the frequency and severity of CHR symptoms differed only minimally. Group differences were found in only four CHR symptoms: suspiciousness/persecutory ideas of the SIPS, and thought pressure, derealization and visual perception disturbances of the SPI-CY. These were consistent with a transdiagnostic risk factor or dimension, i.e., displayed higher frequency and severity in inpatients. Low functioning, however, was at most weakly related to the severity of CHR criteria/symptoms, with the highest, yet still weak correlation yielded for suspiciousness/persecutory ideas.
ConclusionsThe lack of systematic differences between inpatients and community subjects does not support suggestions that CHR criteria/symptoms are pluripotential or transdiagnostic syndromes, or merely markers of symptom severity
DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Adolescents and adults at clinical high-risk for psychosis: age-related differences in attenuated positive symptoms syndrome prevalence and entanglement with basic symptoms
- M. Gerstenberg, A. Theodoridou, N. Traber-Walker, M. Franscini, D. Wotruba, S. Metzler, M. Müller, D. Dvorsky, C. U. Correll, S. Walitza, W. Rössler, K. Heekeren
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- Psychological Medicine / Volume 46 / Issue 5 / April 2016
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 16 December 2015, pp. 1069-1078
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Background
The attenuated positive symptoms syndrome (APSS) is considered an at-risk indicator for psychosis. However, the characteristics and developmental aspects of the combined or enriched risk criteria of APSS and basic symptom (BS) criteria, including self-experienced cognitive disturbances (COGDIS) remain under-researched.
MethodBased on the Structured Interview of Prodromal Syndromes (SIPS), the prevalence of APSS in 13- to 35-year-old individuals seeking help in an early recognition program for schizophrenia and bipolar-spectrum disorders was examined. BS criteria and COGDIS were rated using the Schizophrenia Proneness Instrument for Adults/Children and Youth. Participants meeting APSS criteria were compared with participants meeting only BS criteria across multiple characteristics. Co-occurrence (APSS+/BS+, APSS+/COGDIS+) was compared across 13–17, 18–22 and 23–35 years age groups.
ResultsOf 175 individuals (age = 20.6 ± 5.8, female = 38.3%), 94 (53.7%) met APSS criteria. Compared to BS, APSS status was associated with suicidality, higher illness severity, lower functioning, higher SIPS positive, negative, disorganized and general symptoms scores, depression scores and younger age (18.3 ± 5.0 v. 23.2 ± 5.6 years, p < 0.0001) with age-related differences in the prevalence of APSS (ranging from 80.3% in 13- to 17-year-olds to 33.3% in 23- to 35-year-olds (odds ratio 0.21, 95% confidence interval 0.11–0.37). Within APSS+ individuals, fewer adolescents fulfilled combined risk criteria of APSS+/BS+ or APSS+/COGDIS+ compared to the older age groups.
ConclusionsAPSS status was associated with greater suicidality and illness/psychophathology severity in this help-seeking cohort, emphasizing the need for clinical care. The age-related differences in the prevalence of APSS and the increasing proportion of APSS+/COGDIS+ may point to a higher proportion of non-specific/transient, rather than risk-specific attenuated positive symptoms in adolescents.