Draft SIGN non-pharmacological depression treatments guideline, 4th post: light, lifestyle & sleep
16th September 2008
The SIGN draft guideline day on "Non-pharmacological management of mild to moderate depression" last Wednesday continued with two further presentations in this first section on "Lifestyle and Alternative/Complementary Therapies 1". After the "grade A" recommendations on exercise and St John's Wort given during the first two presentations (covered in the …
Draft SIGN non-pharmacological depression treatments guideline, 3rd post: herbs & supplements
14th September 2008
This is the third in a series of blog posts on last Wednesday's SIGN draft guideline seminar on "Non-pharmacological management of mild to moderate depression." The first session of the day was on "Lifestyle and Alternative/Complementary Therapies 1". Yesterday's blog discussed the first presenter, Ian Ross's talk on the value …
Draft SIGN non-pharmacological depression treatments guideline, 2nd post: exercise
13th September 2008
In yesterday's blog post, I gave some background to the SIGN guideline on non-pharmacological management of depression as well as details of how to download the draft guideline or see a webcast of the seminar where the draft guideline was presented. On the day of the seminar itself, last Wednesday, …
Draft SIGN non-pharmacological depression treatments guideline, 1st post: introduction & overview
12th September 2008
The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) was formed in 1993 with the objective " ... to improve the quality of health care for patients in Scotland by reducing variation in practice and outcome, through the development and dissemination of national clinical guidelines containing recommendations for effective practice based on current …
Recent research: half a dozen studies on aspects of CBT
11th September 2008
Here are half a dozen recent research studies broadly on aspects of cognitive-behavioural therapy - computer delivery for addiction, a couple on therapist competence, CBT for compulsive shopping, a systematic review of CBT and chronic fatigue syndrome, and a broad based depression education and problem solving intervention for people suffering …
Autism research centre
10th September 2008
I spent a bit of time exploring Cambridge University's Autism Research Centre (ARC) website recently. It's fascinating and helpful in so many ways. ARC apparently has over 30 research scientists and support staff. The website links to a series of freely downloadable research papers and assessment questionnaires. One of the …
Handouts & questionnaires for assessing & building good relationship networks
8th September 2008
Relationships are crucial. They are crucial in promoting resilience to stress, and they are crucial in enhancing wellbeing and happiness. Research suggests that all three of social support, social integration and (inversely) social conflict contribute to self-esteem and health. The relationship questionnaire & scoring provides a helpful way of assessing …
Goal setting and wellbeing
7th September 2008
It has seemed likely for some time that skilful goal setting boosts wellbeing. A couple of small recent research studies from the Department of Psychology at Royal Holloway, University of London reinforce this understanding (MacLeod, Coates et al. 2008). Wellbeing was assessed by an often used conglomerate measure which adds …
Self-determination theory
6th September 2008
I'm a big fan of Self-Determination Theory (SDT). SDT is a general theory of motivation and personality that has evolved over the past three decades. SDT suggests that humans, like plants or other animals, intrinsically 'strive' for need satisfaction & flourishing. Social context and personal choices can support or thwart …
Recent research: exercise, diet, and smoking
4th September 2008
There are a series of interesting recent research studies here highlighting the drastic reduction in physical exercise taken by young people as they move into their teenage years, the fascinating protective association between muscular strength and mortality in men even allowing for cardiorespiratory fitness and other potentially confounding factors, the …