Biomedical subjects

Charles B Pull

Publications and source records attributed to Charles B Pull.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Combined pharmacotherapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy for anxiety disorders.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Both pharmacotherapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. The present editorial reviews the current status of combination treatments with a focus on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses and reviews that have been published in the past 3 years. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies on treatments combining pharmacotherapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy for anxiety disorders have found little benefit for combination therapies versus monotherapies. New investigations have explored the potential benefits of sequential treatments versus the concomitant ones as well as the use of cognitive enhancers as adjuncts to psychotherapy. SUMMARY: Uncertainty exists as to whether the combination of cognitive-behavioural therapy and pharmacotherapy in the treatment of anxiety disorders is associated with greater overall efficacy than with either treatment when given alone. New ways for combining the two types of treatments are being investigated.

Anxiety Disorders↗

PubMed2006

Self-help Internet interventions for mental disorders.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In recent years a considerable number of publications has appeared on various aspects of Internet interventions for mental health care. The purpose of the present article is to review the current scientific status of Internet interventions for the treatment of mental disorders. RECENT FINDINGS: Randomized controlled studies on the use Internet interventions for the treatment of mental disorders are still scarce. Most studies in the field have been on Internet interventions for the treatment of depressive disorders and anxiety disorders, using cognitive behavioural therapy. In addition, a few studies have been published on the use of Internet interventions in the treatment of substance use disorders (smoking, problem drinking), insomnia and tinnitus. SUMMARY: Recent studies provide provisional evidence that Internet interventions may be a promising tool for the treatment of some mental disorders.

Alcohol Drinking↗

PubMed2005

Current status of virtual reality exposure therapy in anxiety disorders: editorial review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In recent years, a considerable number of publications have appeared on different aspects of virtual reality exposure therapy in the treatment of anxiety disorders. The purpose of the present article is to review the evidence that has emerged to support the potential of this therapy in the treatment of anxiety disorders. RECENT FINDINGS: Case histories and open comparative studies, as well as randomized controlled studies, have been published on the use of virtual reality exposure therapy in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Most studies in the field have been on specific phobias, in particular on fear of flying, acrophobia, fear of driving, claustrophobia and fear of spiders. In addition, several studies have been published on the use of virtual reality exposure therapy for social anxiety disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder and panic disorder with or without agoraphobia. SUMMARY: Recent studies provide evidence that virtual reality exposure therapy is a promising tool for the treatment of several anxiety disorders.

Editorial↗

PubMed2005

New fields of research in posttraumatic stress disorder: brain imaging.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This paper reviews the most recent literature on brain imaging research in posttraumatic stress disorder. Neuroimagery identifies several cerebral modifications occurring after a significant psychological trauma, and it contributes to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of posttraumatic stress disorder. A systematic search of the literature in English, French, German and Dutch from January 2003 to August 2004 was performed on MEDLINE. References cited in all trials were searched iteratively to identify missing studies. RECENT FINDINGS: There appears to be a consensus in brain imaging findings concerning posttraumatic stress disorder: a diminished volume of the hippocampus uni- or bilateral (on the structural level) and a hyper-reactivity in the amygdala, with a lowered activation in the anterior cingular cortex (at the functional level). These findings are in agreement with several neurological and psychological studies suggesting that hyper-reactivity in the amygdala corresponds to a constellation of symptoms of anxiety in posttraumatic stress disorder, while the lowered activation of the prefrontal and the anterior cingular cortex could reflect slower extinction of a conditioned emotional response. SUMMARY: These neuroimaging findings could contribute to a better understanding of posttraumatic stress disorder. The integration of neurobiological, social and psychological findings may lead to an improved approach to the pathophysiology of posttraumatic stress disorder and perhaps to the development of new pharmacological treatment. Future studies could integrate the disparate findings among numerous biological systems and propose an integrative structural, functional and endocrinological model.

Journal Article↗