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Tanya K Murphy

Publications and source records attributed to Tanya K Murphy.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Sequential cognitive-behavioral therapy for children with obsessive-compulsive disorder with an inadequate medication response: a case series of five patients.

Few data have been reported on the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for youth with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who have not responded to prior treatment with medication. Given this, we report an open trial of CBT for children who have remained symptomatic following medication trials. Five children with OCD who had an inadequate response to psychotropic medications (e.g., limited response and/or unable to be titrated to a complete dose due to side effects) received treatment in a 3-week intensive CBT program. Assessments were conducted at baseline and after treatment. All participants were classified as treatment responders (much improved or very much improved) and the severity of clinician-rated OCD symptoms and impairment significantly decreased after the intervention. Although a number of limitations of this preliminary report exist, this study provides preliminary support for the utility of an intensive intervention for youth with OCD who have had an inadequate response and/or adverse side effects.

Adolescent↗

Risk of adverse behavioral effects with pediatric use of antidepressants.

OBJECTIVES: This article reviews evidence that led the Food and Drug Administration to issue a "black box" warning about the risk of "suicidality" (suicidal thoughts and behavior) in children and adolescents during treatment with antidepressants. RESULTS: Re-analysis of data from randomized clinical trials of antidepressants in the pediatric population revealed a significantly greater overall (all drugs across all indications) risk ratio for drug 1.95 (95% Cl, 1.28-2.98) compared to placebo in this sample of approximately 4,000 subjects. DISCUSSION: The essential message of the "black box" is to remind prescribers and consumers about the importance of monitoring closely for adverse behavioral changes during the initiation of (or changes in) antidepressant therapy. Possible mechanisms that might account for this phenomenon, particularly the so-called activation syndrome, are discussed. CONCLUSION: Empirical studies are needed to identify the precursors of suicidality and to predict which individuals are most susceptible to adverse behavioral side effects of antidepressants.

Adolescent↗

Factor-analytic study of the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale.

We report on the factor structure of the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale. Participants were 76 children and adolescents diagnosed with tic disorders. Overall, the model proposed by Leckman et al. [Leckman, J.F., Riddle, M.A., Hardin, M.T., Ort, S.I., Swartz, K.L., Stevenson, J., Cohen, D.J., 1989. The Yale Global Tic Severity Scale: initial testing of a clinician-rated scale of tic severity. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 28, 566-573.] represented an adequate fit. The internal consistency of the factors was acceptable and the convergent and divergent validity was supported vis-à-vis correlations with parent ratings of Tourette's Disorder symptoms. These findings support the use of the original scoring structure in assessing pediatric tic severity.

Adolescent↗

Further psychometric examination of the Tourette's Disorder Scales.

The Tourette's Disorder Scales (Shytle et al., 2003) are parent- (Tourette's Disorder Scales-Parent Rated; TODS-PR) and clinician-rated (Tourette's Disorder Scales-Clinician Rated; TODS-CR) measures that assess tics, obsessions, compulsions, inattention, hyperactivity, aggression, and emotional disturbances among children with tics. Although the TODS-PR/CR are being increasingly used in clinical trials, relatively little psychometric data have been reported. Subjects were 44 children and adolescents recruited in a university tic specialty clinic. Families were administered the TODS-CR and Yale Global Tic Severity Scale. Completion of the TODS-PR and Child Behavior Checklist were counterbalanced. Results indicated adequate to excellent internal consistency for the TODS-PR/CR scores. Excellent inter-rater agreement and convergent and divergent validity was found. These results provide further psychometric support for the TODS-PR and TODS-CR.

Adolescent↗

Relationship of movements and behaviors to Group A Streptococcus infections in elementary school children.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcus (PANDAS) research is based on the hypothesis that infections trigger changes in behavior and movement in children. METHODS: We enrolled 693 children (ages 3 to 12 years) into a systematic, longitudinal study. Data were collected monthly for 8 months (October-May) to determine point prevalence of Group A Streptococcal (GAS) infections, tics, behavior, and choreiform movements. Simultaneous throat cultures were obtained, and relational analyses were made between GAS and movement/observation ratings. RESULTS: Combined behavior/GAS associations (concurrent with or 3 subsequent months to GAS) revealed a strong relationship, relative risk (RR) of 1.71 (p < .0001). Detailed analysis revealed that balance/swaying and non-tic grimacing were responsible for a significant proportion of this association (RR = 2.92, p < .0001). A strong seasonal pattern was found, with fall being more significant for GAS infections and observation ratings (p < .0001) compared with winter/spring. Children with repeated streptococcus (n = 64) showed higher rates of behavior and distal choreiform observations (p = .005). CONCLUSIONS: Motor/behavior changes were noted to occur in relationship to positive GAS culture with support that repeated GAS increases risk.

Adolescent↗

Effect of comorbid tics on a clinically meaningful response to 8-week open-label trial of fluoxetine in obsessive compulsive disorder.

Currently, there are limited published data evaluating the effects of tics on serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) monotherapy responses in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). One retrospective case-controlled analysis of OCD patients treated with SRI monotherapy showed lesser improvement in OCD symptoms in patients with tics than those without. However, more recently there were preliminary reports of OCD subjects treated with SRI monotherapy which did not demonstrate poorer response in subjects with tics or Tourette's Syndrome (TS). The specific aim of this study was to investigate whether the presence of comorbid chronic tics affected "clinically meaningful improvement" [McDougle, C.J., Goodman, W.K., Leckman, J.F., Barr, L.C., Heninger, G.R., Price, L.H., 1993. The efficacy of fluvoxamine in obsessive-compulsive disorder: effects of comorbid chronic tic disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology 13, 354-358] of OCD in an 8-week open-label trial of fluoxetine monotherapy. Seventy-four adult subjects (13 patients with comorbid chronic tics and 61 patients without tics) with a primary DSM-IV OCD diagnosis were treated with up to 40mg fluoxetine for 8 weeks and had at least one post-baseline evaluation. The results indicate that there was a significant response by time in both fluoxetine-with-tic subjects and fluoxetine-without-tic subjects. Additionally, there were 3 (23.0%) OCD subjects with tics who had clinically meaningful improvement versus 16 (26.2%) OCD subjects without tics that demonstrated similar levels of improvement. These findings indicate that OCD patients with or without chronic tic disorders did not have a differential response to an 8-week open-label trial of fluoxetine. Limitations include the relatively low number of tic subjects and the open-label nature of the study. Additional data are needed on how comorbid tics may affect SRI treatment response in OCD.

Adult↗

The children's Yale-Brown obsessive-compulsive scale: psychometric properties of child- and parent-report formats.

The children's Yale-Brown obsessive-compulsive scale (CY-BOCS) is a commonly used, psychometrically sound clinician-rated instrument of pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) severity. Given the relatively direct rating format and potential benefits of alternative versions that could be easily administered to patients and parents, we developed and examined the psychometric properties of child- and parent-report formats of the CY-BOCS severity items. A total of 53 children and adolescents (8-17 years old) with OCD and their parents was administered the CY-BOCS, children's Yale-Brown obsessive-compulsive scale-child report (CY-BOCS-CR), children's Yale-Brown obsessive-compulsive scale-parent report (CY-BOCS-PR), and other measures of obsessive-compulsive symptoms, internalizing, and externalizing symptoms. In general, reliability and convergent and divergent validity of the CY-BOCS-CR/PR were satisfactory. Psychometric properties for the CY-BOCS-CR in those children and adolescents with externalizing behavior problems were lower relative to those without externalizing problems. Exploratory factor analyses identified a two-factor structure in both measures comprised of disturbance and severity factors. This study provides preliminary support for the use of child- and parent-report versions of the CY-BOCS.

Adolescent↗

Clinical predictors of early fluoxetine treatment response in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Despite wide use, relatively little is known about sociodemographic and clinical characteristics that predict early fluoxetine response. What research has been conducted has produced inconsistent findings, which may be due to the statistical procedures used, and no studies to date have examined predictors of early fluoxetine treatment response. Sixty adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) completed an open-label fluoxetine trial for 8 weeks (up to 40 mg) after a 1-week, single-blind, placebo run-in before baseline assessment. The baseline and posttreatment assessment battery included the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale, the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, and the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale. Patient characteristics included illness duration, age, age of onset, gender, and pharmacological treatment history. Independent t-tests and multiple logistic regression analysis showed that longer illness duration, older age, and greater symptom severity were associated with nonresponse. Our findings highlight the impact of functional psychiatric impairment on determining those who may respond to treatment. Furthermore, findings suggest early predictors of patients with certain characteristics who may ultimately need adjunctive care to facilitate response.

Adolescent↗

Immunology of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Childhood OCD often develops into a chronic illness that lasts decades. Proof that some type of immunotherapy (such as antibiotic prophylaxis) could significantly reduce recurrence or exacerbation of symptoms of OC or tics would suggest a supportive role for immune triggers in the onset or worsening of these conditions and provide additional tools for improving outcome. The validity of PANDAS will continue to be questioned, however,because demonstrating a clear causation will be difficult on a background ofa common childhood illness. Along with the previously mentioned immuno-therapy study, validation of the PANDAS phenotype (broadly interpreted)would be advanced from new and continued research in the following areas: (1) prospective studies to identify infectious triggers in the onset and exacerbations of OCD spectrum disorders, (2) biological measures for immune and genetic susceptibility, and (3) large scale epidemiological studies demonstrating the relationship between infection and OCD spectrum disorders. The assimilation of these study results should allow for elucidation of the immune system's role in the onset and maintenance of OCD.

Amoxicillin↗

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for PANDAS-related obsessive-compulsive disorder: findings from a preliminary waitlist controlled open trial.

OBJECTIVE: To provide preliminary estimates of the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in treating pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) of the pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcus (PANDAS) subtype. METHOD: Seven children with OCD of the PANDAS subtype (range 9-13 years) were treated in a 3-week intensive CBT program conducted at a university clinic. Six of seven children were taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor medication(s) upon presentation. Assessments were conducted at four time points: baseline, pretreatment approximately 4 weeks later, posttreatment, and 3-month follow-up. Raters were blind to the nature of the study treatment. RESULTS: Six of seven participants were classified as treatment responders (much or very much improved) at posttreatment, and three of six remained responders at follow-up. Clinician severity ratings, as measured by the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale and Anxiety Disorder Interview Schedule for DSM-IV Child Interview Schedule-Parent version, decreased significantly following intervention, with effect sizes of 3.38 and 2.29, respectively. Self-reported general anxiety and depression symptoms were not significantly reduced. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides preliminary support for CBT in treating the PANDAS subtype of pediatric OCD. This approach is also considered a safe and minimally invasive treatment approach.

Adolescent↗

Obsessive-compulsive disorder in Tourette syndrome.

Several lines of evidence suggest a meaningful association between obsessive-compulsive disorder and Tourette syndrome, including comorbidity, phenomenologic overlap, evidence from family and genetic studies, and the possible role of basal ganglia circuitry in both conditions. Obsessive-compulsive behaviors occur frequently in patients who have Tourette syndrome and tend to have a later onset than tics. Despite commonalities, the approaches to treating tics and obsessive-compulsive symptoms are actually quite distinct. A specialized form of cognitive behavior therapy and pharmacotherapy with a potent serotonin reuptake inhibitor are the two established first-line therapies for obsessive-compulsive disorder. An adequate trial of a serotonin reuptake inhibitor is 10 to 12 weeks in duration at doses near the upper end of the recommended range for age and weight. Cases of obsessive-compulsive disorder that do not sufficiently improve with serotonin reuptake inhibitors might benefit from adjunctive low-dose antipsychotic (eg, risperidone) medication whether or not tics are present. Warnings about an increased risk of suicidality among children and adolescents taking antidepressants for pediatric depression extend to those taking the medications for obsessive-compulsive disorder, but the risk-to-benefit ratio is more favorable in this latter population because several serotonin reuptake inhibitors have been shown to be efficacious in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Adolescent↗

Peer victimization in children with obsessive-compulsive disorder: relations with symptoms of psychopathology.

This study examined the frequency of peer victimization and psychological symptom correlates among youth with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The Schwartz Peer Victimization Scale, Children's Depression Inventory, and Asher Loneliness Scale were administered to 52 children and adolescents diagnosed with OCD. The child's parent or guardian completed the Child Behavior Checklist, and a trained clinician administered the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (CY- BOCS). Fifty-two healthy controls and 52 children with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) who were administered the Schwartz Peer Victimization Scale as part of another study were included for comparison purposes. Greater rates of peer victimization were reported in youth with OCD relative to healthy controls and children with Type 1 diabetes (T1D). Peer victimization in the OCD sample was positively related to loneliness, child-reported depression, parent-reported internalizing and externalizing symptoms, and clinician-rated OCD severity. Peer victimization fully mediated the relation between OCD severity and both depression and parent reports of child externalizing behaviors and partially mediated the relation between OCD severity and loneliness. Recognition of the magnitude of the problem and contribution problematic peer relations may play in comorbid psychological conditions is important for clinicians who see children with OCD.

Adolescent↗

Reliability and validity of the Child Behavior Checklist Obsessive-Compulsive Scale.

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (OCS) of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Participants included 48 youth with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), 41 with a non-OCD internalizing disorder, and 101 with an externalizing disorder. Confirmatory factor analysis of the 8-item OCS did not result in an adequate fit. Exploratory factor analysis identified a 1-factor model consisting of 6 items. Adequate internal consistency for the revised OCS (OCS-R) was obtained, and convergent validity was supported by moderate relationships with other OCD indices. The OCS-R had stronger associations with measures of OCD symptoms than with measures of depression and externalizing behaviors. Youth with OCD had significantly higher OCS-R scores than those with internalizing and externalizing disorders. Suggestions for cutoff scores are provided using results from ROC analyses. Overall, these findings suggest that the OCS-R is a reliable and valid instrument for the assessment of pediatric OCD.

Adolescent↗

Peer victimization and the development of obsessive-compulsive disorder in adolescence.

We describe an adolescent boy's experience of peer victimization and its relation with his development of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Subsequent to being peer victimized, this boy was seen for 20 sessions of cognitive-behavioral therapy over the course of 4 weeks that followed the protocol outlined by March and Mulle in 1998. Standardized post-treatment assessment indicated significant reductions in OCD, depressive, and anxious symptomatology as compared to baseline. This case illustrates how negative peer experiences may be related to the development and maintenance of OCD.

Adolescent↗

Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale: the dimensional structure revisited.

The factor structure of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) has been examined in a number of prior investigations; however, findings have not consistently yielded a stable factor solution. The present study therefore tested the fit of each previously reported factor structure. One hundred thirty-one adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) were administered the Y-BOCS; a portion of these participants completed self-report measures of depression and obsessive-compulsive symptoms and were rated on a global impairment index. Consistent with the originally proposed structure, confirmatory factor analyses supported a factor structure comprised of obsession and compulsion factors. Reliability and convergent validity of these factors were generally satisfactory, although divergent validity was not entirely supported. Implications of these findings on scoring the Y-BOCS are discussed.

Adolescent↗