Mental Health Masters Students from UCL explore a recent systematic review and meta-analysis of interventions to prevent depression in young adults. The review finds some evidence for the effectiveness of preventative interventions in reducing depressive symptoms in young adults, but the evidence in this area remains weak.
[read the full story...]Cannabis use in the developing brain: evidence from a recent cross-sectional meta-analysis
Joe Barnby considers the findings of a recent meta-analysis of cross-sectional observational data, which explores the association of cannabis with cognitive functioning in adolescents and young adults.
[read the full story...]Compulsory Community Treatment does not reduce readmissions or length of stay in hospital
John Baker explores a systematic review of compulsory community treatment to reduce readmission to hospital and increase engagement with community care in people with mental illness.
[read the full story...]Direct funding and older people: why are we still talking about choice?
Francesca Pozzoli considers a qualitative metasynthesis of directly funded home-care programmes for older people and the concept of ‘choice’.
[read the full story...]Reminiscence therapy for people living with dementia: Cochrane review is inconclusive
Liz Collier and Solomon Towuru summarise the recently updated Cochrane systematic review on reminiscence therapy for dementia, which includes evidence showing that reminiscence therapy may improve quality of life, cognition, communication and possibly mood in people with dementia in some circumstances, although all the benefits were small.
[read the full story...]Mental Health Act review: the demise of the nearest relative?
Kathryn Berzins considers the implications of a recent rapid systematic review of the views and experiences of the Nearest Relative provision of the Mental Health Act (1983).
[read the full story...]Medication for ADHD: what works for adults, adolescents and children
Dean Connolly is impressed by a recent systematic review and network meta-analysis, which compares the efficacy and tolerability of medication for ADHD in children, young people and adults.
[read the full story...]Youth suicide prevention research needs a shake-up: lives depend on it
Pooky Knightsmith appraises a systematic review and meta-analysis entitled: “What Works in Youth Suicide Prevention?”. She is disappointed that the review does not answer the question it sets, but sees this as a call to action for better quality research to help save lives.
[read the full story...]Digital interventions for psychosis or bipolar disorder: we don’t know very much at all
Mark Brown mulls over a new systematic review on factors affecting the implementation of digital health interventions for people with psychosis or bipolar disorder, and their family and friends.
[read the full story...]Social connectedness and mental health: measures and conceptual framework
Jingyi Wang summarises a recent systematic review and narrative synthesis, which proposes a conceptual framework for social connectedness and mental health.
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