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Assessing for Mental Health Problems as Part of the Pilot Selection Process
Published in Robert Bor, Carina Eriksen, Todd P. Hubbard, Ray King, Pilot Selection, 2019
Robert Bor, Carina Eriksen, James Arkell, Raymond E. King
The STAR*D Trial (Fava et al., 2008) in the U.S. enrolled over 4,000 patients in multiple sites with depression and found that 33% of patients reached remission on their first medication (citalopram 20 mg) and 47% symptom reduction at 12 weeks. The trial showed that proactive switching and augmenting medication was needed to increase remission rates, often using more than one class of antidepressant. This is problematic when psychiatrists can only choose from a total of three SSRIs.
Comparison of moderate and vigorous walking exercise on reducing depression in middle-aged and older adults: A pilot randomized controlled trial
Published in European Journal of Sport Science, 2023
Danny J. Yu, Angus P. Yu, Chit K. Leung, Edwin C. Chin, Daniel Y. Fong, Calvin P. Cheng, Suk Y. Yau, Parco M. Siu
Depression is one of the most common mental disorders worldwide, affecting over 264 million people of all ages including adults and older adults (5% and 5.7%, respectively) (James, 2018; Moussavi, 2007). In mainland China, the prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression among the adults and older adults ranges from 6% to 27%, whereas in Hong Kong and Taiwan, the prevalence ranges from 11% to 15% (Chen, 2005; Chi, 2005; Chong, 2001). An epidemiological study conducted in China in 2020 reported a 13.8% increase in the prevalence of depression in the general population compared to 2019 (Li, 2020). Depression is one of the leading causes of mortality and disability and is often comorbid with various chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, osteoarthritis, and diabetes mellitus (Moussavi, 2007). Although antidepressants have been shown to be efficacious in the management of patients with depression, the effectiveness of the antidepressant treatments can fluctuate (Cipriani, 2018). Importantly, a considerable proportion of depression patients do not respond to antidepressant treatments. According to the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) report, 33% of patients with depression failed to achieve remission after the 4-step sequential antidepressant treatment (Rush, 2006). Moreover, adverse effects of antidepressants including xerostomia, cognitive impairment, and increased risk of falls can lead to poor adherence to antidepressant treatments (Moraros, 2017; Murray Thomson, 2006; Thapa, 1998). It has been previously reported that only about 50% of psychiatric patients adhered to the prescribed antidepressant treatment course (Sansone & Sansone, 2012). Taken together, there is an urgent need to explore novel effective non-pharmacological treatment options for depression patients.