
Cognitive Rehabilitation in Patients With Depression
DepressionDepression is a highly prevalent and debilitating mental disorder, ranked one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Several studies have identified neuropsychological deficits in populations of depressed patients affecting domains including attention, memory and executive functioning. These deficits often persist even in patients whose depressive symptoms have remitted. Cognitive impairment in depression represent a core feature of depression, and a valuable target for intervention. Identification of methods that would lead to amelioration would be of great clinical interest, and cognitive rehabilitation (CR) could be a potential way of achieving this. To date few studies on cognitive rehabilitation in depression has been conducted, but the preliminary results are promising. Still the demonstration of long-term effects and evidence relating to improved daily life executive functioning (i.e., generalization) is lacking. In the present study different group-based cognitive rehabilitation interventions will be compared. The aim of the study is to investigate if a group-based "brain training" intervention can improve executive function in patients with active and remitted depression. Efficacy will be assessed immediately after intervention, but also six months after the intervention.

Diaper Distribution in Low-Income Infants
Diaper RashUTI2 moreThe adverse effects of poverty at the individual, family, and community level on health outcomes for children are well-established. Material hardship, defined as difficulty meeting basic needs such as food, housing, and consumer goods, has been shown to have negative physical and emotional effects on both children and their parents. Diaper need, defined as a lack of sufficient supply of clean and dry diapers, is an example of a material hardship. Community-based studies of low-income families have demonstrated that between 30-50% of caregivers of young children expressed diaper need. Some of these caregivers with diaper need reported reducing diaper changes, a practice that is associated with diaper dermatitis and urinary tract infections (UTIs). These community-based studies have also shown that diaper need is associated with maternal depression and parental stress, even after adjusting for demographic factors and food insecurity. Diaper need may be a specific modifiable marker of caregiver stress and depression, beyond its role as an indicator of poverty. In this pilot, randomized controlled trial of low-income newborns and their caregivers the investigators will test the feasibility of supplying diapers as an intervention to infants in low-income families and assess if it can improve both a child's health and their caregiver's overall health.

Ultra-Brief Intervention to Reduce Depressive and Anxious Symptoms
AnxietyDepression1 moreSymptoms of depression and anxiety are extremely prevalent in the population. Unfortunately, patients often face barriers to accessing mental health care, particularly psychotherapeutic interventions, including long wait-times and demanding therapeutic protocols. For instance, Mindfulness-Based Therapy (MBT) has demonstrated effectiveness at decreasing symptoms of depression and anxiety, and improving wellbeing; however, 'traditional' MBT can demand over 30 hours of clinical time, and 50-60 hours of homework, all of which can be barriers to care. A pilot, uncontrolled study conducted at Sunnybrook illustrated the potential feasibility / efficaciousness of a novel abbreviated MBT in improving hospital staff wellbeing. The goal of this controlled study is to further test feasibility and acceptability of this intervention to reduce depressive / anxious symptoms, reduce stress and improve wellbeing in outpatient mood/anxiety patients. If efficacious, this Abbreviated MBT could reduce barriers to accessing mental health care.

Effect of Sunlight Exposure and Outdoor Activities on Depression, Cognition and Quality of Life...
AgingNursing Homes3 moreBackground: The transition to long-term care facility can be a stressful and emotional event for the elderly. The evidences showed that the prevalence of depression and the cognition impairment were higher in the institutionalized elderly than the community dwelling elderly. It could affect the quality of life of the elderly and increase risk of mortality. Purpose: The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of outdoor activities and sunlight exposure on depression, cognitive function, and quality of life among institutionalized elderly. Method: The design is a randomized control trial. Participants will be randomly allocated to experimental or control groups by block randomization. In the experimental group, participants will be encouraged to reduce time spent on bed and bedroom. Nurses, nurse aids or family will take participants outdoors and exposure their face, hands or arm to sunlight for 15-30 minutes a day, five days a week for three months (if the UV index is over 8 according to the forecast of Center Weather Bureau, the participants will be asked to stay inside). In the control group, the participants will receive routine care. The control group will neither be encouraged to stay outdoors nor limit the chance to exposure to sunlight. Expected outcome: The expected benefit of the research is to improve the depression, cognitive function, and quality of life of the institutionalized elderly.

Latina Friends Motivating the Soul (ALMA)
StressDepression1 moreLatina immigrant women are particularly vulnerable to depression and anxiety due to the social and economic stressors they face, including high levels of poverty, low levels of education, family obligations, exposure to violence, and limited access to community resources. ALMA aims to prevent and reduce depression and anxiety among Latina immigrant women. Women attend 8 weekly sessions in a group format to teach and encourage women to use coping strategies to reduce depression and anxiety. The intervention aims to increase participants' social ties and the social support they receive from other Latina immigrant women. The program also helps decrease the stigma associated with mental health and connects women to mental health services when needed.

Using a Low Dose of Ketamine vs. Active Placebo in Treating Severe Depression and Suicide
Major Depressive DisorderDepression and suicide are two leading mental health and public health issues in Taiwan. However, until now, the optimal treatment for refractory depression and suicide is still lacking. Previous USA studies suggested a low dose NMDA antagonist Ketamine infusion can significantly reduce depression and suicide. In our study, we firstly investigate the anti-suicide and anti-depressive effects of ketamine in Taiwan. If we can find the similar antidepressant and anti-suicide of ketamine in Taiwanese, this result will have a great influence in the current suicide and depression prevention programs.

Treatment of Depression With Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment
PsychotherapyDepressionRandomized trial to proof the effects and efficacy of a new mindfulness and acceptance based group-treatment for depressive patients

Vortioxetine add-on Treatment Improves the Symptoms in Patients With Bipolar Depression
Bipolar Disorder DepressionThe purpose of this study is to validate the efficacy of Vortioxetine augmentation in bipolar disorder patients with depressive symptoms.

Standardization and Optimization of TMS Protocols for the Treatment of PD With Depression or Cognitive...
TMS Protocols in the Treatment of PDThe goal of this study is to determine whether transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is an effective treatment in Parkinson's disease patients with depression or cognitive impairment. The study consists of seven total visits to all. Compensation will be provided for each visit.

Wuling Powder for the Treatment and Underlying Mechanism of Depressive Symptoms in Patients With...
Antidepressive AgentsDepression is one of the most important nonmotor features of idiopathic PD(Parkinson's disease )which may not just interfere with the motor symptoms of PD but can also cause immense personal suffering as well as decreased quality of life with increased disability and caregiver burden. However,there is little hard evidence to guide clinical treatment. Although some newer dopamine agonists also have antidepressive effect, the use of tricyclic or nontricyclic antidepressants is frequently required.However, the side-effects of these agents may also worsen some preexisting nonmotor problems in PD. Wuling powder is a Chinese medicine which is made by cultivating Xylariasp mycelium using submerged fermentation technology. Xylariasp is the fungus sclerotia which grow in termite nests. Wuling powder is mainly used to soothe nerves and anti-insomnia in clinical. The antidepressant effect of Wuling powder has been confirmed in clinical, but not in the patients of Parkinson's disease. Therefore, the investigators design a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the antidepressant effect of Wuling powder in PD patients and its underlying mechanism.