Infrared Photomodulation Therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal Affective DisorderDuring winter months in northern latitudes use of Joovv device on self-reported non-clinical mental health (aka mood), sleep and energy levels. Participants will also submit Withings and Oura activity and sleep data.
Prevention of Mood Disorders by Folic Acid Supplementation
DepressionBipolar DisorderThe purpose of this study is to determine whether daily folic acid supplements can prevent new episodes of mood disorder in young people (aged 14-24 years) of biological parents with current or past history of depression or bipolar disorder.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
Anxiety DisordersMood Disorders3 moreIdeal interventions for the older aged population would be those that are easily accessible and associated with minimal burden on family members, the healthcare system and the individuals themselves. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) therapy and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) are two interventions that may be effective in targeting cognitive deficits in individuals with anxiety, depression, and/or cognitive complaints. MBSR has been shown to decrease symptoms of depression and improve cognition and tDCS has been shown to improve cognition in the older aged population. The effectiveness of these two interventions combined to elicit changes in cognition has yet to be demonstrated. Therefore, the overall aim of the current research is to evaluate the efficacy of a combination of MBSR and tDCS to improve cognitive function in individuals with cognitive complaints and symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. This will be a randomized pilot study. Sixteen individuals (separated into 2 groups of 8) will be randomized to receive a combination MBSR + active tDCS or MBSR + sham tDCS over 8 weeks. Participants will visit the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) once per week for in-class group sessions and will complete the intervention daily at home for the duration of the study. Participants will be aged 60 and older with cognitive complaints, with symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. Participants will be trained to self-administer tDCS and given guidelines for the completion of daily MBSR activities at home. It is hypothesized that the combination of active tDCS + MBSR will enhance cognition compared to the combination of sham tDCS + MBSR.
Resiliency Training on the College Campus
Psychotic DisordersMood Disorders1 moreThis is a waitlist controlled study examining the initial efficacy of Resilience Training among college students at an elevated risk for a severe mental illness.
Using Mental Health Telemetry to Predict Relapse and Re-hospitalization in Mood Disorders
Major Depressive DisorderBipolar Disorder1 moreMood disorders -- major depression, bipolar disorder, and dysthymia -- frequently recur; they affect one in four people during their lives. At Sunnybrook, 75% of inpatient admissions are due to mood disorders. Mental health telemetry (MHT) lets patients in the community use cell phones to track the severity of their mood symptoms over time, and enables clinicians to view these symptom ratings in real-time. Evidence suggests that MHT is better for detecting exacerbations of illness earlier than standard clinical practice alone. In this study, we will assess if MHT can reduce re-hospitalization rates in previously-hospitalized patients with mood disorders.
Cognitive-behavioral Therapy vs. Light Therapy for Preventing SAD Recurrence
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Winter Depression3 moreMajor depression is a highly prevalent, chronic, and debilitating mental health problem with significant social cost that poses a tremendous economic burden. Winter seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a subtype of recurrent major depression involving substantial depressive symptoms that adversely affect the family and workplace for about 5 months of each year during most years, beginning in young adulthood. This clinical trial is relevant to this public health challenge in seeking to develop and test a time-limited (i.e., acute treatment completed in a discrete period vs. daily treatment every fall/winter indefinitely), palatable cognitive-behavioral treatment with effects that endure beyond the cessation of acute treatment to prevent the annual recurrence of depression in SAD. Aim (1) To compare the long-term efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and light therapy on depression recurrence status, symptom severity, and remission status during the next winter season (i.e., the next wholly new winter season after the initial winter of treatment completion), which we argue to be the most important time point for evaluating clinical outcomes following SAD intervention. Hypothesis: CBT will be associated with a smaller proportion of depression recurrences, less severe symptoms, and a higher proportion of remissions than light therapy in the next winter. The study is designed to detect a clinically important difference between CBT and light therapy in depressive episode recurrences during the next winter, the primary endpoint, in an intent-to-treat analysis. Aim (2) To compare the efficacy of CBT and light therapy on symptom severity and remission status at post-treatment (treatment endpoint). Hypothesis: CBT and light therapy will not differ significantly on post-treatment outcomes.
Treatment Strategy to Prevent Mood Disorders Following Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic Brain InjuryThe purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of sertraline to prevent the onset of mood and anxiety disorders during the first six months after traumatic brain injury.
Super Skills for Life Effectiveness in the Online Modality
Depressive DisorderDepressive Symptoms5 moreThe study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the transdiagnostic program Super Skills for Life (SSL). This protocol targets children aged 8 to 12 with emotional problems (anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and lack of social skills). SSL consists of eight sessions targeting common risk factors for internalizing disorders such as cognitive distortions, avoidance, emotional management, low self-esteem, social skills deficits, and coping strategies. The present research focuses on assessing the effectiveness of SSL applied online (through a virtual platform).
EnBrace HR for PMS With Prominent Mood Symptoms or Menstrual Related Mood Disorders
Premenstrual SyndromePremenstrual Dysphoric Disorder2 moreThe purpose of this study is to assess a novel nutritional supplement developed for prenatal health and mood benefits, and to determine whether there is preliminary evidence for efficacy in Menstrual Related Mood Disorders (MRMD), including PMS with Prominent Mood Symptoms and PMDD.
Convergent and Concurrent Validity Between Clinical Recovery and Personal-civic Recovery in Mental...
Psychotic DisordersMood DisordersSeveral instruments have been developed by clinicians and academics specialized in mental health and psychiatry to assess clinical recovery in terms of symptom reduction. Based on their life narratives, measurement tools have also been developed and validated through participatory research programs by persons living with mental health problems or illnesses to assess a more personal experience of recovery as a way of leaving a meaningful and satisfying life despite and beyond ongoing disorders and symptoms of mental illness. Other instruments have also been developed to assess the degree to which mental health and psychiatric institutions are recovery-oriented. The overall aim of this project is to explore correlations between clinical recovery, personal recovery and this latter organizational recovery.