Reading Research: Details Matter

Topics: adverse events | control group | double blind | effect size | NNH | NNT | null hypothesis | number needed to harm | number needed to treat | Open Label | p-value | primary outcome | Randomized controlled trial | randomized discontinuation design | RCT | replication | secondary outcome | statistical significance | treatment efficacy | unblinded

When headlines report on positive treatment results from a study, families will come in asking about those results. This article will help you determine what makes a study a good one, and conversely what makes a not-so-great one. With this information, you can be better prepared to talk with families about research studies and results that can affect tr

Do We Need to Be Face-to-Face to Treat Alcohol Use Disorder?

Topics: Alcohol use disorder | Quality of care | Randomized controlled trial | Telemedicine

Review of: Johansson M et al, Addiction 2020 Sep 24. Epub ahead of print. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the potential value of virtual treatment. This may be particularly useful for individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD), for whom shame and stigma may limit engagement and/or retention in traditional forms of face-to-face treatment. Howev

Can Assertive Treatment Improve Treatment Adherence in Young Adults With Opioid Use Disorder?

Topics: Adherence | Opioid Use Disorder | Randomized controlled trial | Youth

Review of: Fishman M et al, Addiction 2020 Jul 4. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.15181 We often use injectable extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX, or Vivitrol) for management of opioid use disorder (OUD). However, XR-NTX has not been widely used in young adults with OUD, possibly due to low patient engagement and treatment adherence. This study evaluat

Vitamin B6 Lowers Prolactin on Antipsychotics

Topics: Antipsychotics | double blind | Prolactin | Randomized controlled trial | RCT | Schizophrenia | Vitamin B6

REVIEW OF: Zhuo C et al, Front Psychiatry 2021;12:681418 STUDY TYPE: Randomized, double-blind trial with an active control Hyperprolactinemia, a common problem on antipsychotics, can cause multiple issues, including sexual dysfunction and gynecomastia. It is a particular problem in treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS), as these patients often need

Oral Zuranolone for Postpartum Depression

Topics: Depression | Postpartum Depression | Randomized controlled trial | steroids | Women’s Issues in Psychiatry

REVIEW OF: Deligiannidis KM et al, JAMA Psychiatry 2021;78(9):951–959 STUDY TYPE: Randomized controlled trial DSM-5 defines postpartum depression (PPD) as any major depressive episode that begins during pregnancy or within four weeks after giving birth. Traditional antidepressants have long been used during this period, but only small studies suppor

Genetic Testing in Depression

Topics: GeneSight | Genetic Testing | Genetics and Psychiatry | Pharmacogenomics | Randomized controlled trial | Research | Research Update

REVIEW OF: Perlis RH et al, Depress Anxiety 2020;37(9):834–841 STUDY TYPE: Randomized controlled trial By tailoring medications to a patient’s genetic profile, pharmacogenomics promises less medication trial and error, fewer side effects, and better overall outcomes. But does knowing a patient’s pharmacogenetic profile really improve treatme

Two Negative Studies of Mirtazapine and Riluzole for PTSD in Veterans

Topics: Mirtazapine | PTSD | Randomized controlled trial | Research | Research Update | Riluzole | Trauma

Review of: Davis LL et al, J Clin Psychiatry 2020;81(6):20m13267; Spangler PT et al, J Clin Psychiatry 2020;81(6):20m13233 Type of Studies: Randomized, placebo-controlled trial; randomized controlled trial Medications for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) don’t have a great track record, particularly in combat-related trauma. Prazosin, risperid

Shining a Light on PTSD

Topics: Complementary treatments | Light therapy | Lightbox | natural treatments | PTSD | Randomized controlled trial | Research | Research Update | Seasonal Affective Disorder | Trauma

Review of: Youngstedt SD et al, Mil Med 2021 (Epub ahead of print) Study type: Randomized, sham-controlled trial As stated in the previous brief, PTSD is difficult to treat, and numerous interventions for PTSD have failed with veterans. This study took a different approach; it is the first randomized controlled trial of light therapy for PTSD. Conduc