Family psychoeducation to support patients with psychotic illness: two-year outcomes from a pre–post longitudinal pilot study

BackgroundPsychoeducation for families of young adults with psychosis is an evidence-based intervention that alleviates carer burden. The implementation of programming is limited, leaving family carers shouldering a heavy burden without appropriate support.ObjectiveThis pre-post longitudinal pilot study evaluated the preliminary outcomes of a psychoeducational group intervention for family carers of young adults with psychosis, aimed at building skills and reducing carer burden to support recovery in their loved ones.MethodsThe intervention, co-developed and co-facilitated by healthcare professionals and individuals with family lived experience, was delivered in Edmonton, Canada. Participants (n= 13) completed the Family Burden Interview Schedule (FBIS) at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at 6, 12, and 24-month follow-up. Linear mixed models assessed burden scores over time.ResultsThe overall model of total burden did not reach statistical significance. Exploratory post-hoc comparisons indicated a significant total burden reduction from pre-intervention to 6-months (p = 0.032), with no other significant changes. The overall family interaction burden subscale model showed no significant effect of time. Exploratory post-hoc analyses indicated a decrease in family interaction burden from pre- to post-intervention (p = 0.026) and to 6- months (p = 0.032), with no other significant changes.ConclusionThis pilot study provides preliminary and hypothesis-generating findings suggesting a co-produced, skills- and knowledge-based psychoeducational intervention may be associated with reductions in carer burden, particularly in the domain of family relations. Given the small sample size, further research with sufficient statistical power is warranted to evaluate the long-term impact and accessibility of the intervention and inform its integration into early psychosis care.

PSA screening for prostate cancer reduces disease-specific deaths, new review shows

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood testing is likely to reduce the risk of death from prostate cancer, found a new review published on Thursday by an influential international science research organization — a shift in medical evidence that could encourage wider use. 

The Cochrane review’s first author, Juan Franco from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf in Germany, said at a press conference that they have “moderate certainty” that the screening test, which identifies high levels of PSA as a potential marker of prostate cancer, leads to a reduction in disease-specific deaths. The benefits are marginal: the review analyzed results from six trials involving 800,000 participants conducted in Europe and North America, and found about two fewer prostate cancer deaths for every 1,000 men screened. 

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[Comment] Applying a quality lens to strengthening WHO European region child and youth mental health services

Child and youth mental health is a growing area of concern across the WHO European region. However, evidence on how to strengthen the quality of child and youth mental health care is lacking,1 and governance mechanisms, such as quality standards, treatment guidelines, and protocols for child and youth mental health, exist in only a few countries across this region.

[Comment] How much is enough in ADHD pharmacotherapy?

The evidence base for ADHD pharmacotherapy has answered one question more confidently than any other: whether medications are effective, on average, in reducing core ADHD symptoms. We know that several stimulant and non-stimulant treatments, including methylphenidate, amphetamines, atomoxetine, and guanfacine, improve symptoms at the patient-group level.1 What has remained harder to identify is where titration should stop: the point at which further dose escalation is unlikely to yield meaningful additional benefit and might instead worsen tolerability.