HISTORICAL ARCHIVE

Reminescence therapy for depression in elderly patients: Systematic review

In view of the fact that the Italian population is characterized by a progressive aging and that depression in old age represents a very widespread disorder, but often not recognized and adequately treated, it is considered worthwhile to know which therapies give evidence of effectiveness in contrasting the onset of this pathology, improving the elderly quality of life. The purpose of the following systematic review is to understand if the reminiscence therapy improves the geriatric patient’s mood and decreases his depression, becoming an efficient tool for the treatment of this psychopathology. The research carried out through the electronic databases

EBSCO and GOOGLE SCHOLAR, takes into account the articles from 2000 to 2019 selected by the following criteria: studies dealing with all kind of reminiscence therapy (instrumental and integrative); studies reporting depression as a major tested out-come; studies considering subjects > 60 years of age without a diagnosis of dementia or mild cognitive impairment; articles in English or Italian, article with available full text. The review seems to evidence that reminiscence therapy is an excellent option of treatment in case of senile depression that would lead to substantial symptoms alleviation.

CYBERBULLYING: REVIEW ON EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTION PROGRAMS

Aims. In light of the rapid spread of cyberbullying even during the current pandemic, the research question posed in this article has been to examine and analyze the effectiveness of several studies – belonging to the recent international literature – which aims to reduce or prevent cyberbullying through specific intervention programs. The aim of this examination is to carry a systematic review of the abovementioned interventions , showing a scientific framework on the progress of the effective ones as the research so far shows more studies with effective intervention programs on bullying.

Method. The research, using, the Scopus and PubMed electronic database, considered articles published in the last 10 years, based on the following criteria: • the studies must focus on an intervention program on cyberbullying; the studies must have an RCT or almost RCT design; the studies must provide a followup; the sample must be equal to or greater than (N ≥ 100) – if it is composed of student recipients- and equal or minor than (N<100) if it is composed of other recipients (teachers, school counselors). Results. This review highlights the effectiveness of interventions in a school or university environment, oriented to prevent cyberbullying. This goal is achieved by promoting digital education for the responsible use of the Internet; training students on empathy as well as social, communication, and coping skills to deal with relevant episodes; increasing the sense of self- efficacy; involving parents and teachers. Discussion. The studies included in the review have confirmed the effectiveness of the cyberbullying intervention programs and many of them agree on the need for direct interventions not only to students 24 but also to the other social actors involved such as parents, teachers, and school staff. Future cyberbullying prevention studies should also include specific individual approaches for the actors already involved and it is necessary to implement the studies to provide schools and children with more effective tools and strategies for using the internet in a more functional way.

EFFECTIVENESS OF ON-LINE PSYCHOTHERAPY

Objectives. The many important social changes produced by the Internet and the on-line phenomenon have caused many differences, compared to the past, in the ways in which we relate, communicate, and create bonds (Cabrè, 2016). This has been particularly evident in the current emergence of COVID 19, in which the increased distress related to fear, uncertainty of the situation, as well as forced self-exclusion, has been accompanied in many cases by the impediment of direct support, face-to-face communication proper to traditional treatment interventions (Zhang et al., 2020). Therefore, the purpose of this research is to present a systematic review to examine the evidence of efficacy and effectiveness in the treatment of clinically relevant psychological symptoms or mental disorders with on-line psychotherapeutic intervention type in order to arrive at an understanding of whether e-therapy can replace traditional therapy at particular times/situations or complement it as an additional form of support.

Method. The search, which used the electronic databases Scopus, PsycINFO, Pubmed/Medline, Google Scholar and Researchgate, took into consideration articles published in all languages in the last 8 years, selected on the basis of the following criteria: studies aimed at verifying the efficacy and effectiveness of at least one on-line treatment program for clinical psychological symptoms or mental disorders, conducted or at least guided by a clinical professional (trained psychologist or psychotherapist in training); with randomized controlled designs (RCTs or quasi-RCTs); with at least a follow-up of at least 3 months.

Results. The efficacy and effectiveness of these psychologist-led Internet-based intervention programs or self-help programs led by mental health professionals in reducing clinical symptomatology, mostly based on cognitive-behavioral theories, was equally effective compared with specific standard face-to-face cognitive-behavioral interventions in presence, and was significantly more effective than control groups undergoing usual care (TAU), waiting lists, interventions offered by health services, and on-line self-help conditions not led by psychologists. Importantly, however, in some cases these improvements were not maintained at follow-ups.

Conclusion. The studies included in the review confirmed the effectiveness of on-line intervention programs in treating clinical symptoms or specific mental disorders. Future studies should include treatments that address not only cognitive-behavioral theories or specific disorders, but also specific significant or transdiagnostic symptoms, if possible. It is hoped to continue in this direction as this could help in the development of increasingly effective internet-based programs, not exclusively cognitive-behavioral, aimed at preventing the development of any disorders

and relapse when disorders are already present, allowing for a reduction in time and cost as well.