https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/9155 2026-04-07T22:44:23Z 2026-04-07T22:44:23Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/9239 2018-05-28T12:10:18Z 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Effectiveness of buprenorphine-based treatment compared to methadone in adult opioid maintenance therapy Abstract: Opioid dependence is a health and social crisis associated with increased morbidity and mortality. When a person becomes dependent on opioids such as heroin, it is not only the individual who suffers from the repercussions. The adverse effects can have a negative impact on the general society, healthcare and economical well-being. In Malta and other European Countries, both methadone and buprenorphine are recommended drugs for the maintenance treatment of opioid dependence. However, despite the beneficial effects that buprenorphine is acclaimed for, this medication has failed to overtake methadone in managing opioid addiction. The aim of this critical appraisal was to investigate whether buprenorphine-based treatment is as effective as methadone in maintenance therapy. The following question was put forward: In adults with an opioid dependence, is buprenorphine-based treatment as effective as methadone in maintenance therapy? Adults with an opioid dependence were the population of interest, whilst buprenorphine (Subutex®) and buprenorphine-naloxone (Suboxone®) were the main interventions of choice. Methadone was the comparison intervention, and the outcome was measured by retention in treatment and abstinence from illicit substances. A broad search of the literature was conducted by using reputable databases through The University of Malta and The University of Glamorgan. Studies were retrieved by the identification of keywords that were relevant to the PICO framework. The resultant studies were scrutinised against specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, such as research design and year of publication. Eleven studies were finally chosen and were critically appraised using Russo's approach and the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool. The findings highlight the usefulness of buprenorphine-based treatment in the management of opioid dependence. The outcome reveals that although methadone remains an essential maintenance therapy option, buprenorphine-based treatment increases access to care and provides safer, more appropriate treatment than methadone for some patients. To highlight the evidence, this appraisal makes several recommendations for research, education, practice, management and policy change. This is followed by the strategies for finding's distribution. Education to nurses and to those with an opioid dependence was deemed to be the most important recommendations. Description: B.SC.(HONS)MENTAL HEALTH NURSING

2013-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/9235 2016-09-28T08:58:13Z 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Music therapy versus cognitive behavioural therapy in reducing substance-use in young adults Abstract: Substance use disorders (SUD) and comorbid mental health disorders are an intriguing and challenging phenomenon among young adults. The negative labelling that Maltese society seems to place on this population may discourage them from seeking professional help. Treatment options for addictions should adopt a holistic approach. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is the only treatment of choice for SUD recommended by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA). However, various researchers have questioned its effectiveness and desirability. Music therapy can be an alternative, perceived as less threatening and more appealing than CBT. This study's objective and research question were to explore whether music therapy is more effective than CBT in reducing substance-use in young adults. The latter aged 18- 40, were the population of interest (P). Music therapy, was the main intervention of choice (I), CBT was the comparison intervention (C), whereas the outcome was to reduce substance-use (O). A literature review was conducted, and inclusion/exclusion criteria established for age range, sample characteristics (using DSM-IV-TR parameters) study design and year of publication. Only papers meeting level one, two and six criteria in the research hierarchy were chosen for review. 14 studies were finally selected that were critically appraised using mostly CASP tools (1993) and Morrison's approach (1991). Findings demonstrate that music therapy either in groups or individually, has immediate positive benefits over group/individual CBT. These include increased motivation, participation, and establishing trust leading to a reduction in substance-use. Study recommendations include implementing music therapy as an additional resource to professionals working within the addiction/mental health field and funding for music therapy posts and psychiatric nurses undertaking single music therapy sessions. Dissemination strategies are seen as vital to increase awareness of music therapy and establish its efficacy in the local context. Description: B.SC.(HONS)MENTAL HEALTH NURSING

2013-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/9234 2018-05-28T12:48:38Z 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Effectiveness of neurofeedback therapy compared to methylphenidate in treating children & adolescents with ADHD Abstract: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood neurobehavioral disorder which forms part of a group of hyperkinetic disorders. This disorder is characterised by inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity, which may result in poor educational attainment and social development. Thus, it is vital to consider treatment whenever need be in order not to compromise the child's well being. The first - line treatment when treating school-aged children is the use of psycho stimulants the most common being methylphenidate (MPH) (NICE, 2008). Being a pharmacological treatment, methylphenidate has many challenges contributed with it mainly its side-effects and the need to be taken every 4 hours. Thus, the introduction and use of an effective non-pharmacological alternative is very essential. Neurofeedback therapy (NFT) helps the patient to achieve control over the brain wave activity in the brain, resulting in improvement in attention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of NFT as an alternative therapy, compared to that of MPH. To undergo this study a PICO question was formulated: How effective is neurofeedback therapy compared to Methylphenidate in reducing symptoms when treating children between 6 and 14 years of age with ADHD? A thorough search was carried out in order to find the most possible relevant literature. After applying several criteria and filters in several aspects like age, research design and year of publication, 12 articles were chosen. These were then appraised using the PRISMA and CONSORT checklists and first and second part of Coughlan, Cronin & Ryan (2007) accordingly. The findings illustrate that both treatments are efficient in reducing ADHD symptoms; the use of MPH resulted in higher behavioural improvement while NFT pronounced greater improvement in both behaviour and cognitive functions. Furthermore, positive effects of NFT proved to be more stable even when the treatment was stopped, while symptoms returned after stopping MPH treatment. Recommendations for research, education, practice, management and policy change were made; also including several strategies on how can one disseminate the findings. Description: B.SC.(HONS)MENTAL HEALTH NURSING

2013-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/9157 2017-08-18T10:53:51Z 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: From student to practitioner : a grounded theory exploration of transition to practice of newly qualified mental health nurses in Malta Abstract: It is widely acknowledged that there is a paucity of research regarding transition to practice in mental health nursing, especially in the local setting. The present study sought to explore the process of transition to practice in mental health nursing in relation to the participants' views and experiences as well as, to explore coping and adaptation strategies adopted during the process of transition. To achieve these objectives, a grounded theory approach was used in order to explore meaning, patterns, social interactions and structures pertaining to the process of transition to practice. All seven participants were newly qualified mental health nurses who had completed a three year direct entry programme. They were all recruited in acute inpatient settings about six months prior to data collection within one state owned psychiatric hospital. The methods in this study involved concurrent data collection (mainly through face to face interviews) and analysis through the use of constant comparative method, coding, theoretical sampling and memo writing. Various categories/concepts emerged regarding the process of transition. These included time, recruitment, student role, new role, and profession, mental health nursing practice, use of self, fitting-in, expectations, knowledge, clinical structure, social life and settling down. Amongst these the concept of time emerged as the core concept underlying transition and a tentative substantive theory was put forward. Findings indicated a complex interplay between different elements of the process of transition as participants were engaged in coping with the changes occurring within themselves also in relation to their new realities and circumstances. Findings also identified several factors which enhanced or hindered this process. Description: M.SC.MENTAL HEALTH NURSING

2013-01-01T00:00:00Z