https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/54751 Sun, 19 Apr 2026 11:30:15 GMT 2026-04-19T11:30:15Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/55799 Title: Cognitive behavioural therapy and hospital readmission in patient with depression. Abstract: Depression is a common mental disorder that can become chronic and if untreated, may affect the individual's ability to continue with his/her everyday life. Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is the most researched therapy for depression in both the acute phase and as a maintenance treatment. This project aims to identify recent studies and critically appraise them to determine the effect of CBT on persons with depression. The research question set was whether cognitive-behaviour therapy reduces hospital readmission in patients with depression. The PICO element consisted of individuals with depression (P), cognitive behavioural therapy (I), treatment as usual (C) promoting recovery (0). Ten full text studies published in English between 2000 and 2011 have been identified using electronic search through Academic Search Complete database and PubMed search engine. In turn these have been critically appraised using the CASP tools. Studies involving co-morbidities have been excluded. CBT was demonstrated to reduce relapse and recurrence in persons with depression, both in the acute phase and moreover as a maintenance treatment in conjunction with medication. No significance difference has been observed between individual and group CBT formats. In an effort to improve care quality and reduce risk of relapse, current services may need evaluation for better liaison with agencies in the mental health sector. Mental health nurses also need to continue developing their CBT skills in an endeavour to deliver optimum care. Further research may need to address when to introduce CBT as a sequential treatment and the length of time of such therapy. Description: B.SC.(HONS)MENTAL HEALTH NURSING Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/55799 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/55787 Title: Childhood autism : a comparison of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions in symptom management. Abstract: Childhood Autism: A comparison of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions in symptom management. The purpose of this study was to conduct a critical review of the literature on evidence - based treatment (therapies) for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and to provide recommendations for research and clinical practice. This study will answer the research question: Are pharmacological interventions more effective than non-pharmacological approaches in aiding children with autism in social skills and communication outcomes? The research question was formulated upon the PICO framework. Population for this literature review includes children between the ages of 1 and 17. The interventions from the articles collated will analyze pharmacological treatments (naltrexone and secretin) and non-pharmacological therapies (CBT, technology interventions, PECS and animal therapy), which will examine social and communicative outcomes. Inclusion and exclusion criteria such as age, diagnosis, outcome, and publication dates of the articles were taken into consideration. A literature search was conducted in Cinahl, Psychlnfo, Academic Search Complete, Google Scholar, PubMed and ScienceDirect, and a total of eight articles were collected. The evidence from the literature was ranked according to the hierarchy of evidence cited by Melnyk (2011). Method of appraisal was carried out by means of the CASP tool. A critical analysis of the literature revealed that the administration of secretin was not effective in improving social skills and communication. Naltrexone showed mild improvement in social communicative functioning and all the non-pharmacological approaches included in the study resulted in improved social skills and communication outcomes. All these approaches except pet therapy were derived from high level evidence (RCT"s) and consequently are of value in influencing evidence based practice. Therefore their implementation will be an asset to the child. Further literature which combines pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions is recommended. Key Words Used: MEDICATION, AUTISM, CHILDREN, THERAPY, TECHNOLOGY, TREATMENT Description: B.SC.(HONS)MENTAL HEALTH NURSING Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/55787 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/55616 Title: Nurses' experiences of control and restraint in an acute mental health setting. Abstract: The overall purpose of this study was to explore nurses' experiences of control and restraint in an acute mental health setting. The study objectives were to develop a clear picture of how many nurses had undertaken training on control and restraint through the course of their nursing career; to establish the understanding that nurses have about control and restraint; to establish opinions about when and how to use control and restraint techniques and if nurses have knowledge of alternatives other than control and restraint. As no previous available research was carried out locally regarding this topic, the literature review was almost entirely based on international studies and papers. These objectives were explored through the use of a purposive sample in a correlational research design, where 56 nurses working in acute psychiatric wards participated in the study by completing a structured self-administered 31- itemed questionnaire, constructed and piloted specifically for this study. Questionnaires were distributed through a third party to ensure anonymity and to achieve a non-biased result. The response rate was 93.3% and as the study utilised mixed methods, data analysis was carried out and presented in both numerical and thematic analysis. The results of the study revealed the main concerns of the participants were a lack of knowledge and training regarding control and restraint and other alternative techniques. It also highlighted a lack of debriefing for both patients and staff following a control and restraint episode. The study results highlighted inappropriate use and frequency of control and restraint amongst patients on acute psychiatric wards. Based on the findings, the study offered recommendations that included the need for further local and more extensive research into the issue; implementation of clinical guidelines on the reasons for and use of control and restraint, and the provision of appropriate training for all health care workers involved in its use. Description: B.SC.(HONS)MENTAL HEALTH NURSING Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/55616 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/55596 Title: What is the best treatment option for adolescent depression: psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, or a combination of both? Abstract: What is the best treatment option for adolescent depression: psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, or a combination of both? Adolescents, like adults may experience depression. However this differs in symptoms from adult depression. The research question for this paper focuses on the optimal treatment for adolescent depression: psychotherapy only, pharmacotherapy only or a combination of both. The population studied was adolescents of both sexes aged 13-19 years experiencing depression. The intervention used was treating adolescent depression by psychotherapy only whilst comparison intervention was treating adolescent depression with either pharmacotherapy only or a combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. The outcome will present the best treatment for adolescent depression. The inclusion and exclusion criteria applied were the following: adolescents, experiencing depression between the ages of 13- 19; both sexes; mainly Randomized Control Studies; publication dates between the years of 2000-2011; conducted in any type of settings (in or out-patient); written in English language and available in full-text. The dissertation title was divided into three parts so as to facilitate the search. The search was conducted by using several databases and other sources. About 35 articles were selected. However, the research question was further refined to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) as the psychotherapy form of choice and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRis) as pharmacotherapy. However, 29 articles were excluded for various reasons. Finally, six research articles were chosen as the key papers for appraisal meeting all inclusion criteria. The Critical Appraisal Tools such as Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tool was the chosen method for appraisal. The main result from the evidence indicated that combination treatment produced the most effective results in treating adolescents with depression when compared to treatment with psychotherapy only or pharmacology only. The conclusion is that combination treatment is the optimal treatment for adolescent depression. One desired outcome is combination treatment would be recommended and implicated as the treatment of choice for depression in such population in Malta. B.Sc.(Hons) Mental Health Nursing April 2012 Key words: ADOLESCENT DEPRESSION; PSYCHOTHERAPY; PHARMACOLOGY; CHILD AND ADOLSCENT PSYCHIATRY; COMBINATION TREATMENT; CBT Description: B.SC.(HONS)MENTAL HEALTH NURSING Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/55596 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z