So far, several aspects of autobiographical memory (AM) have been found to be impaired in depress... more So far, several aspects of autobiographical memory (AM) have been found to be impaired in depression. Among others, depressed patients show the tendency to recall more negative than positive events (i.e., negative bias) and usually retrieve memories that lack of specificity and details (i.e., overgeneral memories). Based on this, we designed an AM task enhanced by the use of virtual reality (VR) to specifically train the recall of positive memories. Using a single-case, multiple baseline experimental design, we explored the effects of a brief intervention consisting of two sessions of this training in a sample of 18 individuals with moderate-to-moderately severe depressive symptoms. According to the results, changes occurred at the short term only. In particular, almost all participants reported a significant improvement in at least one outcome measure 0–3 days after the intervention. However, these clinical gains were not maintained in the mid-term (from day 4 to 10). The present findings do not support the efficacy of our VR-based AM recall treatment as a standalone intervention. Nevertheless, it might represent a suitable procedure to obtain immediate and/or short-term improvements. It might also serve as a valid component to be integrated in broader protocols for patients with moderate-to-moderately severe depressive symptoms.
This eBook is a collection of articles from a Frontiers Research Topic. Frontiers Research Topics... more This eBook is a collection of articles from a Frontiers Research Topic. Frontiers Research Topics are very popular trademarks of the Frontiers Journals Series: they are collections of at least ten articles, all centered on a particular subject. With their unique mix of varied contributions from Original Research to Review Articles, Frontiers Research Topics unify the most influential researchers, the latest key findings and historical advances in a hot research area! Find out more on how to host your own Frontiers Research Topic or contribute to one as an author by contacting the Frontiers Editorial Office: frontiersin.org/about/contac
Background Students beginning university are at a heightened risk for developing mental health di... more Background Students beginning university are at a heightened risk for developing mental health disorders. Online prevention and early intervention programmes targeting mental health have the potential to reduce this risk, however, previous research has shown uptake to be rather poor. Understanding university stakeholders’ (e.g. governing level and delivery staff [DS] and students) views and attitudes towards such online prevention programmes could help with their development, implementation and dissemination within university settings. Methods Semi-structured interviews, focus groups and online surveys were completed with staff at a governing level, university students and DS (i.e. student health or teaching staff) from six European countries. They were asked about their experiences with, and needs and attitudes towards, online prevention programmes, as well as the factors that influence the translation of these programmes into real-world settings. Results were analyzed using themat...
Introduction Personality disorders (PD) have a serious impact on the lives of individuals who suf... more Introduction Personality disorders (PD) have a serious impact on the lives of individuals who suffer from them and those around them. It is common for family members to experience high levels of burden, anxiety, and depression, and deterioration in their quality of life. It is curious that few interventions have been developed for family members of people with PD. However, Family Connections (FC) (Hoffman and Fruzzetti, 2005) is the most empirically supported intervention for family members of people with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Aim The aim of this study is to explore the effectiveness of online vs face-to-face FC. Given the current social constraints resulting from SARS-CoV-2, interventions have been delivered online and modified. Method This was a non-randomized pilot study with a pre-post evaluation and two conditions: The sample consisted of 45 family members distributed in two conditions: FC face-to-face (20) performed by groups before the pandemic, and FC online (25), performed by groups during the pandemic. All participants completed the evaluation protocol before and after the intervention. Results There is a statistically significant improvement in levels of burden (η 2 = 0.471), depression, anxiety, and stress (η 2 = 0.279), family empowerment (η 2 = 0.243), family functioning (η 2 = 0.345), and quality of life (μ2 η 2 = 0.237). There were no differences based on the application format burden (η 2 = 0.134);depression, anxiety, and stress (η 2 = 0.087);family empowerment (η 2 = 0,27), family functioning (η 2 = 0.219);and quality of life (η 2 = 0.006), respectively). Conclusions This study provides relevant data about the possibility of implementing an intervention in a sample of family members of people with PD in an online format without losing its effectiveness. During the pandemic, and despite the initial reluctance of family members and the therapists to carry out the interventions online, this work shows the effectiveness of the results and the satisfaction of the family members. These results are particularly relevant in a pandemic context, where there was no possibility of providing help in other ways. All of this represents a great step forward in terms of providing psychological treatment.
Según estudios previos el sentido en la vida está asociado negativamente con la psicopatología, e... more Según estudios previos el sentido en la vida está asociado negativamente con la psicopatología, el riesgo de suicido y la inestabilidad emocional en personas con trastornos alimentarios (TA). El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el papel mediador del sentido de la vida y sus dimensiones en la relación entre la insatisfacción corporal y la sintomatología del TA y aportar pruebas que apoyen un modelo de elaboración del sentido de los trastornos alimentarios (MESTA). 292 personas diagnosticadas con TA (93,5% mujeres) contestaron el “Test de propósito en la vida” (PIL), el “Test de actitudes hacia la comida” (EAT) y el “Cuestionario multidimensional de relaciones entre el cuerpo y el yo” (MBSRQ-AS). Se realizaron análisis de mediación múltiple. El sentido en la vida medió la asociación entre la insatisfacción corporal y la psicopatología del TA. La dimensión de Satisfacción y sentido tuvo un papel mediador mayor. El sentido en la vida podría ser una variable importante en el manteni...
Studies in health technology and informatics, 2002
The emergence of new shared media, such as the Internet and virtual reality are changing the ways... more The emergence of new shared media, such as the Internet and virtual reality are changing the ways in which people relate, communicate, and live. Health care, and in particular clinical psychology, is one of the areas that could be most dramatically reshaped by these new technologies. To exploit and understand this potential is the overall goal of the "Telemedicine and Portable Virtual Environment in Clinical Psychology"--VEPSY UPDATED--an European Community funded research project (IST-2000-25323, http://www.vepsy.com) whose specific goal is the development of different PC based virtual reality modules to be used in clinical assessment and treatment. In particular the developed modules have been using to address the following pathologies: anxiety disorders; male impotence and premature ejaculation; obesity, bulimia and binge-eating disorders. The chapter details the general technical and clinical characteristics of the developed modules.
Revista de Psicología Clínica con Niños y Adolescentes, 2017
espanolLa obesidad constituye un grave problema para la salud de los individuos. Es una condicion... more espanolLa obesidad constituye un grave problema para la salud de los individuos. Es una condicion medica cronica y progresiva con un alto indice de mortalidad y morbilidad. Su prevalencia esta aumentando en la poblacion infantil, siendo necesario su abordaje terapeutico. En los ultimos anos, se han desarrollado tratamientos psicologicos eficaces centrados en la modificacion de estilos de vida y apoyados en las tecnologias de la informacion y comunicacion (TICs). Hasta ahora, los estudios se han focalizado en analizar la eficacia de estos sin tener en cuenta analisis de opinion de los usuarios. El objetivo del presente trabajo es estudiar la opinion que los usuarios (ninos y padres) tienen de la intervencion ETIOBE. La muestra esta compuesta por 22 ninos con sobrepeso (8-14 anos), que reciben una intervencion psicologica apoyada en una plataforma web, ETIOBE. Los usuarios valoran aspectos como aprendizaje adquirido, potencialidades, debilidades, factores que pueden estar influyendo e...
espanolEn anos recientes se ha utilizado la realidad virtual (RV) como herramienta en el tratamie... more espanolEn anos recientes se ha utilizado la realidad virtual (RV) como herramienta en el tratamiento de la Fobia a Volar (FV). El programa “Virtual Flight” ha demostrado su efectividad en poblacion espanola (Botella, Osma, Garcia-Palacios, Quero y Banos, 2004). La presente investigacion tiene como proposito ponerlo a prueba en poblacion mexicana. Los resultados obtenidos al finalizar el tratamiento, asi como en el seguimiento a 1 ano confirman su efectividad y eficiencia al establecerse utilidad clinica, que supone analizar la aplicabilidad y posibilidad de la intervencion en el contexto en el que tenga que ofrecerse. Estos resultados incrementan evidencia empirica al uso de la RV y ponen de manifiesto la generalizacion de los procedimientos y tecnicas empleadas en poblacion mexicana. EnglishIn recent years virtual reality (VR) has been used as a tool in the treatment of Flying Phobia (FF). The “Virtual Flight” program has showed its efficacy in the Spanish population (Botella, Osma...
Background: Studies have suggested that psychotherapy improves the Quality of Life (QoL) of parti... more Background: Studies have suggested that psychotherapy improves the Quality of Life (QoL) of participants with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). However, there are no studies on the differential efficacy of treatments on the QoL of participants with BPD. Moreover, the relationship between QoL and resilience has rarely been studied in participants with BPD. Objectives: a) to examine whether people with BPD have worse QoL than the non-clinical population; b) to examine whether there are statistically significant differences between Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving (STEPPS), or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy-Treatment at Usual (CBT-TAU) in the improvement of QoL; c) to examine whether participants show clinically significant improvements in QoL after treatment; d) to analyse whether resilience is associated with QoL before and after the BPD treatment; e) to analyse whether resilience is a predictor of QoL at pre...
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and systems training for emotional predictability and problem ... more Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and systems training for emotional predictability and problem solving (STEPPS) are two treatment protocols for people with borderline personality disorder (BPD) that have received important empirical support. However, their possible differential effectiveness has not yet been studied. The objective of this study is to explore the effectiveness of these two treatment programs. A nonrandomized clinical trial was carried out in which both treatments were applied for six months. The sample consisted of 72 patients diagnosed with BPD. The results indicate that both groups experienced a statistically significant reduction in BPD symptom, emotional regulation, impulsiveness, dissociative experiences, suicidal risk, depression, or anger. However, the DBT condition obtained statistically significant differences in BPD behavioral symptoms and fear of suicide. DBT and STEPPS treatment are effective treatments for participants with BPD, and DBT was more effect...
So far, several aspects of autobiographical memory (AM) have been found to be impaired in depress... more So far, several aspects of autobiographical memory (AM) have been found to be impaired in depression. Among others, depressed patients show the tendency to recall more negative than positive events (i.e., negative bias) and usually retrieve memories that lack of specificity and details (i.e., overgeneral memories). Based on this, we designed an AM task enhanced by the use of virtual reality (VR) to specifically train the recall of positive memories. Using a single-case, multiple baseline experimental design, we explored the effects of a brief intervention consisting of two sessions of this training in a sample of 18 individuals with moderate-to-moderately severe depressive symptoms. According to the results, changes occurred at the short term only. In particular, almost all participants reported a significant improvement in at least one outcome measure 0–3 days after the intervention. However, these clinical gains were not maintained in the mid-term (from day 4 to 10). The present findings do not support the efficacy of our VR-based AM recall treatment as a standalone intervention. Nevertheless, it might represent a suitable procedure to obtain immediate and/or short-term improvements. It might also serve as a valid component to be integrated in broader protocols for patients with moderate-to-moderately severe depressive symptoms.
This eBook is a collection of articles from a Frontiers Research Topic. Frontiers Research Topics... more This eBook is a collection of articles from a Frontiers Research Topic. Frontiers Research Topics are very popular trademarks of the Frontiers Journals Series: they are collections of at least ten articles, all centered on a particular subject. With their unique mix of varied contributions from Original Research to Review Articles, Frontiers Research Topics unify the most influential researchers, the latest key findings and historical advances in a hot research area! Find out more on how to host your own Frontiers Research Topic or contribute to one as an author by contacting the Frontiers Editorial Office: frontiersin.org/about/contac
Background Students beginning university are at a heightened risk for developing mental health di... more Background Students beginning university are at a heightened risk for developing mental health disorders. Online prevention and early intervention programmes targeting mental health have the potential to reduce this risk, however, previous research has shown uptake to be rather poor. Understanding university stakeholders’ (e.g. governing level and delivery staff [DS] and students) views and attitudes towards such online prevention programmes could help with their development, implementation and dissemination within university settings. Methods Semi-structured interviews, focus groups and online surveys were completed with staff at a governing level, university students and DS (i.e. student health or teaching staff) from six European countries. They were asked about their experiences with, and needs and attitudes towards, online prevention programmes, as well as the factors that influence the translation of these programmes into real-world settings. Results were analyzed using themat...
Introduction Personality disorders (PD) have a serious impact on the lives of individuals who suf... more Introduction Personality disorders (PD) have a serious impact on the lives of individuals who suffer from them and those around them. It is common for family members to experience high levels of burden, anxiety, and depression, and deterioration in their quality of life. It is curious that few interventions have been developed for family members of people with PD. However, Family Connections (FC) (Hoffman and Fruzzetti, 2005) is the most empirically supported intervention for family members of people with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Aim The aim of this study is to explore the effectiveness of online vs face-to-face FC. Given the current social constraints resulting from SARS-CoV-2, interventions have been delivered online and modified. Method This was a non-randomized pilot study with a pre-post evaluation and two conditions: The sample consisted of 45 family members distributed in two conditions: FC face-to-face (20) performed by groups before the pandemic, and FC online (25), performed by groups during the pandemic. All participants completed the evaluation protocol before and after the intervention. Results There is a statistically significant improvement in levels of burden (η 2 = 0.471), depression, anxiety, and stress (η 2 = 0.279), family empowerment (η 2 = 0.243), family functioning (η 2 = 0.345), and quality of life (μ2 η 2 = 0.237). There were no differences based on the application format burden (η 2 = 0.134);depression, anxiety, and stress (η 2 = 0.087);family empowerment (η 2 = 0,27), family functioning (η 2 = 0.219);and quality of life (η 2 = 0.006), respectively). Conclusions This study provides relevant data about the possibility of implementing an intervention in a sample of family members of people with PD in an online format without losing its effectiveness. During the pandemic, and despite the initial reluctance of family members and the therapists to carry out the interventions online, this work shows the effectiveness of the results and the satisfaction of the family members. These results are particularly relevant in a pandemic context, where there was no possibility of providing help in other ways. All of this represents a great step forward in terms of providing psychological treatment.
Según estudios previos el sentido en la vida está asociado negativamente con la psicopatología, e... more Según estudios previos el sentido en la vida está asociado negativamente con la psicopatología, el riesgo de suicido y la inestabilidad emocional en personas con trastornos alimentarios (TA). El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el papel mediador del sentido de la vida y sus dimensiones en la relación entre la insatisfacción corporal y la sintomatología del TA y aportar pruebas que apoyen un modelo de elaboración del sentido de los trastornos alimentarios (MESTA). 292 personas diagnosticadas con TA (93,5% mujeres) contestaron el “Test de propósito en la vida” (PIL), el “Test de actitudes hacia la comida” (EAT) y el “Cuestionario multidimensional de relaciones entre el cuerpo y el yo” (MBSRQ-AS). Se realizaron análisis de mediación múltiple. El sentido en la vida medió la asociación entre la insatisfacción corporal y la psicopatología del TA. La dimensión de Satisfacción y sentido tuvo un papel mediador mayor. El sentido en la vida podría ser una variable importante en el manteni...
Studies in health technology and informatics, 2002
The emergence of new shared media, such as the Internet and virtual reality are changing the ways... more The emergence of new shared media, such as the Internet and virtual reality are changing the ways in which people relate, communicate, and live. Health care, and in particular clinical psychology, is one of the areas that could be most dramatically reshaped by these new technologies. To exploit and understand this potential is the overall goal of the "Telemedicine and Portable Virtual Environment in Clinical Psychology"--VEPSY UPDATED--an European Community funded research project (IST-2000-25323, http://www.vepsy.com) whose specific goal is the development of different PC based virtual reality modules to be used in clinical assessment and treatment. In particular the developed modules have been using to address the following pathologies: anxiety disorders; male impotence and premature ejaculation; obesity, bulimia and binge-eating disorders. The chapter details the general technical and clinical characteristics of the developed modules.
Revista de Psicología Clínica con Niños y Adolescentes, 2017
espanolLa obesidad constituye un grave problema para la salud de los individuos. Es una condicion... more espanolLa obesidad constituye un grave problema para la salud de los individuos. Es una condicion medica cronica y progresiva con un alto indice de mortalidad y morbilidad. Su prevalencia esta aumentando en la poblacion infantil, siendo necesario su abordaje terapeutico. En los ultimos anos, se han desarrollado tratamientos psicologicos eficaces centrados en la modificacion de estilos de vida y apoyados en las tecnologias de la informacion y comunicacion (TICs). Hasta ahora, los estudios se han focalizado en analizar la eficacia de estos sin tener en cuenta analisis de opinion de los usuarios. El objetivo del presente trabajo es estudiar la opinion que los usuarios (ninos y padres) tienen de la intervencion ETIOBE. La muestra esta compuesta por 22 ninos con sobrepeso (8-14 anos), que reciben una intervencion psicologica apoyada en una plataforma web, ETIOBE. Los usuarios valoran aspectos como aprendizaje adquirido, potencialidades, debilidades, factores que pueden estar influyendo e...
espanolEn anos recientes se ha utilizado la realidad virtual (RV) como herramienta en el tratamie... more espanolEn anos recientes se ha utilizado la realidad virtual (RV) como herramienta en el tratamiento de la Fobia a Volar (FV). El programa “Virtual Flight” ha demostrado su efectividad en poblacion espanola (Botella, Osma, Garcia-Palacios, Quero y Banos, 2004). La presente investigacion tiene como proposito ponerlo a prueba en poblacion mexicana. Los resultados obtenidos al finalizar el tratamiento, asi como en el seguimiento a 1 ano confirman su efectividad y eficiencia al establecerse utilidad clinica, que supone analizar la aplicabilidad y posibilidad de la intervencion en el contexto en el que tenga que ofrecerse. Estos resultados incrementan evidencia empirica al uso de la RV y ponen de manifiesto la generalizacion de los procedimientos y tecnicas empleadas en poblacion mexicana. EnglishIn recent years virtual reality (VR) has been used as a tool in the treatment of Flying Phobia (FF). The “Virtual Flight” program has showed its efficacy in the Spanish population (Botella, Osma...
Background: Studies have suggested that psychotherapy improves the Quality of Life (QoL) of parti... more Background: Studies have suggested that psychotherapy improves the Quality of Life (QoL) of participants with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). However, there are no studies on the differential efficacy of treatments on the QoL of participants with BPD. Moreover, the relationship between QoL and resilience has rarely been studied in participants with BPD. Objectives: a) to examine whether people with BPD have worse QoL than the non-clinical population; b) to examine whether there are statistically significant differences between Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving (STEPPS), or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy-Treatment at Usual (CBT-TAU) in the improvement of QoL; c) to examine whether participants show clinically significant improvements in QoL after treatment; d) to analyse whether resilience is associated with QoL before and after the BPD treatment; e) to analyse whether resilience is a predictor of QoL at pre...
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and systems training for emotional predictability and problem ... more Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and systems training for emotional predictability and problem solving (STEPPS) are two treatment protocols for people with borderline personality disorder (BPD) that have received important empirical support. However, their possible differential effectiveness has not yet been studied. The objective of this study is to explore the effectiveness of these two treatment programs. A nonrandomized clinical trial was carried out in which both treatments were applied for six months. The sample consisted of 72 patients diagnosed with BPD. The results indicate that both groups experienced a statistically significant reduction in BPD symptom, emotional regulation, impulsiveness, dissociative experiences, suicidal risk, depression, or anger. However, the DBT condition obtained statistically significant differences in BPD behavioral symptoms and fear of suicide. DBT and STEPPS treatment are effective treatments for participants with BPD, and DBT was more effect...
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