Alan Headey

Bio: Alan Headey is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy & Cognitive therapy. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 2 publications receiving 8 citations.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Experiences in Youth With Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Depression: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Qualitative Study

Abstract: Background: Mindfulness-based programs are increasingly used as a part of integrated treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the majority of research has been quantitative with limited qualitative exploration of patients’ experiences of mindfulness programs and no studies among adolescents and young adults with IBD. Furthermore, there has been a paucity of research exploring the role of common psychotherapy and group factors within mindfulness programs. Objective: This study aims to explore the experiences of adolescents and young adults with IBD and depression who completed a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) group program, as well as the role of therapeutic alliance, group affiliation, and other common psychotherapy and group factors. Methods: This mixed methods qualitative study, nested within a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of MBCT for adolescents and young adults with IBD, will obtain qualitative data from focus groups and open-ended survey questions. The study aims to conduct three to four focus groups with 6-8 participants in each group. It will employ data and investigator triangulation as well as thematic analysis of the qualitative data. Results: The study was approved by the Mater Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee and recruitment commenced in May 2019; study completion is anticipated by early 2020. Conclusions: The study will contribute to the assessment of acceptability and feasibility of the MBCT program for adolescents and young adults with IBD. It will also elucidate the role of previously unexplored common psychotherapy and group factors within mindfulness training and help inform the design of a future large-scale RCT of MBCT in this cohort. Trial Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12617000876392; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=373115 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/14432

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy experiences in youth with inflammatory bowel disease and depression: findings from a mixed methods qualitative study.

Abstract: Objectives Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is effective in treating psychosocial comorbidities in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, there have been no qualitative studies of MBCT experiences among youth with IBD. We aimed to examine the experiences of youth with IBD and depression who completed an adapted MBCT group programme, and the impact of common psychotherapy and group factors. Design This mixed method qualitative study, nested within a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of MBCT for youth with IBD, employed thematic analysis of qualitative data from three focus groups and open-ended survey questions. Setting The study was conducted in the outpatient department of a tertiary hospital for young adults in Brisbane, Australia. Participants Out of sixty-four adolescents and young adults recruited to the RCT of MBCT for youth with IBD and depression, 29 completed the MBCT evaluation survey and 19 attended the focus groups. Results Four key themes emerged: ‘connectedness and shared understanding’, ‘growing in wisdom’, ‘therapeutic alliance’ and ‘barriers to mindfulness practice’. Participants described MBCT experiences as healing and transformative with the themes of connectedness, growing in wisdom and therapeutic alliance laying the foundation for therapeutic change. Main barriers included fatigue, depression, time and travel constraints. Conclusions The study identified key themes facilitating the process of therapeutic change within the MBCT programme for youth with IBD and elucidated common and group psychotherapy factors underlying the key themes. Participants perceived connecting with peers as essential for learning mindfulness skills which in turn strengthened the connection. Study findings will facilitate interpretation of the results of the RCT of MBCT in youth with IBD and inform the design of future studies of MBCT in this cohort. Trial registration number ACTRN12617000876392; Results.

Persuasion and Healing: A Comparative Study of Psychotherapy

Abstract: Psychoanalysis, individual psychology, gestalt therapy, client-centered counseling, faith healing, hypnosis, encounter groups, transactional therapy, behavior modification, and existentialist analysis are some of the different treatments available for unhappy, fearful, and anxious sufferers. The proponents of each method offer a theoretical explanation of their rationale and report sizable numbers of successes. Which is the best method? Which is the most correct theory? Are any of them of any value? Or should everyone be treated with pills or diet or surgery? Jerome D. Frank, professor of psychiatry at Johns Hopkins, believes there is real value in psychotherapy, which he describes as treatment that "relies primarily on the healer's ability to mobilize healing forces in the sufferer by psychological means." However, he believes that the principal value lies not in the postulated theoretical bases but in factors that are common to all the various forms of therapy. He points out that all patients

Understanding the Lived Experience of North American Dental Patients With a Single-Tooth Implant in the Upper Front Region of the Mouth: Protocol for a Qualitative Study.

Abstract: Background: Assessment of the subjective experiences of individuals with maxillary anterior (ie, the upper front region of the mouth) single-tooth implants is limited mainly to quantitative measurements of satisfaction with appearance. Interestingly, there is unexplained variability in the relationship between satisfaction and appearance. Objective: This qualitative study protocol aims to explore and better understand the satisfaction with appearance and function in a Canadian population with maxillary anterior single-tooth implants treated at a postgraduate university clinic. Thus, we aim to obtain diversity among participants relating to the identification of esthetically pleasing and displeasing cases from a clinician perspective. Methods: A qualitative research design using interpretative phenomenology analysis (IPA) will provide an adaptable inductive research approach. The participants will be recruited, and consent documents, photographs, digital intraoral scans, and self-administered questionnaire responses will be obtained from them. The transcribed verbatim data from audio-recorded, in-depth, semistructured, one-to-one interviews of the participants will be managed, coded, and analyzed thematically with computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software. The IPA will consider the COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative (COREQ) guidelines when applicable. Results: For the qualitative interview, we plan to include at least eight patients to conduct up to 1.5 hours of open-ended interviews with each participant aided by an interview guide. Ethical approval was granted by the University of British Columbia Behavioral Research Ethics Board (H19-00107) in May 2019. Two American dental foundations funded this study. Conclusions: The analysis in this study will elucidate the aspects (including their value) that influence participant satisfaction at different dental implant treatment stages. This will be the first qualitative study on this group of the population to explore and obtain a better understanding of their satisfaction with appearance and function, as well as any other patient-reported outcome measures that could be identified.

Mindfulness-Based Virtual Reality Intervention for Children and Young Adults with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Pilot Feasibility and Acceptability Study.

Abstract: The aim of this pilot study was to assess: (1) the feasibility and acceptability of a Mindfulness-Based Virtual Reality (MBVR) intervention among children and young adults with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), and (2) the preliminary efficacy of MBVR on key psychological (anxiety) and physical (pain) outcomes. Participants were 62 children to young adults with IBD (M = 15.6 years; 69.4% Crohn’s disease; 58% male) recruited from an outpatient pediatric IBD clinic. Participants completed a baseline assessment, underwent the 6-min MBVR intervention, completed a post-intervention assessment and study satisfaction survey, and provided qualitative feedback. Results suggest strong feasibility and acceptability. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with MBVR including high levels of enjoyment (M = 4.38; range 1–5) and relaxation (M = 4.35; range 1–5). Qualitative data revealed several key themes including participants interest in using MBVR in IBD medical settings (e.g., hospitalizations, IBD procedures, IBD treatments), as well as in their daily lives to support stress and symptom management. Preliminary analyses demonstrated improvements in anxiety (t = 4.79, p = 0.001) and pain (t = 3.72, p < 0.001) following MBVR. These findings provide initial support for the feasibility and acceptability of MBVR among children and young adults with IBD. Results also suggest MBVR may improve key IBD outcomes (e.g., anxiety, pain) and highlight the importance of conducting a randomized controlled trial and more rigorous research to determine intervention efficacy.