We released a new set of benchmarks today. One is an updated tpc-c from a few months ago where we had just over 4.8M tpmc at $0.98 and we just updated it to go to 5.05M and $0.89. The other one is related to Java Middleware performance. You can find the press release here.
Now, I don't want to talk about the actual relevance of the benchmark numbers, as I am not in the benchmark team. I want to talk about why these numbers and these efforts, unrelated to what they mean to your workload, matter to customers. The actual benchmark effort is a very big, long, expensive undertaking where many groups work together as a big virtual team. Having the virtual team be within a single company of course helps tremendously... We already start with a very big server setup with tons of storage, many disks, lots of ram, lots of cpu's, cores, threads, large database setups. Getting the whole setup going to start tuning, by itself, is no easy task, but then the real fun starts with tuning the system for optimal performance -and- stability. A benchmark is not just revving an engine at high rpm, it's actually hitting the circuit. The tests require long runs, require surviving availability tests, such as surviving crashes -and- recovery under load.
In the TPC-C example, the x4800 system had 4TB ram, 160 threads (8 sockets, hyperthreaded, 10 cores/socket), tons of storage attached, tons of luns visible to the OS. flash storage, non flash storage... many things at high scale that all have to be perfectly synchronized.
During this process, we find bugs, we fix bugs, we find performance issues, we fix performance issues, we find interesting potential features to investigate for the future, we start new development projects for future releases and all this goes back into the products. As more and more customers, for Oracle Linux, are running larger and larger, faster and faster, more mission critical, higher available databases..., these things are just absolutely critical. Unrelated to what anyone's specific opinion is about tpc-c or tpc-h or specjenterprise etc, there is a ton of effort that the customer benefits from. All this work makes Oracle Linux and/or Oracle Solaris better platforms. Whether it's faster, more stable, more scalable, more resilient. It helps.
Another point that I always like to re-iterate around UEK and UEK2 : we have our kernel source git repository online. Complete changelog of the mainline kernel, and our changes, easy to pull, easy to dissect, easy to know what went in when, why and where. No need to go log into a website and manually click through pages to hopefully discover changes or patches. No need to untar 2 tar balls and run a diff.


On behalf of the BC Insulation Contractors Association and the BC Cancer Agency, we would like to thank you for your support of the 7th Annual BCICA Mesothelioma Golf Fundraiser on May 30th, 2014.
BCICA is proud to announce a 2014 fundraising total of $50,696. This brings our seven year total to an amazing $281,981.00 for the Western Canadian Mesothelioma Fund.
The success of the event in large is attributed to all the golfers, volunteers, sponsors and other generous contributors. We couldn't have done this without you.
We were blessed to have beautiful blue skies for our golfers and were fortunate to have 136 guests attend.
Click here to view the pictures of this year's event!
On behalf of the BC Insulation Contractors Association and the BC Cancer Agency, we would like to thank you for your support of the 7th Annual BCICA Mesothelioma Golf Fundraiser held at Northview Golf and Country Club on May 30th, 2014.
amazing $281,981.00 for the Western Canadian Mesothelioma Fund.
contributors who literally "made our day." We were blessed to have beautiful blue skies and were fortunate to have 136 guests attend this remarkable example of an industry working together.
The BCICA has undergone significant changes during the past twelve months. The association has reorganized and repositioned itself as an organization representing everything professional when it comes to the installation, manufacture and distribution of mechanical insulation systems in British Columbia. In order to begin with "the end in mind" it was essential to review BCICA's organizational structure and ensure that the association could embark on a set of goals that would essentially change the vision of BCICA. The following information will help readers to understand the enormity of this restructuring process and the potential benefits, not only for the mechanical insulation industry, but also, for energy conservation everywhere.
Over as year ago, the BCICA Board hired a consultant to review, reorganize and rewrite the constitution and bylaws. There were three primary reasons for doing so. First, to modernize the existing constitution and bylaws and to ensure that they complied with current reporting requirements. Secondly, they were rewritten to ensure that the association and its members were prepared for the move to a more professional organization, one guided by rules designed to identify BCICA members as the best in the mechanical insulation business. And thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, the constitution and bylaws were rewritten to develop a framework for the introduction of a Quality Assurance Certificate Program (QACP), part of the vision for revitalization envisioned by the Board of Directors. Notice for the introduction of the new BCICA Constitution and Bylaws was circulated to the membership in April of 2012 and on May 10, 2012, the new BCICA Constitution and Bylaws was adopted.
It is not unusual for a small association, governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, to have an informal way of dealing with the day-to-day activities of the association. The Board makes decisions; an individual Director chairs a specific committee and, assisted by a p/t staff person, carries out the work. BCICA has followed that model for many years with modest success. However, in order to grow the membership and deliver added value to current members, new Policies and Procedures were created to assist the Board as well as staff, to make decisions regarding the governance of the association. On September 20, 2012, after several drafts and months of review, the Board adopted a new Policies and Procedures Manual for Governance of the Association as well as Implementation and Management of a BCICA Quality Assurance Certificate Program.
This is a classic chicken and egg challenge. How can a quality assurance program be developed that has all of the required components such as: qualified contractors, material that meets / exceeds industry standards, independent inspectors qualified to inspect mechanical insulation systems, as well as an administration system capable of managing a QAC Program? In addition, to be successful, such a program requires branding, marketing and communication initiatives designed to promote a QACP to the specifying community, all this, without jeopardizing success of the initiative because a significant element was overlooked or is still "under construction"!
The answer is a singular vision and hard work by the BCICA Board of Directors. The Quality Assurance Certificate Program (QACP) will soon be available for mechanical insulation installations that specify a BCICA Quality Assurance Certificate (QAC) on new and / or retrofit buildings. The BCICA QAC Program will be marketed to mechanical insulation consultants, engineering firms, and related decision makers at all levels of government, as well as private developers and owners looking for operational cost savings while meeting new energy conservation guidelines. The Energy Efficiency Branch of the Provincial Government is an enthusiastic supporter of this new initiative which is intended to be a cost effective quality assurance option that assures the use of quality materials, installation by qualified journeypersons and independent inspection by qualified and purpose trained inspectors.
A second cohort of inspectors is currently enrolled at BCIT and will complete the program shortly. The members of this group all belong to the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC (ASTTBC). ASTTBC has endorsed the inspection program and recognize it as a key element in a regulated and independently inspected quality assurance program. Qualified independent inspectors will ensure that architects, engineers, building owners, residents and tenants have a mechanical insulation system that is engineered for value and complies with the scope of work specified.
The inspection manual is complete. This document provides all the policies, procedures, forms and processes for the issuance of a Quality Assurance Certificate. The manual will be available to BCICA Members shortly. It will assist Active Members (contractors) with the costs of providing the QAC when specified. The manual will only be available to inspectors that are "accepted" by BCICA to conduct inspections on behalf of the association. In addition to completing the BCIT Program, accepted inspectors will be required to attend a BCICA Inspection Manual Workshop and write an exam to ensure familiarity on the requirements for a QAC.
The manual, used to define the scope of work and develop specifications for mechanical insulation systems, is in the final stages of review by members of the BCICA Board and Technical Committee. A list of materials manufactured by associate members of BCICA will also be published in the manual. The list will contain only materials reviewed by the Technical Committee and "accepted" for use in the QAC Program. A qualified "spec writer" has been retained to examine and guide the manual revision process as well as to ensure that it conforms with the relevant sections of the building code and makes the appropriate references when specifying a mechanical insulation product accepted for use in a QAC and listed in the QSMIM.
The BCICA Logo as well as the phrase, "saving energy for the future", are a recognizable brand and marque that truly describes the value proposition (conserving energy, cost effectiveness, green initiative) with which the Quality Assurance Certificate Program is associated. The website is constantly updated and a well know design firm has been engaged to develop the necessary marketing, presentation and ad copy materials necessary a successful QAC Program. Power point presentations have been developed and will be offered to specifying groups that have already expressed interest in the QACP.
Meetings have already been held with the Director of the BC Government Energy Efficiency Branch, Mr. Andrew Pape-Salmon. Mr. Pape-Salmon provided enthusiastic support for the QACP as an industry initiative that very closely aligns to public energy conservation policies, objectives and standards. Mr. Pape-Salmon has also provided supportive introductions to decision makers at Fortis BC, BC Hydro, and engineering staff at the City of Vancouver. These energy conservation leaders, as well as representatives of municipalities, school boards, private building owners, building maintenance companies and those responsible for tendering new and retrofit projects designed to meet the latest energy conservation targets, all recognize that a quality assurance program will produce measurable results for building owners concerned about return on investment as well as reducing both short and long term operational costs.
BCICA has been an incorporated trade association for over 50 years. Although small, BCICA represents professional mechanical insulation contractors, both union and open shop, dedicated to quality in every aspect of the mechanical insulation industry. Such dedication to professionalism is evident in the fact that BCICA companies invest in apprenticeship training and employ qualified heat and frost (a Redseal trade) journeypersons. Members install products manufactured by companies dedicated to producing insulating materials that meet industry best practices and comply with recognized standards and specifications. And finally, with the introduction of a Quality Assurance Certificate Program, BCICA members are inviting a level of oversight that further speaks to their confidence in the work they do and the professionalism that identifies BCICA Members as unique in the mechanical insulation industry.
The renewal of BCICA is part of a larger vision to create a professional organization looked upon as a leader in the mechanical insulation industry. The steps taken so far are part of that plan however additional preparation, resources, and support will be required to ensure that this vision is brought to fruition. There is no doubt that a revitalized organization, coupled with enthusiastic support for the Quality Assurance Certificate Program, will be a tangible measure of success. The Board of Directors is confident that BCICA Members, as well as those companies that recognize the value of a strong and progressive mechanical insulation organization, will recognize these ideas as ushering in a new era of professionalism for the mechanical insulation industry.


This eclectic tiny home in Claremont, New Hampshire is fit for an artist. Inspired by gypsy caravans, train cars and old ships, this small home looks like it is straight out of a movie set.
"This provides us a way a to travel to the job, still stay in our home and then pack up and leave when the gig is over," says the owner.
Check it more of the home in the video above.


NAIOP Southern Nevada will provide you with an opportunity to learn more about the office, industrial and retail properties throughout the valley on this 3 hour bus tour. Brokers will lead the discussion on each of the 6 buses - all driving the same route.
Casual dress - western wear encouraged - ride the mechanical bull at the reception!
Advanced Reduced Price Registration deadline is 5 pm on October 19, 2018. Final Registration Deadline is 5 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2018. Cancellations must be received in writing by deadline date to receive a refund.


If you want to have a heathy and fulfilling life, eat like you give a damn about yourself.
Now you might have this thing pop up in your mind - I do eat, and I eat what I feel like eating!
But, my question is -Do you realise the impact of the things that you eat have on your life and well-being?
Some of the best habits to improve your eating habits are as follows: There are 7, but pick just 3 and see how you get on.
1. Eat food. But not too much.
Most of us are either eating too much or too little.
That's the harsh fact. I was the one from the first category. My hunger drives ended with me overeating often, resulting in unproductive hours, filled with a slump and laziness after every meal.
Running short on time, not paying heed to what's on the table for breakfast, eating processed or fast food for lunch.
With a small conscious effort to eat what's right for our body, we can bring a lot of positivity and productivity!
So, before you go for the lunch today ask yourself this question - Are you eating the right amount of food?
What's the right fuel for your body depends entirely upon what sort of lifestyle you have. The nutrient requirements of a person involved in hard physical labour throughout the day are going to be completely different from someone who has a sitting job. You need to eat the foodstuff according to what your body requires, not what your taste buds yearn for.
It is a good idea to sit with a nutritionist who can figure out your body's nutrient requirements based upon its metabolism and lifestyle habits. Based on all these factors the nutritionist can prepare the amount of fuel your body needs daily and you can fill the tank accordingly!
Eat your breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper. Plan your meals accordingly. For instance, fruits contain the right blend of fibre and complex sugars which break down easily and fuel your body. Therefore, making them part of your daily breakfast can be the best way to begin each day on a high!
Similarly adding multi grain and whole grains to your lunch, means that you are consuming the complex form of carbohydrates which take a longer time to digest. Keeping you fuller for longer.
Eat a smaller dinner, that way you get a better night's sleep!
Ask any health expert, and you will get to know the importance of having small, frequent meals are far better than eating heavy meals thrice a day. Yes, breakfast, lunch and dinner are the most important meals of the day, but you don't have to rely on just these three to supplement the body's nutritional requirements.
Divide your daily calorie intake into three major meals and many small meals. Eating small frequent meals ensures that the body is getting a continuous supply of glucose. Relying upon just three meals to supplement body's glucose requirements leave scope of the depletion of body's energy reservoirs and hence the feeling of laziness and tiredness seeps in.
There are so many benefits of drinking adequate amount of fluid, especially water, that you simply cannot ignore it. From keeping your excretory system in the best of health to rejuvenating the skin and keeping your brain active - water is important for all this and lot more.
Therefore, pay due importance to the amount of fluids you consume during the entire day. There is no strict demarcation as to how much water one should drink. The most basic rule, however, that we all can follow is the 8 X 8 rule i.e. consume at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily to keep your body's cells hydrated and healthy.
One of the toughest eating habits to incorporate (at least it was for me) in your daily routine would be this one. We have become so acclimatized to consume processed food that eating fresh, organic and raw food seems like a luxury. But we all forget that by consuming processed food we are doing more harm than good to our body.
The colorants, preservatives and texturants that are added in processed foods are not only bad for body's energy balance, but also lead to overconsumption. Even after a heavy meal containing these processed foods, the energy gets drained off quickly. And, you are left with the feeling of fatigue and laziness.
Coming to the end of this post, I'd like to ask you one simple question - do you eat to live or live to eat? If you are part of the first creed, it should be fairly easy for you to bring changes in your eating habits to become more active and more productive. But if you are from the latter one, then the journey is pretty tough!
What changes are you planning on this year?


I can't wait to see Christmas In Tennessee! I had too much fun working with Rachel Boston!!! December 9th!
Settling in for the weekend, getting ready for #AChristmasinTennessee on Sunday on @lifetimetv ???? Who's watching with me?!?! I'll be live tweeting it so catch me on ?.
If you know me at all you know I adore both of these two! I'll be watching! #Repost @rachelboston with @get_repost ・・・ This Sunday!!! Join us for #AChristmasInTennessee at 8/7c on @lifetimetv ?❤ I will be watching in pajamas drinking eggnog. Who will join me????
This Sunday!!! Join us for #AChristmasInTennessee at 8/7c on @lifetimetv ?❤ I will be watching in pajamas drinking eggnog. Who will join me????
#repost @rachelboston This Sunday!!! Join us for #AChristmasInTennessee at 8/7c on @lifetimetv ?❤ I will be watching in pajamas drinking eggnog. Who will join me????


Interview with George Manolov from Nexo in Malta at the Delta Summit conference. Learn more about Nexo's offered solutions, their organization, which projects they regarded as serious competition, and their tokenomics. You can read our Nexo article here.


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Home > Features > Terri Lyne Carrington: Sophisticated Lady
Terri Lyne Carrington: Sophisticated Lady
With an all-female lineup, a master drummer makes the album of her life
Updated January 27, 2020 – Bob Blumenthal
Tony WIlliams, Terri Lyne Carrington, Roy Haynes
There is more to a mosaic than appears on its surface. An overarching concept is necessary, to be sure, as is the attention to detail that recognizes the complementary facets of otherwise diverse components. That said, an underlying foundation is required, or the finished work will never cohere.
Terri Lyne Carrington—drummer, composer, vocalist, producer, educator—is such a bedrock. The proof can be found on the recently released The Mosaic Project (Concord Jazz), with its all-female cast and program ranging from funky vocals to cutting-edge instrumentals. It could also be heard live over Labor Day weekend at the Detroit and Tanglewood Jazz Festivals, where Carrington served as musical director for the Sing the Truth! assemblage of Angélique Kidjo, Dianne Reeves and Lizz Wright.
Originally Published December 5, 2011
There is more to a mosaic than appears on its...
Donald Brown: An Underrecognized Mind
Between 1987 and 2000, before a combo of rheumatoid arthritis and rotator cuff surgeries on both shoulders made pianistic expression complicated, Donald Brown recorded 14 … Read More "Donald Brown: An Underrecognized Mind"
Lawrence Sieberth Creates His Own European Quartet
Performing with others, for in-the-flesh listeners in real time, requires one to think like an architect, and like a psychologist too. That, at least, is … Read More "Lawrence Sieberth Creates His Own European Quartet"
Sylvie Courvoisier Is a Serious Player
At 8:01 p.m. sharp on September 30 at Brooklyn's Roulette Intermedia, Sylvie Courvoisier launched her first COVID-era public concert for six masked, socially distanced witnesses … Read More "Sylvie Courvoisier Is a Serious Player"
John Beasley Reflects on Miles, Herbie, and (of Course) Monk
One night in L.A. a few years ago, John Beasley found himself occupying the "second keyboard" chair alongside Herbie Hancock, an artist who had always … Read More "John Beasley Reflects on Miles, Herbie, and (of Course) Monk"

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Over the past few months, our team has made huge strides in competition. We were finalists at the Auburn Event and received the Industrial Design Award for our robot's capabilities and performance. At the Auburn Mountainview Event, we gave our backup drive team time to practice in official matches before switching off with our official drive team. Going into the finals with teams Error Code Xero and Chaos Theory, we were able to take home the blue. Additionally, we won the Chairman's Award, an honor placed upon a team for their impact on STEM education and their community.
We advanced on to the Pacific Northwest District Championship in Portland, fighting long and hard over the three day competition, and making into the finals. However, we were beat out by an alliance of three other competitive teams in our district. We received the Innovation in Control award for our autonomous code and reliable robot function.
Advancing to the World Championship in Houston, TX team members learned a lot playing against some of the best teams in the world and attending conferences on business and management. We got to the semifinals on our field but lost out to the other alliance. Before we headed out of town, we visited the Johnson Space Center (NASA) and got to see applications of engineering on a larger scale.
As our team put an end to the competition season, we have opened ourselves up for a new beginning. On Thursday, we held our team elections for the new executive board – the President, Vice-President, and Secretary of Communications were elected. On Friday morning a group of our students presented to the Maple Valley Rotary about our program and demonstrated our robot. Today we are showing off our robot and program at the Alaskan Airlines Aviation Day and later this week we will be doing the same at the Seattle Storm's Storm into STEM event.
You can come see us at our stand at Maple Valley Days and in the parade from June 8th-10th. Come check us out to see our robot and drive some of our smaller outreach robots. Additionally, if you have a child going into grades 2-8, we still have spots open in our robotics camps which you can sign up for using the links in the post below.


Integrated planning and reporting gives local government a framework for establishing local priorities and to link this information to operational functions. Council reports regularly on the progress of its plans and conducts a major review of the documents after each local government election.
Council reports quarterly to show how we are working towards achieving the priorities outlined in the 1 year Operational Plan and the Four Year Delivery Program.
The Annual Report provides a yearly summary of Council's performance as well as statutory information prescribed by the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005.
The End of Term Report reflects on the progress in implementing the Community Strategic Plan (CBCity 2028) to reach our vision of a Thriving, Dynamic and Real Canterbury Bankstown over the Council term .
Reported to the public quarterly, financial reports provide information on the performance of the budget, and ensures that Council has the financial resources to meet commitments now and in the future.


This page shows businesses on Fifth Way. Click on a business to bring up its details and a map showing its location.
Davies Turner & Co Ltd is a freight transportation company offering a range of transport and logistical solutions.
G E Capital Modular Space is a provider of portable and prefab buildings, which are available for a number of uses including on building sites.
Renault Trucks (Southwest) is a commercial vehicle dealer, with a range of vehicles available for transporting goods and passengers.
UPS is a courier company which delivers and collects mail in the UK and globally.
Map showing Fifth Way in Bristol.


History: Vexus bought it as a present to herself on Christmas a few years ago. Named after one of her favorite beverages.
History: She bought this in honor of a friend that passed away in a very tragic manner. Elena names this car after her.
History: Elena's personal favorite car. She liked how it looked, so she bought it.
Approved. Does Roxane have to do with a police song?


Bharathy Bhaskar is a Banker, Television Personality , Motivational Speaker and a Writer. She studied in the prestigious Anna University in Chennai where she completed her B Tech in Chemical Engineering and MBA. A person with brilliant academic record and accolades, she was an ace debater right through her school and college days.


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Depression: HELP
Articles by Gerhard Andersson
Based on 141 articles published since 2008
Between 2008 and 2019, Gerhard Andersson wrote the following 141 articles about Depression.
Pages: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6
1 Editorial State-of-the-art treatment via the Internet: an optimistic vision of the future. 2011
Carlbring, Per / Andersson, Gerhard / Kaldo, Viktor. ·a Umeå University. ·Cogn Behav Ther · Pubmed #25155811.
2 Editorial Special issue on computerized treatments of depression. 2009
Cuijpers, Pim / Andersson, Gerhard. · ·Cogn Behav Ther · Pubmed #20183694.
3 Editorial Pros and cons of online cognitive-behavioural therapy. 2008
Andersson, Gerhard / Cuijpers, Pim. · ·Br J Psychiatry · Pubmed #18827286.
ABSTRACT: Online cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for depression has the potential to serve as an important addition to the care of people with mild to moderate depression. Although some studies show promising results, the need for proper diagnoses and human guidance must be considered when interpreting the modest effects found in studies with little or no guidance from a therapist.
4 Review Do guided internet-based interventions result in clinically relevant changes for patients with depression? An individual participant data meta-analysis. 2018
Karyotaki, Eirini / Ebert, David Daniel / Donkin, Liesje / Riper, Heleen / Twisk, Jos / Burger, Simone / Rozental, Alexander / Lange, Alfred / Williams, Alishia D / Zarski, Anna Carlotta / Geraedts, Anna / van Straten, Annemieke / Kleiboer, Annet / Meyer, Björn / Ünlü Ince, Burçin B / Buntrock, Claudia / Lehr, Dirk / Snoek, Frank J / Andrews, Gavin / Andersson, Gerhard / Choi, Isabella / Ruwaard, Jeroen / Klein, Jan Philipp / Newby, Jill M / Schröder, Johanna / Laferton, Johannes A C / Van Bastelaar, Kim / Imamura, Kotaro / Vernmark, Kristofer / Boß, Leif / Sheeber, Lisa B / Kivi, Marie / Berking, Matthias / Titov, Nickolai / Carlbring, Per / Johansson, Robert / Kenter, Robin / Perini, Sarah / Moritz, Steffen / Nobis, Stephanie / Berger, Thomas / Kaldo, Viktor / Forsell, Yvonne / Lindefors, Nils / Kraepelien, Martin / Björkelund, Cecilia / Kawakami, Norito / Cuijpers, Pim. ·Department of Clinical Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, VU, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Electronic address: e.karyotaki@vu.nl. · Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany. · The Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia. · Department of Clinical Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, VU, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. · Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. · Institute of Child Health, University College London, United Kingdom; Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden. · Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. · Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands. · HumanTotalCare, Utrecht, the Netherlands. · Research Department, Gaia AG, Hamburg, Germany; Department of Psychology, City, University of London, London, United Kingdom. · Informatics Institute, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey. · Institute of Psychology, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Germany. · Department of Medical Psychology, VU Medical Center, Academic Medical Center, Public Health Research institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. · Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales at St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia. · Department of Behavioral Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Psychiatry Section, Karolinska Institute for Disability Research, Stockholm, Sweden. · Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. · Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Luebeck University, Luebeck, Germany. · Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales at St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia; The MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge, United Kingdom; School of Psychology, the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. · Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Institute for Sex Research and Forensic Psychiatry, Hamburg, Germany. · Department of Medical Psychology, VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. · Department of Mental Health, School of Public Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyō-ku, Tokyo, Japan. · Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linkoping University, Linkoping, Sweden. · Oregon Research Institute, Eugene, OR, USA. · Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden. · MindSpot Clinic and eCentreClinic, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Australia. · Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark. · Department of Behavioral Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, and Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Psychiatry, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. · Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. · Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. · Division of Online Health Training, Innovation Incubator, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Germany. · Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. · Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden; Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden. · Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden. · Department of Primary Health Care, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden. ·Clin Psychol Rev · Pubmed #29940401.
ABSTRACT: Little is known about clinically relevant changes in guided Internet-based interventions for depression. Moreover, methodological and power limitations preclude the identification of patients' groups that may benefit more from these interventions. This study aimed to investigate response rates, remission rates, and their moderators in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effect of guided Internet-based interventions for adult depression to control groups using an individual patient data meta-analysis approach. Literature searches in PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library resulted in 13,384 abstracts from database inception to January 1, 2016. Twenty-four RCTs (4889 participants) comparing a guided Internet-based intervention with a control group contributed data to the analysis. Missing data were multiply imputed. To examine treatment outcome on response and remission, mixed-effects models with participants nested within studies were used. Response and remission rates were calculated using the Reliable Change Index. The intervention group obtained significantly higher response rates (OR = 2.49, 95% CI 2.17-2.85) and remission rates compared to controls (OR = 2.41, 95% CI 2.07-2.79). The moderator analysis indicated that older participants (OR = 1.01) and native-born participants (1.66) were more likely to respond to treatment compared to younger participants and ethnic minorities respectively. Age (OR = 1.01) and ethnicity (1.73) also moderated the effects of treatment on remission.Moreover, adults with more severe depressive symptoms at baseline were more likely to remit after receiving internet-based treatment (OR = 1.19). Guided Internet-based interventions lead to substantial positive treatment effects on treatment response and remission at post-treatment. Thus, such interventions may complement existing services for depression and potentially reduce the gap between the need and provision of evidence-based treatments.
5 Review Is self-guided internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) harmful? An individual participant data meta-analysis. 2018
Karyotaki, Eirini / Kemmeren, Lise / Riper, Heleen / Twisk, Jos / Hoogendoorn, Adriaan / Kleiboer, Annet / Mira, Adriana / Mackinnon, Andrew / Meyer, Björn / Botella, Cristina / Littlewood, Elizabeth / Andersson, Gerhard / Christensen, Helen / Klein, Jan P / Schröder, Johanna / Bretón-López, Juana / Scheider, Justine / Griffiths, Kathy / Farrer, Louise / Huibers, Marcus J H / Phillips, Rachel / Gilbody, Simon / Moritz, Steffen / Berger, Thomas / Pop, Victor / Spek, Viola / Cuijpers, Pim. ·Department of Clinical Psychology,VU Amsterdam and Institute for Public Health Research,Amsterdam,the Netherlands. · Department of Psychiatry,GGZ inGeest and VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam Public Health research institute,Amsterdam,the Netherlands. · Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Amsterdam Institute for Public Health Research,VU University Amsterdam,Amsterdam,the Netherlands. · Department of Psychology and Technology,Jaume University,Castellon,Spain. · Black Dog Institute and University of New South Wales, Prince of Wales Hospital,Sydney,Australia. · Research Department, Germany and Department of Psychology,City University,Gaia AG, Hamburg, London,UK. · Department of Health Sciences,University of York,York,UK. · Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning,Sweden Institute for Disability Research, Linköping University,Linköping,Sweden. · Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy,Lübeck University,Lübeck,Germany. · Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy,University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf,Hamburg,Germany. · Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham,Nottingham,UK. · Research School of Psychology, College of Biology, Medicine & Environment, Australian National University,Canberra,Australia. · Centre for Mental Health Research, The Australian National University,Canberra,Australia. · Department of Primary Care and Public Health Sciences,King's College London,London,UK. · Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy,University of Bern,Bern,Switzerland. · CoRPS - Center of Research on Psychology in Somatic diseases, Tilburg University,Tilburg,the Netherlands. ·Psychol Med · Pubmed #29540243.
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Little is known about potential harmful effects as a consequence of self-guided internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy (iCBT), such as symptom deterioration rates. Thus, safety concerns remain and hamper the implementation of self-guided iCBT into clinical practice. We aimed to conduct an individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis to determine the prevalence of clinically significant deterioration (symptom worsening) in adults with depressive symptoms who received self-guided iCBT compared with control conditions. Several socio-demographic, clinical and study-level variables were tested as potential moderators of deterioration. METHODS: Randomised controlled trials that reported results of self-guided iCBT compared with control conditions in adults with symptoms of depression were selected. Mixed effects models with participants nested within studies were used to examine possible clinically significant deterioration rates. RESULTS: Thirteen out of 16 eligible trials were included in the present IPD meta-analysis. Of the 3805 participants analysed, 7.2% showed clinically significant deterioration (5.8% and 9.1% of participants in the intervention and control groups, respectively). Participants in self-guided iCBT were less likely to deteriorate (OR 0.62, p < 0.001) compared with control conditions. None of the examined participant- and study-level moderators were significantly associated with deterioration rates. CONCLUSIONS: Self-guided iCBT has a lower rate of negative outcomes on symptoms than control conditions and could be a first step treatment approach for adult depression as well as an alternative to watchful waiting in general practice.
6 Review Long-term effects of internet-supported cognitive behaviour therapy. 2018
Andersson, Gerhard / Rozental, Alexander / Shafran, Roz / Carlbring, Per. ·a Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning , Linköping University , Linköping , Sweden. · b Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Psychiatry Section , Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden. · c Department of Clinical Psychology , Stockholm University , Stockholm , Sweden. · d UCL Institute of Child Health , University College London , London , England. ·Expert Rev Neurother · Pubmed #29094622.
ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Internet-supported and therapist-guided cognitive behaviour therapy (ICBT) is effective for a range of problems in the short run, but less is known about the long-term effects with follow-ups of two years or longer. Areas covered: This paper reviews studies in which the long-term effects of guided ICBT were investigated. Following literature searches in PubMed and other sources meta-analytic statistics were calculated for 14 studies involving a total of 902 participants, and an average follow-up period of three years. Studies were from Sweden (n = 11) or the Netherlands (n = 3). Long-term outcome studies were found for panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, depression, mixed anxiety and depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, pathological gambling, stress and chronic fatigue. The duration of the treatments was usually short (8-15 weeks). The pre-to follow-up effect size was Hedge's g = 1.52, but with a significant heterogeneity. The average symptom improvement across studies was 50%. Treatment seeking in the follow-up period was not documented and few studies mentioned negative effects. Expert commentary: While effects may be overestimated, it is likely that therapist-supported ICBT can have enduring effects. Long-term follow-up data should be collected for more conditions and new technologies like smartphone-delivered treatments.
7 Review Internet-Assisted Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. 2017
Andersson, Gerhard / Carlbring, Per. ·Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Campus Valla, SE-581 83, Linköping SE-581 83, Sweden; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: gerhard.andersson@liu.se. · Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm SE-106 91, Sweden. ·Psychiatr Clin North Am · Pubmed #29080594.
ABSTRACT: Internet-assisted cognitive-behavioral therapy (ICBT) is a way to deliver cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that has been found to generate similar effects as face-to-face CBT in some studies. Results have been replicated by different research groups. This article presents the treatment format and reviews evidence for mood and anxiety disorders. Future developments are discussed, including the lack of theories specific for the treatment format and ways to handle comorbidity. Although some programs have been implemented there is a need for further studies in clinical settings. Overall, clinician-assisted ICBT is becoming one of the most evidence-based forms of psychological treatment.
8 Review Initial severity of depression and efficacy of cognitive-behavioural therapy: individual-participant data meta-analysis of pill-placebo-controlled trials. 2017
Furukawa, Toshi A / Weitz, Erica S / Tanaka, Shiro / Hollon, Steven D / Hofmann, Stefan G / Andersson, Gerhard / Twisk, Jos / DeRubeis, Robert J / Dimidjian, Sona / Hegerl, Ulrich / Mergl, Roland / Jarrett, Robin B / Vittengl, Jeffrey R / Watanabe, Norio / Cuijpers, Pim. ·Toshi A. Furukawa, MD, PhD, Departments of Health Promotion and Human Behavior and of Clinical Epidemiology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine/School of Public Health, Kyoto, Japan; Erica S. Weitz, MA, Department of Clinical Psychology and EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Shiro Tanaka, PhD, Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine/School of Public Health, Kyoto, Japan; Steven D. Hollon, PhD, Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Stefan G. Hofmann, PhD, Department of Psychological and Brain Science, Boston University, Massachusetts, USA; Gerhard Andersson, PhD, Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden and Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Psychiatry Section, Karolinska Institutet, Stokholm, Sweden; Jos Twisk, PhD, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Robert J. DeRubeis, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Sona Dimidjian, PhD, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, USA; Ulrich Hegerl, MD, PhD, Roland Mergl, PhD, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany; Robin B. Jarrett, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA; Jeffrey R. Vittengl, PhD, Department of Psychology, Truman State University, Kirksville, Missouri, USA; Norio Watanabe, MD, PhD, Departments of Health Promotion and Human Behavior and of Clinical Epidemiology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine/School of Public Health, Kyoto, Japan; Pim Cuijpers, PhD, Department of Clinical Psychology and EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands furukawa@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp. · Toshi A. Furukawa, MD, PhD, Departments of Health Promotion and Human Behavior and of Clinical Epidemiology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine/School of Public Health, Kyoto, Japan; Erica S. Weitz, MA, Department of Clinical Psychology and EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Shiro Tanaka, PhD, Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine/School of Public Health, Kyoto, Japan; Steven D. Hollon, PhD, Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Stefan G. Hofmann, PhD, Department of Psychological and Brain Science, Boston University, Massachusetts, USA; Gerhard Andersson, PhD, Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden and Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Psychiatry Section, Karolinska Institutet, Stokholm, Sweden; Jos Twisk, PhD, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Robert J. DeRubeis, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Sona Dimidjian, PhD, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, USA; Ulrich Hegerl, MD, PhD, Roland Mergl, PhD, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany; Robin B. Jarrett, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA; Jeffrey R. Vittengl, PhD, Department of Psychology, Truman State University, Kirksville, Missouri, USA; Norio Watanabe, MD, PhD, Departments of Health Promotion and Human Behavior and of Clinical Epidemiology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine/School of Public Health, Kyoto, Japan; Pim Cuijpers, PhD, Department of Clinical Psychology and EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands. ·Br J Psychiatry · Pubmed #28104735.
9 Review Internet-delivered transdiagnostic and tailored cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety and depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. 2017
Păsărelu, Costina Ruxandra / Andersson, Gerhard / Bergman Nordgren, Lise / Dobrean, Anca. ·a Doctoral School Evidence-Based Assessment and Psychological Interventions , Babeș-Bolyai University , Cluj-Napoca , Romania. · b Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning , Linköping University , Linkoping , Sweden. · c Psychiatry Section, Department of Clinical Neuroscience , Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden. · d Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy , Babeș-Bolyai University , Cluj-Napoca , Romania. ·Cogn Behav Ther · Pubmed #27712544.
ABSTRACT: Anxiety and depressive disorders are often comorbid. Transdiagnostic and tailored treatments seem to be promising approaches in dealing with comorbidity. Although several primary studies have examined the effects of Internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy (iCBT) for anxiety and depression, no meta-analysis including different types of iCBT that address comorbidity has been conducted so far. We conducted systematic searches in databases up to 1 July 2016. Only randomized trials comparing transdiagnostic/tailored iCBT for adult anxiety and/or depression with control groups were included. Nineteen randomized trials with a total of 2952 participants that met inclusion criteria were analyzed. The quality of the studies was high, however the blinding criteria were not fulfilled. The uncontrolled effect size (Hedges' g) of transdiagnostic/tailored iCBT on anxiety and depression outcomes was large and medium for quality of life. The controlled effect size for iCBT on anxiety and depression outcomes was medium to large (anxiety: g = .82, 95% CI: .58-1.05, depression: g = .79, 95% CI: .59-1.00) and medium on quality of life (g = .56, 95% CI: .37-.73). Heterogeneity was small (quality of life) to moderate (anxiety, depression). There was a large effect on generic outcome measures and a moderate effect on comorbidities. When compared to disorder-specific treatments there were no differences on anxiety and quality of life outcomes, however there were differences in depression outcomes. Transdiagnostic and tailored iCBT are effective interventions for anxiety disorders and depression. Future studies should investigate mechanisms of change and develop outcome measures for these interventions.
10 Review Personalized Psychotherapy for Adult Depression: A Meta-Analytic Review. 2016
Cuijpers, Pim / Ebert, David D / Acarturk, Ceren / Andersson, Gerhard / Cristea, Ioana A. ·VU University Amsterdam, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, and Innovation Incubator. Electronic address: p.cuijpers@vu.nl. · Innovation Incubator and Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nüremberg. · Istanbul Sehir University. · Linköping University and Karolinska Institutet. · Babes-Bolyai University and University of Pisa. ·Behav Ther · Pubmed #27993344.
ABSTRACT: Personalized medicine is aimed at identifying which characteristics of an individual predict the outcome of a specific treatment, in order to get a better match between the individual and the treatment received. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials comparing two psychotherapies directly in a group of depressed patients with a specific characteristic. We focused on the six most examined types of psychotherapy for adult depression. Our searches resulted in 41 studies with 2,741 patients who met inclusion criteria. These 41 studies examined 27 specific characteristics of patients. Power calculations indicated that we would need 4 studies for each characteristic to find a clinically relevant effect size set at g = 0.50 and 16 studies for an effect size of 0.24. Only 3 patient characteristics were found to have sufficient power and to significantly moderate treatment outcomes. Cognitive-behavioral therapy was found to be more effective than other therapies in older adults (g = 0.29), in patients with comorbid addictive disorders (g = 0.31), and in university students (g = 0.46). Risk of bias was considerable in most of the included studies. It was estimated that it will take another 326 years to have sufficient statistical power for showing an effect size of g = 0.50 of the 27 characteristics, and 1,372 years to show an effect size of 0.24. Although several dozens of studies have compared the effects of psychotherapies in specific target groups, we will need to develop more powerful alternatives to comparative outcome studies in order to identify personalized treatments for depression.
11 Review Psychological Treatment of Depression in People Aged 65 Years and Over: A Systematic Review of Efficacy, Safety, and Cost-Effectiveness. 2016
Jonsson, Ulf / Bertilsson, Göran / Allard, Per / Gyllensvärd, Harald / Söderlund, Anne / Tham, Anne / Andersson, Gerhard. ·Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Insurance Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. · Department of Neuroscience, Child and adolescent psychiatry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. · National Board of Health and Welfare, Stockholm, Sweden. · Swedish Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Assessment of Social Services, Stockholm, Sweden. · Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Psychiatry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. · Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. · School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Physiotherapy, Mälardalen University, Mälardalen, Våsterås, Sweden. · Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Psychiatry Section, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. · Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. ·PLoS One · Pubmed #27537217.
ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES: Depression in elderly people is a major public health concern. As response to antidepressants is often unsatisfactory in this age group, there is a need for evidence-based non-pharmacological treatment options. Our objectives were twofold: firstly, to synthesize published trials evaluating efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of psychological treatment of depression in the elderly and secondly, to assess the quality of evidence. METHOD: The electronic databases PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAL, Scopus, and PsycINFO were searched up to 23 May 2016 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of psychological treatment for depressive disorders or depressive symptoms in people aged 65 years and over. Two reviewers independently assessed relevant studies for risk of bias. Where appropriate, the results were synthesized in meta-analyses. The quality of the evidence was graded according to GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation). RESULTS: Twenty-two relevant RCTs were identified, eight of which were excluded from the synthesis due to a high risk of bias. Of the remaining trials, six evaluated problem-solving therapy (PST), five evaluated other forms of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and three evaluated life review/reminiscence therapy. In frail elderly with depressive symptoms, the evidence supported the efficacy of PST, with large but heterogeneous effect sizes compared with treatment as usual. The results for life-review/reminiscence therapy and CBT were also promising, but because of the limited number of trials the quality of evidence was rated as very low. Safety data were not reported in any included trial. The only identified cost-effectiveness study estimated an incremental cost per additional point reduction in Beck Depression Inventory II score for CBT compared with talking control and treatment as usual. CONCLUSION: Psychological treatment is a feasible option for frail elderly with depressive symptoms. However, important questions about efficacy, generalizability, safety and cost-effectiveness remain.
12 Review Efficacy and tolerability of antidepressants in people aged 65 years or older with major depressive disorder - A systematic review and a meta-analysis. 2016
Tham, Anne / Jonsson, Ulf / Andersson, Gerhard / Söderlund, Anne / Allard, Per / Bertilsson, Göran. ·Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Psychiatry Section, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. · Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Insurance Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Neuroscience, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. · Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Psychiatry Section, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. · School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Physiotherapy, Mälardalen University, Västerås, Sweden. · Swedish Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Assessment of Social Services, Stockholm, Sweden. · Swedish Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Assessment of Social Services, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: goran.bertilsson@sbu.se. ·J Affect Disord · Pubmed #27389296.
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: There has been a steady increase in the prescription of antidepressants for the elderly. This study comprises a systematic review of randomized, placebo-controlled trials of antidepressants for treatment of depressive disorder in people aged 65 years or more. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAL, and PsycINFO were searched until May 2016. Where appropriate, the results were synthesized in meta-analyses. RESULTS: Twelve trials met the inclusion criteria. For patients with major depressive disorder, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI) were not superior to placebo in achieving remission (OR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.61-1.03) or response (OR=0.86, 95% CI: 0.51-1.10) after 8 weeks of treatment (three trials). However, maintenance treatment with SSRIs was superior to placebo in preventing relapse (OR: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.13-0.36; NNT=5, 95% CI: 3-6; two trials). Duloxetine was superior to placebo in achieving remission (OR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.20-2.65; NNT=9, 95% CI: 6-20; three trials) and response (OR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.96-4.08; two trials) in recurrent major depression after 8 weeks, but increased the risk of adverse events that can be problematic in the elderly. LIMITATIONS: The quality of evidence was generally low or moderate, emphasizing the uncertainty of the results. Study populations only partly covered the heterogeneous population of elderly with depressed mood, limiting the generalizability. CONCLUSION: The results underscore the importance of close monitoring of the effects of antidepressants in treatment of elderly patients with a depressive disorder. Methods for early detection of non-responders and effective treatment options for this group are needed.
13 Review Internet-supported versus face-to-face cognitive behavior therapy for depression. 2016
Andersson, Gerhard / Topooco, Naira / Havik, Odd / Nordgreen, Tine. ·a Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning , Linköping University , Linköping , Sweden. · b Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Psychiatry Section , Karolinska Institutet , Stoclholm , Sweden. · c Department of Clinical Psychology , University of Bergen , Bergen , Norway. · d Anxiety Disorders Research Network , Haukeland University Hospital , Bergen , Norway. ·Expert Rev Neurother · Pubmed #26610160.
ABSTRACT: Major depression and depressive symptoms are highly prevalent and there is a need for different forms of psychological treatments that can be delivered from a distance at a low cost. In the present review the authors contrast face-to-face and Internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy (ICBT) for depression. A total of five studies are reviewed in which guided ICBT was directly compared against face-to-face CBT. Meta-analytic summary statistics were calculated for the five studies involving a total of 429 participants. The average effect size difference was Hedge's g = 0.12 (95% CI: -0.06-0.30) in the direction of favoring guided ICBT. The small difference in effect has no implication for clinical practice. The overall empirical status of clinician-guided ICBT for depression is commented on and future challenges are highlighted. Among these are developing treatments for patients with more severe and long-standing depression and for children, adolescents and the elderly. Also, there is a need to investigate mechanisms of change.
14 Review Borderline personality disorder: Prevalence and psychiatric comorbidity among male offenders on probation in Sweden. 2015
Wetterborg, Dan / Långström, Niklas / Andersson, Gerhard / Enebrink, Pia. ·Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: dan.wetterborg@ki.se. · Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; Swedish Prison and Probation Services R&D Unit, 601 80 Norrköping, Sweden. Electronic address: niklas.langstrom@ki.se. · Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden. Electronic address: gerhard.andersson@liu.se. · Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: pia.enebrink@ki.se. ·Compr Psychiatry · Pubmed #26343468.
ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severely disabling condition, associated with substantially increased risk of deliberate self-harm and, particularly in men, also with interpersonal violence and other criminal behavior. Although BPD might be common among prison inmates, little is known about prevalence and psychiatric comorbidity in probationers and parolees. METHOD: In 2013, a consecutive sample of 109 newly admitted adult male offenders on probation or parole in all three probation offices of Stockholm, Sweden, completed self-report screening questionnaires for BPD and other psychiatric morbidity. Participants scoring over BPD cut-off participated in a psychiatric diagnostic interview. RESULTS: We ascertained a final DSM-5 BPD prevalence rate of 19.8% (95% CI: 12.3-27.3%). The most common current comorbid disorders among subjects with BPD were antisocial personality disorder (91%), major depressive disorder (82%), substance dependence (73%), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (70%), and alcohol dependence (64%). Individuals diagnosed with BPD had significantly more current psychiatric comorbidity (M=6.2 disorders) than interviewed participants not fulfilling BPD criteria (M=3.6). Participants with BPD also reported substantially more symptoms of ADHD, anxiety and depression compared to all subjects without BPD. CONCLUSIONS: BPD affected one fifth of probationers and was related to serious mental ill-health known to affect recidivism risk. The findings suggest further study of possible benefits of improved identification and treatment of BPD in offender populations.
15 Review The effects of cognitive behavior therapy for adult depression on dysfunctional thinking: A meta-analysis. 2015
Cristea, Ioana A / Huibers, Marcus J H / David, Daniel / Hollon, Steven D / Andersson, Gerhard / Cuijpers, Pim. ·Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Clinical Psychology Branch, Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular and Critical Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. Electronic address: ioana.cristea@ubbcluj.ro. · Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, The Netherlands. · Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. · Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, USA. · Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Sweden; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Psychiatry Section, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. ·Clin Psychol Rev · Pubmed #26319193.
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: It is not clear whether cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) works through changing dysfunctional thinking. Although several primary studies have examined the effects of CBT on dysfunctional thinking, no meta-analysis has yet been conducted. METHOD: We searched for randomized trials comparing CBT for adult depression with control groups or with other therapies and reporting outcomes on dysfunctional thinking. We calculated effect sizes for CBT versus control groups, and separately for CBT versus other psychotherapies and respectively, pharmacotherapy. RESULTS: 26 studies totalizing 2002 patients met inclusion criteria. The quality of the studies was less than optimal. We found a moderate effect of CBT compared to control groups on dysfunctional thinking at post-test (g=0.50; 95% CI: 0.38-0.62), with no differences between the measures used. This result was maintained at follow-up (g=0.46; 95% CI: 0.15-0.78). There was a strong association between the effects on dysfunctional thinking and those on depression. We found no significant differences between CBT and other psychotherapies (g=0.17; p=0.31), except when restrict in outcomes to the Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale (g=0.29). There also was no difference between CBT and pharmacotherapy (g=0.04), though this result was based on only 4 studies. DISCUSSION: While CBT had a robust and stable effect on dysfunctional thoughts, this was not significantly different from what other psychotherapies or pharmacotherapy achieved. This result can be interpreted as confirming the primacy of cognitive change in symptom change, irrespective of how it is attained, as well as supporting the idea that dysfunctional thoughts are simply another symptom that changes subsequent to treatment.
16 Review Can cognitive behaviour therapy be beneficial for heart failure patients? 2015
Lundgren, Johan / Andersson, Gerhard / Johansson, Peter. ·Department of Social and Welfare Studies, Linköping University, Norrköping, Sweden. ·Curr Heart Fail Rep · Pubmed #25475179.
ABSTRACT: This review aims to summarize the theory of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) as well as the current evidence for whether CBT can be beneficial for patients with heart failure (HF). Depression and/or anxiety are common in HF patients. However, participation in disease management programmes does not seem to be beneficial for these problems. CBT, which focuses on the identification and changing of dysfunctional beliefs and thoughts and on behaviour therapy, is a possible treatment option. The number of CBT studies on HF is small and they are often not designed as randomized controlled trials. However, the studies on HF indicate that CBT can decrease depression as well as anxiety and suggest that relaxation exercises with elements of CBT may decrease symptom burden. Before implementation in clinical practice, more knowledge is needed about how CBT programmes should be designed, where CBT should be delivered and who should deliver CBT.
17 Review The effects of psychotherapies for major depression in adults on remission, recovery and improvement: a meta-analysis. 2014
Cuijpers, Pim / Karyotaki, Eirini / Weitz, Erica / Andersson, Gerhard / Hollon, Steven D / van Straten, Annemieke. ·Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands; EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University and VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Leuphana University, Lüneburg, Germany. Electronic address: p.cuijpers@vu.nl. · Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands; EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University and VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, The Netherlands. · Department of Behavioral Sciences and Learning, Swedish Institute for Disability Research, Linköping University, Sweden; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Psychiatry Section, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. · Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA. ·J Affect Disord · Pubmed #24679399.
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Standardised effect sizes have been criticized because they are difficult to interpret and offer little clinical information. This meta-analyses examine the extent of actual improvement, the absolute numbers of patients no longer meeting criteria for major depression, and absolute rates of response and remission. METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis of 92 studies with 181 conditions (134 psychotherapy and 47 control conditions) with 6937 patients meeting criteria for major depressive disorder. Within these conditions, we calculated the absolute number of patients no longer meeting criteria for major depression, rates of response and remission, and the absolute reduction on the BDI, BDI-II, and HAM-D. RESULTS: After treatment, 62% of patients no longer met criteria for MDD in the psychotherapy conditions. However, 43% of participants in the control conditions and 48% of people in the care-as-usual conditions no longer met criteria for MDD, suggesting that the additional value of psychotherapy compared to care-as-usual would be 14%. For response and remission, comparable results were found, with less than half of the patients meeting criteria for response and remission after psychotherapy. Additionally, a considerable proportion of response and remission was also found in control conditions. In the psychotherapy conditions, scores on the BDI were reduced by 13.42 points, 15.12 points on the BDI-II, and 10.28 points on the HAM-D. In the control conditions, these reductions were 4.56, 4.68, and 5.29. DISCUSSION: Psychotherapy contributes to improvement in depressed patients, but improvement in control conditions is also considerable.
18 Review Treatment of comorbid alcohol use disorders and depression with cognitive-behavioural therapy and motivational interviewing: a meta-analysis. 2014
Riper, Heleen / Andersson, Gerhard / Hunter, Sarah B / de Wit, Jessica / Berking, Matthias / Cuijpers, Pim. ·Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University and VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Division of Online Health Training, Innovation Incubator, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Lüneburg, Germany. ·Addiction · Pubmed #24304463.
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To review published studies on the effectiveness of combining cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing (MI) to treat comorbid clinical and subclinical alcohol use disorder (AUD) and major depression (MDD) and estimate the effect of this compared with usual care. METHODS: We conducted systematic literature searches in PubMed, PsycINFO and Embase up to June 2013 and identified additional studies through cross-references in included studies and systematic reviews. Twelve studies comprising 1721 patients met our inclusion criteria. The studies had sufficient statistical power to detect small effect sizes. RESULTS: CBT/MI proved effective for treating subclinical and clinical AUD and MDD compared with controls, with small overall effect sizes at post-treatment [g=0.17, confidence interval (CI)=0.07-0.28, P<0.001 for decrease of alcohol consumption and g=0.27, CI: 0.13-0.41, P<0.001 for decrease of symptoms of depression, respectively]. Subgroup analyses revealed no significant differences for both AUD and MDD. However, digital interventions showed a higher effect size for depression than face-to-face interventions (g= 0.73 and g=0.23, respectively, P=0.030). CONCLUSIONS: Combined cognitive-behavioural therapy and motivational interviewing for clinical or subclinical depressive and alcohol use disorders has a small but clinically significant effect in treatment outcomes compared with treatment as usual.
19 Review A meta-analysis of cognitive-behavioural therapy for adult depression, alone and in comparison with other treatments. 2013
Cuijpers, Pim / Berking, Matthias / Andersson, Gerhard / Quigley, Leanne / Kleiboer, Annet / Dobson, Keith S. ·Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. p.cuijpers@vu.nl ·Can J Psychiatry · Pubmed #23870719.
ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE: No recent meta-analysis has examined the effects of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for adult depression. We decided to conduct such an updated meta-analysis. METHODS: Studies were identified through systematic searches in bibliographical databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, and the Cochrane library). We included studies examining the effects of CBT, compared with control groups, other psychotherapies, and pharmacotherapy. RESULTS: A total of 115 studies met inclusion criteria. The mean effect size (ES) of 94 comparisons from 75 studies of CBT and control groups was Hedges g = 0.71 (95% CI 0.62 to 0.79), which corresponds with a number needed to treat of 2.6. However, this may be an overestimation of the true ES as we found strong indications for publication bias (ES after adjustment for bias was g = 0.53), and because the ES of higher-quality studies was significantly lower (g = 0.53) than for lower-quality studies (g = 0.90). The difference between high- and low-quality studies remained significant after adjustment for other study characteristics in a multivariate meta-regression analysis. We did not find any indication that CBT was more or less effective than other psychotherapies or pharmacotherapy. Combined treatment was significantly more effective than pharmacotherapy alone (g = 0.49). CONCLUSIONS: There is no doubt that CBT is an effective treatment for adult depression, although the effects may have been overestimated until now. CBT is also the most studied psychotherapy for depression, and thus has the greatest weight of evidence. However, other treatments approach its overall efficacy.
20 Review [Depression treatment--then, now and in the future]. 2013
Mårtensson, Björn / Andersson, Gerhard / Wålinder, Jan / Agren, Hans. ·Karolinska Institutet, institutionen far klinisk neurovetenskap, Psykiatri Nordväst, Karolinska universitetssjukhuset, Solna. Bjorn.Martensson@ki.se ·Lakartidningen · Pubmed #23540034.
21 Review The effects of psychotherapy for adult depression on suicidality and hopelessness: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 2013
Cuijpers, Pim / de Beurs, Derek P / van Spijker, Bregje A J / Berking, Matthias / Andersson, Gerhard / Kerkhof, Ad J F M. ·Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands. p.cuijpers@vu.nl ·J Affect Disord · Pubmed #22832172.
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Although treatment guidelines suggest that suicidal patients with depression should be treated for depression with psychotherapy, it is not clear whether these psychological treatments actually reduce suicidal ideation or suicide risk. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on psychotherapy for depression in which outcomes on suicidality were reported. We also focused on outcomes on hopelessness because this is strongly associated with suicidal behavior in depression. RESULTS: Thirteen studies (with 616 patients) were included, three of which examined the effects of psychotherapy for depression on suicidal ideation and suicide risk, and eleven on hopelessness. No studies were found with suicide attempts or completed suicides as the outcome variables. The effects on suicidal ideation and suicide risk were small (g=0.12; 95% CI: -0.20-0.44) and not statistically significant. A power calculation showed that these studies only had sufficient power to find an effect size of g=0.47. The effects on hopelessness were large (g=1.10; 95% CI: 0.72-1.48) and significant, although heterogeneity was very high. Furthermore, significant publication bias was found. After adjustment of publication bias the effect size was reduced to g=0.60. DISCUSSION: At this point, there is insufficient evidence for the assumption that suicidality in depressed patients can be reduced with psychotherapy for depression. Although psychotherapy of depression may have small positive effects on suicidality, available data suggest that psychotherapy for depression cannot be considered to be a sufficient treatment. The effects on hopelessness are probably higher.
22 Review Internet-based psychological treatments for depression. 2012
Johansson, Robert / Andersson, Gerhard. ·Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, SE-58183 Linköping, Sweden. ·Expert Rev Neurother · Pubmed #22853793.
ABSTRACT: Major depression is highly prevalent, and is associated with high societal costs and individual suffering. Evidence-based psychological treatments obtain good results, but access to these treatments is limited. One way to solve this problem is to provide internet-based psychological treatments, for example, with therapist support via email. During the last decade, internet-delivered cognitive-behavioral therapy (ICBT) has been tested in a series of controlled trials. However, the ICBT interventions are delivered with different levels of contact with a clinician, ranging from nonexisting to a thorough pretreatment assessment in addition to continuous support during treatment. In this review, the authors have found an evidence for a strong correlation between the degree of support and outcome. The authors have also reviewed how treatment content in ICBT varies among treatments, and how various therapist factors may influence outcome. Future possible applications of ICBT for depression and future research needs are also discussed.
23 Review Personalized treatment of adult depression: medication, psychotherapy, or both? A systematic review. 2012
Cuijpers, Pim / Reynolds, Charles F / Donker, Tara / Li, Juan / Andersson, Gerhard / Beekman, Aartjan. ·Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands. p.cuijpers@vu.nl ·Depress Anxiety · Pubmed #22815247.
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Personalized medicine aims to identify which characteristics of an individual predict the outcome of a specific treatment, in order to get a better match between the individual and the treatment received. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials comparing two treatments directly in a group of patients with a specific characteristic. METHODS: We searched relevant studies from bibliographical databases and included trials comparing (1) medication with psychotherapy, (2) medication with combined treatment, and (3) psychotherapy with combined treatment, in specific target groups (a) with a predefined sociodemographic characteristic, (b) a specific type of depression, (c) a comorbid mental or somatic disorder, or (d) from a specific setting (outpatients, primary care). RESULTS: We included 52 studies with 4,734 depressed patients. In these studies, 20 characteristics of the target groups were examined. The results showed that medication is probably the best treatment for dysthymia, and combined treatments are more effective in depressed outpatients, as well as in depressed older adults. However, in order to examine the 20 characteristics in the three categories of comparisons, 254 studies would be needed for having sufficient statistical power to show an effect size of g = 0.5. Currently, only 20.1% of these studies have been conducted. CONCLUSIONS: Although a considerable number of studies have compared medication, psychotherapy, and combined treatments, and some preliminary results are useful for deciding which treatment is best for which patient, the development of personalized treatment of depression has only just begun.
24 Review Psychological treatment of depression in inpatients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 2011
Cuijpers, Pim / Clignet, Frans / van Meijel, Berno / van Straten, Annemieke / Li, Juan / Andersson, Gerhard. ·Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 1, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. p.cuijpers@psy.vu.nl ·Clin Psychol Rev · Pubmed #21382540.
ABSTRACT: Research on psychological treatment of depression in inpatients is not conclusive, with some studies finding clear positive effects and other studies finding no significant benefit compared to usual care or structured pharmacotherapy. The results of a meta-analysis investigating how effective psychological treatment is for depressed inpatients are presented. A systematic search in bibliographical databases resulted in 12 studies with a total of 570 respondents. This set of studies had sufficient statistical power to detect small effect sizes. Psychological treatments had a small (g=0.29), but statistically significant additional effect on depression compared to usual care and structured pharmacological treatments only. This corresponded with a numbers-needed-to-be-treated of 6.17. Heterogeneity was zero in most analyses, and not significant in all analyses. There was no indication for significant publication bias. Effects were not associated with characteristics of the population, the interventions and the design of the studies. Although the number of studies was small, and the quality of many studies was not optimal, it seems safe to conclude that psychological treatments have a small but robust effect on depression in depressed inpatients. More high-quality research is needed to verify these results.
25 Review Interpersonal psychotherapy for depression: a meta-analysis. 2011
Cuijpers, Pim / Geraedts, Anna S / van Oppen, Patricia / Andersson, Gerhard / Markowitz, John C / van Straten, Annemieke. ·Department of Clinical Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands. p.cuijpers@psy.vu.nl ·Am J Psychiatry · Pubmed #21362740.
ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE: Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), a structured and time-limited therapy, has been studied in many controlled trials. Numerous practice guidelines have recommended IPT as a treatment of choice for unipolar depressive disorders. The authors conducted a meta-analysis to integrate research on the effects of IPT. METHOD: The authors searched bibliographical databases for randomized controlled trials comparing IPT with no treatment, usual care, other psychological treatments, and pharmacotherapy as well as studies comparing combination treatment using pharmacotherapy and IPT. Maintenance studies were also included. RESULTS: Thirty-eight studies including 4,356 patients met all inclusion criteria. The overall effect size (Cohen's d) of the 16 studies that compared IPT and a control group was 0.63 (95% confidence interval [CI]=0.36 to 0.90), corresponding to a number needed to treat of 2.91. Ten studies comparing IPT and other psychological treatments showed a nonsignificant differential effect size of 0.04 (95% CI=-0.14 to 0.21; number needed to treat=45.45) favoring IPT. Pharmacotherapy (after removal of one outlier) was more effective than IPT (d=-0.19, 95% CI=-0.38 to -0.01; number needed to treat=9.43), and combination treatment was not more effective than IPT alone, although the paucity of studies precluded drawing definite conclusions. Combination maintenance treatment with pharmacotherapy and IPT was more effective in preventing relapse than pharmacotherapy alone (odds ratio=0.37; 95% CI=0.19 to 0.73; number needed to treat=7.63). CONCLUSIONS: There is no doubt that IPT efficaciously treats depression, both as an independent treatment and in combination with pharmacotherapy. IPT deserves its place in treatment guidelines as one of the most empirically validated treatments for depression.


The show, produced by Kansas City radio station KCUR – 89.3 FM, will feature several local film critics discussing current releases as well as what people look for when they go to the movies. You can listen online by going to www.kcur.org.
Blackberry Z10 – A Phone That Offers Bang For Your Bucks!
In the first few minutes of "Magic Mike" the audience is given a great piece of advice: If you meet a woman whose name is similar to a car, flower or stone, don't ask what she does for a living.
"Magic Mike" is a modern look, with a sometimes retro feel (the film opens with the mid 1970's Warner Brothers logo), into the world of male entertainment. Mike (Tatum) is a 30 year old "entrepreneur" who dances for dollar bills in the hopes of raising enough money to fund a business making furniture. He also works construction, details cars and pretty much anything he can to keep the cash coming in. One day at work he is saddled with supervising Adam (Pettyfer), a clueless young man who shows up at the job site in tennis shoes. Mike gives Adam a ride home after work and invites him to meet him later at his second job. Adam is surprised to learn that Mike is a male dancer but, promised a good payday at the end of the night, accepts a job at the club as the dancer's assistant…getting props and costumes ready. As fate would have it, one of the dancer's misses a cue and Adam is thrust out on stage. He very nervously entices the crowd and soon finds himself on the roster, advertised as The Kid!
At first look you wouldn't expect to see Steven Soderbergh's name attached to a project like this. But it's only his skill behind the camera that gets the film through its clunky parts, which is really the parts of the film that don't take place in the club. Based in part on Channing Tatums real-life experiences during his eight months of "dancing," the story is really about Mike's efforts to better himself. Tacked on romance (Mike has a thing for Adam's sister) and a drug-dealer subplot often stop the film in its tracks, which is a shame because the action on stage and behind the scenes is fun to watch. McConaughey is the most fun, playing a character named Dallas. Dallas owns the club and hopes to expand from Tampa to Miami. He's also the Mr. Miyagi of male dancing, giving advice to anyone who will listen. It's clear McConaughey is having fun with the role and that enjoyment radiates off the screen. Tatum continues to grow as an actor. He builds on the comedic goodwill he earned with this year's "21 Jump Street" and also proves himself one hell of a dancer. Where the other actors in the film have occasional flash Tatum is a one man dance recital.
Mike Mushok is the guitarist for the band Staind. The band is currently part of the Mass Chaos Tour which includes Godsmack and Halestorm. Media Mikes had a chance to be a part of a teleconference with Mike to discuss the tour.
Adam Lawton: In the last couple of years there have been a lot of bands teaming up for multi band headlining tours. Is this a reality of the music business today? And are these larger scale tours something that needs be done in order to survive?
Mike Mushok: In my opinion it's something we've always tried to do. I know we always try to put together the best package we can. I think in this economy it's tough for people to have extra money to be able to go to a show. It's kind of a luxury. The more bang for the buck you can give them, I think the more likely chance you have of getting people there and, hopefully, give them the most value for the dollars. That was really the idea for us and we had this record and we were looking to who we could play with. Godsmack was like, "That would be fantastic if those guys wanted to do it." So, we went and put it together.
AL: How do you think the Staind of 2012 compare with the Staind of 1995 or 1999?
MM: We have a different drummer now so that's one big difference. I think what we did with this record was to kind of come back to what Staind of '99 was. That was really the idea behind it, to kind of get a little more aggressive. The reason we started the band was to play more aggressive music. We kind of went on this journey and I think the last record we lost the progress. I enjoy the journey. I love some of the songs on the last record, but I think after completing that we said, "Let's kind of go back to why we started the band," and that's really what the idea was behind the album. Aaron also has a solo thing going on now, so that kind of ties up his time. It makes it a little more difficult to get all the time we need for STAIND. So, those are really the big differences.
AL: How did drum tech turned band member Sal Giancarelli end up being the new drummer for the band? and how have you seen him change both musically and personality since his promotion?
MM: Sal has been with the band since '99 and previous to that he was in bands that we used to play with. We always knew he was a great drummer. Even during his career as a drum tech he had other bands that he tried to pursue a career in music with. Being able to be a drum tech was a way of getting out there and kind of getting some of his stuff out there. There were a couple shows where John was sick and Sal filled in. So this wasn't the first time Sal played with us. Sal just seemed like the perfect fit to go from behind the drums to playing them. He knew all the material and we knew he could more than handle it. Personality-wise he's the same guy. We had these web-isodes on our website where we made him seem like this big egotistical guy and wanted to name the band after him, it was all a joke. Sal's the most quiet, down-to-earth guy you'll ever meet, and he hasn't changed one bit. Sometimes when you introduce someone else, it's a whole other personality. We knew his personality. He's been on the road with us for 12-13 years so he was already part of the family.
AL: Besides the new drummer did anything change on the last album? And are the same problems that were there before this hiatus still there?
MM: No. We made the record basically the same way we always make a record. I'll come in with a bunch of ideas. We get together and figure out what Aaron likes and wants to sing over, and then pretty much finish them and start tracking. Making the record was pretty tough. I mean, losing John along the way wasn't easy. We had a deadline to meet for the label. Aaron put up the solo record. As far as problems go, I mean, I don't know. You play with somebody and you're around somebody so much there's always issues. Did they go away? I mean, look, we just deal with them. We're all adults. We've been able to maintain this for a long time and I think that you have to pick your battles. I think between Johnny, Aaron, and I we can say pretty much what we want to each other and realize that the band is what's important. And that's why people ask me when we're doing a record. They thought we were going to break up. No, we knew we had to finish the record and that's what we wanted to do, but you kind of work through all of those things. It takes people making compromises and being able to admit sometimes when you're wrong and being able to give in.
AL: "Not Again," was released last summer. Do you have any plans to release additional singles and any videos from the new album?
MM: No, that's it. We're calling it quits. Yeah, there's a single, "Eyes Wide Open," is out now, and we're trying to figure out what's going to be next. There's a live video that we did with "Eyes Wide Open" also. So, yeah, we're on single number two now and I think its top ten or something.
AL: Was there any real thought process or purpose behind making this album self-titled?
MM: Yeah. We really wanted to kind of go back to where we started as far as a band, and I think that was kind of why we ultimately decided on having it self-titled. I mean, there was talk about it being called, "Seven," because this is the seventh record and that's what seven demons on the cover kind of represents is that. That's kind of how we ended up incorporated that. But, no, it was really just about the fact that we kind of got back to playing with the music.
AL: Staind has been together for 15 years or more now. What would you say are the biggest reasons for the band lasting that long?
MM: I think all three of the bands on this tour know that if it wasn't for the fans, we wouldn't be here. They allow us to do this. Those are the ones that buy a ticket, come to the show, support the bands, and, I mean, that's why we're still around obviously. We do our best to write the best music we can. I know Lzzy and Sully do also and you try to put out the best product that you can and you hope that people like it and want to listen to it and be a part of it. So, we've been fortunate so far and, hopefully, we can continue.
Mike Portnoy is best known as one of the founding members and drummer of the progressive rock group Dream Theater. Portnoy's latest project Adrenaline Mob which features members of Disturbed and Symphony X is set to release their first full length album on March 13th. Media Mikes had a chance recently to talk with Mike about the group and the upcoming album.
Adam Lawton: How did you first get asked to be a part of Adrenaline Mob?
Mike Portnoy: I have known Russell Allen for many years. Our bands had toured together a couple times and we became very good friends. I have always admired his voice and I think his is one of the best in the business. He is someone that I have always wanted to work with. When my time with Avenged Sevenfold came to a close in 2010 Russell called me up to ask if I would be interested in checking out some material he had been working on with a guy by the name of Mike Orlando. At first I was sort of anticipating material along the lines of Symphony X and Dream Theater. Honestly I wasn't interested in doing material like that as I wanted to go into some new musical places. I was pleasantly surprised when I hit play and heard the song "Undaunted". It was exactly what I was looking for and I was instantly on board. It was the right band at the right time.
AL: Can you describe what the writing sessions were like?
MP: The writing happened before my involvement. Mike Orlando has this graveyard of songs and riffs that he has been just waiting for the right band to use them with. He had been working with Russell Allen probably a year or two before my involvement with the project. By the time they asked me to be involved I would say around 80% of the music had been written. I did some shaping and arranging but for the most part everything was there.
AL: How do you think you're playing on this album differs from that on the Dream Theater and Avenged Sevenfold albums?
MP: I think this stuff is more in line with what I did with Avenged Sevenfold. This was the next natural step in the evolution of that kind of drumming in my life. With Avenged I was out on the Uproar Tour surrounded by bands like Disturbed, Hellyeah and Stone Sour. All these bands are very song oriented and they have a bounce to their grooves. I was very excited playing that kind of music. It's fun and doesn't require you to over think anything or play really technical parts. There is nothing wrong with doing that kind of playing but I was looking for a breather. This music definitely is the next step after my drumming on the "Nightmare" album. Having that bounce was the real priority to on "Omerta". I still wanted it to have my personality and character which I think it does but, have it be restrained somewhat.
AL: Is there a track off the album you are really looking forward to playing live?
MP: At this point we have played everything live already. Every one of these songs comes alive on stage. They are all really energy driven. Songs like "Undaunted" and Psychosane" have a lot drive while the song "All on the Line" serves as a nice breather and a showcase for Russell's melodic side. When we were playing with Godsmack that song got a great response every night. All the songs serve different purposes depending on what you are looking for.
AL: Where did the idea come from to cover a Duran Duran song?
MP: Mike Orlando and Russell presented that to me at the same time they were showing me all the other material. I had thought it was an original because I never heard the Duran Duran version before. I guess that said something for how well it adapted to the rest of the material. I don't know which guy actually came up with the idea but it surely works with the rest of the material. Lzzy Hale's vocals on that track are a whole other attraction. It's amazing hearing her and Russell trading off together.
AL: What do you think will make this album stand out from others in the rock/metal genre?
MP: I think the thing with Adrenalin Mob is we are taking the song writing structure of bands like Disturbed and Godsmack while keeping with the shred factor. Mike Orlando is an incredible player along the lines of Zakk Wylde and Dimebag Darrell. Add my prog background in and you get something very different. Honestly we aren't trying to break any new ground with the style of this group. We want to write some great tunes with great riffs and melodies. We are not trying to reinvent the wheel. We just wanted to make an album with great songs that are enjoyable to listen to.
Mike Orlando is the guitarist for the rock/metal super group Adrenaline Mob. The group is set to release their debut full length album titled "Omerta" on March 13. Media Mikes had a chance to talk with Mike about the album and what it was like playing both bass and guitar on the album.
Adam Lawton: Can you tell us what inspired you to put the band together?
Mike Orlando: I had been rolling with the vision and the songs for quite some time. This was even before I had met Russell Allen. Line ups don't work out or people don't live up to certain expectations so it's been in the works for some time. I was working with Russell on writing his second solo album off and on for about 3 years. We are always both on the road so it's been tuff to get the album done. I brought the tracks to Russell to check out one day and it was just magic. It was exactly what I was looking for.
AL: What was yours and Russell's writing process like?
MO: I had brought Russell all of the pre-recorded material. Everything was tracked so Russell would either sing on the songs the way they were or we would make some changes to make the tunes work better.
AL: Was it hard balancing both guitar and bass playing duties during the recording process?
MO: No. I love playing bass. I actually have played bass on all of my solo albums. If it has strings I will play it. I never approach the bass like a guitarist. I use my fingers not a pick. It's very much like John Entwistle who is one of my heroes. I try to look at the tracks like a bass player would as you can't play bass the way you play a guitar. I think it comes off stiff when you don't approach it differently. It's great having John Moyer from Disturbed playing bass in the band now. I told him to do whatever he wanted and to make the songs his own. I gave him the guidelines and he has done a hell of a lot more from what I gave him.
AL: Can you tell us the idea behind covering the Duran Duran song "Come Undone"?
MO: That song has been one of my favorites since hearing it when it came out in 1991. I don't walk around screaming "Hungry like a Wolf" or anything (Laughs) but "Come Undone" is like my favorite song from that band. When you look past the quirkiness that band is made up of some amazing players. I do try to look a little deeper than their song "Rio". "Come Undone" I felt always had a haunting vide. The fact that we got Lzzy Hale from Halestorm to do a duet with Russell is amazing. Lzzy I think has one of the greatest voices in rock. I consider Lzzy to be the female Russ.
AL: Is there a track off the album that you really enjoy playing live?
AL: "Omerta" comes out March 13 and I am sure that's going to keep you busy for some time but, have you guys started thinking about the next album yet?