Browsing by Author "de Zoysa, P.T."

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Functional gastrointestinal diseases and psychological maladjustment, personality traits and quality of life
(BioMed Central, 2018) Ranasinghe, N.; Devanarayana, N.M.; Rajindrajith, S.; Perera, M.S.; Nishanthinie, S.; Warnakulasuriya, T.; de Zoysa, P.T.
BACKGROUND: Chronic abdominal pain is a common worldwide problem and known to be associated with psychological problems. This study evaluated the association between abdominal pain-predominant functional gastrointestinal disorders (AP-FGIDs), psychological maladjustment and personality traits in adolescents. METHODS: Adolescents aged 13-18 years were recruited from 5 randomly selected schools in Ampara district of Sri Lanka. AP-FGIDs were diagnosed using Rome III criteria. Translated and validated Rome III questionnaire (Child report form), personality questionnaire (PAQ) and PedsQL (Pediatric Quality of Life) inventory were used in data collection. Written consent was obtained from a parent and assent was obtained from every child recruited. The questionnaire was distributed in an examination setting to ensure confidentiality and privacy. Research assistants were present during data collection to assist on any necessary clarifications. RESULTS: A total of 1697 subjects were recruited [males 779 (45.9%), mean age 15.1 years, SD 1.6 years]. AP-FGIDs were present in 202 (11.9%). Those with AP-FGIDs had significantly higher mean scores for all personality traits (hostility and aggression, negative self-esteem, emotional unresponsiveness, emotional instability and negative world view), except dependency. Affected children had lower scores for all 4 domains of HRQoL (physical, emotional, social and school functioning), compared to controls (p < 0.05). When the cut off value for Sri Lankan children (89) was used, 66.3% with AP-FGIDs and 48.2% controls had PAQ scores within that of psychological maladjustment (p < 0.001). When the international normative value of 105 was used, these percentages were 27.2% and 14.2% respectively (p < 0.0001). The scores obtained for PAQ negatively correlated with scores obtained for HRQoL (r = - 0.52, p < 0.0001). One hundred and seventeen adolescents with AP-FGIDs (57.9%) had sought healthcare for their symptoms. Healthcare consulters had higher PAQ and lower HRQoL scores (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents with AP-FGIDs have more psychological maladjustment and abnormal personality traits than healthy controls. Affected adolescents with higher psychological maladjustments have lower HRQoL. Greater psychological maladjustment and lower HRQoL are associated with healthcare seeking behaviour in adolescents with AP-FGIDs.
Randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of cognitive behaviour group therapy (CBGT) compared to a waitlist control in the treatment of university students with social anxiety disorder
(Postgraduate Institute of Medicine University of Colombo, 2021) Hapangama, A.; de Silva, R.; Williams, S.S.; de Zoysa, P.T.; Wickremasinghe, R.R.; Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A.; Ravindran, A.
BACKGROUND: Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a common mental illness that causes significant functional impairment. Individually delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an effective but costly intervention with limited access, and is poorly scalable to meet the need in the population. In this context, cognitive behavioural group therapy (CBGT) is a more viable option. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of CBGT as compared to a waitlist control for university students with SAD. METHODS: A single-blind randomized controlled trial consisting of an 8-week treatment of CBGT (N=15) versus a waitlist control (N=15) was conducted in university students meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5 criteria for SAD. The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale –Self Rated Sinhala version (LSAS-SR) was administered at screening, baseline, four weeks and eight weeks of the trial. Manualized and Culturally adopted CBGT was delivered in Sinhala language, to the intervention group by a licensed clinical psychologist. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 22 (SD=1.345) and baseline mean LSAS-SR score was 72.33 in the experimental arm and 69.03 in the wait list control. Repeated measures analysis revealed that the mean total score of the LSAS-SR in the CBGT arm was significantly lower (13.262; p<0.001) post-intervention compared to the waitlist group after controlling for age and gender. CONCLUSION: Culturally adapted CBGT in Sinhala for SAD is effective in ameliorating social anxiety symptoms among university students. KEYWORDS: social phobia, social anxiety disorder, cognitive behaviour group therapy, sri Lanka
Randomized Controlled Trial Investigating the Effectiveness of Cognitive Behaviour Group Therapy Compared to a Waitlist Control in the Treatment of University Students with Social Phobia
(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2020) Hapangama, A.; de Silva, B.G.R.; de Zoysa, P.T.; Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A.; Ravindran, A.; Wickremasinghe, A.R.; Williams, S.S.
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Social phobia causes significant impairment in a person’s personal and professional life. However, individually delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is costly, limited by the number of trained therapists and not scalable to meet the need for such therapy in the population. In this context, cognitive behavioral group therapy (CBGT) is the viable option. Objective was to determine the treatment effectiveness of CBGT as compared to a waitlist control of university students with social phobia. METHOD: A single-blind randomized controlled trial consisting of an 8-week treatment phase of CBGT versus a waitlist control was conducted among university students with social phobia. The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale –Self Rated Sinhala version (LSAS-SR) was administered at screening, baseline, four weeks and eight weeks of the trial. A culturally adapted CBGT was delivered in Sinhala to the intervention group by a trained clinical psychologist. RESULTS: Thirty university students (15 in each arm) with a mean age of 22, meeting DSM IV criteria for Social Anxiety Disorder were included. Repeated measure analysis of the total scores of the LSAS-SR in the CBGT arm showed statistically significant (p<0.001) reduction in the total scores (13.3) as compared to the waitlist arm after controlling for age and gender. CONCLUSION: CBGT is superior to waitlist control in university students with social phobia.