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BackgroundHigh rates of cannabis and illicit drug use are experienced by young people during the final stages of neurodevelopment (aged 15-24 years), a period characterized by high neuroplasticity. Frequent drug use during this time may interfere with neurophysiological and neuropsychological development pathways, potentially leading to ongoing unfavorable neuroadaptations. The dose-response relationship between illicit drug use, exposure, and individual neurodevelopmental variation is unknown but salient with global shifts in the legal landscape and increasingly liberal attitudes and perceptions of the harm caused by cannabis and illicit drugs. ObjectiveThis systematic review aims to synthesize longitudinal studies that investigate the effects of illicit drug use on structural, functional, and cognitive brain domains in individuals under the neural age of adulthood (25 years). This protocol outlines prospective methods that will facilitate an exhaustive review of the literature exploring pre- and post-drug use brain abnormalities arising during neurodevelopment. MethodsFive electronic databases (Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, ProQuest Central, and Web of Science) will be systematically searched between 1990 and 2019. The search terms will be a combination of MeSH (Medical Subject Headings), with keywords adapted to each database. Study reporting will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, and if relevant, study quality will be assessed using the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Eligible studies are those that sampled youth exposed to cannabis or illicit drugs and employed neurophysiological or neuropsychological assessment techniques. Studies will be excluded if participants had been clinically diagnosed with any psychiatric, neurological, or pharmacological condition. ResultsThis is an ongoing review. As of February 2020, papers are in full-text screening, with results predicted to be complete by July 2020. ConclusionsIntegrating data collected on the three brain domains will enable an assessment of the links between structural, functional, and cognitive brain health across individuals and may support the early detection and prevention of neurodevelopmental harm. Trial RegistrationPROSPERO CRD42020151442; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=151442 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)PRR1-10.2196/18349

BackgroundDespite evidence of increasing harms and community concern related to the drug crystal methamphetamine (“ice”), there is a lack of easily accessible, evidence-based information for community members affected by its use, and to date, no evidence-based mobile apps have specifically focused on crystal methamphetamine. ObjectiveThis study aims to describe the co-design and beta testing of a mobile app to provide evidence-based, up-to-date information about crystal methamphetamine to the general community. MethodsA mobile app about crystal methamphetamine was developed in 2017. The development process involved multiple stakeholders (n=12), including technology and drug and alcohol experts, researchers, app developers, a consumer expert with lived experience, and community members. Beta testing was conducted with Australian general community members (n=34), largely recruited by the Web through Facebook advertising. Participants were invited to use a beta version of the app and provide feedback about the content, visual appeal, usability, engagement, features, and functions. In addition, participants were asked about their perceptions of the app’s influence on awareness, understanding, and help-seeking behavior related to crystal methamphetamine, and about their knowledge about crystal methamphetamine before and after using the app. ResultsThe vast majority of participants reported the app was likely to increase awareness and understanding and encourage help-seeking. The app received positive ratings overall and was well received. Specifically, participants responded positively to the high-quality information provided, usability, and visual appeal. Areas suggested for improvement included reducing the amount of text, increasing engagement, removing a profile picture, and improving navigation through the addition of a “back” button. Suggested improvements were incorporated prior to the app’s public release. App use was associated with an increase in perceived knowledge about crystal methamphetamine; however, this result was not statistically significant. ConclusionsThe Cracks in the Ice mobile app provides evidence-based information about the drug crystal methamphetamine for the general community. The app is regularly updated, available via the Web and offline, and was developed in collaboration with experts and end users. Initial results indicate that it is easy to use and acceptable to the target group.

BackgroundAmid considerable community concern about the prevalence and harms associated with the use of crystal methamphetamine (“ice”), the increased use of smartphones to access health information and a growing number of available smartphone apps related to crystal methamphetamine, no previous reviews have examined the content and quality of these apps. ObjectiveThis study aims to systematically review existing apps in the iTunes and Google Play Stores to determine the existence, composition, and quality of educational smartphone apps about methamphetamines, including ice. MethodsThe iTunes and Google Play Stores were systematically searched in April 2017 for iOS Apple and Android apps, respectively. English-language apps that provided educational content or information about methamphetamine were eligible for inclusion. Eligible apps were downloaded and independently evaluated for quality by 2 reviewers using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS). ResultsA total of 2205 apps were initially identified, of which 18 were eligible and rated using the MARS. The mean MARS quality total score for all rated apps was 3.0 (SD 0.6), indicating poor to acceptable quality. Overall, mean scores were the highest for functionality (mean 4.0, SD 0.5) and lowest for engagement (mean 2.3, SD 0.7). ConclusionsThis study demonstrates a shortage of high-quality educational and engaging smartphone apps specifically related to methamphetamine. The findings from this review highlight a need for further development of engaging and evidence-based apps that provide educational information about crystal methamphetamine.

Aims: The aim of this study was to measure the effectiveness of an on‐line, neuroscience‐based harm reduction intervention (The Illicit Project) on substance use, harms and knowledge over a 12‐month period. Design: We used a two‐arm cluster‐randomized controlled trial. Setting: The study was conducted at eight secondary schools across New South Wales, Australia. Participants: A total of 950 (mean age = 15.9; standard deviation = 0.68) in grades 10–12 at participating schools in 2020 took part. Intervention and comparator: The Illicit Project intervention group (schools = five, n = 681) received an on‐line, universal substance use and harm reduction programme over three classes. The active control group (schools = three, n = 269) received school‐based health education as usual. Measurements Self‐report questionnaires assessed primary [alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), cocaine and prescription drug misuse] and secondary outcomes (alcohol‐related harms and drug literacy) at baseline and the 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up assessment. Findings Approximately 63% (n = 595) of the sample completed the 12‐month follow‐up assessment, including 58% of the intervention group (n = 396/679) and 66% of the active control group (n = 179/271). Participants in the intervention group had slower annual increases in binge drinking [odds ratio (OR) = 0.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.12–0.89], nicotine use (OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.52–1.23), MDMA use (OR = 0.14, 95% CI = 0.02–1.00), cocaine use (OR = 0.06, 95% CI = 0.01–0.64) and prescription drug misuse (OR = 0.07, 95% CI = 0.01–0.54) compared with the active control group. There was limited evidence of an intervention effect on cannabis use and alcohol‐related harm (P > 0.5). The secondary outcomes showed that the intervention group maintained higher levels of drug literacy knowledge (β = 3.71, 95% CI = 1.86–5.56) and harm reduction help‐seeking skills (β = 1.55, 95% CI = 0.62–2.48) compared with the active control group. Conclusion: The Illicit Project (an on‐line, neuroscience‐based substance use harm reduction intervention) was effective in slowing the uptake of risky substance use and improving drug literacy skills among late secondary school students in Australia, compared with school‐based health education as usual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundMethodsResultsDiscussionThis review evaluated the existing literature exploring the effects of arts-inclusive programs (AIPs) on the mental health and wellbeing of young children. AIPs include activities, programs, or interventions containing creative arts.Literature searches were conducted across three databases (SCOPUS, psycINFO, and ERIC). The search was restricted to studies reporting outcomes of children 0–6 years.Nine studies were included in the review (3,671 participants). Three key themes were identified: music-related (n = 4); artmaking (n = 3); and storytelling/drama (n = 2). All included studies reported positive outcomes on children’s wellbeing following engagement in AIPs.This review found emerging evidence demonstrating positive impacts of arts engagement on the wellbeing of children aged 0–6. However, most studies were low quality and used varying outcome measures. The review is one of the first to highlight the lack of high-quality studies on the relationship between AIPs and wellbeing in young children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lifetime trajectories of mental ill-health are often established during adolescence. Effective interventions to prevent the emergence of mental health problems are needed. In the current study we assessed the efficacy of the cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)-informed Climate Schools universal eHealth preventive mental health programme, relative to a control. We also explored whether the intervention had differential effects on students with varying degrees of social connectedness. Method: We evaluated the efficacy of the Climate Schools mental health programme (19 participating schools; average age at baseline was 13.6) v. a control group (18 participating schools; average age at baseline was 13.5) which formed part of a large cluster randomised controlled trial in Australian schools. Measures of internalising problems, depression and anxiety were collected at baseline, immediately following the intervention and at 6-, 12- and 18-months post intervention. Immediately following the intervention, 2539 students provided data on at least one outcome of interest (2065 students at 18 months post intervention). Results: Compared to controls, we found evidence that the standalone mental health intervention improved knowledge of mental health, however there was no evidence that the intervention improved other mental health outcomes, relative to a control. Student's social connectedness did not influence intervention outcomes. Conclusion: These results are consistent with recent findings that universal school-based, CBT-informed, preventive interventions for mental health have limited efficacy in improving symptoms of anxiety and depression when delivered alone. We highlight the potential for combined intervention approaches, and more targeted interventions, to better improve mental health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]