To assess the price promotions offered by major quick service restaurant (QSR) chains in Australia from an obesity prevention perspective.

Cross-sectional audit of ten of the largest QSR chains in Australia. We collected information regarding temporary price promotions and ‘combination deals’ offered by each chain over thirteen consecutive weeks in 2019–2020. We assessed the type of promotions, the magnitude of discount, and the energy content and healthiness of items promoted (based on Victorian Government criteria).

Melbourne, Australia.

Ten major QSR chains.

Temporary price promotions (n 196) and combination deals (n 537 on regular menus, n 36 on children’s menus) were observed across the ten selected QSR chains. In relation to temporary price promotions, the mean magnitude of discount for main menu items (n 75) was 41·7 %. The price reductions and energy content of combination deals varied substantially the by chain, the meal size and the sides/drinks selected as part of the ‘deal’. When the lowest-energy options (e.g. small chips, small sugar-free drink) were included as part of each combination deal, the mean energy content was 2935 kJ, compared to 5764 kJ when the highest-energy options (e.g. large fries, large sugar-sweetened drink) were included. Almost all available products were classified as unhealthy.

Price promotions are ubiquitous in major QSR chains in Australia and provide incentives to consume high levels of energy. The action to restrict price promotions on unhealthy foods and ensure lower-energy default items as part of combination deals should be included as part of efforts to improve population diets and address obesity in Australia.

Anxiety and depression are leading causes of disability worldwide, yet individuals are often unable to access appropriate treatment. There is a need to develop effective interventions that can be delivered remotely. Previous research has suggested that emotional processing biases are a potential target for intervention, and these may be altered through brief training programs.

We report two experimental medicine studies of emotional bias training in two samples: individuals from the general population (n = 522) and individuals currently taking antidepressants to treat anxiety or depression (n = 212). Participants, recruited online, completed four sessions of EBT from their own home. Mental health and cognitive functioning outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately post-training, and at 2-week follow-up.

In both studies, our intervention successfully trained participants to perceive ambiguous social information more positively. This persisted at a 2-week follow-up. There was no clear evidence that this change in emotional processing transferred to improvements in symptoms in the primary analyses. However, in both studies, there was weak evidence for improved quality of life following EBT amongst individuals with more depressive symptoms at baseline. No clear evidence of transfer effects was observed for self-reported daily stress, anhedonia or depressive symptoms. Exploratory analyses suggested that younger participants reported greater treatment gains.

These studies demonstrate the effectiveness of delivering a multi-session online training program to promote lasting cognitive changes. Given the inconsistent evidence for transfer effects, EBT requires further development before it can be considered as a treatment for anxiety and depression.

Several studies have reported limbic structures volume decrease in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). However, in PTSD the effect of therapy on brain structures has seldom been investigated. the aim of the study was to evaluate the grey matter (GM) loss in occupational related PTSD and to assess the volumetric differences between patients responding (R) and non-responding (NR) to psychotherapy.

Pre-EMDR MRI data of 21 train drives who did develop PTSD (S) and 22 who did not develop PTSD (NS) after person-under-the-train accidents were compared. Within S further comparisons were made between 10 R to Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and 5 NR. Data were analysed by optimised voxel-based morphometry as implemented in Statistical Parametric Mapping.

As compared to NS, S showed a significant GM volume reduction in precuneus, lingual gyrus, posterior cingulate and parahippocampal cortex. the R>NR comparison highlighted a significant GM reduction in NR in bilateral posterior cingulate, left middle frontal cortex and right parahippocampal, insular and temporal cortices.

Comparing two large groups of subjects significant GM volumetric reductions were found in PTSD in posterior limbic structures. NR showed, as compared to R, volume reduction in cortical structures including posterior cingulate and parahippocampal cortex. These latter two structures seem to be the hallmark for both PTSD diagnosis and therapy outcome prediction.

Several studies have reported limbic structures volume decrease in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). However, in PTSD the effect of therapy on brain structures has seldom been investigated. The aim of the study was to evaluate the grey matter (GM) loss in occupational related PTSD and to assess the volumetric differences between patients responding (R) and non-responding (NR) to psychotherapy.

Pre-EMDR MRI data of 21 train drives who did develop PTSD (S) and 22 who did not develop PTSD (NS) after person-under-the-train accidents were compared. Within S further comparisons were made between 10 R to Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and 5 NR. Data were analysed by optimised voxel-based morphometry as implemented in Statistical Parametric Mapping.

As compared to NS, S showed a significant GM volume reduction in precuneus, lingual gyrus, posterior cingulate and parahippocampal cortex. The R>NR comparison highlighted a significant GM reduction in NR in bilateral posterior cingulate, left middle frontal cortex and right parahippocampal, insular and temporal cortices.

Comparing two large groups of subjects significant GM volumetric reductions were found in PTSD in posterior limbic structures. NR showed, as compared to R, volume reduction in cortical structures including posterior cingulate and parahippocampal cortex. These latter two structures seem to be the hallmark for both PTSD diagnosis and therapy outcome prediction.

There is limited data on psychological burden following spinal cord injury (SCI) in Singapore.

(1) To describe the prevalence of depression and anxiety at admission for inpatient rehabilitation and (2) describe the baseline characteristics that predict the development of anxiety or depression in patients following SCI.

We retrospectively reviewed medical records of SCI patients at admission from 01-06-2013 to 31-12-2015. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), ASIA score and demographics were collated.

A total of 157 subjects were included, 62.4% (n = 98) were male with a mean age of 56.7 years. 43.4% (n = 68) had a traumatic SCI with 73.9% (n = 116) having had spinal surgery. The average length of stay was 46.6 days with most discharged to their own homes. Ten subjects screened positive for anxiety (6.4%) and 16 for depression (10.2%). 13.4% (n = 21) screened positive for anxiety and/or depression. Two third (n = 95) had injuries at the cervical level and 14% (n = 22) scored ASIA A/B. 45.9% (n = 72) was referred to the psychologist. A significantly higher proportion of subjects (P < 0.05) who screened positive had a past psychiatric history, were prescribed antidepressants at admission and during rehabilitation. Significant differences were noted in primary caregiver (nursing home vs. others) following discharge when comparing those that screened positive vs. negative however there were no significant differences between baseline demographics, neurological level and ASIA score.

Psychological burden following SCI is significant. Standardized screening and psychological support is warranted with special attention to those with a past psychiatric history.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.