scholarly journals Reducing the Nighttime Fears of Young Children Through a Brief Parent-Delivered Treatment—Effectiveness of the Hungarian Version of Uncle Lightfoot

Author(s):  
Krisztina Kopcsó ◽  
András Láng ◽  
Mary F. Coffman

AbstractThe aims of the present study were to evaluate the efficacy of a brief intervention, and to determine for whom the treatment works. 73 children between 3 and 8 years of age with significant nighttime fears were enrolled in an intervention group (n = 36) or in a waitlist group (n = 37). The intervention involved a 5-week parent delivered therapy. Assessments took place at baseline, post-treatment, and 20 weeks following baseline. In the intervention group, compared with the waitlist group, nighttime-related fears and phobic symptoms decreased more, whereas adaptive nighttime behavior increased to a greater extent. The more time children spent with exposure and relaxation games during the intervention, the more their separation anxiety and maladaptive nighttime behavior were reduced. Girls’ fear of darkness was reduced to a greater extent. The present study provides support for the use of parent-delivered therapy in the treatment of childhood nighttime fears.

Author(s):  
Reem M. Alwhaibi ◽  
Noha F. Mahmoud ◽  
Mye A. Basheer ◽  
Hoda M. Zakaria ◽  
Mahmoud Y. Elzanaty ◽  
...  

Recovery of lower extremity (LE) function in chronic stroke patients is considered a barrier to community reintegration. An adequate training program is required to improve neural and functional performance of the affected LE in chronic stroke patients. The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of somatosensory rehabilitation on neural and functional recovery of LE in stroke patients. Thirty male and female patients were recruited and randomized to equal groups: control group (GI) and intervention group (GII). All patients were matched for age, duration of stroke, and degree of motor impairment of the affected LE. Both groups received standard program of physical therapy in addition to somatosensory rehabilitation for GII. The duration of treatment for both groups was eight consecutive weeks. Outcome measures used were Functional Independent Measure (FIM) and Quantitative Electroencephalography (QEEG), obtained pre- and post-treatment. A significant improvement was found in the FIM scores of the intervention group (GII), as compared to the control group (GI) (p < 0.001). Additionally, QEEG scores improved within the intervention group post-treatment. QEEG scores did not improve within the control group post-treatment, except for “Cz-AR”, compared to pretreatment, with no significant difference between groups. Adding somatosensory training to standard physical therapy program results in better improvement of neuromuscular control of LE function in chronic stroke patients.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalia Machado ◽  
Henrique Gomide ◽  
Heder Bernardino ◽  
Telmo Ronzani

BACKGROUND Smoking is still the leading cause of preventable death. Governments and healthcare providers should make available more and accessible resources to help tobacco users stop. OBJECTIVE This study describes a pilot longitudinal study that evaluated the efficacy of a computerized intervention compared to the brief intervention for smoking cessation among Brazilians. METHODS Smokers were recruited and randomly assigned to one of the two intervention groups. RESULTS The results showed similar rates of cessation and reduction for both intervention groups. The internet-based intervention was a little more effective for smoking cessation, while the brief intervention was more effective in reducing the number of cigarettes smoked per day. Despite this, this difference was small and had no statistical significance even after adjusting for intention-to-treat analysis. These results should be interpreted with caution, especially due to the small sample size. CONCLUSIONS Forty-nine smokers were enrolled in this study (25 in the brief intervention group; 24 in the internet-based intervention group). The mean age was 44.46 years old; most were male (59.2%), had elementary school (44.9%), smoked an average of 14.5 cigarettes per day, had a mean score of 4.65 for nicotine dependence, and score of 5.7 for motivation to quit. Measures were drawn from comparing cessation rate, motivation score and sought treatment between groups. Thirty-five participants answered the follow up 1 and 19 answered to the second.


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lesli E Skolarus ◽  
Maria Cielito Robles ◽  
Springer Mellanie ◽  
Chun Chieh Lin ◽  
Casey Corches ◽  
...  

Introduction: Stroke pre-hospital delay has not improved over time. Hypothesis: Stroke Ready, a very brief (5 minute), theory based, peer-led, stroke preparedness intervention, will increase stroke response compared with a control intervention. Methods: We performed a randomized, single-blind controlled trial among adults in Flint, MI. The stroke preparedness intervention group received a Stroke Ready pamphlet and action plan, while the control group received stroke prevention materials - both delivered during a one-to-one interaction with a trained peer educator. Research staff, blinded to group intervention assignment, assessed baseline and immediate post-intervention outcomes. Primary outcome was change in stroke response (behavioral intent to call 911) using a community-modified stroke action test (range 0-12). Secondary outcome was change in stroke symptom recognition (range 0-8). We conducted descriptive analyses and used a linear regression model to evaluate the effect of the intervention on stroke response after adjustment for pre-intervention intent, age, education, race, marital status, history of stroke, stroke in someone they know and psychological constructs. Results: We enrolled 129 participants (74 intervention; 55 control). Mean age was 60 years (SD 14); 61% were women, 89% were African American and 19% were not high school graduates. Intervention participants had greater improvement in stroke response than control participants (figure 1), which remained after full adjustment (improvement in average score for stroke response was 1.7 higher in intervention participants than control participants, 95% CI 0.9-2.5, p<0.0001). There was no difference in stroke symptom recognition (figure 1). Conclusion: The Stroke Ready very brief intervention increased stroke response. This new approach using a very brief, one-to-one interaction with trained peer educators is a promising, scalable, intervention to increase stroke response.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 863-863
Author(s):  
Chessa Lutter ◽  
Bess Caswell ◽  
Charles Arnold ◽  
Lora Iannotti ◽  
Elizabeth Prado ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives Complementary feeding diets in low- and middle-income countries are usually inadequate to meet requirements for healthy growth and development. Food-based interventions may prevent nutrient inadequacies provided they do not replace other nutrient-rich foods. They may also be more sustainable than manufactured food supplements. We describe the contribution of daily egg supplementation to usual energy intake, usual energy intake by food group, and minimum dietary diversity of rural Malawian infants and young children. Methods We conducted a randomized controlled trial in rural Malawi in which 660 children aged 6 to 9 months were randomly allocated to receive an egg a day for 6 months or to a control group. Dietary intake of foods and drinks was assessed at baseline, 3-month midline, and 6-month endline visits using a tablet-based mulitpass 24-hour recall. Up to two repeat recalls were collected at each timepoint in a subsample of 100 children per intervention group. Results The intervention resulted in an increased usual energy intake in the intervention group of 30 kcal at midline (P = 0.128) and 36 kcal at endline (P = 0.087). It also resulted in a 7 kcal displacement of legumes and nuts in children at endline (P = 0.059). At midline and endline, usual energy intake from eggs was about 30 kcal higher in the egg group compared to controls (P &lt; 0.0001). Compared to controls, children in the egg group were over 9 times more likely to consume eggs at midline and endline. At midline and endline more than 80% of children in the egg group consumed a minimally diverse diet compared to 53% at midline and 60% at endline in the control group. Conclusions Mothers in the egg group fed eggs to young children on a regular basis without substantial displacement of other nutrient-rich complementary foods. The intervention resulted in higher energy intake from eggs, greater dietary diversity, and an increased percentage of children meeting a minimum dietary diversity cutoff. Funding Sources Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.


2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Tait ◽  
Gary K. Hulse ◽  
Anna Waterreus ◽  
Leon Flicker ◽  
Nicola T. Lautenschlager ◽  
...  

AbstractThis study evaluated a cessation of smoking program for older (≥ 65 years) smokers. We recruited 215 community-dwelling smokers who selected either an intervention (n = 165) (brief intervention, telephone support, access to nicotine replacement therapy [NRT]) or ongoing smoking (continuing smokers) (n = 50). Primary outcomes at 12 and 24 months were (a) total abstinence and (b) cessation for the previous 30+ days, all validated via expired carbon monoxide (ECO). We interviewed 183 (85%) participants at 12 months and 165 (77%) at 24 months. Total abstinence was reported by 29 (18%) and 21 (13%) of the intervention group and none of the continuing smokers at 12 and 24 months. At 12 months, a greater prevalence of 30+ day cessation was observed for the intervention (24.2%) than the continuing smokers (4.0%): by 24 months this difference was 23.6% versus 12.0%. Those totally abstinent for 24 months predominantly used NRT (81%). Of the 30+ day quitters at 24 months, 74% of the intervention group used NRT and 100% of the continuing smokers used ‘cold turkey’. Cessation programs can be successfully delivered to older smokers, with outcomes comparable to the general population. NRT is commonly used by successful quitters, but ‘cold turkey’ can also be successful.


2003 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 593-598 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher A. Kearney ◽  
Karen E. Sims ◽  
Courtney R. Pursell ◽  
Cheryl A. Tillotson

1999 ◽  
Vol 89 (10) ◽  
pp. 502-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
JJ Uy ◽  
AM Joyce ◽  
JP Nelson ◽  
B West ◽  
JR Montague

Two emollients, ammonium lactate 12% lotion and a liposome-based moisturizing lotion, were compared in a double-blind test for efficacy in the treatment of plantar xerosis. A total of 43 out of 57 participants (75%) with bilateral plantar xerosis followed instructions completely and applied the lotions (one to each foot) twice daily for 4 weeks. Each participant was evaluated once a week for 6 weeks (the final 2 weeks for evaluation of post-treatment regression) to determine xerotic grade (degree of dryness) and treatment effectiveness. With both lotions, significant improvement began during the second week of treatment and continued into the fourth week. There were no significant differences between the two lotions in the 6-week patterns of either xerotic grade or treatment effectiveness.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebekah Grace ◽  
Kelly Baird ◽  
Emma Elcombe ◽  
Vana Webster ◽  
Jacqueline Barnes ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Volunteer home visiting is a widely adopted community-based approach to supporting families by linking isolated or vulnerable families with community volunteers. This study seeks to robustly evaluate the effectiveness of this model of support for families with young children. OBJECTIVE This paper reports the intention-to-treat analysis of primary and secondary outcomes for a pragmatic randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the Volunteer Family Connect intervention, a volunteer home visiting program designed to support families with young children who experience social isolation or a lack of parenting confidence and skills. METHODS The RCT was conducted across seven sites in Australia. Overall, 341 families were recruited: 169 intervention (services as usual + volunteer home visiting) and 172 control (services as usual) families. Intervention families received the program for 3-12 months. Participants were invited to complete six data collection points over a 15-month period. Primary outcomes were community connectedness and parenting competence. Secondary outcomes included parent physical and mental health, general parent wellbeing, parent empowerment, the sustainability of family routines, and the parent-child relationship. RESULTS The intervention group demonstrated significant improvement compared to the control group in both of the primary outcomes. They were significantly more like to report improvements in the guidance available to them as measured by the Social Provisions Scale, a key measure of community connectedness and scores on the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale were significantly in favour of the intervention group. Intervention families also reported significantly higher wellbeing, and were significantly more likely to feel that life was improving. A number of positive trends were also evident within the findings. CONCLUSIONS The Volunteer Family Connect intervention was considered to be an effective intervention for improving the community connectedness and parenting competence of families with young children. CLINICALTRIAL Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (Trial ID: ACTRN12616000396426).


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 010111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svitlana Polshkova ◽  
Diana Voloshina ◽  
Rebecca Cunningham ◽  
Robert Zucker ◽  
Maureen Walton

Background World Health Organization data shows alarming rates of alcohol consumption among those ages 15 and older in the Ukraine. This study examined the feasibility and initial efficacy of a brief intervention to reduce risky drinking among emerging adults (ages 18-25) in the Ukraine. Methods Emerging adults presenting to two settings were screened for risky drinking (Railway Clinical Hospital and Kiev National Medical University), with those screening positive on the AUDIT-C (>5) enrolled in the study: 59 participants from the hospital setting (mean age = 22.6 (2.1), 55.9% male) and 61 participants from the university setting (mean age = 20.1(2.3), 55.7% male). After self-administering a computerized baseline assessment, participants were randomized to receive an in-person brief intervention with telephone booster or to a control condition; participants self-administered a computerized follow-up at 3 months. Results Regression analyses were conducted, separately for each setting, predicting alcohol outcomes (alcohol consumption and consequences); models controlled for baseline alcohol levels and condition assignment (brief intervention or control). In both settings, the brief intervention group showed significantly less alcohol consumption and consequences at 3-months as compared to the control group (p<.001); however, the groups did not significantly differ on other drug use (DAST-10 score). Conclusion Findings suggest that brief motivational interventions are promising for reducing risky drinking among emerging adults in the Ukraine in both inpatient hospital and university settings. Future studies are needed to replicate these findings and extend these effects to reduce other drug use among young people in the Ukraine.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deanna Swain ◽  
Haley G. Murphy ◽  
Tyler A. Hassenfeldt ◽  
Jill Lorenzi ◽  
Angela Scarpa

AbstractMany children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit difficulties with negative affect. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has been successfully adapted for individuals with ASD to treat these difficulties. In a wait-list control study, for example, group analyses showed promising results for young children with ASD using a developmentally adapted group CBT approach. This report examined response to group CBT in terms of individual-level change in young children with ASD. Eighteen children with ASD, aged 5–7 years, and their respective parents participated in treatment. Parents completed pre- and post-treatment measures of negative affect and related behaviours. Treatment responders and non-responders were grouped based on significant treatment outcomes as assessed by statistically significant change for lability/negativity and 20% decrease in intensity, duration or frequency of emotional outbursts. Results indicated that 67% of children met criteria as a treatment responder, showing meaningful improvement in at least two outcome measures. No significant group differences emerged for initial characteristics before treatment. Wilcoxon signed rank tests determined pre-/post-treatment change in parental confidence for each treatment responder group. Results indicated statistically significant increase for the treatment responder group in parent-reported confidence in their own ability and in their child's ability to manage the child's anger and anxiety, but these results were not significant for the treatment non-responder group. Results provide additional evidence that CBT can significantly decrease expressions of anger/anxiety in children with ASD as young as 5 years, yet also suggest need for further improvement.


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