Predicting relapse in schizophrenia: the development and implementation of an early signs monitoring system using patients and families as observers, a preliminary investigation

1989 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 649-656 ◽  
Author(s):  
Max Birchwood ◽  
Jo Smith ◽  
Fiona Macmillan ◽  
Bridget Hogg ◽  
Rekha Prasad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Prevention ◽  
Monitoring System ◽  
Preliminary Investigation ◽  
Psychometric Evaluation ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Prodromal Symptoms ◽  
Considerable Potential ◽  
Early Signs ◽  
Pilot Investigation

SynopsisRecognition of prodromal symptoms of schizophrenia offers the potential of early intervention to avert relapse and re-hospitalization (Carpenter & Heinrichs, 1983). The present study investigated how a strategy to detect prodromal signs might be effectively applied in the clinical setting. A standard monitoring system was developed involving completion of a new early signs scale (ESS) measuring changes in key symptoms phenomenologically (self-report) and behaviourally (observer report). The ESS was subject to rigorous psychometric evaluation and tested in a prospective pilot investigation. The ESS reliably identified early signs and predicted relapse with an overall accuracy of 79%. Several different patterns of relapse were identified. Observer reports compensated for loss of insight in some patients. In two cases where early signs indices were detected, prompt increases in medication appeared to arrest relapse and avert readmission. The ESS offers itself as a reliable, valid and administratively feasible measure and demonstrates considerable potential as a cost-effective procedure for secondary prevention.

Measuring Social Anxiety in Late Life: A Psychometric Evaluation of a Newly Constructed Self-Report Measure of Social Anxiety

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine E. Gould ◽  
Caroline Ciliberti ◽  
Barry A. Edelstein ◽  
Merideth Smith ◽  
Lindsay A. Gerolimatos
Keyword(s):  
Social Anxiety ◽  
Psychometric Evaluation ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Constructed Self ◽  
Report Measure

scholarly journals Deployment and Dynamics of a Biofeedback System for Anxiety Awareness during Online Examination Activities

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 756
Author(s):  
Hippokratis Apostolidis ◽  
Georgia Papantoniou ◽  
Thrasyvoulos Tsiatsos
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Path Model ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Biofeedback System ◽  
Online Examination ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Biofeedback Device

The presented paper examines the deployment of a cost-effective biofeedback system that provides anxiety awareness during online examination activities. Human anxiety is classified by evaluating biosignals related to skin conductance, skin temperature, and heart rate. The first aim of this study is to check the presented system performance. Thus, we test the convergent validity of the system regarding self-report measures of anxiety. Moreover, the system is validated against a commercial tool of anxiety detection. Fifteen (15) postgraduate students took part in the relevant psychometric test. The convergent validity of the system is found to be satisfactory. The second aim of this study is to identify the participant’s personality dimensions according to Technology Readiness Index (TRI) which affects their academic performance and their real-time anxiety, as provided by the biofeedback device, during academic examinations. Thirty-five (35) postgraduate students, who were taking examinations in the form of synchronous online tests in the classroom for one of their lessons, took part in this stage of the research. The examined relationships are presented via a path model showing mainly that insecurity causes academic performance to decline, which in turn has a significant negative effect with increasing anxiety.

scholarly journals Psychometric evaluation of a newly developed measure of emotionalism after stroke (TEARS-Q)

2020 ◽  
pp. 026921552098172
Author(s):  
Niall M Broomfield ◽  
Robert West ◽  
Allan House ◽  
Theresa Munyombwe ◽  
Mark Barber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Item Response ◽  
Psychometric Evaluation ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Stroke Survivors ◽  
Reference Standard ◽  
Stroke Units ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Response Variance ◽  
Mild Stroke ◽  
Functional Outcome Measures

Objective: To evaluate, psychometrically, a new measure of tearful emotionalism following stroke: Testing Emotionalism After Recent Stroke – Questionnaire (TEARS-Q). Setting: Acute stroke units based in nine Scottish hospitals, in the context of a longitudinal cohort study of post-stroke emotionalism. Subjects: A total of 224 clinically diagnosed stroke survivors recruited between October 1st 2015 and September 30th 2018, within 2 weeks of their stroke. Measures: The measure was the self-report questionnaire TEARS-Q, constructed based on post-stroke tearful emotionalism diagnostic criteria: (i) increased tearfulness, (ii) crying comes on suddenly, with no warning (iii) crying not under usual social control and (iv) crying episodes occur at least once weekly. The reference standard was presence/absence of emotionalism on a diagnostic, semi-structured post-stroke emotionalism interview, administered at the same assessment point. Stroke, mood, cognition and functional outcome measures were also completed by the subjects. Results: A total of 97 subjects were female, with a mean age 65.1 years. 205 subjects had sustained ischaemic stroke. 61 subjects were classified as mild stroke. TEARS-Q was internally consistent (Cronbach’s alpha 0.87). TEARS-Q scores readily discriminated the two groups, with a mean difference of −7.18, 95% CI (−8.07 to −6.29). A cut off score of 2 on TEARS-Q correctly identified 53 of the 61 stroke survivors with tearful emotionalism and 140 of the 156 stroke survivors without tearful emotionalism. One factor accounted for 57% of the item response variance, and all eight TEARS-Q items acceptably discriminated underlying emotionalism. Conclusion: TEARS-Q accurately diagnoses tearful emotionalism after stroke.

scholarly journals Very-low-dose aspirin and surveillance colonoscopy is cost-effective in secondary prevention of colorectal cancer in individuals with advanced adenomas: network meta-analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sajesh K. Veettil ◽  
Siang Tong Kew ◽  
Kean Ghee Lim ◽  
Pochamana Phisalprapa ◽  
Suresh Kumar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Secondary Prevention ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Cost Effectiveness Analysis ◽  
Surveillance Colonoscopy ◽  
Combination Strategy ◽  
Effectiveness Analysis

Abstract Background Individuals with advanced colorectal adenomas (ACAs) are at high risk for colorectal cancer (CRC), and it is unclear which chemopreventive agent (CPA) is safe and cost-effective for secondary prevention. We aimed to determine, firstly, the most suitable CPA using network meta-analysis (NMA) and secondly, cost-effectiveness of CPA with or without surveillance colonoscopy (SC). Methods Systematic review and NMA of randomised controlled trials were performed, and the most suitable CPA was chosen based on efficacy and the most favourable risk–benefit profile. The economic benefits of CPA alone, 3 yearly SC alone, and a combination of CPA and SC were determined using the cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) in the Malaysian health-care perspective. Outcomes were reported as incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) in 2018 US Dollars ($) per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY), and life-years (LYs) gained. Results According to NMA, the risk–benefit profile favours the use of aspirin at very-low-dose (ASAVLD, ≤ 100 mg/day) for secondary prevention in individuals with previous ACAs. Celecoxib is the most effective CPA but the cardiovascular adverse events are of concern. According to CEA, the combination strategy (ASAVLD with 3-yearly SC) was cost-saving and dominates its competitors as the best buy option. The probability of being cost-effective for ASAVLD alone, 3-yearly SC alone, and combination strategy were 22%, 26%, and 53%, respectively. Extending the SC interval to five years in combination strategy was more cost-effective when compared to 3-yearly SC alone (ICER of $484/LY gain and $1875/QALY). However, extending to ten years in combination strategy was not cost-effective. Conclusion ASAVLD combined with 3-yearly SC in individuals with ACAs may be a cost-effective strategy for CRC prevention. An extension of SC intervals to five years can be considered in resource-limited countries.

scholarly journals Changes in Caregivers Lifestyle after Severe Acquired Brain Injury: A Preliminary Investigation

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. D’Ippolito ◽  
M. Aloisi ◽  
E. Azicnuda ◽  
D. Silvestro ◽  
M. Giustini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Preliminary Investigation ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Primary Caregivers ◽  
Acquired Brain Injury ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Severe Acquired Brain Injury ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Additional Support

Introduction. Severe acquired brain injury (sABI) is considered the most common cause of death and disability worldwide. sABI patients are supported by their caregivers who often exhibit high rates of psychological distress, mood disorders, and changes in relationship dynamics and family roles.Objectives. To explore lifestyle changes of caregivers of sABI patients during the postacute rehabilitation, by investigating possible differences between primary and secondary caregivers. Primary caregivers spend most of the time with the patient, providing daily care and taking most responsibility for the day-to-day decisions, while secondary caregivers are those who provide additional support.Methods. Three hundred forty-seven caregivers of sABI patients were asked to fill in an unpublished self-report questionnaire to explore their possible lifestyles changes.Results. A statistically significant difference was found between primary and secondary caregivers in time spent in informal caregiving (p<0.001). The primary caregivers reduced all leisure activities compared to secondary carers (p<0.05).Conclusions. By comparing the percentage of leisure activities performed by caregiversbeforeandafterthe patient’s sABI onset, all caregivers showed high percentages of changes in lifestyle and habits, even though primary caregivers reported more negative lifestyle changes than secondary caregivers. Further studies are needed to investigate needs and burden experienced by caregivers of sABI patients during the postacute rehabilitation phase, also in relation to the patients’ outcome, to address support interventions for them and improve their quality of life.

scholarly journals Energy Monitoring System for Existing Buildings in Indonesia

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. 01003
Author(s):  
Sentagi Sesotya Utami ◽  
Faridah ◽  
Na’im A. Azizi ◽  
Erlin Kencanawati ◽  
M. Akbar Tanjung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Monitoring System ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Performance Testing ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Existing Buildings ◽  
Energy Monitoring ◽  
Building Permit ◽  
Significant Difference

Current studies conducted by JICA, AMPRI and IFC-World Bank, reported that large commercial buildings in Indonesia are not energy and water efficient. One of the cause is the lack of regulation. Meanwhile, effective regulations to reduce energy and water consumption are the concern mostly in a new building to obtain a building permit. This strategy is understandable as retrofitting existing buildings are often more difficult to be implemented, and enforcement is still a major issue in Indonesia. Local governments are currently working on streamlining building permit process as well as developing an online monitoring system for existing buildings. By applying a Building Energy Management System (BEMS) enables to reduce energy consumption up to 15%. An energy monitoring system was designed and installed through this research for Department of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics (DNEEP) building, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada. It is a 20 years old two-story building used for educational activities, which consist of classrooms, laboratories, offices and storage spaces. An audit energy was done recently in 2015 where an energy consumption of 261.299,636 kWh/year.m2 was reported. In the existing condition, a power meter is inaccessible and therefore, the only feedback of occupancy behavior in the energy consumption is through the electricity bill. The previous study has shown that building occupants would behave more efficiently if the amount of energy used is notified, and the amount of energy savings are recorded. However, these energy monitoring systems are considered expensive and uniquely tailored for every building. This research aims to design and install a cost effective BEMS based on occupant’s satisfactory assessment of the lighting, acoustics, and air conditioning quality. The data will be used as a decision supporting system (DSS) by building management through the use of a GUI. The design of the interface was based on a survey result from the prospective users. Installed energy monitoring system uses a current sensor with an accuracy of 98% and a precision of 0.04 A while the voltage sensor with an accuracy of 98% and a precision of 0.58 V. The performance testing shows that the number of web clients influences delay of data transmission. The result of the survey shows that GUI is categorized as fair in design without a significant difference between the perceptions of users with and without survey supervision.

scholarly journals Agriculture Monitoring System Using IoT: A Review Paper

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 01-06
Author(s):  
Hafiz Saad Ahmad, Ali Hasnain
Keyword(s):  
Internet Of Things ◽  
Monitoring System ◽  
Review Paper ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Monitoring Systems ◽  
Agriculture Sector ◽  
Crucial Part ◽  
Processing Mechanism

In recent years evolution of Internet of Things has brought revolution in many different sectors.  The agriculture sector has become efficient and cost effective due to role of IoT. Monitoring systems has become the crucial part of agriculture. In past few years lot of work is been done and many systems has been purposed in this regard. In this paper we are going to make comparison between 4 different agriculture monitoring systems. We are also going to discuss what type of hardware including different sensors are used in those systems. We are also going to discuss software and platform on which those applications run. We will also discuss processing mechanism and what kind of algorithms are used in these systems and in the last we are going to make a comparative table based on these parameters.

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