scholarly journals CERAD practice effects and attrition bias in a dementia prevention trial

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (7) ◽  
pp. 1115-1123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Mathews ◽  
Erin Abner ◽  
Allison Caban-Holt ◽  
Richard Kryscio ◽  
Frederick Schmitt
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Assessment ◽  
Prevention Trial ◽  
Practice Effects ◽  
Cognitive Assessments ◽  
Attrition Bias ◽  
Cognitively Normal ◽  
Dementia Prevention ◽  
Over Time

ABSTRACTBackground:The Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) set of tests is frequently used for tracking cognition longitudinally in both clinical and research settings. Repeated cognitive assessments are an important component in measuring such changes; however, practice effects and attrition bias may obscure significant clinical change over time. The current study sought to examine the presence and magnitude of practice effects and the role of attrition bias in a sample of cognitively normal older men enrolled in a prevention trial.Method:Participants were grouped according to whether they completed five years of follow-up (n = 182) or less (n = 126). Practice effects were examined in these participants as a whole (n = 308) and by group.Results:Findings indicate that moderate practice effects exist in both groups on the CERAD T-score and that attrition bias likely does not play a contributing role in improved scores over time.Conclusion:The current study provides additional evidence and support for previous findings that repeated cognitive assessment results in rising test scores in longitudinally collected data and demonstrates that these findings are unlikely to be due to attrition.

scholarly journals Psychological Inflexibility as a Predictor of Sexual Functioning Among Women with Vulvovaginal Pain: A Prospective Investigation

Pain Medicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (12) ◽  
pp. 3596-3602
Author(s):  
Pernilla Maathz ◽  
Ida K Flink ◽  
Linnea Engman ◽  
Johanna Ekdahl
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Functioning ◽  
Functional Disability ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Multiple Regression Model ◽  
Pain Severity ◽  
Psychological Inflexibility ◽  
Chronic Pain Conditions ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Objective Persistent vulvovaginal pain affects many women and often has adverse effects on sexual functioning. Psychological inflexibility related to pain is associated with distress and functional disability across different types of chronic pain conditions, but little is known about the role of psychological inflexibility in vulvovaginal pain. The present study examines psychological inflexibility related to pain as a predictor of sexual functioning over time among women with vulvovaginal pain. Methods Questionnaires including measures of psychological inflexibility, pain severity, and sexual functioning were administered to female university students at two points in time. One hundred thirty women with vulvovaginal pain responded to the questionnaire at baseline and at follow-up after 10 months. A multiple regression model was used to explore psychological inflexibility and pain severity as predictors of sexual functioning at follow-up. Results Higher levels of psychological inflexibility and more severe pain at baseline were associated with poorer sexual functioning 10 months later. In analysis adjusting for baseline levels of sexual functioning, psychological inflexibility was the only significant predictor of sexual functioning at follow-up. Conclusions The findings provide preliminary evidence that psychological inflexibility is associated with sexual adjustment over time among women with vulvovaginal pain and point to the relevance of further examinations of the psychological inflexibility model in the context of vulvovaginal pain.

Medication Adherence Changes in Blacks with Diabetes: A Mixed Methods Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 257-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deepika Rao ◽  
Martha Maurer ◽  
Jodi Meyer ◽  
Jiaying Zhang ◽  
Olayinka O. Shiyanbola
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Medication Adherence ◽  
Illness Perceptions ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
Interpersonal Factors ◽  
Sequential Mixed Methods ◽  
Over Time

Objectives: In this study, we conducted a longitudinal evaluation of changes in medication adherence and the role of psychosocial and interpersonal factors in these changes among Blacks with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and determined barriers and facilitators of T2DM medication adherence. Methods: We used an explanatory sequential mixed methods design for a sample of 287 black adult patients with T2DM in Wisconsin. Two surveys quantitatively evaluated changes in medication adherence, psychosocial factors, and interpersonal factors over time. We conducted 10 semi-structured qualitative interviews to explore participants' perceptions of these changes. Data integration of the quantitative and qualitative findings elucidated barriers and facilitators of medication adherence. Results: Increased adherence was significantly correlated with less concerns about medicines (r = -0.31), higher self-efficacy (r = 0.47), lesser depressive symptoms (r = -0.26), and lesser negative illness perceptions (r = -0.26) at both baseline and follow-up. Patient perceptions of adherence changes included adherence motivators, social support, and complex medication regimens. Integration showed that barriers and facilitators both existed in individuals who had an increase or a decrease in adherence over time. Conclusions: Specific beliefs of Blacks towards T2DM medications must be addressed to improve their adherence. Interventions must be tailored using interpersonal factors.

scholarly journals Contact With an Ex-Partner Is Associated With Psychological Distress After Marital Separation

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 450-463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karey L. O’Hara ◽  
Austin M. Grinberg ◽  
Allison M. Tackman ◽  
Matthias R. Mehl ◽  
David A. Sbarra
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Psychological Adjustment ◽  
Time Varying ◽  
Marital Separation ◽  
Person Variable ◽  
Over Time

In this study, we examined the association between naturalistically observed in-person contact with an ex-partner and separation-related psychological distress (SRPD). One hundred twenty-two recently separated adults were assessed using the Electronically Activated Recorder on three occasions across 5 months. The association between in-person contact with an ex-partner, as a between-person variable, and concurrent SRPD was not reliably different from zero, nor was the time-varying effect of in-person contact. However, more frequent in-person contact with an ex-partner predicted higher SRPD 2 months later, above and beyond the variance accounted for by concurrent in-person contact, demographic, relationship, and attachment factors. Follow-up analyses showed that this effect was present only for people without children; a 1 SD increase in in-person contact offset and slowed the predicted decline in SRPD over 2 months by 112%. In our discussion, we emphasize new ways to think about the role of in-person contact in shaping adults’ psychological adjustment to separation over time.

scholarly journals PREPRINT: Contact and Psychological Adjustment following Divorce/Separation

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karey O'Hara ◽  
Austin Grinberg ◽  
Allison Mary Tackman ◽  
Matthias R. Mehl ◽  
David Sbarra
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Psychological Adjustment ◽  
Time Varying ◽  
Standard Deviation Increase ◽  
Interpersonal Contact ◽  
Person Variable ◽  
Over Time

This study examined the association between naturalistically-observed in-person contact with one’s ex-partner and separation-related psychological distress (SRPD). 122 recently separated adults were assessed using the Electronically Activated Recorder (Mehl, 2017) on three occasions across five months. The association between in-person contact with one’s expartner, as a between-person variable, and concurrent SRPD was not reliably different from zero, nor was the time-varying effect of in-person contact. However, more frequent in-person contact with one’s ex-partner predicted higher SRPD two months later, above and beyond the variance accounted for by oncurrent in-person contact, demographic, relationship, and attachment factors. Follow-up analyses yielded that this effect was only present for people without children; a one standard deviation increase in in-person contact offset and slowed the predicted decline in SRPD over two months by 112%. Our discussion emphasizes new ways to think about the role of interpersonal contact in shaping adults’ psychological adjustment to separation over time.

scholarly journals Sustaining Regular Exercise During Weight Loss Maintenance: The Role of Consistent Exercise Timing

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Leah M. Schumacher ◽  
J. Graham Thomas ◽  
Rena R. Wing ◽  
Hollie A. Raynor ◽  
Ryan E. Rhodes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Weight Control ◽  
Time Window ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Early Morning ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Exercise Timing ◽  
Over Time

Background: Exercising at a consistent versus variable time of day cross-sectionally relates to greater moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among weight loss maintainers. This study evaluated the relationships between exercise timing and both MVPA levels and habit strength, as well as stability in exercise timing, over 1 year among maintainers in the National Weight Control Registry. Methods: Participants (n = 709) completed questionnaires assessing exercise timing, MVPA, and exercise automaticity (a measure of habit) at baseline and 1-year follow-up. At each assessment, participants were labeled temporally consistent exercisers if >50% of their exercise sessions per week occurred in one time window: early morning, late morning, afternoon, or evening. Participants exercising consistently during the same window at both assessments were labeled as having stable patterns. Results: Temporally consistent exercise at baseline, regardless of its specific time, related to greater MVPA over time (Ps< .05). Approximately half of temporally consistent exercisers at baseline exhibited stable patterns. Early morning exercise and greater exercise automaticity at baseline predicted stable patterns (Ps< .005). Temporally consistent exercise, especially during the early morning, related to greater automaticity across time (Ps< .01). Conclusions: Consistent exercise timing may help maintainers accrue more MVPA. Consistent early morning exercise was most strongly related to exercise automaticity and routine stability.

scholarly journals Multiple Network Dysconnectivity in Adolescents with Psychotic Experiences: A Longitudinal Population-Based Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 1608-1618
Author(s):  
Aisling O’Neill ◽  
Eleanor Carey ◽  
Niamh Dooley ◽  
Colm Healy ◽  
Helen Coughlan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Psychotic Experiences ◽  
Population Based Study ◽  
Neuroimaging Study ◽  
Multiple Network ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Abnormal functional connectivity (FC, the temporal synchronization of activation across distinct brain regions) of the default mode (DMN), salience (SN), central executive (CEN), and motor (MN) networks is well established in psychosis. However, little is known about FC in individuals, particularly adolescents, reporting subthreshold psychotic experiences (PE) and their trajectory over time. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the FC of these networks in adolescents with PE. In this population-based case-control study, 24 adolescents (mean age = 13.58) meeting the criteria for PE were drawn from a sample of 211 young people recruited and scanned for a neuroimaging study, with a follow-up scan 2 years later (n = 18, mean age = 15.78) and compared to matched controls drawn from the same sample. We compared FC of DMN, SN, CEN, and MN regions between PE and controls using whole-brain FC analyses. At both timepoints, the PE group displayed significant hypoconnectivity compared to controls. At baseline, FC in the PE group was decreased between MN and DMN regions. At follow-up, dysconnectivity in the PE group was more widespread. Over time, controls displayed greater FC changes than the PE group, with FC generally increasing between MN, DMN, and SN regions. Adolescents with PE exhibit hypoconnectivity across several functional networks also found to be hypoconnected in established psychosis. Our findings highlight the potential for studies of adolescents reporting PE to reveal early neural correlates of psychosis and support further investigation of the role of the MN in PE and psychotic disorders.

scholarly journals Serum leptin is associated with increased pulse pressure and the development of arterial stiffening in adult men: results of an eight-year follow-up study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lanfranco D’Elia ◽  
Alfonso Giaquinto ◽  
Roberto Iacone ◽  
Ornella Russo ◽  
Pasquale Strazzullo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulse Pressure ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Vascular Damage ◽  
Arterial Stiffening ◽  
Adult Men ◽  
Median Plasma ◽  
Predictive Role ◽  
Over Time

AbstractHigh leptin levels are associated with an unfavorable cardiometabolic risk profile. A number of studies found a positive association between leptin and vascular damage, but to date, no observational study has evaluated a potential predictive role of leptin for arterial stiffening. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate the role of leptin in the incidence of arterial stiffening (pulse pressure >60 mmHg) and changes in pulse pressure in an 8-year follow-up of a sample of adult men (The Olivetti Heart Study). The analysis included 460 men without baseline arterial stiffening and antihypertensive treatment at baseline and at follow-up (age: 50.0 years, BMI: 26.5 kg/m2). At the end of the follow-up period, the incidence of arterial stiffening was 8%. Baseline leptin was significantly greater in the group that developed arterial stiffening and was significantly correlated with pulse pressure changes over time (p < 0.05). According to the median plasma leptin distribution of the whole population, the sample was stratified into two groups: one with leptin levels above the median and the other with leptin levels below the median. Those who had baseline leptin levels above the median had a greater risk of developing arterial stiffening (odds ratio: 2.5, p < 0.05) and a greater increase in pulse pressure over time (beta: 2.1, p < 0.05), also after adjustment for confounders. The results of this prospective study indicate a predictive role of circulating leptin levels for vascular damage, independent of body weight and blood pressure.

Changes in retinal ischaemic index correlate with recalcitrant macular oedema in retinal vein occlusion: WAVE study

2018 ◽  
Vol 102 (8) ◽  
pp. 1066-1071 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soonil Kwon ◽  
Charles Clifton Wykoff ◽  
David M Brown ◽  
Jano van Hemert ◽  
Wenying Fan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescein Angiography ◽  
Retinal Vein Occlusion ◽  
Macular Oedema ◽  
Central Macular Thickness ◽  
Vein Occlusion ◽  
Peripheral Area ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Retinal Photocoagulation

AimTo evaluate changes in the ischaemic index (ISI) after targeted retinal photocoagulation (TRP) and to investigate the correlation between these changes and macular oedema (ME).MethodTwenty-four eyes of 24 patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) with recurrent ME were included. Ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography (UWFFA; Optos 200Tx) was obtained at baseline and every 4 months. The regions of retinal non-perfusion and the total gradable retina were manually segmented on UWFFA images for calculating the global ISI. ISI was also computed for specific regions defined by a standardised grid: perimacular area (PMA), near-peripheral area (NPA), mid-peripheral area (MPA) and far-peripheral area (FPA). Global and regional ISIs and change in ISI over time were correlated with central macular thickness (CMT).ResultsThe ISIs of entire retina, PMA, NPA, MPA and FPA at baseline were 30.5%±23.3, 17.7%±20.6, 21.9%±19.0, 33.0%±27.9 and 48.0%±32.9, respectively. The ISIs at final follow-up were 23.5%±19.9, 15.7%±22.2, 16.5%±16.7, 24.7%±24.7 and 24.7%±24.7, respectively. A significant correlation was found between CMT and global ISI during follow-up (r=0.22, p=0.03). Among the different retinal zones, PMA showed a correlation with CMT (r=0.27, p=0.007). The change in ISI for the total retina (Δtotal), PMA (ΔPMA) and NPA (ΔNPA) retinal regions was positively correlated with the change in CMT (ΔCMT) (r=0.45, 0.42 and 0.50, respectively, p=0.006, 0.009 and 0.002, respectively).ConclusionThe severity of ME was correlated with the ISIs of the entire retina and the PMA. The reduction in ME was correlated with the reduction in ISI of the entire retina as well as the ISIs for the NPA and PMA following TRP. The role of TRP, particularly to these regions (NPA, PMA), warrants further investigation in recalcitrant RVO-associated ME.

scholarly journals Does Catastrophizing of Bodily Sensations Maintain Health-Related Anxiety? A 14-Day Daily Diary Study with Longitudinal Follow-Up

2014 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 502-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chantal M. Gautreau ◽  
Simon B. Sherry ◽  
Dayna L. Sherry ◽  
Kathryn A. Birnie ◽  
Sean P. Mackinnon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Anxiety ◽  
Daily Diary ◽  
Diary Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Daily Diary Study ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Bodily Sensations ◽  
Over Time

Background: Health anxiety is common, impairing, and costly. The role of catastrophizing of bodily sensations (i.e. rumination about, overconcern with, and intolerance of bodily sensations) in maintaining health-related anxiety (i.e. anxiety about perceived health problems) is important, but understudied, in the health anxiety literature. Aims: The present study investigates the role of catastrophizing of bodily sensations as a maintenance factor for health-related anxiety over time. Method: Undergraduates (n = 226 women; n = 226 men) completed a baseline assessment, 14-day daily diary study, and 14-day longitudinal follow-up. Results: Path analysis indicated catastrophizing of bodily sensations maintains health-related anxiety from one month to the next in both men and women. Conclusions: The present study bridges an important gap between theory and evidence. Results support cognitive behavioral theories and extend cross-sectional research asserting catastrophizing of bodily sensations maintains health-related anxiety over time. A cyclical, self-perpetuating pattern was observed in the present study wherein catastrophizing of bodily sensations and health-related anxiety contribute to one another over time. Results also suggest targeting catastrophizing of bodily sensations may reduce health-related anxiety.

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