scholarly journals Evaluation of a Graduated Exposure Procedure to Teach Extended Mask Wearing in Various Settings to Children With Autism

2021 ◽  
pp. 014544552110495
Author(s):  
Hallie M. Ertel ◽  
David A. Wilder ◽  
Ansley C. Hodges

During the COVID-19 outbreak, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommended that everyone 2 years and older wear a face mask while in a community setting. However, children with autism may be reluctant to wear a mask, particularly for extended durations. In the current study, we implemented a graduated exposure procedure to teach mask wearing for a minimum of 1 hour in an early intensive behavioral (EIBI) intervention clinic to three children diagnosed with autism. We subsequently probed mask wearing, and if necessary implemented the graduated exposure procedure, in each participant’s home and in a mock physician’s office. Finally, we collected probe data on mask wearing in another community setting and 1 month post-treatment maintenance data in the EIBI clinic. During baseline, participants wore masks for 0 second to 5 minutes. After treatment, all participants wore the mask for at least 1 hour in each setting, with maintenance probes indicating 4 to 5 hour mask tolerance.

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Coclite ◽  
Antonello Napoletano ◽  
Silvia Gianola ◽  
Andrea del Monaco ◽  
Daniela D'Angelo ◽  
...  

Background: Evidence is needed on the effectiveness of wearing face masks in the community to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission.Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy and effectiveness of face mask use in a community setting and to predict the effectiveness of wearing a mask. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCISEARCH, The Cochrane Library, and pre-prints from inception to 22 April 2020 without restriction by language. We rated the certainty of evidence according to Cochrane and GRADE approach.Findings: Our search identified 35 studies, including three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (4,017 patients), 10 comparative studies (18,984 patients), 13 predictive models, nine laboratory experimental studies. For reducing infection rates, the estimates of cluster-RCTs were in favor of wearing face masks vs. no mask, but not at statistically significant levels (adjusted OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.78–1.05). Similar findings were reported in observational studies. Mathematical models indicated an important decrease in mortality when the population mask coverage is near-universal, regardless of mask efficacy. In the best-case scenario, when the mask efficacy is at 95%, the R0 can fall to 0.99 from an initial value of 16.90. Levels of mask filtration efficiency were heterogeneous, depending on the materials used (surgical mask: 45–97%). One laboratory study suggested a viral load reduction of 0.25 (95% CI 0.09–0.67) in favor of mask vs. no mask.Interpretation: The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis support the use of face masks in a community setting. Robust randomized trials on face mask effectiveness are needed to inform evidence-based policies.PROSPERO registration: CRD42020184963.


1994 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-3
Author(s):  
George C. Hamilton ◽  
Dean Polk ◽  
Eugene Rizio

Abstract A 10 year-old apple orchard, variety ‘Red Delicious’ was used in this test. Single tree plots, replicated 4 times/variety in a randomized complete block design, were sprayed to runoff (ca 3 gal/tree) with a hydraulic sprayer equipped with a handgun operated at 200 psi. Treatments were applied at petal fall (PF—11 May), 5th cover (5th—12 Jun) and 6th cover (6th—3 Aug). The orchard was treated with Captan for disease control as needed. Weekly ERM counts were made by randomly selecting 20 leaves/tree, brushing mites onto glass plates coated with Triton B-1956, and counting motile ERM and AF. Mite-days (MD) were calculated as: MD = MD1 + [(Ml + M2)/2 × 7], where MD1 = mitedays already accumulated, Ml = avg ERM/leaf on a given sample date and M2 = avg ERM/leaf on the next sample date. Leafhoppers (White apple and/or Rose) were evaluated at 1,3, 7, 14, and 21 days post treatment using a 20 leaves/tree (PF) or 50 leaves/tree (5th and 6th) sample. Predatory coccinellids were sampled by 3 minute counts of larvae and adults. At harvest, 100 fruit/tree were collected and weighed, evaluated for spray injury, and rated (0%-100%) for russeting. Data were transformed to sqrt(x + 1) or arcsine(x) before ANOVA and comparison of means.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Coclite ◽  
Antonello Napoletano ◽  
Silvia Gianola ◽  
Andrea Del Monaco ◽  
Daniela D'Angelo ◽  
...  

Background: Evidence is needed on the effectiveness of wearing face masks in the community to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy and effectiveness of face mask use in a community setting and to predict the effectiveness of wearing a mask. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCISEARCH, The Cochrane Library and pre-prints from inception to 22 April 2020 without restriction by language. We rated the certainty of evidence according to Cochrane and GRADE approach. Findings: Our search identified 35 studies, including 3 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) (4017 patients), 10 comparative studies (18984 patients), 13 predictive models, 9 laboratory experimental studies. For reducing infection rates, the estimates of cluster-RCTs were in favour of wearing face masks versus no mask, but not at statistically significant levels (adjusted OR 0.90, 95%CI 0.78-1.05). Similar findings were reported in observational studies. Mathematical models indicated an important decrease in mortality when the population mask coverage is near-universal, regardless of mask efficacy. In the best-case scenario, when the mask efficacy is at 95%, the R0 can fall to 0.99 from an initial value of 16.90. Levels of mask filtration efficiency were heterogeneous, depending on the materials used (surgical mask: 45-97%). One laboratory study suggested a viral load reduction of 0.25 (95%CI 0.09-0.67) in favour of mask versus no mask. Interpretation: The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis support the use of face masks in a community setting. Robust randomised trials on face mask effectiveness are needed to inform evidence-based policies.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chin-Mei Liu ◽  
Charles Tzu-Chi Lee ◽  
Shu-Mei Chou ◽  
Hai-Yun Ko ◽  
Jen-Hsin Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The use of face masks has become ubiquitous in Taiwan during the early COVID-19 pandemic. A name-based rationing system was established to enable the population of Taiwan to purchase face masks. This study is to assess the extent and fairness of face mask supply to the public in Taiwan. Methods The weekly face marks supplies were collected from name-based rationing system administrative statistics included national health insurance card and e-Mask selling record. National registered population statistics by age, gender, and district were collected from department of statistics ministry of the interior. The number of COVID-19 non-imported cases of Taiwan was collected from Taiwan centers of disease control. Results A total of 146,831,844 person times purchase records from February 6, 2020, to July 19, 2020, the weekly average face mask supply is 0.5 mask (per person) at the start of name-based rationing system, and gradually expanded to the maximum 5.1 masks (per person). Comparing the highest weekly total face mask supply (from Apr 9, 2020, to Apr 15, 2020) in aged 0–9 -, 10–19 -, 20–29 -, 30–39 -, 40–49 -, 50–69 -, 60–69 -,70–79 -, 80–89 -, 90–99, and > 100 years to the register population showed similar distribution between mask supplied people and total population (all standardized difference < 0.1). Conclusions The masks supply strategies has gradually escalated the number of face masks for the public, it not only has dominant decreased the barrier of acquiring face mask, but a fair supply for total population use of Taiwan.


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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Raina MacIntyre ◽  
S Jay Hasanain

As the COVID-19 pandemic grows globally, universal face mask use (UFMU) has become a topic of discussion, with a recommendation made from the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for cloth mask use by community members. Other countries and the World Health Organization advise against UFMU. We outline the rationale and evidence supporting UFMU in households, during travel and in crowded public spaces in high transmission community settings.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 104-110
Author(s):  
Narelle Williams ◽  
Frances Boyle ◽  
Angela Hong ◽  
Hsien Chan ◽  
Elizabeth Paton ◽  
...  

Introduction: Whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) is a common palliative treatment for brain metastases from solid tumours. Traditionally, it is given with opposed lateral fields causing total alopecia as hair-bearing scalp skin receives the full dose. Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) can deliver WBRT with a simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) to larger metastases whilst minimising dose to critical structures such as the hippocampus. This feasibility study aimed to test the hypothesis that a reduced dose to the scalp using a VMAT hair-sparing WBRT protocol would spare scalp hair and reduce alopecia at four weeks post treatment without compromising disease control at three months. Methods: The Hair Spare study (01.07 WBRTMel sub-study SS01.13) was an investigator-initiated, prospective feasibility study. A VMAT hair-sparing WBRT protocol was developed to limit the dose to the scalp to 16 Gray (Gy) in 15 fractions. The primary objective was the rate of alopecia at 4 weeks post RT as measured by CTCAE v4 and clinician and patient perception. Quality of life (QoL) was assessed at baseline, one month and three months post treatment with validated instruments including European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QoL Questionnaire (QLQ-C15-PAL+4) plus four additional questions specifically relating to hair, a visual analogue scale (VAS) to measure the perception of hair loss severity, and the total Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia Distress Scale (CADS). Results: Nine patients with brain metastases from melanoma (6), breast (2) and lung (1) cancer were enrolled at the Mater Sydney Hospital, Crows Nest, Australia. At 4 weeks, 5 patients were evaluable: 4 reported moderate alopecia (CTCAE v4 Grade 2) and 1 reported mild alopecia (CTCAE v4 Grade 1). All 5 wore wigs or scarves to hide hair loss. Any amount of hair loss impacted QoL. Reduced hair loss compared to complete alopecia, as usually found with conventional WBRT, did not translate to a mean improvement in QoL. There was no symptomatic intracranial progression of disease while the patients remained on study. Two patients had MRI at 3 months, and both had evidence of intracranial progression of disease within the volume that had received prescription WBRT dose. From the data collected it seems that VMAT hair-sparing WBRT was well-tolerated. Conclusion: VMAT hair-sparing WBRT partially spared scalp hair at four weeks post WBRT and did not compromise symptomatic disease control during the study. The treating oncologists observed that the hair grew back quicker than with conventional WBRT, and that combined cytotoxic chemotherapy was additive to RT-induced alopecia. However, the study was not optimal in that data collection was hampered by patient availability. The patient population was too unwell to be followed up according to the protocol.


2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chanti F. Waters ◽  
Mila Amerine Dickens ◽  
Sally W. Thurston ◽  
Xiang Lu ◽  
Tristram Smith

This study examined whether outcomes in early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) during a university-led multisite project could be replicated by the same community agency independently of the project. Participants, age 18 to 75 months at onset of intervention, were 48 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) enrolled in 35 hr per week of publicly funded, community-based EIBI for 3 years and 46 children who were matched on baseline characteristics and received early childhood services as usual (SAU) through local early childhood special education providers. Linear mixed models indicated that EIBI participants improved significantly more than SAU participants on standardized tests of IQ, nonverbal IQ, adaptive behavior, and academic achievement, administered by independent evaluators. Although limited by the use of a matched comparison group rather than random assignment, the study provides evidence for the sustainability of effective EIBI in community settings for children with ASD who start intervention at varying ages throughout early childhood.


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