scholarly journals Randomized trial of a portable HEPA air cleaner intervention to reduce asthma morbidity among Latino children in an agricultural community

2022 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca L. Drieling ◽  
Paul D. Sampson ◽  
Jennifer E. Krenz ◽  
Maria I. Tchong French ◽  
Karen L. Jansen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Living Room ◽  
Latino Children ◽  
Asthma Morbidity ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Clinical Utilization ◽  
Air Cleaner ◽  
Air Cleaners ◽  
Act Score

Abstract Background Data on pediatric asthma morbidity and effective environmental interventions in U.S. agricultural settings are few. We evaluated the effectiveness of HEPA air cleaners on asthma morbidity among a cohort of rural Latino children. Methods Seventy-five children with poorly controlled asthma and living in non-smoking homes were randomly assigned to asthma education alone or along with HEPA air cleaners placed in their sleeping area and home living room. The Asthma Control Test (ACT) score, asthma symptoms in prior 2 weeks, unplanned clinical utilization, creatinine-adjusted urinary leukotriene E4 (uLTE4 [ng/mg]), and additional secondary outcomes were evaluated at baseline, six, and 12 months. Group differences were assessed using multivariable-adjusted generalized estimating equations. Incident rate ratios of ever experiencing the metrics of poorer asthma health during follow-up (suboptimal asthma management) were estimated using Poisson regression models in secondary analysis. Results Mean child age was 9.2 and 8.6 years in intervention and control groups, respectively, and two-thirds of participants were male. Primary analysis of repeated measures of ACT score did not differ between groups (HEPA group mean change compared to controls 10% [95% CI: − 12-39%]). A suggestion of greater decrease in uLTE4 (ng/mg creatinine) was observed (− 10% [95% CI: − 20 -1%]). Secondary analysis showed children with HEPAs were less likely to have an ACT score meeting a clinically defined cutoff for poorly controlled asthma using repeated measures (IRR: 0.45 [95% CI: 0.21–0.97]). In Poisson models, intervention participants had reduced risk of ever meeting this cutoff (IRR: 0.43 [95% CI: 0.21–0.89]), ever having symptoms in the past 2 weeks (IRR: 0.71 [95% CI: 0.52–0.98]), and lower risk of any unplanned clinical utilization (IRR: 0.35 [95% CI: 0.13–0.94]) compared to control participants. Discussion The HAPI study showed generally improved outcomes among children in the HEPA air cleaner group. However, primary analyses did not meet statistical significance and many outcomes were subjective (self-report) in this unblinded study, so findings must be interpreted cautiously. HEPA air cleaners may provide additional benefit for child asthma health where traditional asthmagens (traffic, tobacco smoke) are not prominent factors, but larger studies with more statistical power and blinded designs are needed. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04919915. Date of retrospective registration: May 19, 2021.

scholarly journals Randomized Trial of a Portable HEPA Air Cleaner Intervention to Reduce Asthma Morbidity among Latino Children in an Agricultural Community

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Drieling ◽  
Paul D. Sampson ◽  
Jennifer E. Krenz ◽  
Maria I. Tchong French ◽  
Karen L. Jansen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Living Room ◽  
Asthma Education ◽  
Asthma Morbidity ◽  
Asthma Symptoms ◽  
Clinical Utilization ◽  
Air Cleaners ◽  
Act Score

Abstract BackgroundData on pediatric asthma morbidity and effective environmental interventions in agricultural settings are few.ObjectivesTo evaluate the effectiveness of HEPA air cleaners on asthma morbidity among a cohort of rural Latino children.MethodsSeventy-five children with poorly controlled asthma and residing in non-smoking homes were randomly assigned to asthma education alone or along with HEPA air cleaners placed in their sleeping area and home living room. Asthma Control Test (ACT) score, asthma symptoms in prior two weeks, unplanned clinical utilization for asthma, creatinine-adjusted urinary leukotriene E4 (uLTE4 [ng/mg]), and other secondary asthma outcomes were assessed at baseline, six and 12 months later. Multivariable-adjusted generalized estimating equations examined differences between groups based on repeated measures. Incident rate ratios of ever experiencing the metrics of poorer asthma health during follow-up (suboptimal asthma management) were estimated using Poisson regression models.ResultsMean intervention group child age was 9.2 years, control mean age was 8.6, and two-thirds of participants were male. In repeated measures analysis, intervention participants were less likely to have an ACT score representing poorly controlled asthma (IRR: 0.45 [95% CI: 0.21–0.97]). In Poisson models, intervention participants had reduced risk of ever experiencing an ACT score representing poorly controlled asthma (IRR: 0.43 [95% CI: 0.21–0.89]), ever having any asthma symptoms in the past two weeks (IRR: 0.71 [95% CI: 0.52–0.98]), and lower risk of any unplanned clinical utilization over the year of follow-up (IRR: 0.35 [95% CI: 0.13–0.94]) compared to control participants. There was a suggestion of greater decrease in uLTE4 (ng/mg creatinine) levels among intervention participants (-10% [95% CI: -20% -1%]).DiscussionHEPA air cleaners may provide additional benefit for child asthma health even in settings with strong asthma education programs and in areas where traditional asthmagens (traffic, tobacco smoke) are not prominent factors.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04919915. Date of retrospective registration: May 19, 2021.

Effectiveness of Triamcinolone Hexacetonide Intraarticular Injection in Interphalangeal Joints: A 12-week Randomized Controlled Trial in Patients with Hand Osteoarthritis

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (10) ◽  
pp. 1869-1877 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia de Oliva Spolidoro Paschoal ◽  
Jamil Natour ◽  
Flavia S. Machado ◽  
Hilda Alcântara Veiga de Oliveira ◽  
Rita Nely Vilar Furtado
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Hand Function ◽  
Intraarticular Injection ◽  
Pinch Strength ◽  
Hand Osteoarthritis ◽  
Triamcinolone Hexacetonide ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Pain At Rest

Objective.To evaluate the effectiveness and tolerance of intraarticular injection (IAI) of triamcinolone hexacetonide (TH) for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) of hand interphalangeal (IP) joints.Methods.Sixty patients who underwent IAI at the most symptomatic IP joint were randomly assigned to receive TH/lidocaine (LD; n = 30) with TH 20 mg/ml and LD 2%, or just LD (n = 30). The injected joint was immobilized with a splint for 48 h in both groups. Patients were assessed at baseline and at 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks by a blinded observer. The following variables were assessed: pain at rest [visual analog scale (VAS)r], pain at movement (VASm), swelling (physician VASs), goniometry, grip and pinch strength, hand function, treatment improvement, daily requirement of paracetamol, and local adverse effects. The proposed treatment (IAI with TH/LD) was successful if statistical improvement (p < 0.05) was achieved in at least 2 of 3 VAS. Repeated-measures ANOVA test was used to analyze intervention response.Results.Fifty-eight patients (96.67%) were women, and the mean age was 60.7 years (± 8.2). The TH/LD group showed greater improvement than the LD group for VASm (p = 0.014) and physician VASs (p = 0.022) from the first week until the end of the study. In other variables, there was no statistical difference between groups. No significant adverse effects were observed.Conclusion.The IAI with TH/LD has been shown to be more effective than the IAI with LD for pain on movement and joint swelling in patients with OA of the IP joints. Regarding pain at rest, there was no difference between groups. Trial registration number: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02102620).

scholarly journals Deposition Rates of Asthma Triggers on Conventional and Enclosed Window Treatments

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thorne PS ◽  
◽  
Metwali N ◽  
Wyland NG ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Window Glass ◽  
Breathing Zone ◽  
Environmental Interventions ◽  
Asthma Morbidity ◽  
Cat Allergen ◽  
Window Blinds ◽  
Inhalant Allergens ◽  
Allergies And Asthma ◽  
Asthma Triggers

Environmental interventions are an important element of managing allergies and asthma. Health professionals often recommend that draperies be replaced with window blinds however no data exist on accumulation of inhalant allergens or inflammatory bioaerosols on window treatments. Installing blinds that accumulate less dust may reduce breathing zone exposures when blinds are adjusted if hazardous amounts of bioaerosols are deposited. We sought to determine the rate of accumulation of dust, allergens, bacterial endotoxin and fungal glucan on window blinds of two distinct types mounted on the two types of windows most commonly installed in U.S. homes. The blinds tested were conventional horizontal slat blinds hanging on the inside of the window (roomside blinds) and similar blinds placed between the exterior window glass and an extra pane of glass on the interior side (between-glass blinds). The study was conducted in six households as a paired, repeated measures study. Households were identified for participation, having met the study criteria of children and cats living inside a carpeted home. Standard window blinds accumulated cat allergen, endotoxin and fungal glucan at rates of 5940ng/m², 1910EU/m², and 11,360ng/m² per month. Between-glass blinds reduced the loading of asthma triggers by 25- to 185-fold. Comparison with clinical thresholds associated with asthma morbidity indicates that room-side blinds accumulate potentially hazardous quantities of asthma triggers.

scholarly journals Electrostatic Precipitators as an Indoor Air Cleaner—A Literature Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (21) ◽  
pp. 8774
Author(s):  
Alireza Afshari ◽  
Lars Ekberg ◽  
Luboš Forejt ◽  
Jinhan Mo ◽  
Siamak Rahimi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Indoor Air ◽  
Indoor Environment ◽  
Indoor Environmental Quality ◽  
Air Filtration ◽  
Pressure Drops ◽  
Air Cleaning ◽  
Air Cleaner ◽  
Air Cleaners ◽  
Electrostatic Precipitators ◽  
Cleaning Technology

Many people spend most of their time in an indoor environment. A positive relationship exists between indoor environmental quality and the health, wellbeing, and productivity of occupants in buildings. The indoor environment is affected by pollutants, such as gases and particles. Pollutants can be removed from the indoor environment in various ways. Air-cleaning devices are commonly marketed as benefiting the removal of air pollutants and, consequently, improving indoor air quality. Depending on the type of cleaning technology, air cleaners may generate undesired and toxic byproducts. Different air filtration technologies, such as electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) have been introduced to the market. The ESP has been used in buildings because it can remove particles while only causing low pressure drops. Moreover, ESPs can be either in-duct or standalone units. This review aims to provide an overview of ESP use, methods for testing this product, the performance of existing ESPs concerning removing pollutants and their byproducts, and the existing market for ESPs.

scholarly journals The Omega-3 Index and Long-term Walnut Consumption in Elderly Participants of the WAHA Study (P08-107-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tony Jehi ◽  
Sujatha Rajaram ◽  
Joan Sabate ◽  
Edward Bitok ◽  
Keiji Oda
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Generalized Least Squares ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Habitual Diet ◽  
Loma Linda University

Abstract Objectives To determine if consuming walnuts daily for 2 years would improve the omega-3 index in healthy elderly compared to habitual diet without walnuts. Methods Design: Secondary analysis of the Walnuts and Healthy Aging (WAHA) study, a 2-year, randomized controlled clinical trial, conducted in Loma Linda University, CA, USA and Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain. Subjects were randomly assigned to either a walnut or a control group. Study Population Included 193 WAHA study subjects from the Loma Linda center only, whose blood samples were collected and analyzed for RBC fatty acids. Statistical analysis To assess whether the changes of the Omega-3 index from baseline to year 1 and baseline to year 2 are significantly different between the walnut and control groups. Unstructured covariance model best fitted the data and was utilized. Then, repeated measures analyses were conducted to assess the delta change differences based on generalized least squares model. Results Omega-3 index did not significantly change between baseline and year 1 in either group. The index significantly increased by 1.5% (P < 0.001) in walnut group and by 1.8% (P < 0.001) in control group between baseline and year 2. This between-group difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusions Preliminary findings suggest that consuming walnuts, a rich source of ALA, may not be adequate to improve the omega-3 index compared to a walnut free habitual diet. Background intake of EPA and DHA may have a more pronounced influence on the index and needs to be further explored. Funding Sources California Walnut Commission, Folsom, CA.

scholarly journals The effects of a novel bicarbonate loading protocol on serum bicarbonate concentration: a randomized controlled trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Marcus ◽  
Amerigo Rossi ◽  
Andrew Cornwell ◽  
Steven A. Hawkins ◽  
Nazareth Khodiguian
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Bicarbonate ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Elevated Serum ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Serum Bicarbonate ◽  
Bicarbonate Concentration ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Men 2 ◽  
Gastrointestinal Distress

Abstract Background Previous studies have shown that sodium bicarbonate ingestion may enhance intense exercise performance, but may also cause severe gastrointestinal distress. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a modified sodium bicarbonate (SB) ingestion protocol would elevate serum bicarbonate concentration more than previous methods without causing gastrointestinal distress. Methods In randomized order, seven (5 men, 2 women) elite middle-distance runners ingested either placebo, Modified SB (600 mg·kg− 1 over 19.5 h), or Acute SB (300 mg·kg− 1) in opaque gelatin capsules. Baseline and post-ingestion blood samples were analyzed for bicarbonate, pH, sodium, hematocrit, and lactate. Repeated measures ANOVA (2 time points × 3 conditions) were analyzed to determine differences in serum bicarbonate, lactate, sodium, blood pH, and hematocrit. Gastrointestinal distress was assessed via self-report on a Likert scale of 1–10. Simple (condition) and repeated (time) within-participant contrasts were used to determine the location of any statistically significant main and interaction effects (p ≤ 0.05). Results Both Modified SB (7.6 mmol·L− 1, p < 0.01) and Acute SB (5.8 mmol·L− 1, p < 0.01) increased serum bicarbonate concentration compared to the placebo (p ≤ 0.05). Post-ingestion serum bicarbonate concentration was significantly higher for the Modified SB (34.7 ± 2.2 mmol·L− 1, 28.0% increase) trials than the Acute SB (33.5 ± 2.0 mmol·L− 1, 20.9% increase) trials (p = 0.05). There was no reported severe GI distress in the Modified SB trials, but two cases in the Acute SB trials. Conclusions Modified SB elevated serum bicarbonate concentration more than Acute SB, without any severe gastrointestinal side effects. Consequently, it is recommended that future experimentation involving SB by researchers and athletes use the novel ingestion protocol described in this study due to its potential for improved effectiveness and reduced gastrointestinal impact. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov ,NCT03813329. Registered 23 January 2019 - Retrospectively registered,

A Study on the Sound Quality Evaluation Model of Mechanical Air-Cleaners

2009 ◽  
Vol 131 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeong-Guon Ih ◽  
Su-Won Jang ◽  
Cheol-Ho Jeong ◽  
Youn-Young Jeung
Keyword(s):  
High Frequency ◽  
Quality Evaluation ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Sound Quality ◽  
Subjective Feeling ◽  
Subjective Data ◽  
Frequency Bands ◽  
Air Cleaner ◽  
Air Cleaners

In operating the air-cleaner for a long time, people in a quiet enclosed space expect low sound at low operational levels for a routine cleaning of air. However, in the condition of high operational levels of the cleaner, a powerful yet nonannoying sound is desired, which is connected to a feeling of an immediate cleaning of pollutants. In this context, it is important to evaluate and design the air-cleaner noise to satisfy such contradictory expectations from the customers. In this study, a model for evaluating the sound quality of air-cleaners of mechanical type was developed based on objective and subjective analyses. Sound signals from various air-cleaners were recorded and they were edited by increasing or decreasing the loudness at three wide specific-loudness bands: 20–400 Hz (0–3.8 barks), 400–1250 Hz (3.8–10 barks), and 1.25–12.5 kHz bands (10–22.8 barks). Subjective tests using the edited sounds were conducted by the semantic differential method (SDM) and the method of successive intervals (MSI). SDM tests for seven adjective pairs were conducted to find the relation between subjective feeling and frequency bands. Two major feelings, performance and annoyance, were factored out from the principal component analysis. We found that the performance feeling was related to both low and high frequency bands, whereas the annoyance feeling was related to high frequency bands. MSI tests using the seven scales were conducted to derive the sound quality index to express the severity of each perceptive descriptor. Annoyance and performance indices of air-cleaners were modeled from the subjective responses of the juries and the measured sound quality metrics: loudness, sharpness, roughness, and fluctuation strength. The multiple regression method was employed to generate sound quality evaluation models. Using the developed indices, sound quality of the measured data was evaluated and compared with the subjective data. The difference between predicted and tested scores was less than 0.5 points.

scholarly journals Using Mobile Health Tools to Assess Physical Activity Guideline Adherence and Smoking Urges: Secondary Analysis of mActive-Smoke

JMIR Cardio ◽  
10.2196/14963 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. e14963
Author(s):  
Rongzi Shan ◽  
Lisa R Yanek ◽  
Luke G Silverman-Lloyd ◽  
Sina Kianoush ◽  
Michael J Blaha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Physical Activity Guideline ◽  
National Guidelines ◽  
Smoking Urge ◽  
Baseline Activity

Background Rates of cigarette smoking are decreasing because of public health initiatives, pharmacological aids, and clinician focus on smoking cessation. However, a sedentary lifestyle increases cardiovascular risk, and therefore, inactive smokers have a particularly enhanced risk of cardiovascular disease. Objective In this secondary analysis of mActive-Smoke, a 12-week observational study, we investigated adherence to guideline-recommended moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in smokers and its association with the urge to smoke. Methods We enrolled 60 active smokers (≥3 cigarettes per day) and recorded continuous step counts with the Fitbit Charge HR. MVPA was defined as a cadence of greater than or equal to 100 steps per minute. Participants were prompted to report instantaneous smoking urges via text message 3 times a day on a Likert scale from 1 to 9. We used a mixed effects linear model for repeated measures, controlling for demographics and baseline activity level, to investigate the association between MVPA and urge. Results A total of 53 participants (mean age 40 [SD 12] years, 57% [30/53] women, 49% [26/53] nonwhite, and 38% [20/53] obese) recorded 6 to 12 weeks of data. Data from 3633 person-days were analyzed, with a mean of 69 days per participant. Among all participants, median daily MVPA was 6 min (IQR 2-13), which differed by sex (12 min [IQR 3-20] for men vs 3.5 min [IQR 1-9] for women; P=.004) and BMI (2.5 min [IQR 1-8.3] for obese vs 10 min [IQR 3-15] for nonobese; P=.04). The median total MVPA minutes per week was 80 (IQR 31-162). Only 10% (5/51; 95% CI 4% to 22%) of participants met national guidelines of 150 min per week of MVPA on at least 50% of weeks. Adjusted models showed no association between the number of MVPA minutes per day and mean daily smoking urge (P=.72). Conclusions The prevalence of MVPA was low in adult smokers who rarely met national guidelines for MVPA. Given the poor physical activity attainment in smokers, more work is required to enhance physical activity in this population.

scholarly journals Very Low and Higher Carbohydrate Diets Promote Differential Appetite Responses in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 150 (4) ◽  
pp. 800-805
Author(s):  
Noor A Struik ◽  
Grant D Brinkworth ◽  
Campbell H Thompson ◽  
Jonathan D Buckley ◽  
Gary Wittert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Saturated Fat ◽  
Energy Restriction ◽  
E Protein ◽  
Low Carbohydrate ◽  
Prospective Consumption

ABSTRACT Background Effects of very low carbohydrate (VLC) diets on appetite response in individuals with type 2 diabetes remain unclear. Objective A secondary analysis was conducted to determine appetite responses to an energy-restricted [30% of energy (%E) deficit] very low carbohydrate (VLC) diet compared with a higher carbohydrate (HC) diet in adults who were overweight or obese with type 2 diabetes. Methods Forty-four men and 40 women (mean ± SD, age: 58.7 ± 6.6 y; weight: 100.4 ± 15.5 kg; BMI: 34.5 ± 4.1 kg/m2; glycated hemoglobin: 7.3 ± 1.0%; duration of diabetes: 6.7 ± 5.6 y) were randomly assigned to diets categorized as VLC [14%E carbohydrate (&lt;50 g/d), 28%E protein, 58%E fat (&lt;10%E saturated fat)], or energy-matched HC [53%E carbohydrate, 17%E protein, 30%E fat (&lt;10%E saturated fat)] combined with progressive multicomponent exercise (60 min; 3 d/wk). Body weight, average weekly “daily fasting” and “daily overall” appetite perceptions (hunger, fullness, prospective consumption, and desire to eat—visual analog scales) were assessed at baseline and after 4 and 16 wk. Changes between diets over time were assessed using repeated measures ANOVA. Results Significant decreases in body weight did not differ between groups (VLC: −11.0 ± 5.4 kg/16 wk compared with HC: −10.1 ± 4.3 kg/16 wk, P = 0.40). Compared with HC, VLC had greater decreases in “daily overall” ratings of fullness (P time × diet &lt; 0.01), such that scores were higher in HC at Week 4 (VLC:48 ± 3 vs HC:56 ± 3 mm, P = 0.001) and 16 (VLC:51 ± 2 vs HC:57 ± 3 mm, P = 0.019). Compared with HC, VLC had greater increases in prospective consumption ratings (P time × diet = 0.03), such that scores were lower in HC at Week 4 (VLC:33 ± 2 vs HC:28 ± 2 mm, P = 0.008), but not at Week 16 (VLC:33 ± 2 vs HC 31 ± 2 mm, P = 0.289). Conclusions In the context of energy restriction, both HC and VLC energy-matched diets promoted comparable effects on fasting perceptions of appetite, but the HC diet resulted in greater “daily overall” fullness and reduced prospective consumption. Further research is required to evaluate the effects of ad libitum diets differing in amounts of carbohydrate on appetite response in populations with type 2 diabetes. This trial was registered at www.anzctr.org.au as ACTRN12612000369820.

scholarly journals Problems in measuring the JTC-bias in patients with psychotic disorders with the fish task: a secondary analysis of a baseline assessment of a randomized controlled trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nico Pytlik ◽  
Daniel Soll ◽  
Klaus Hesse ◽  
Steffen Moritz ◽  
Andreas Bechdolf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Positive Symptoms ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Persecutory Delusions ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Beads Task

Abstract Background The jumping to conclusions bias (JTC) is considered to be an important causal factor in theoretical models for the formation and maintenance of delusions. However, recent meta-analytic findings show a rather equivocal pattern of results regarding associations between JTC and delusions. Thus, the present study aims to investigate in a large sample whether the JTC-bias is more pronounced in patients with psychotic disorders in comparison to controls and whether the JTC bias is associated with a more severe delusional conviction, persecutory delusions, and positive symptoms in general. Methods Patients with psychotic disorders (n = 300) enrolled in a therapy trial and healthy controls (n = 51) conducted a variant of the beads task (fish task) as a measure for the JTC-bias at the start of the trial. Further, clinical interviews were used to assess patients’ delusional severity and delusional conviction. Results There were no statistically significant differences between patients with psychotic disorders (with 53% displaying the JTC-bias) and controls (41%). Furthermore, there were no statistically significant correlations between JTC measures and persecutory delusions, delusional conviction, and positive symptoms. Conclusions We found no differences in JTC between patients with psychotic disorders and healthy controls, which is in part in line with meta-analytic findings using a wide range of JTC task variants. Interestingly, patients with psychotic disorders displayed JTC rates commonly found in the literature, while healthy control subjects showed an unexpectedly high level of JTC. The task variant we used in the present study (fish task) is discussed as a potential reason for our results, as it may induce a more deliberative reasoning style in controls as compared to the traditional beads task. Furthermore, possible implications for the measurement of the JTC-bias, in general, are discussed. Trial Registration ISRCTN29242879 (isrctn.com), date of registration: April 12th 2006, retrospectively registered.

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