Comparison of Imaginal Desensitisation with other Behavioural Treatments of Pathological Gambling a Two- to Nine-Year Follow-up

1991 ◽  
Vol 159 (3) ◽  
pp. 390-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathaniel McConaghy ◽  
Alexander Blaszczynski ◽  
Anna Frankova
Keyword(s):  
Pathological Gambling ◽  
Specific Effect ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Effective Therapy ◽  
The Other ◽  
Pathological Gamblers

Of 120 pathological gamblers randomly allocated to imaginal desensitisation (ID) or to other behavioural procedures (60 to each group, all procedures administered over one week) 63 subjects were contacted two to nine years later. Twenty-six of the 33 who received ID reported control or cessation of gambling compared with 16 of 30 who received other behavioural procedures. This difference was significant, indicating ID had a specific effect additional to that of the other behavioural procedures. It is suggested the other procedures could be regarded as placebos. As the response at a mean of over five years to one week of ID is comparable with that reported to more intensive therapies, after briefer follow-up, it is suggested ID is a cost-effective therapy for pathological gambling, and is worth considering when resources are limited.

Pathological Gamblers are Neither Impulsive Nor Sensation—Seekers

1988 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 307-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clive C. Allcock ◽  
David M. Grace
Keyword(s):  
Pathological Gambling ◽  
Patient Group ◽  
Impulse Control ◽  
Sensation Seeking ◽  
The Other ◽  
Drug Addicts ◽  
Heroin Addicts ◽  
Pathological Gamblers ◽  
Sensation Seeking Scale

Ten pathological gamblers, ten alcoholics, ten heroin addicts and twenty five non-patients were compared using Zuckerman's Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS) and Barratt's Impulsivity Scale (BIS). The pathological gamblers did not differ from the non-patient group on either measure. Drug addicts scored significantly higher and alcoholics significantly lower than the pathological gamblers and the non-patient group on the SSS, while drug addicts scored significantly higher than the other groups on the BIS. The difficulties in defining impulsivity are discussed. It is suggested that the classification of pathological gambling as a disorder of impulse control should be reconsidered.

Assessment of Pathological Gamblers Who Use Slot Machines

2003 ◽  
Vol 93 (3) ◽  
pp. 707-716 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. González-Ibáñez ◽  
M. N. Aymamí ◽  
S. Jiménez ◽  
J. M. Domenech ◽  
R. Granero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pathological Gambling ◽  
Sensation Seeking ◽  
Interpersonal Sensitivity ◽  
The Other ◽  
Slot Machines ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Sociodemographic Variables ◽  
Pathological Gamblers ◽  
Phobic Anxiety ◽  
Cluster 2

The aim of the present study was to classify pathological gamblers based on their psychopathology as related to the variable sensation-seeking, and to check possible differences between the groups on the sociodemographic variables. The sample was composed of 110 male pathological gamblers using slot machines who requested treatment at the Pathological Gambling Unit at the Ciutat Sanitària i Universitària de Bellvitge. It was observed that pathological gamblers comprise three clusters, differentiated with differing severity depression, psychoticism, somatization, impulsiveness, interpersonal sensitivity, and phobic anxiety. Cluster 1, representing 46.7% of the sample, showed mean scores higher than or equal to T = 63. On the subscales of Depression, Psychoticism, Interpersonal Sensidvity, Phobic Anxiety, and Obsessiveness–Compulsiveness the score was close to T = 63 (the clinical cut-off score). Cluster 2, representing 23.8% of the sample, scored higher than Cluster 1 on the following subscales: Depression, Phobic Anxiety, Interpersonal Sensitivity, Psychoticism, Obsessive–Compulsive, and Somatization. On Cluster 3 highest mean scores were observed on all SCL-90-R dimensions relative to the other two groups. What distinguished these subgroups is not symptomatology but the severity of the psychopathology. On the other hand, sensation seeking was similar for the three clusters, and the slight differences depended on the subjects' psychopathology.

The Lie/Bet Questionnaire for Screening Pathological Gamblers: A Follow-up Study

1998 ◽  
Vol 83 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1219-1224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward E. Johnson ◽  
Robert M. Hamer ◽  
Rena M. Nora
Keyword(s):  
Positive Result ◽  
Pathological Gambling ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Screening Questionnaire ◽  
Pathological Gamblers ◽  
Follow Up Study ◽  
Dsm Iv ◽  
Screening Device

This study follows up one in which was derived a two-item screening questionnaire for pathological gambling. In the previous study, the two-item screening questionnaire had sensitivity of .99 and specificity of .91. In this study, testing 295 men (116 pathological gamblers and 179 controls) and 128 women (30 pathological gamblers and 98 controls), sensitivity was 1.00 and specificity .85. In the previous study, the predictive value of a positive result was .92 and of a negative result .99. In this sample, the predictive value of a positive result was .78 and of a negative result 1.00. These results indicate the two questions represent a useful screening device for a DSM-IV diagnosis of pathological gambling.

Pathological Gambling and Depression

1996 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 635-640 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisardo Becoña ◽  
María Del Carmen Lorenzo ◽  
María José Fuentes
Keyword(s):  
Pathological Gambling ◽  
Diagnostic Criteria ◽  
Random Sample ◽  
Beck Depression Inventory ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
The Other ◽  
Pathological Gamblers ◽  
Dsm Iv

A number of previous studies have indicated that pathological gambling is often associated with depression. Equally, a number of theoretical models of pathological gambling have included depression as a key variable. Here we report a study of depression in pathological gamblers identified within a random sample of 1,615 adults living in the major cities of Galicia (northwest Spain). Pathological gamblers were identified on DSM–IV diagnostic criteria. Depression was evaluated with the Beck Depression Inventory, subjects being classified ‘depressive’ if they obtained a score of 18 or more. Of 19 pathological gamblers who completed the Beck Depression Inventory, 21% were depressive; by contrast, only 9% of the other subjects were depressive. The Beck scores of pathological gamblers were positively correlated with the severity of their addiction as indicated by the number of DSM–IV-specified symptoms reported.

Home-Based Imaginal Desensitisation in Pathological Gambling: Short-Term Outcomes

2005 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Blaszczynski ◽  
Juliette Drobny ◽  
Zachary Steel
Keyword(s):  
Pathological Gambling ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Self Control ◽  
University Teaching ◽  
Gambling Behaviour ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Inpatient Settings ◽  
Randomised Controlled

AbstractRandomised controlled outcome studies have demonstrated the efficacy of imaginal desensitisation in inpatient settings. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a prerecorded audiocassette version of the imaginal desensitisation procedure that was designed for home-based use in reducing gambling urges and behaviours on a sample of diagnosed pathological gamblers who sought treatment at a university teaching hospital at 2-month follow-up. Pretreatment to 2-month follow-up repeated measures revealed a significant reduction in visual analogue scale ratings of urge, preoccupation and perceived self-control over gambling; indices of actual gambling behaviour; and psychometric measures of anxiety, depression and impulsivity. A prerecorded audiocassette version of imaginal desensitisation for home use represents a cost-effective approach in the management of pathological gambling.

Microcirculation of the fingers in Raynaud’s syndrome

2005 ◽  
Vol 44 (01) ◽  
pp. 29-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Garai ◽  
J. Varga ◽  
G. Szücs ◽  
Z. Galajda ◽  
C. András ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Medicine ◽  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Semiquantitative Analysis ◽  
Perfusion Scintigraphy ◽  
Visual Evaluation ◽  
Raynaud’S Syndrome ◽  
Raynaud's Syndrome ◽  
Primary Form

Summary Aim: We investigated the circulatory characteristics of patients suffering of primary and secondary Raynaud’s syndrome. Patients, methods: We examined 106 patients presenting with the classical symptoms of Raynaud’s syndrom (47 primary, 59 secondary) by hand perfusion scintigraphy developed by our Department of Nuclear Medicine. After visual evaluation we analyzed the images semiquantitatively, using the finger to palm ratio. We statistically compared the patients with primary and those with secondary Raynaud’s syndrome. Results: By visual evaluation we constated regional perfusion disturbances in 42 from 59 patients with secondary Raynaud’s syndrome. However, this was observed in only 3 from 47 patients with the primary form of this disease. This difference was statistically significant (p <0.001). Semiquantitative analysis showed that the finger/palm ratios (FPR) were significantly lower (p <0.05) for the patients with primary Raynaud’s syndrome. No differences in the FPR values concerning sex or right and left side. Conclusion: The hand perfusion scintigraphy with 99mTc-DTPA is a noninvasive, cost effective diagnostic tool, which objectively reflects the global and regional microcirculatory abnormalities of the hands, and provides quantitative data for follow-up.

2D Color-Intensity Representation of Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge Measurements

2020 ◽  
pp. 1192-1198
Author(s):  
M.S. Mohammad ◽  
Tibebe Tesfaye ◽  
Kim Ki-Seong
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effective ◽  
The Other ◽  
Thickness Gauge ◽  
Color Intensity ◽  
Digital Readout ◽  
Flat Surfaces ◽  
Video Cameras ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Cost Effective Alternative ◽  
Ultrasonic Thickness

Ultrasonic thickness gauges are easy to operate and reliable, and can be used to measure a wide range of thicknesses and inspect all engineering materials. Supplementing the simple ultrasonic thickness gauges that present results in either a digital readout or as an A-scan with systems that enable correlating the measured values to their positions on the inspected surface to produce a two-dimensional (2D) thickness representation can extend their benefits and provide a cost-effective alternative to expensive advanced C-scan machines. In previous work, the authors introduced a system for the positioning and mapping of the values measured by the ultrasonic thickness gauges and flaw detectors (Tesfaye et al. 2019). The system is an alternative to the systems that use mechanical scanners, encoders, and sophisticated UT machines. It used a camera to record the probe’s movement and a projected laser grid obtained by a laser pattern generator to locate the probe on the inspected surface. In this paper, a novel system is proposed to be applied to flat surfaces, in addition to overcoming the other limitations posed due to the use of the laser projection. The proposed system uses two video cameras, one to monitor the probe’s movement on the inspected surface and the other to capture the corresponding digital readout of the thickness gauge. The acquired images of the probe’s position and thickness gauge readout are processed to plot the measured data in a 2D color-coded map. The system is meant to be simpler and more effective than the previous development.

Extended Routine Follow-up of Primary Uncomplicated Hip and Knee Arthroplasty is not Necessary

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 266-271
Author(s):  
Georgina Kakra Wartemberg ◽  
Thomas Goff ◽  
Simon Jones ◽  
James Newman
Keyword(s):  
Aseptic Loosening ◽  
Revision Surgery ◽  
Revision Arthroplasty ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Primary Surgery ◽  
Effective System ◽  
Knee Revision Surgery ◽  
Knee Revision

Aims: To create a more effective system to identify patients in need of revision surgery. Background: There are over 160,000 total hip and knee replacements performed per year in England and Wales. Currently, most trusts review patients for up to 10 years or more. When we consider the cost of prolonged reviews, we cannot justify the expenditure within a limited budget. Study Design & Methods: We reviewed all patients' notes that underwent primary hip and knee revision surgery at our institution, noting age, gender, symptoms at presentation, referral source, details of the surgery, reason for revision and follow up history from primary surgery. Results: There were 145 revision arthroplasties (60 THR and 85 TKR) that met our inclusion criteria. Within the hip arthroplasty group, indications for revision included aseptic loosening (37), dislocation (10), and infection (3), periprosthetic fracture, acetabular liner wear and implant failure. All thirty-seven patients with aseptic loosening presented with pain. Twenty-five were referred from general practice with new symptoms. The remaining were clinic follow-ups. The most common reason for knee revision was aseptic loosening (37), followed by infection (21) and then progressive osteoarthritis (8). Most were referred from GP as a new referral or were clinic follow-ups. All patients were symptomatic. Conclusion: All the patients that underwent revision arthroplasty were symptomatic. Rather than yearly follow up, we recommend a cost-effective system. We are implementing a 'non face-to-face' system. Patients would be directly sent a questionnaire and x-ray form. The radiographs and forms will be reviewed by an experienced arthroplasty surgeon. The concerning cases will be seen urgently in a face-to-face clinic.

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