scholarly journals Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Musical Cognitive Restructuring App for Black Inner-City Girls: Survey, Usage, and Focus Group Evaluation (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Neal-Barnett ◽  
Robert Stadulis ◽  
Delilah Ellzey ◽  
Elizabeth Jean ◽  
Tiffany Rowell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Psychological Intervention ◽  
Cognitive Restructuring ◽  
Black Girls ◽  
Adolescent Females ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Musical Form ◽  
Negative Thinking ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Difference

BACKGROUND Research on mobile health (mHealth) app use during adolescence is growing; however, little attention has been paid to black adolescents, particularly black girls, who are generally underresearched and underserved in psychological intervention research. Cognitive restructuring is an important tool in anxiety and fear management and involves two parts: (1) recognizing and deconstructing erroneous thoughts and (2) replacing negative anxiety and stress-provoking thoughts with positive thoughts. In our work with black adolescent females, we found that cognitive restructuring is a difficult skill to practice on one’s own. Thus, drawing upon the importance of music in the black community, we developed the Build Your Own Theme Song (BYOTS) app to deliver a musical form of the technique to middle-school black girls. OBJECTIVE Our aim in this mixed methods study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the BYOTS app. We hypothesize that participants will expect the app to be effective in reducing negative thoughts and that the app will meet their expectations and data generated from the app will demonstrate a reduction in negative thinking and anxiety. METHODS A total of 72 black or biracial seventh- and eighth-grade adolescent females were enrolled in Sisters United Now (SUN), an eight-session culturally infused and app-augmented stress and anxiety sister circle intervention. Before using the BYOTS app, girls completed the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children 2 and the App Expectations Survey. Usage data collected from the app included an assessment of negative thinking before and after listening to their song. After completion of the intervention, focus groups were held to gather qualitative data on participants’ app experience. RESULTS Results using paired sample t tests indicated negative thinking was significantly lower at day 7 than day 1 (t31=1.69, P=.05). Anxiety from preuse to postuse of the app was also reduced (t38=2.82, P=.004). Four effectiveness themes emerged from the focus groups: difference in behavior and temperament, promoted calmness, helpfulness in stressful home situations, and focused thinking via the SUN theme song. CONCLUSIONS The BYOTS app is a useful tool for delivering musical cognitive restructuring to reduce negative thinking and anxiety in an underserved urban population. Changes were supported both quantitatively and qualitatively. Participants, their peers, and their family noted the difference. Findings support expanding the research to black girls of various socioeconomic statuses and geographic diversity. Currently, the app augments SUN, a culturally relevant intervention. Future research will explore BYOTS as a stand-alone app.

scholarly journals Brief Engagement and Acceptance Coaching for Hospice Settings (the BEACHeS study): results from a Phase I study of acceptability and initial effectiveness in people with non-curative cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas J. Hulbert-Williams ◽  
Sabrina F. Norwood ◽  
David Gillanders ◽  
Anne M. Finucane ◽  
Juliet Spiller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Psychological Intervention ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Palliative Care Setting

Abstract Objectives Transitioning into palliative care is psychologically demanding for people with advanced cancer, and there is a need for acceptable and effective interventions to support this. We aimed to develop and pilot test a brief Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) based intervention to improve quality of life and distress. Methods Our mixed-method design included: (i) quantitative effectiveness testing using Single Case Experimental Design (SCED), (ii) qualitative interviews with participants, and (iii) focus groups with hospice staff. The five-session, in-person intervention was delivered to 10 participants; five completed at least 80%. Results At baseline, participants reported poor quality of life but low distress. Most experienced substantial physical health deterioration during the study. SCED analysis methods did not show conclusively significant effects, but there was some indication that outcome improvement followed changes in expected intervention processes variables. Quantitative and qualitative data together demonstrates acceptability, perceived effectiveness and safety of the intervention. Qualitative interviews and focus groups were also used to gain feedback on intervention content and to make design recommendations to maximise success of later feasibility trials. Conclusions This study adds to the growing evidence base for ACT in people with advanced cancer. A number of potential intervention mechanisms, for example a distress-buffering hypothesis, are raised by our data and these should be addressed in future research using randomised controlled trial designs. Our methodological recommendations—including recruiting non-cancer diagnoses, and earlier in the treatment trajectory—likely apply more broadly to the delivery of psychological intervention in the palliative care setting. This study was pre-registered on the Open Science Framework (Ref: 46,033) and retrospectively registered on the ISRCTN registry (Ref: ISRCTN12084782).

scholarly journals Melatonin for Treatment-Seeking Alcohol Use Disorder patients with sleeping problems: A randomized clinical pilot trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie N. S. Gendy ◽  
Dina Lagzdins ◽  
Jessika Schaman ◽  
Bernard Le Foll
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Alcohol Use Disorder ◽  
Pilot Trial ◽  
Complex Problem ◽  
Treatment Seeking ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Treatment Change ◽  
Sleeping Problems ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Difference

Abstract A high percentage of subjects diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (AUD) suffer from sleeping difficulties. Lack of sleep could lead AUD patients to relapse or, sometimes, to suicide. Most of the currently prescribed medications to treat this complex problem retain a high risk of side effects and/or dependence. Therefore, the aim of the current clinical trial is to investigate the possibility of the use of a safer treatment, such as the natural health product melatonin, to treat alcohol-related sleeping problems. Sixty treatment-seeking AUD subjects were assigned to melatonin (5 mg) or placebo for 4 weeks of treatment. Change in sleeping quality which is the primary outcome of the study was assessed using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) scale. Linear mixed models were used to statistically analyze the difference in scores before and after 4 weeks of treatment. There was a reduction in the global PSQI score in both groups with no significant drug effect between groups. In conclusion, the use of melatonin (5 mg)/day didn’t differ from placebo in decreasing sleeping problems in a sample of AUD subjects after 4 weeks of treatment. However, higher doses are worth exploring in future research.

scholarly journals Comparison of Text-Based and Visual-Based Programming Input Methods for First-Time Learners

10.28945/3775 ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 209-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daisuke Saito ◽  
Hironori Washizaki ◽  
Yoshiaki Fukazawa
Keyword(s):  
Visual Input ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Visual Methods ◽  
Programming Environments ◽  
Input Quantity ◽  
Text Input ◽  
Input Method ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Difference ◽  
First Time

Aim/Purpose: When learning to program, both text-based and visual-based input methods are common. However, it is unclear which method is more appropriate for first-time learners (first learners). Background: The differences in the learning effect between text-based and visual-based input methods for first learners are compared the using a questionnaire and problems to assess first learners’ understanding of programming. In addition, we study the benefits and feasibility of both methods. Methodology: In this research, we used the sandbox game Minecraft and the extended function ComputerCraftEdu (CCEdu). CCEdu provides a Lua programming environments for the two (text and visual) methods inside Minecraft. We conducted a lecture course on both methods for first learners in Japan ranging in age from 6 to about 15 years old. The lecture taught the basics and concepts of programming. Furthermore, we implemented a questionnaire about the attitude of programming before and after the lecture. Contribution: This research is more than a comparison between the visual method and the text method. It compares visual input and text input methods in the same environment. It clearly shows the difference between the programming learning effects of visual input and text input for first learners. In addition, it shows the more suitable input method for introductory education of first learners in programming learning. Findings: The following results are revealed: (1) The visual input method induces a larger change in attitude toward programming; (2) The number of operations and input quantity influence both groups; (3) The overall results suggest that a visual input is advantageous in a programming implementation environment for first learners. Impact on Society: A visual input method is better suited for first learners as it improves the attitude toward programming. Future Research: In the future, we plan to collect and analyze additional data as well as elucidate the correlation between attitudes and understanding of programming.

An Aphasia Treatment for Verbs With Low Concreteness: A Pilot Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 299-318
Author(s):  
Dallin J. Bailey ◽  
Christina Nessler ◽  
Kiera N. Berggren ◽  
Julie L. Wambaugh
Keyword(s):  
Single Case ◽  
Treatment Phase ◽  
Semantic Networks ◽  
Sentence Production ◽  
Word Retrieval ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Functional Communication ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Aphasia Treatment

Purpose Verbs with low concreteness are frequent in discourse samples but rarely targeted in aphasia treatments for verbs. These verbs are an important part of functional communication, and recent studies have called for more research regarding aphasia and treatment stimuli with low concreteness. The aim of this study was to pilot the use of verbs with low concreteness in a novel sentence production intervention with persons with aphasia. Method The study took the form of a single-case experimental design with multiple baselines across behaviors and across participants. Three persons with chronic nonfluent aphasia and apraxia of speech participated in the study. Each participant received treatment designed to increase the semantic networks of verbs with high frequency and low concreteness. Sentence production was closely examined over the course of treatment for treated and untreated verbs of varying concreteness levels. Additional measures of language and cognitive functioning were also taken before and after treatment. Results Results indicated improved sentence production with target verbs attributable to the treatment in the 1st phase of 2 phases for 2 of the 3 participants. The increases corresponded with the application of treatment, despite the difference in number of baseline sessions for the participants. Where there were treatment effects, there was also considerable generalization to untreated sets of items during the 1st treatment phase. Word retrieval also improved for 2 participants. Conclusions The results suggest that the novel treatment may improve sentence production and word retrieval in persons with aphasia, even when using target verbs with low concreteness ratings. Future research is warranted into the use of low concreteness verbs. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.10870958

scholarly journals The Relationship of Insufficient Effort Responding and Response Styles: An Online Experiment

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gene M. Alarcon ◽  
Michael A. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Data Cleaning ◽  
Cognitive Effort ◽  
Response Styles ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

While self-report data is a staple of modern psychological studies, they rely on participants accurately self-reporting. Two constructs that impede accurate results are insufficient effort responding (IER) and response styles. These constructs share conceptual underpinnings and both utilized to reduce cognitive effort when responding to self-report scales. Little research has extensively explored the relationship of the two constructs. The current study explored the relationship of the two constructs across even-point and odd-point scales, as well as before and after data cleaning procedures. We utilized IRTrees, a statistical method for modeling response styles, to examine the relationship between IER and response styles. To capture the wide range of IER metrics available, we employed several forms of IER assessment in our analyses and generated IER factors based on the type of IER being detected. Our results indicated an overall modest relationship between IER and response styles, which varied depending on the type of IER metric being considered or type of scale being evaluated. As expected, data cleaning also changed the relationships of some of the variables. We posit the difference between the constructs may be the degree of cognitive effort participants are willing to expend. Future research and applications are discussed.

Tem analysis of multiple-energy arsenic implanted and Rta'd silicon

1987 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 246-247
Author(s):  
R.A. Herring
Keyword(s):  
Device Fabrication ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Tem Analysis ◽  
Defect Clusters ◽  
High Fluences ◽  
Small Defect ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Factor Type

Rapid thermal annealing (RTA) of ion-implanted Si is important for device fabrication. The defect structures of 2.5, 4.0, and 6.0 MeV As-implanted silicon irradiated to fluences of 2E14, 4E14, and 6E14, respectively, have been analyzed by electron diffraction both before and after RTA at 1100°C for 10 seconds. At such high fluences and energies the implanted As ions change the Si from crystalline to amorphous. Three distinct amorphous regions emerge due to the three implantation energies used (Fig. 1). The amorphous regions are separated from each other by crystalline Si (marked L1, L2, and L3 in Fig. 1) which contains a high concentration of small defect clusters. The small defect clusters were similar to what had been determined earlier as being amorphous zones since their contrast was principally of the structure-factor type that arises due to the difference in extinction distance between the matrix and damage regions.

Comparative Effects of High-Tech Visual Scene Displays and Low-Tech Isolated Picture Symbols on Engagement From Students With Multiple Disabilities

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 693-702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Holyfield ◽  
Sydney Brooks ◽  
Allison Schluterman
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Visual Analysis ◽  
Multiple Disabilities ◽  
Visual Scene ◽  
Future Research ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Single Subject ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Difference

Purpose Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is an intervention approach that can promote communication and language in children with multiple disabilities who are beginning communicators. While a wide range of AAC technologies are available, little is known about the comparative effects of specific technology options. Given that engagement can be low for beginning communicators with multiple disabilities, the current study provides initial information about the comparative effects of 2 AAC technology options—high-tech visual scene displays (VSDs) and low-tech isolated picture symbols—on engagement. Method Three elementary-age beginning communicators with multiple disabilities participated. The study used a single-subject, alternating treatment design with each technology serving as a condition. Participants interacted with their school speech-language pathologists using each of the 2 technologies across 5 sessions in a block randomized order. Results According to visual analysis and nonoverlap of all pairs calculations, all 3 participants demonstrated more engagement with the high-tech VSDs than the low-tech isolated picture symbols as measured by their seconds of gaze toward each technology option. Despite the difference in engagement observed, there was no clear difference across the 2 conditions in engagement toward the communication partner or use of the AAC. Conclusions Clinicians can consider measuring engagement when evaluating AAC technology options for children with multiple disabilities and should consider evaluating high-tech VSDs as 1 technology option for them. Future research must explore the extent to which differences in engagement to particular AAC technologies result in differences in communication and language learning over time as might be expected.

Changes in Platelet Aggregability after Ovariectomy

1979 ◽  
Vol 42 (04) ◽  
pp. 1332-1339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroh Yamazaki ◽  
Takeshi Motomiya ◽  
Minoru Sonoda ◽  
Noboru Miyagawa
Keyword(s):  
Platelet Count ◽  
Platelet Activation ◽  
Ovarian Hormones ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Platelet Aggregability ◽  
Appearance Rate ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Induced Aggregation ◽  
Observation Period

SummaryChanges in platelets in 48 patients with uterine myoma before and after hysterectomy with and without ovariectomy were examined. Bilateral ovariectomy in 25 cases (ovariec-tomized group) and unilateral or non-ovariectomy in 23 cases (control group) were performed at the hysterectomy. Platelet count and an appearance rate of secondary aggregation decreased at one day after and increased at one week after the operation, similarly in both the ovariectomized and the control group. The appearance rate of secondary aggregation was reflected in an intensity of aggregation at 5 min after the addition of reagent to PRP. At one month after the operation, the appearance rate of secondary aggregation induced by 3 μM ADP showed a statistically significant decrease in comparison with the preoperation value (P <0.05) and the enhancement of 5-min aggregation was still observed in the control group, while ceased in the ovariectomized group. The difference between the two groups was significant (P < 0.05). There was almost no change in the speed and intensity of primary and secondary aggregation during the observation period. No significant differences in collagen-induced aggregation were noted between the two groups. The results suggest that ovarian hormones, mainly estrogen, facilitate platelet activation which is mediated by the so-called secondary aggregation.

PENGARUH TERAPI TERTAWA TERHADAP PENURUNAN TEKANAN DARAH LANSIA DI UPT PANTI WREDHA BUDHI DHARMA YOGYAKARTA

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Niken Setyaningrum ◽  
Andri Setyorini ◽  
Fachruddin Tri Fitrianta
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Group Comparison ◽  
Control Blood Pressure ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Treatment Of Hypertension ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Difference

ABSTRACTBackground: Hypertension is one of the most common diseases, because this disease is suffered byboth men and women, as well as adults and young people. Treatment of hypertension does not onlyrely on medications from the doctor or regulate diet alone, but it is also important to make our bodyalways relaxed. Laughter can help to control blood pressure by reducing endocrine stress andcreating a relaxed condition to deal with relaxation.Objective: The general objective of the study was to determine the effect of laughter therapy ondecreasing elderly blood pressure in UPT Panti Wredha Budhi Dharma Yogyakarta.Methods: The design used in this study is a pre-experimental design study with one group pre-posttestresearch design where there is no control group (comparison). The population in this study wereelderly aged over> 60 years at 55 UPT Panti Wredha Budhi Dharma Yogyakarta. The method oftaking in this study uses total sampling. The sample in this study were 55 elderly. Data analysis wasused to determine the difference in blood pressure before and after laughing therapy with a ratio datascale that was using Pairs T-TestResult: There is an effect of laughing therapy on blood pressure in the elderly at UPT Panti WredhaBudhi Dharma Yogyakarta marked with a significant value of 0.000 (P <0.05)

Klein with Lacan: A Study on the Reception of Lacanian Ideas in Uruguay and Its Effects on Clinical Practices (1955–82)

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-361
Author(s):  
Gonzalo Grau-Pérez ◽  
J. Guillermo Milán
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Clinical Material ◽  
Clinical Practices ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Discursive Approach ◽  
The Way ◽  
Clinical Cases

In Uruguay, Lacanian ideas arrived in the 1960s, into a context of Kleinian hegemony. Adopting a discursive approach, this study researched the initial reception of these ideas and its effects on clinical practices. We gathered a corpus of discursive data from clinical cases and theoretical-doctrinal articles (from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s). In order to examine the effects of Lacanian ideas, we analysed the difference in the way of interpreting the clinical material before and after Lacan's reception. The results of this research illuminate some epistemological problems of psychoanalysis, especially the relationship between theory and clinical practice.

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