An Efficient System for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy: Pilot Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolae Goga ◽  
Costin-Anton Boiangiu ◽  
Andrei Vasilateanu ◽  
Alexandru-Filip Popovici ◽  
Marius-Valentin Drăgoi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Secondary Outcome Measure ◽  
Large Effect Size ◽  
Efficient System ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Post Test

BACKGROUND EMDR is a psychological therapy designed to treat emotional distress caused by a traumatic event from the past, most frequently in the PTSD treatment. We implemented a system based on video, tactile and audio sensors which includes an artificial intelligence chatbot that can replace the trained clinician in the EMDR procedure, thus making the system capable to act autonomously. OBJECTIVE This pilot study aims to develop an EMDR virtual assistant capable of assisting a user in performing an efficient therapy with a minimal intervention of a trained clinician. METHODS An EMDR virtual assistant was created that include audio, video and tactile sensors. A total of 31 participants were included in the pilot study, 14 males and 17 females, with ages between 19 and 33, (Mage = 26.2, SD = 4.21). Participants were invited to remember a traumatic event from their past that caused them discomfort, and they failed to overcome it. After accessing the traumatic memory, primary outcome measures (IES-R and STAI) and secondary outcome measures (VOC and SUD) instruments were applied in the pre-test condition. The designed intervention through application consisted of four phases of bilateral stimulation (visual, auditive, and sensorial). After the discussion with a specialist, and after the completion of the instruments on the pre-test assessment phase, the participants self-administered the intervention through the application and then completed again the instruments in the post-test phase. RESULTS The results showed that there was a significant difference in scores for the pre-test condition (M = 39.8, SD = 14.07) and post-test (M = 13.7, SD = 5.7) measured with IES-R scale; t(30) = 10.5, p < 0.001, and a large effect size (d = 1.89). Also, there are significant differences in scores for the pre-test condition (M = 56.7, SD = 8.3) and post-test (M = 33.8, SD = 4.6) regarding anxiety scores (STAI); t(30) = 11.7, p < 0.001, and a large effect size (d = 2,11) of intervention in reducing anxiety associated with the traumatic event. Related to the secondary outcome measure there was a significant pre- to post-intervention reduction in scores for both VOC; t(30) = 46.8, p < 0.00, and SUD; t(30) = 75.9, p < 0.001. It was shown that the higher scores decreased significantly at the end of the intervention. CONCLUSIONS Our results proved the efficiency of the virtual assistant system for EMDR in reducing anxiety, distress, and negative cognitions and emotions associated with traumatic memories. These findings are filling a gap in the existing literature regarding the efficiency and use of similar systems and could represent a starting point for developing applications and future controlled trials and protocols that can be used in similar cases.

scholarly journals The Effect of ‘Power’ as an Instructional Writing Strategy on Students’ Writing Skill Across Gender

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
Luh Putu Rany Prihastuti ◽  
Ni Nyoman Padmadewi ◽  
Dewa Putu Ramendra
Keyword(s):  
Effect Size ◽  
Large Effect Size ◽  
Efl Writing ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Writing Strategy ◽  
Writing Skill ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Efl Writing Instruction ◽  
One Way Anova

The study aimed at: (1) investigating the effect of POWER as an instructional writing strategy on students’ writing skill; (2) analyzing the different effect of POWER across gender; and (3) analyzing problems of writing faced by the students. The explanatory design was applied in this study. A writing post-test was used to obtain the data and were analyzed using One-Way ANOVA. The findings of the study revealed that (1) there was a significant effect of POWER on students’ writing skill: p = .001 with a large effect size (eta = .17); (2) there was a significant difference on the effect of POWER on the students’ writing skill across gender: p = .013 with a large effect size (eta = .18); and (3) the males struggled in editing and revising rather than females. Then, those resulted in the differences quality of their writing, in which point female participants surpassed the males. Therefore, teachers are expected to implement POWER as one of their variants in EFL writing instruction

scholarly journals Donepezil for mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyoungwon Baik ◽  
Seon Myeong Kim ◽  
Jin Ho Jung ◽  
Yang Hyun Lee ◽  
Seok Jong Chung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Significant Difference

AbstractWe investigated the efficacy of donepezil for mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease (PD-MCI). This was a prospective, non-randomized, open-label, two-arm study. Eighty PD-MCI patients were assigned to either a treatment or control group. The treatment group received donepezil for 48 weeks. The primary outcome measures were the Korean version of Mini-Mental State Exam and Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores. Secondary outcome measures were the Clinical Dementia Rating, Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale part III, Clinical Global Impression scores. Progression of dementia was assessed at 48-week. Comprehensive neuropsychological tests and electroencephalography (EEG) were performed at baseline and after 48 weeks. The spectral power ratio of the theta to beta2 band (TB2R) in the electroencephalogram was analyzed. There was no significant difference in the primary and secondary outcome measures between the two groups. However, the treatment group showed a significant decrease in TB2R at bilateral frontotemporoparietal channels compared to the control group. Although we could not demonstrate improvements in the cognitive functions, donepezil treatment had a modulatory effect on the EEG in PD-MCI patients. EEG might be a sensitive biomarker for detecting changes in PD-MCI after donepezil treatment.

scholarly journals Is the public supportive and willing to pay for a national assistive reproductive therapies programme? Results from a multicountry survey

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e044986
Author(s):  
Chris Skedgel ◽  
Eleanor Ralphs ◽  
Elaine Finn ◽  
Jennifer A Whitty ◽  
Marie Markert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Medical Condition ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Fertility Treatment ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Secondary Outcome Measure ◽  
Additional Contribution ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Usa

ObjectivesTo understand attitudes towards infertility and willingness to pay (WTP) towards a publicly funded national assistive reproductive therapies (ART) programme.DesignAttitudes survey with dichotomous and open-ended WTP questions.SettingOnline survey administered in the USA, UK, Spain, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and China.Participants7945 respondents, analysed by country. Nordic respondents were pooled into a regionally representative sample.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPrimary outcome measures were proportion of sample agreeing with different infertility-related and ART-related value statements and supporting a monthly contribution to fund a national ART programme, expressed in local currency. Secondary outcome measure was maximum WTP.ResultsAcross the nationally representative samples, 75.5% of all respondents agreed with infertility as a medical condition and 82.3% and 83.7% with ART eligibility for anyone who has difficulty having a baby or a medical problem preventing them from having a baby, respectively. 56.4% of respondents supported a defined monthly contribution and 73.9% supported at least some additional contribution to fund a national ART programme. Overall, converting to euros, median maximum WTP was €3.00 and mean was €15.47 (95% CI 14.23 to 16.72) per month. Maximum WTP was highest in China and the USA and lowest in the European samples.ConclusionsThis large, multicountry survey extends our understanding of public attitudes towards infertility and fertility treatment beyond Europe. It finds evidence that a majority of the public in all sampled countries/regions views infertility as a treatable medical condition and supports the idea that all infertile individuals should have access to treatments that improve the chance of conception. There was also strong agreement with the idea that the desire for children is a basic human need. WTP questions showed that a majority of respondents supported a monthly contribution to fund a national ART programme, although there is some evidence of an acquiescence bias that may overstate support among specific samples.

The effect of midodrine on lactate clearance in patients with septic shock: a pilot study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Effat Davoudi-Monfared ◽  
Mostafa Mohammadi ◽  
Meysam Khoshavi ◽  
Hossein Khalili
Keyword(s):  
Septic Shock ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Lactate Clearance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Large Effect Size ◽  
Group 13 ◽  
Registration Number ◽  
To Receive

Background: The effect of midodrine on lactate clearance has not been assessed in critically ill patients yet. Objective: The goal of this study was to assess the effect of adjunctive midodrine therapy on lactate clearance in patients with septic shock. Materials & methods: Patients with septic shock were assigned to receive either adjunctive midodrine 10 mg three-times a day for 5 days (midodrine group = 15 patients) or not (control group = 13 patients). Results: The lactate clearance was significantly faster in the midodrine group than the control group (p = 0.049) with a large effect size ([Formula: see text] = 0.141). Conclusion: When midodrine was added to intravenous vasopressors, it significantly accelerated lactate clearance in patients with septic shock. Trial registration number: IRCT20100228003449N25 (Clinicaltrials.gov).

The effectiveness of a training program using communicative theory in developing some concepts of Web 3 for educational technology specialists.

2021 ◽  
pp. 68-96
Author(s):  
سيد طنطاوي
Keyword(s):  
Training Program ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Education Technology ◽  
Large Effect Size ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Independent Variable ◽  
Communicative Theory ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Technology Specialists ◽  
Technology Specialist

The aim of this research is to develop some concepts of web3 for the education technology specialist, to present a proposed training program for web3 technology, to define the concepts and technology of web3. There is a statistically significant difference at the level (0.05) between the average scores of education technology specialists in the pre and post applications to test the web3.0 concepts in favor of the post application. In light of the significance of the differences using the "T" tests, the square of ETA (2η) was calculated using the equation Eta square (2 η) to find the magnitude of the effect of the independent variable (training program) in the dependent variable (development of web3.0 concepts), and by calculating the value of the square of ETA (2)) (Al-Amiri, 2006, 233), reached (0.98), which indicates that the training program has a significant impact on the acquisition of some concepts of web3.0, where this value shows that the training program contributed (98%) of the total variance In developing these concepts,It is a large percentage indicating the effectiveness of the training program in developing web3.0 concepts for the target research sample, which is the education technology specialist (if the effect size = 0.2 is the effect is weak, and if the impact size = 0.5, the effect is moderate, and if the impact size is = 0.8 The effect is significant), (Asr, 2003). From the above it is clear that the training program contributed to the development of the targeted web3.0 concepts for education technology specialists, as it found a difference between the median of the pre and post applications to test the concepts of the web3.0 in favor of the post application at the research group, which averaged (51,85) compared to (16) , 75) for pre-application, with a large effect size of (0.98) according to the ETA square measure (2η) of the effect size.

scholarly journals Success of trabeculectomy surgery in relation to cataract surgery: 5-year outcomes

2018 ◽  
Vol 103 (10) ◽  
pp. 1395-1400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rashmi G Mathew ◽  
Sahar Parvizi ◽  
Ian E Murdoch
Keyword(s):  
Cataract Surgery ◽  
Outcome Measure ◽  
Primary Outcome Measure ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Secondary Outcome Measure ◽  
Risk Of Failure ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Measure Change ◽  
Group 2

AimsTo compare success proportions at 5 years in three surgical groups: group 1, trabeculectomy alone; group 2, trabeculectomy followed by cataract surgery within 2 years; and group 3, trabeculectomy performed on a pseudophakic eye.MethodsA retrospective cohort study. 194 eyes of 194 patients were identified with at least 5 years’ follow-up post trabeculectomy (N=85, 60 and 49 in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively).Main outcome measures1. Primary outcome measure: intraocular pressure (IOP) at 5 years post-trabeculectomy surgery, 2.Secondary outcome measure: change in visual acuity at 5 years.ResultsAt 5 years, the mean IOP (SD) was 12.9 (3.5), 12.5 (4.8) and 12.7 (4.8) mm Hg in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Overall success was almost identical, 58%, 57% and 59% in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of percentage IOP reduction, number of medications, proportion restarting medication and reoperation rates at 5 years. Logistic regression for an outcome of failure showed men to be at increased risk of failure OR 1.97 (95% CI 1.10 to 3.52, p=0.02). Nearly 80% of patients retained or improved their vision following their initial trabeculectomy.ConclusionsThe sequence in which surgery is carried out does not appear to affect trabeculectomy function at 5 years, success being similar to trabeculectomy alone. In our study, men may be at increased risk of failure.

scholarly journals Validasi Modul Pelatihan Pendampingan Klien pada Pekerja Sosial

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 66
Author(s):  
Yova Tri Yolanda ◽  
Muhana Sofiati Utami
Keyword(s):  
Social Worker ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Test Sample ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Large Effect Size ◽  
Control Group Design ◽  
Sample Data ◽  
Post Test ◽  
And Control

Purpose of this research is to validated the module Client Facilitating Training to increase social worker knowledge about stress  and skill for facilitating client. Training included psychoeducation about stress and management stress, basic of client facilitating method and communication skill in facilitating process. Subjects of this research are 12 social worker and divided to experiment and control group. This research using quasi experiment with non control group design with pretest and post test sample. Data collected by management stres questionnaire, facilitating scale and field data collected by observer and supervisor. Results indicated that there is a significant differences between experiment and control groups in stress and management stress (Z=-3,017; p<0,05) with large effect size of 0,87 and Facilitatting skill (Z= -1,354; p<0,05) with large effect size of 0,84. Client Facilitating Training is valid to improve social worker knowledge stress  and management stress  and facilitating skill.

The Effects of Taping on Muscle Activity and Throwing Velocity in Fatigued Baseball Players

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-29
Author(s):  
Kara-Lyn R. Harrison ◽  
Paolo Sanzo ◽  
Carlos Zerpa ◽  
Taryn Klarner
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
Maximum Velocity ◽  
Baseball Players ◽  
Kinesio Tape ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Post Test ◽  
And Performance

Due to the repetitive high forces and torques placed on an individual during a baseball pitch, shoulder pain is present in 46-57% of pitchers. Therapeutic taping has been proposed to have beneficial qualities in injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement via muscular facilitation. Therefore, the purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the effect of taping on the velocity of an overhead baseball throw and muscle activation patterning of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and pectoralis major muscles in baseball players after muscle fatigue was induced. Participants were asked to complete three pre-test maximum velocity overhead throws, a fatiguing protocol, followed by three post-test maximum velocity pitches. There was no statistically significant difference in throwing velocity or muscle activity with the application of the different taping conditions in the three phases of an overhead baseball throw. These finding suggest Kinesio Tape® does not change muscle activation or velocity of overhead baseball throws when compared to a no tape condition.

scholarly journals Impact of blood group on survival following critical illness: a single-centre retrospective observational study

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e000426
Author(s):  
Robert Slade ◽  
Raza Alikhan ◽  
Matt P Wise ◽  
Lam Germain ◽  
Simon Stanworth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Critical Illness ◽  
Blood Group ◽  
Outcome Measure ◽  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Secondary Outcome Measure ◽  
Transfusion Requirements ◽  
Significant Difference

BackgroundPredicting patient outcomes following critical illness is challenging. Recent evidence has suggested that patients with blood group AB are more likely to survive following major cardiac surgery, and this is associated with a reduced number of blood transfusions. However, there are no current data to indicate whether a patient’s blood group affects general intensive care outcomes.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to determine if ABO blood group affects survival in intensive care. The primary outcome measure was 90-day mortality with a secondary outcome measure of the percentage of patients receiving a blood transfusion.DesignRetrospective analysis of electronically collected intensive care data, blood group and transfusion data.SettingGeneral intensive care unit (ICU) of a major tertiary hospital with both medical and surgical patients.PatientsAll patients admitted to ICU between 2006 and 2016 who had blood group data available.InterventionNone.Measurements and main results7340 patients were included in the study, blood group AB accounted for 3% (221), A 41% (3008), B 10.6% (775) and O 45.4% (3336). These values are similar to UK averages. Baseline characteristics between the groups were similar. Blood group AB had the greatest survival benefit (blood group AB 90-day survival estimate 76.75, 95% CI 72.89 to 80.61 with the overall estimate 72.07, 95% CI 71.31 to 72.82) (log-rank χ2 16.128, p=0.001). Transfusion requirements were similar in all groups with no significant difference between the percentages of patients transfused (AB 23.1%, A 21.5%, B 18.7%, O 19.9%, Pearson χ2 5.060 p=0.167).ConclusionAlthough this is primarily a hypothesis generating study, intensive care patients with blood group AB appeared to have a higher 90-day survival compared with other blood groups. There was no correlation between blood group and percentage of patients receiving transfusion.

Therapeutic effects of vitamin D as adjunctive therapy to fluoxetine in patients with major depressive disorder

2012 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nayereh Khoraminya ◽  
Mehdi Tehrani-Doost ◽  
Shima Jazayeri ◽  
Aghafateme Hosseini ◽  
Abolghassem Djazayery
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Outcome Measure ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Secondary Outcome Measure ◽  
Depression Severity ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Significant Difference

Objective: To compare the therapeutic effects of vitamin D3 plus fluoxetine and fluoxetine alone in patients with major depressive disorder. Methods: In the present double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 42 patients with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder based on DSM-IV criteria were randomly assigned into two groups to receive daily either 1500 IU vitamin D3 plus 20 mg fluoxetine or fluoxetine alone for 8 weeks. Depression severity was assessed at 2-week intervals using the 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) as a primary outcome measure and the 21-item Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) as a secondary outcome measure. Serum 25(OH) vitamin D was measured at baseline and after intervention. Results: Forty patients completed the trial. A two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance showed that depression severity based on HDRS and BDI decreased significantly after intervention, with a significant difference between the two groups. The vitamin D + fluoxetine combination was significantly better than fluoxetine alone from the fourth week of treatment. Conclusions: In the present 8-week trial, the vitamin D + fluoxetine combination was superior to fluoxetine alone in controlling depressive symptoms.

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