Relational operant training increases Non-Verbal IQ in primary school children with far transfer towards reading test scores: An active-controlled trial.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shane McLoughlin ◽  
Ian Tyndall ◽  
Antonina Pereira ◽  
Teresa Mulhern
Keyword(s):  
Educational Outcomes ◽  
Reading Ability ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Far Transfer ◽  
Verbal Iq ◽  
Patterns Of Behavior ◽  
Reading Test Scores ◽  
Relational Training

Research suggests that training relational operant patterns of behavior can lead to increases in general cognitive ability and educational outcomes. Most studies to date have been under-powered and included proxy measures of educational attainment. We attempted to extend previous findings with increased experimental control in younger children (aged 6.9-10.1 yrs.). Participants (N = 49) were assigned to either a relational training or chess control group. Over five months, teachers assigned class-time to complete either relational training or play chess. Those who were assigned relational training gained 8.9 Non-Verbal IQ (NVIQ) points, while those in the control condition recorded no gains. Regression analyses revealed that post-training NVIQ predicted reading ability scores over and above baseline NVIQ, indicating transfer of traning effects to educational outcomes.

scholarly journals The Prevalence of Dyslexia in Primary School Children and Their Chinese Literacy Assessment in Shantou, China

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (19) ◽  
pp. 7140
Author(s):  
Yuhang Lin ◽  
Xuanzhi Zhang ◽  
Qingjun Huang ◽  
Laiwen Lv ◽  
Anyan Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prevalence Rate ◽  
Reading Ability ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Rapid Automatized Naming ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Literacy Assessment ◽  
Chinese Reading ◽  
Ability Test

The epidemiological studies of Chinese developmental dyslexia (DD) in China are still limited. In addition, literacy assessment has seldom been performed for children with dyslexia, due to lack of uniform assessment tools. This study was aimed at investigating the prevalence rate of children with dyslexia, and to evaluate their Chinese reading ability. A total of 2955 students aged 7–12 years were enrolled by randomized cluster sampling. The study was divided into three stages. In stage I, all participating students were asked to finish the Combined Raven Test (CRT) and Chinese Vocabulary Test and Assessment Scale. In stage II, the Chinese teachers and parents of the children with suspected dyslexia were interviewed by psychiatrists, and finished the Dyslexia Checklist for Chinese Children (DCCC). In stage III, these children were evaluated by child psychiatrists for the diagnosis with or without dyslexia, according to the fifth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), and their Chinese literacy was further evaluated by using the Chinese Reading Ability Test (CRAT). The prevalence rate of children with dyslexia was 5.4% in Shantou city, 8.4% in boys and 2.3% in girls, with a gender ratio of 3.7:1.0. Children with dyslexia scored lower in all the five subscales of the CRAT tests. including phonological awareness, morphological awareness, rapid automatized naming, orthographic awareness, and reading ability than the control group (all p < 0.001). This study suggested that the prevalence rate of Chinese dyslexia in Shantou city is roughly equivalent to that previously reported in China. Children with dyslexia have a relatively lower Chinese reading ability in all assessments.

scholarly journals Investigating the long-term impact of a childhood sun-exposure intervention, with a focus on eye health: protocol for the Kidskin-Young Adult Myopia Study

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e020868 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gareth Lingham ◽  
Elizabeth Milne ◽  
Donna Cross ◽  
Dallas R English ◽  
Robyn S Johnston ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adult ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Sun Exposure ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Sun Protection ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Participants

IntroductionExcessive and insufficient sun exposure during childhood have been linked to serious diseases in later life; for example, insufficient sun exposure during childhood may increase the risk of developing myopia. The Kidskin-Young Adult Myopia Study (K-YAMS) is a follow-up of participants in the Kidskin Study, a non-randomised controlled trial that evaluated the effect of a 4-year educational intervention on sun-protection behaviours among primary school children in the late 1990s. Children who received the Kidskin intervention had lower levels of sun exposure compared with peers in the control group after 2 and 4 years of the intervention, but this was not maintained 2  years after the intervention had ceased. Thus, a follow-up of Kidskin Study participants provides a novel opportunity to investigate the associations between a childhood sun-exposure intervention and potentially related conditions in adulthood.Methods and analysisThe K-YAMS contacts Kidskin Study participants and invites them to participate using a variety of methods, such as prior contact details, the Australian Electoral Roll and social media. Self-reported and objective measures of sun-exposure and sun-protection behaviours are collected as well as a number of eye measurements including cycloplegic autorefraction and ocular biometry. Data will be analysed to investigate a possible association between myopic refractive error and Kidskin intervention group or measured sun exposure.Ethics and disseminationThe K-YAMS is approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of Western Australia (RA/4/1/6807). Findings will be disseminated via scientific journals and conferences.Trial registration numberACTRN12616000812392; Pre-results.

A randomized controlled trial of working memory and processing speed training in schizophrenia

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (12) ◽  
pp. 2009-2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.D. Cassetta ◽  
L.M. Tomfohr-Madsen ◽  
V.M. Goghari
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Real World ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Fluid Intelligence ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Daily Functioning ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Far Transfer ◽  
Transfer Tasks

AbstractBackgroundAlthough prior research has shown that cognitive training may improve cognition for schizophrenia patients, it is currently unclear which domains of cognition should be targeted in training. One suggestion is to target low- or mid-level cognitive processes. In particular, working memory (WM) and processing speed (PS) have been named as two key areas of impairment in schizophrenia, and two domains of cognition that are linked to higher-order cognition and daily functioning. This study aimed to investigate the near-transfer (transfer of gains to related contexts), far-transfer (transfer of gains to unrelated contexts), and real-world gains associated with WM and PS training in schizophrenia.MethodsEighty-three participants with schizophrenia were recruited and randomly assigned to computerized WM training, PS training, or a no-training control group. Outcome measures included WM, PS, fluid intelligence, executive functioning, social cognition, and daily functioning and symptoms.ResultsPS training led to significant gains in untrained PS tasks, as well as gains in far-transfer tasks that required speed of processing. WM training did not lead to gains in untrained WM tasks and showed inconsistent effects on some far-transfer tasks.ConclusionsThese results suggest some benefit of domain-specific cognitive training, specifically PS training, in schizophrenia. Far-transfer of gains to other cognitive domains and to real-world functioning may not occur after targeted WM or PS training, though non-specific effects (e.g. through behavioral activation, increased motivation) may lead to improvements in some tasks. Future studies should continue to investigate the mechanisms by which cognitive training may enhance cognition and functioning in schizophrenia.

Goal Attainment and Treatment Compliance in a Cognitive-Behavioral Telephone Intervention for Family Caregivers of Persons with Dementia

GeroPsych ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 115-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriele Wilz ◽  
Denise Schinköthe ◽  
Renate Soellner
Keyword(s):  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Goal Attainment ◽  
Outcome Measurement ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Treatment Success ◽  
Treatment Compliance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Telephone Intervention ◽  
Effective Interventions

Introduction: The evaluation of effective interventions is still needed to prevent family caregivers of persons with dementia from becoming physically or mentally ill. However, in most existing intervention studies, primary outcomes are not well matched to the treatment goals. Method: A randomized controlled trial (N = 229) was conducted to compare a treatment group (CBT), a treated control group, and an untreated control group. In theses analyses we focused on the primary outcome measurement (GAS) as a perceived treatment success as well as treatment compliance and participants’ evaluation. Results: Results showed that 30.1% achieved complete goal attainment, 39.8% partial goal attainment, and 24.1% declared no change (overachievement 2.4%; deterioration 3.6%). Discussion: The intervention can be considered to have been successful.

Promoting the Community's Ability to Detect and Respond to Suicide Risk Through an Online Bystander Intervention Model-Informed Tool

Crisis ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Karien Hill ◽  
Shawn Somerset ◽  
Ralf Schwarzer ◽  
Carina Chan
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Suicide Risk ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Bystander Intervention ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Innovative Technology ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Intervention Model ◽  
Standard Material

Abstract. Background: The public health sector has advocated for more innovative, technology-based, suicide prevention education for the community, to improve their ability to detect and respond to suicide risk. Emerging evidence suggests addressing the bystander effect through the Bystander Intervention Model (BIM) in education material may have potential for suicide prevention. Aims: The current study aimed to assess whether BIM-informed tools can lead to improved readiness, confidence and intent in the community to detect and respond to suicide risk in others. Method: A sample of 281 adults recruited from the community participated in a randomized controlled trial comprising a factsheet designed according to the BIM (intervention group) and a standard factsheet about suicide and mental health (control group). Participants' self-reported detecting and responding to suicide risk readiness, confidence, and intent when presented with a suicidal peer was tested pre- and postintervention and compared across time and between groups. Results: The intervention group had significantly higher levels of detecting and responding to suicide risk readiness, confidence, and intent than the control group at postintervention (all p < .001) with moderate-to-large effect sizes. Limitations: The study was limited by a homogenous sample, too low numbers at follow-up to report, and self-report data only. Conclusion: This study demonstrates BIM-informed suicide prevention training may enhance the community's intervention readiness, confidence, and intent better than current standard material. Further testing in this area is recommended. While results were statistically significant, clinical significance requires further exploration.

Controlled Trial of the Sequential Use of Streptokinase and Ancrod in the Treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis of Lower Limb

1977 ◽  
Vol 37 (02) ◽  
pp. 222-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A Tibbutt ◽  
C. N Chesterman ◽  
E. W Williams ◽  
T Faulkner ◽  
A. A Sharp
Keyword(s):  
Deep Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Clinical Improvement ◽  
Anticoagulant Therapy ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Oral Anticoagulant ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Oral Anticoagulant Therapy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Deep Vein

SummaryTreatment with streptokinase (‘Kabikinase’) was given to 26 patients with venographically confirmed deep vein thrombosis extending into the popliteal vein or above. Treatment was continued for 4 days and the patients were allocated randomly to oral anticoagulant therapy or a course of treatment with ancrod (‘Arvin’) for 6 days followed by oral anticoagulant therapy. The degree of thrombolysis as judged by further venographic examination at 10 days was not significantly different between the 2 groups. The majority of patients showed clinical improvement but there was no appreciable difference between the groups at 3 and 6 months. Haemorrhagic complications were a more serious problem during the period of treatment with ancrod than during the equivalent period in the control group.

Effectiveness of Child to Parent Communication Using Information Package on Food Hygiene

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (07) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ms. Sonam Yangchen Bhutia ◽  
Dr. Sushma Kumari Saini ◽  
Dr. Manmeet Kaur ◽  
Dr. Sandhya Ghai
Keyword(s):  
School Children ◽  
Home Visit ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Food Hygiene ◽  
Parent Communication ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Randomised Controlled

School children can act as change agent not only for families but for community. The study aimed to assess effectiveness of information package on knowledge and practices of parents/family members of school children studying in Govt. Sr. Sec. School on food hygiene in Dhanas and Daddu Majra Colony, UT, Chandigarh. A non-randomised controlled trial was conducted on 201 school children studying in VIIth standard and their parents/family members. Purposive sampling technique was utilised to enrol 101 in case and 100 participants in control group. Interview schedule for knowledge assessment and observation checklist for assessing the practices of parents/ family members was used. Pre assessment of both the groups was done by a home visit. Experimental group school children were educated on food hygiene as per the protocol. Pre and post-test knowledge of school children on food hygiene was assessed and were asked to disseminate the information to their parents/family members.  After 15 days, second time home visit was done to the parents/family members of both the groups for the post assessment of knowledge and practices. Significant improvement in knowledge and practices of parents/family members related to food hygiene was observed. Hence, school children can be an effective tool in health related knowledge dissemination which can further promote healthy practices.

Reducing the Social Stigma Associated with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: A Controlled Trial of an Intervention Program in a Turkish Community Sample

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-120
Author(s):  
Ayça Aktaç Gürbüz ◽  
Orçun YORULMAZ ◽  
Gülşah DURNA
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Case Vignette ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

Scientific research into the reduction of stigmatization, particularly related to specific problems such as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), is scarce. In the present study, we examine the impact of a video-based antistigma intervention program for OCD in a pretest-posttest control group research. After being randomly assigned to either an intervention (n= 101) or control group (n= 96), the participants reported their attitudes on a hypothetical case vignette before and after OCD vs. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) videos, and again six months later as a follow up assessment. The mixed design analyses for the group comparisons indicated that although there was no significant difference in the measures of the control group, the participants watching the anti-stigma OCD video, in which the focus was psychoeducation and interaction strategies, reported significantly lower scores on social distances and negative beliefs for the case vignettes they read, and this difference was maintained six months later. Then, the present results indicate the effectiveness of our anti-stigma intervention program for OCD. Interventions to reduce stigmatization can also be viewed as effective tools for changing the attitudes of people toward OCD, although further research and applications are needed related to specific disorders if a longlasting impact is to be achieved.

Breastfeeding Training through Role-Play and Effects on Mother-infant Attachment Behaviours: A Randomised Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Farokh Saljughi ◽  
Mitra Savabi-Esfahani ◽  
Shahnaz Kohan ◽  
Soheila Ehsanpour
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Maternal Employment ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Role Play ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Maternal Behaviour ◽  
Infant Attachment ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
History Of

Mother-infant attachment is an intimate, lasting and satisfying relationship that leads to better cognitive, emotional and social growth of the infant. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of breastfeeding training by role-play on mother-infant attachment behaviours. This research was a randomised clinical trial (parallel design). Inclusion criteria were: no history of mental disorders; ability to read and write the Persian language to complete the questionnaire; no history of drug and tobacco intake in primigravida women. The sample comprised 100 pregnant women (in 2 groups), selected through simple random sampling at healthcare centres. The researcher reviewed prenatal care registries of selected healthcare centres and extracted the names of pregnant women in their early third trimester. The data were imported into randomisation software. The control group received routine breastfeeding training, while the intervention group received routine training together with training through role-play. The data collection tool was the Maternal Behaviour Inventory Questionnaire. Consequently 75 samples were analysed in SPSS16. Independent t-tests and chi-square tests were used to examine the difference between the two groups. Results showed that the mean score of mother-infant attachment one week after delivery was significantly higher in the intervention group in comparison to that in the control group (p<0.001). No significant difference was observed between the two groups in maternal age, age of marriage, neonatal gender, maternal employment and education, number of parity, and number of abortions (P>0.05). Since breastfeeding training through role-play could affect mother-infant attachment, it is suggested that this type of training should be provided for pregnant women to promote mother-infant attachment and exclusive breastfeeding.

The Effect of Reflexology on Labor Pain and Length Among Primiparous Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azita Kamjoo
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Active Phase ◽  
Labor Pain ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Singleton Pregnancy ◽  
Group Data ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Labor Length ◽  
Primiparous Women

Background: Pain control is considered as the key issue in modern midwifery. Along with medical painkillers, reflexology is viewed as a non-medical and noninvasive method. Hence, we aimed to investigate the effect of reflexology on the intensity of pain and length of labor. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, participants included 240 Iranian primiparous women with term and singleton pregnancy. Having a 3-4 cm cervical dilatation once they visited the hospital. Through a convenient sampling method, they were selected and then randomly divided into two groups. In the intervention group, reflexology was performed, and the intensity of pain during the active phase of labor along with the length of labor in the active phase was measured by visual analog scale (VAS) and compared with the control group. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, and Mann-Whitney U-test. Result: Data analysis showed a statistically significant difference between the intensity of pain in the 5-7 and 8-10 cm dilatation in the two groups (P=0.01). Moreover, the labor length in the active phase was found to be significantly shorter in the intervention group (P<0.001). Conclusion: It appears that reflexology can lead to a reduction in the pain and length of labor. Therefore, through instructing this technique, a goal of midwifery, which is reducing labor pain and its length can be achieved. Keywords: Reflexology, Labor Pain, Labor Length, Primiparous Women

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