scholarly journals An Investigation of Descending Pain Modulation in Women With Provoked Vestibulodynia: Alterations of Brain Connectivity

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsey R. Yessick ◽  
Caroline F. Pukall ◽  
Gabriela Ioachim ◽  
Susan M. Chamberlain ◽  
Patrick W. Stroman
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Brain Connectivity ◽  
Pain Modulation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Noxious Stimulation ◽  
Pain Processing ◽  
Provoked Vestibulodynia ◽  
Pain Stimulation ◽  
Before And After

Provoked Vestibulodynia (PVD) is the most common vulvodynia subtype (idiopathic chronic vulvar pain). Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies indicate that women with PVD exhibit altered function in a number of pain modulatory regions in response to noxious stimulation, such as in the secondary somatosensory cortex, insula, dorsal midcingulate, posterior cingulate, and thalamus. However, previous neuroimaging studies of PVD have not examined periods of time before and after noxious stimulation or investigated functional connectivity among pain modulatory regions. Fourteen women with PVD and 14 matched Control participants underwent five fMRI runs with no painful stimuli interleaved randomly with five runs with calibrated, moderately painful heat stimuli applied to the thenar eminence. As recent findings indicate that pain processing begins before and continues after painful stimulation, 2-min periods were included in each run before and after the stimulus. Functional brain connectivity was assessed during both trials of Pain and No Pain stimulation for each group using structural equation modeling (SEM). Analyses of variance (ANOVAs) on connectivity values demonstrated significant main effects of study condition, and group, for connectivity among pain modulatory regions. Most of the differences between the Pain and No Pain conditions found only in the PVD group take place before (i.e., thalamus to INS, ACC to S1, thalamus to S1, and thalamus to S2) and after pain stimulation (i.e., INS to amygdala, PPC to S1, and thalamus to S2). Such differences were not observed in the Control group. These findings further support previous results indicating that women with PVD have altered pain processing compared to pain-free women.

scholarly journals An Investigation of Descending Pain Modulation in Women With Provoked Vestibulodynia (PVD): Alterations of Spinal Cord and Brainstem Connectivity

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsey R. Yessick ◽  
Caroline F. Pukall ◽  
Gabriela Ioachim ◽  
Susan M. Chamberlain ◽  
Patrick W. Stroman
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Pain Modulation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Pain Processing ◽  
Provoked Vestibulodynia ◽  
Fmri Session

The most common subtype of vulvodynia (idiopathic chronic vulvar pain) is provoked vestibulodynia (PVD). Previous imaging studies have shown that women with vulvodynia exhibit increased neural activity in pain-related brain regions (e.g., the secondary somatosensory cortex, insula, dorsal midcingulate, posterior cingulate, and thalamus). However, despite the recognized role of the spinal cord/brainstem in pain modulation, no previous neuroimaging studies of vulvodynia have examined the spinal cord/brainstem. Sixteen women with PVD and sixteen matched Control women underwent a spinal cord/brainstem functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) session consisting of five runs with no painful thermal stimuli (No Pain), interleaved randomly with five runs with calibrated, moderately painful heat stimulation (Pain). Functional connectivity was also assessed in periods before, during, and after, pain stimulation to investigate dynamic variations in pain processing throughout the stimulation paradigm. Functional connectivity in the brainstem and spinal cord for each group was examined using structural equation modeling (SEM) for both Pain and No Pain conditions. Significant connectivity differences during stimulation were identified between PVD and Control groups within pain modulatory regions. Comparisons of Pain and No Pain conditions identified a larger number of connections in the Control group than in the PVD group, both before and during stimulation. The results suggest that women with PVD exhibit altered pain processing and indicate an insufficient response of the pain modulation system. This study is the first to examine the spinal cord/brainstem functional connectivity in women with PVD, and it demonstrates altered connectivity related to pain modulation in the spinal cord/brainstem.

scholarly journals Validity and Internal Consistency of the Preschool-FLAT, a New Tool for the Assessment of Food Literacy in Young Children from the Training-To-Health Project

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 2759
Author(s):  
Garden Tabacchi ◽  
Giuseppe Battaglia ◽  
Giuseppe Messina ◽  
Antonio Paoli ◽  
Antonio Palma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Content Validity ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Food Literacy ◽  
Health Project

Background: The importance of assessing “food literacy” since youth has been highlighted and, to this purpose, valid and consistent instruments are needed. This study aimed to assess the validity and internal consistency of the preschool-FLAT (Food Literacy Assessment Tool). Methods. 505 children from 21 kindergartens, recruited within the Training-to-Health Project in Palermo (Italy), underwent oral sessions and activities on food-related aspects. Their knowledge/skills were recorded in the preschool-FLAT. The following scale measures were assessed: Content validity; internal consistency (Chronbach’s alpha coefficients); construct validity (Structural Equation Modeling—SEM); discriminant validity (intervention subgroup of 100 children vs. control group of 27 children). Results. Acceptable content validity of a 16-items scale and overall adequate internal consistency were revealed: Content validity index (CVI) 0.94, content validity ratio (CVR) 0.88, Chronbach’s alpha 0.76. The SEM revealed a 4-factor model fitting the data well (comparative fit index 0.939, root mean square error of approximation 0.033). Discriminant validity was good (intervention group scoring higher than control, p < 0.001, unpaired Student’s t-test). Conclusion. The preschool-FLAT revealed good psychometric properties, adequate validity and internal consistency. This is the only instrument in the literature specifically targeted to 3–6 years old children that could be effectively used to assess food literacy.

Antecedents of the attitude toward the athlete celebrities' human brand extensions

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jakeun Koo
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Brand Extensions ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Image Transfer ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Human Brands

PurposeThe present study aims to examine how consumers evaluate the extended human brands of athlete celebrities beyond their unique brand personality associated with sports. Athlete celebrities' unique image in sports is used as a human brand, and attitude toward the athlete brand extensions is investigated when the athlete's name is included in a new non-sport brand. The concepts of brand extensions were employed to develop the ideas of human brand extensions.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 198 participants answered online survey questions before and after being informed of athlete brand extensions. Partial least squares structural equation modeling is utilized to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe survey results indicated that athlete–product fit and image transfer positively influenced attitude toward the extension. In addition, attitude toward the athlete brand extensions was significantly influenced by consumers' pre-existing attitude toward the celebrity; however, not by celebrity's expertise.Originality/valueThe research findings imply that some brand extension concepts are applicable to human brands to understand the effectiveness of athlete brand extensions for non-sport products.

Present-orientation and the outcome of contemplating death

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 312-329
Author(s):  
Ryo Ishii
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Direct Effect ◽  
Young Adulthood ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Time Perspective ◽  
Ego Identity ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Individual

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the outcome of contemplating death during young adulthood, a change in time attitude, is influenced by present-orientation via the views of death. A total of 199 undergraduates responded to a questionnaire assessing time attitude and present-orientation before and after the assignment to contemplate death. The results of structural equation modeling revealed that present-orientation has a direct effect on the outcome, but the view of death does not have a mediated effect. The results of ANOVA also supported the direct effect of present-orientation. The analysis of the individual description showed that present-orientation has relevance with how to think life after contemplating death. The relationships between contemplating death and young adults’ ego identity which is closely related to time perspective were discussed.

Understanding consumer attitudes in cause-brand alliances in sports: the role of sport entity attitudes

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Soyoung Joo ◽  
Jakeun Koo ◽  
Bridget Satinover Nichols
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Consumer Attitudes ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Brand Alliances ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Profile ◽  
Brand Alliance ◽  
Program Success ◽  
Before And After

PurposeThis study examines the effects of congruence and reliability on cause-brand alliance (CBA) program attitudes—exploring how CBA program attitudes and sport entity attitudes affect attitudes toward a sport-related and sport-unrelated brand in a single CBA.Design/methodology/approachAbout 240 survey participants answered questions before and after being exposed to information about the NFL Play 60 program. Consistent partial least squares structural equation modeling is utilized to test the hypotheses.FindingsResults suggest both congruence and reliability positively influence CBA program success; and both sport-related and sport-unrelated brands positively affect consumer attitudes when they participate in a CBA with a high-profile sport entity. This occurs directly through CBA program attitudes for a sport-unrelated brand and indirectly through sport entity attitudes for a sport-related brand.Originality/valueThis study extends the CBA literature in sports by showing (1) the role of reliability on CBA program attitudes, (2) the role of sport entity attitudes on other cause partner attitudes and (3) different paths for sport-related versus sport-unrelated brands that are partnered with a premium sport entity to achieve CBA program brand enhancements.

Development and investigating the effectiveness of an integrated school-based program for changing attitude toward substance abuse based on philosophy for children components and emotional intelligence

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S336-S336
Author(s):  
H. Rezaee ◽  
A. Shafiabady ◽  
Y. Ghaedi ◽  
A. Delavar ◽  
M. Esmaeili ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Emotional Intelligence ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Philosophy For Children ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
School Based ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Students Attitudes

BackgroundSubstance abuse in the youth is one of the major problems of any society. The research purpose was the development of a program for changing female adolescents’ attitude toward substance abuse and evaluating its effectiveness.MethodsTo develop the treatment, important variables influencing in shaping attitudes toward substance abuse were selected. Afterwards, structural equation modeling approach was conducted for examining the relationship among variables (emotional intelligence, critical thinking, caring thinking and reasoning) and identifying significant paths and variables. Based on these variables, a program developed for changing students’ attitudes. To evaluate effectiveness of programs a pretest-post test design with the control group was used. Random sampling was carried out for selecting 26 students attending senior high schools in district 2 of Tehran. Then, sample randomly assigned in experimental and control groups. Experimental group exposed to philosophy for children intervention in the form of community of inquiry. Control group didn’t receive the intervention. The data were collected from Nazari's questionnaire for attitude toward substance abuse.ResultsANCOVA revealed that based on a composite score of attitude toward substance abuse (adjusting pretest effect), there is a significant difference between two groups at 0.99 significance level (partial = 0.329, P < 0.001, = 11.28).ConclusionsIt is recommended that the school based program should be used for developing and strengthen the students’ attitude based on exploring itself, rather than simply giving awareness about substance abuse. In this treatment, rather than highlighting accumulating knowledge, put emphasis on, thinking, decision-making, and management of emotions.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Nostalgic tourism in Macau

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aliana Man Wai Leong ◽  
Shih-Shuo Yeh ◽  
Li-Hui Chang
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Destination Image ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Tourism Product ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Experiential Value

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of nostalgia in destination image, experiential value and their effect on subsequent behavioral intention. Nostalgic-themed tourism product is becoming popular in many countries. Design/methodology/approach – The survey used stratified sampling method to include respondents from all the nearby Asian regions. The sampling is based on the data of inbound tourists provided by the Department of Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) of Government of Macau. The questionnaire consisted of five sections of 5-point Likert scale questions: nostalgia; destination image both before and after experience; expected value; experiential value; and future visit intention. Data were analysed with structural equation modeling. Findings – The result indicates that nostalgia plays an important part in forming destination image and experiential value before an individual had a chance to experience the destination. The destination image and experiential value share a bidirectional causal relationship that eventually contributes to future visit intention. The study also discovered that while experiential value is more effective in generating destination image, the later contribute more to future visit intention. Originality/value – The research design measures destination image and experiential value before and after respondents had experience the destination. The distinction between destination image and expected/experiential value can be examined because the longitudinal design of research method. It also allows this study to observe how nostalgia translates to future visit intention.

Impact of Perceived Second-Hand Consequences Related to Alcohol Use on College Students' Drinking Behavior Intent: A Test of Feasibility

2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 179-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mickey Trockel ◽  
Andrew Wall ◽  
Janet Reis
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Drinking Behavior ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Class Discussion ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
The Impact

This article presents the results of an experiment designed to determine the impact of a group discussion about second-hand consequences of alcohol use on college students' intentions to consume alcohol. Participants were students enrolled in two large Community Health courses at a large Midwestern university ( n = 184). After randomization of class sections into an intervention or a control group, intervention group students participated in a class discussion on the negative consequences college students experience as a result of other students' drinking behavior, prior to answering survey questions regarding their drinking behavior intent. Compared to controls who completed the questionnaire only, intervention group participants reported intent to limit themselves to fewer drinks per drinking occasion ( p = .003) and fewer drinks per week ( p = .004). The effects of the brief educational intervention were analyzed using structural equation modeling, to test the feasibility of a hypothesized intervention mechanism.

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