scholarly journals UNDERSTANDING LOW ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT BASED ON PASS AND ERICKSONIAN HUMANISTIC THERAPY

2021 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 514-533
Author(s):  
Sílvia Mayoral-Rodrígez ◽  
Frederic Pérez-Alvarez ◽  
Carme Timoneda-Gallart
Keyword(s):  
Stepwise Regression ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Inductive Learning ◽  
Normal Control Group ◽  
Low Achievers ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Emotional Dysfunction ◽  
Humanistic Psychotherapy ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Scientific Phenomena

Academic underachievement is a burning problem far from being solved. This study evaluated the efficacy of a humanistic psychotherapy intervention program based on planning, attention, successive and simultaneous (PASS) inductive learning, and indirect metaphorical Ericksonian communication grounded in the neuroscientific knowledge of human behavior. The rational neuroscientific foundations are explained throughout the discussion, highlighting the interaction cognition-emotion. The sample was 600 subjects classified as low achievers, very low achievers, and behavioral-psychosomatic dysfunctional low achievers. The mean age was 13.93 (SD = 1.56; range 12-17), 29.5% women. A normal control group of 172 subjects was selected (mean age, 13.88; SD = 1.75;range 12-17; 49.4% women). ANOVA and stepwise regression analysis were performed. No PASS deficit explains the low achievers. A dysfunctional emotional reason is suggested. A lower simultaneous PASS appears related to very low achievers. A lower planning PASS and the "N" pattern appear related to behavioral-psychosomatic low achievers. The "N" pattern is a suggestive marker of emotional dysfunction. After 6 months of intervention, 55% of very low achievers, 85% of low achievers, and 80% of behavioral-psychosomatic participants did not satisfy the criterion of an underachiever. More studies are required to contribute to the accumulative understanding of scientific phenomena, and so investigate replication.

scholarly journals Improvement in Healthy Meal Index, Lunch Quality, and Diversity Scores Following an Integrated Nutritional Intervention in a Communal Dining Room: The NEKST Study

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1741
Author(s):  
Ofira Katz-Shufan ◽  
Tzahit Simon-Tuval ◽  
Liron Sabag ◽  
Danit R. Shahar
Keyword(s):  
Intervention Program ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Nutritional Intervention ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Integrated Intervention ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Dining Room

The objective of the NEKST (Nutrition Environmental Kibbutzim Study), a nonrandomized interventional study, was to evaluate the effect of an integrated intervention program on participants’ lunch quality and diversity in two communal dining rooms (intervention n = 58 vs. control n = 54). The intervention included recipe modification, environmental changes, and an education program. The outcomes included simple healthy meal index (SHMI), lunch quality (LQS), and diversity scores (LDS) calculated based on photographs of lunch trays. A nutrition questionnaire assessed the changes in fruit and vegetable intake at baseline and 3 months following the intervention. The mean SHMI, LQS, and LDS increased in the intervention group (0.51, p < 0.001; 0.27, p = 0.045; 0.95, p < 0.001, respectively) but not in the control group (p = 0.865; p = 0.339; p = 0.354, respectively). Multivariable linear models demonstrate an increase in the SHMI (β = 0.26, 95% CI [0.12–0.76], p = 0.015), LQS (β = 0.23, 95% CI [0.06–0.83], p = 0.024), and LDS (β = 0.34, 95% CI [0.41–1.39], p < 0.001) of the participants in the intervention group. More participants in the intervention group raised their daily fruit intake compared with the control. We conclude that this integrated intervention program was effective in improving lunch healthy meal index, quality, and diversity in a communal dining room, with a modest halo effect of the intervention throughout the day.

scholarly journals The Effectiveness of Husbands' ‌Awareness of Menopausal Complications on Physical Psychological Experiences of Postmenopausal Women

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 155-164
Author(s):  
Sedigheh Shariat Moghani ◽  
◽  
Mahdieh Ebrahimzadeh ◽  
Ali Safari ◽  
Jamshid Jamali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Postmenopausal Women ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Routine Care ◽  
T Test ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Psychological Experiences

Introduction: ‏ Women are subject to extensive changes during menopause. ‏Life crises such as menopause can affect women's health and is a turning point in their lives. ‏The husbands are the most important and closest people who can support their wives in this evolutionary crisis with their correct understanding of the situation. ‏Objective: ‏This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of husbands' ‏awareness of the physical and psychological experiences of postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: ‏This randomized clinical trial study was performed on ‎150 ‏married postmenopausal women in Kashmar City, Iran, in ‎2019. ‏The husbands of the intervention group received ‎three ‏sessions ‎(60 ‏minutes) ‏of the menopause training program with one-week intervals. ‏The spouses of both groups received routine care at the health center. ‏The questionnaire of psychological and physical experiences of postmenopausal women and measuring men's awareness of menopause in both groups was completed before the intervention and one month after the intervention. ‏The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics of the Chi-square, ‏paired t test, ‏independent t test, and analysis of covariance. Results: ‏The mean ±SD age of women in the intervention group was ‎51.13 ±2.68 ‏years, and their mean ±SD menopausal age was ‎49.09 ±2.60 years. ‏The mean ±SD score of menopausal experiences before the intervention was ‎144.99 ±38.09 ‏in the intervention group and ‎143.47 ±28.48 ‏in the control group and ‎105.53 (35.41) ‏in the intervention group, and ‎118.82 (82.21) ‏in the control group. ‏The statistical test showed that the mean score of menopausal experiences and the range of adaptation after the intervention and also between the two groups have statistically significant differences with each other (P ‎= 0.001). Conclusion: ‏Menopause has adverse physical and psychological symptoms. ‏An intervention program to increase the awareness of men during menopause reduces negative menopausal experiences in women.

scholarly journals Ergonomic risk factors and musculoskeletal disorders in bank staff: an interventional follow-up study in Iran

2021 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Majid Motamedzadeh ◽  
Mahdi Jalali ◽  
Rostam Golmohammadi ◽  
Javad Faradmal ◽  
Hamid Reza Zakeri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Office Work ◽  
Static Mode ◽  
Lower Back ◽  
Bank Staff ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Bank Employees

Abstract Background Long-term use of computer in a static mode may cause musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in bank staff. Considering the high number of bank employees in different countries, such as Iran, the risk factors of these disorders should be investigated in order to implement interventions required to reduce the risk factors. This study aimed to examine the risk factors of MSDs using the Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) method and to perform an ergonomic intervention program with banking staff in Iran. Methods This interventional study was conducted on 277 bank employees in Iran. Subjects were randomly divided into three groups, including a control group (without any intervention), an educational intervention (EI) group, and a group receiving both educational and physical intervention (EPI). Before and after the intervention, the ROSA method and Nordic questionnaire were used to assess the risk factors of MSDs in office jobs and to investigate the prevalence of MSDs. Data were collected 2 weeks before and 9 months following the intervention. Results Before the intervention, the mean score of ROSA at workstations of all groups was above five with high risk. Nine months after the start of the intervention, there was a significant decrease in the mean ROSA score and its components in the two groups that received the intervention, which was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The results of the study of the prevalence of MSDs in the employees—before the intervention—indicate that the highest prevalence of MSDs in the control group was in areas of the neck (67.1%), back (64.4%), and lower back (63%). In the EI group, the highest prevalence of MSDs was in the neck (65.2%), lower back (61.6%), and back (60.7%) areas. In the EPI group, the discomfort areas were the neck (68.5%), shoulders (66.3%), and lower back (60.9%). Nine months after the intervention, there was a significant decrease in the prevalence of MSDs in the neck, shoulders, and lumbar regions of staff who received the intervention (P < 0.05). Conclusion Nine months after performing the interventions, there was a relative improvement in workstations and prevalence of MSDs in various areas within the bodies of the bank staff. This study showed that using the ROSA method is appropriate for assessing the risk factors of office work and that it can identify deficiencies in workstations. These defects can be addressed by designing and implementing an EI program together with physical interventions according to the components of the ROSA method.

Vitamin D Treatment in Patients with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis may Decrease the Development of Hypothyroidism

2016 ◽  
Vol 86 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 9-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bekir Ucan ◽  
Mustafa Sahin ◽  
Muyesser Sayki Arslan ◽  
Nujen Colak Bozkurt ◽  
Muhammed Kizilgul ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Hashimoto’S Thyroiditis ◽  
Healthy Control Group ◽  
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Endocrine Society ◽  
Thyroid Autoantibody ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
The Mean

Abstract.The relationship between Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and vitamin D has been demonstrated in several studies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate vitamin D concentrations in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the effect of vitamin D therapy on the course of disease, and to determine changes in thyroid autoantibody status and cardiovascular risk after vitamin D therapy. We included 75 patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and 43 healthy individuals. Vitamin D deficiency is defined as a 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D3) concentration less than 20ng/mL. Vitamin D deficient patients were given 50.000 units of 25(OH)D3 weekly for eight weeks in accordance with the Endocrine Society guidelines. All evaluations were repeated after 2 months of treatment. Patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis had significantly lower vitamin D concentrations compared with the controls (9.37±0.69 ng/mL vs 11.95±1.01 ng/mL, p < 0.05, respectively). Thyroid autoantibodies were significantly decreased by vitamin D replacement treatment in patients with euthyroid Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Also, HDL cholesterol concentrations improved in the euthyroid Hashimoto group after treatment. The mean free thyroxine (fT4) concentrations were 0.89±0.02 ng/dL in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and 1.07±0.03 ng/dL in the healthy control group (p < 0.001). The mean thyroid volumes were 7.71±0.44 mL in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and 5.46±0.63 mL in the healthy control group (p < 0.01). Vitamin D deficiency is frequent in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and treatment of patients with this condition with Vitamin D may slow down the course of development of hypothyroidism and also decrease cardiovascular risks in these patients. Vitamin D measurement and replacement may be critical in these patients.

Mental Health Among Adolescents from Returned Portuguese Immigrant Families

2010 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 131-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Félix Neto
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Immigrant Families ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Older Adolescents ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Portuguese Adolescents

This study investigated mental health problems and their predictors among adolescents from returned immigrant families. The sample consisted of 360 returned adolescents (mean age = 16.8 years; SD = 1.9). The mean duration of a sojourn in Portugal for the sample was 8.2 years (SD = 4.5). A control group of 217 Portuguese youths were also included in the study. Adolescents from immigrant families reported mental health levels similar to those of Portuguese adolescents who have never migrated. Girls showed more mental health problems than boys. Younger adolescents showed fewer mental health problems than older adolescents. Adaptation variables contributed to mental health outcomes even after acculturation variables were accounted for. Implications of the study for counselors are discussed.

Discriminant Validation of the Test of Reading Performance (TORP) for Identifying Children at Risk of Reading Difficulties

2000 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Padeliadu Susana ◽  
Georgios D. Sideridis
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Elementary School Students ◽  
Reading Difficulties ◽  
Reading Performance ◽  
Low Achievers ◽  
Children At Risk ◽  
School Students ◽  
Students At Risk ◽  
Group A ◽  
The Mean

Abstract This study investigated the discriminant validation of the Test of Reading Performance (TORP), a new scale designed to evaluate the reading performance of elementary-school students. The sample consisted of 181 elementary-school students drawn from public elementary schools in northern Greece using stratified random procedures. The TORP was hypothesized to measure six constructs, namely: “letter knowledge,” “phoneme blending,” “word identification,” “syntax,” “morphology,” and “passage comprehension.” Using standard deviations (SD) from the mean, three groups of students were formed as follows: A group of low achievers in reading (N = 9) including students who scored between -1 and -1.5 SD from the mean of the group. A group of students at risk of reading difficulties (N = 6) including students who scored between -1.5 and -2 SDs below the mean of the group. A group of students at risk of serious reading difficulties (N = 6) including students who scored -2 or more SDs below the mean of the group. The rest of the students (no risk, N = 122) comprised the fourth group. Using discriminant analyses it was evaluated how well the linear combination of the 15 variables that comprised the TORP could discriminate students of different reading ability. Results indicated that correct classification rates for low achievers, those at risk for reading problems, those at risk of serious reading problems, and the no-risk group were 89%, 100%, 83%, and 97%, respectively. Evidence for partial validation of the TORP was provided through the use of confirmatory factor analysis and indices of sensitivity and specificity. It is concluded that the TORP can be ut ilized for the identification of children at risk for low achievement in reading. Analysis of the misclassified cases indicated that increased variability might have been responsible for the existing misclassification. More research is needed to determine the discriminant validation of TORP with samples of children with specific reading disabilities.

Rorschach Characteristics in Adolescents with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

2006 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Santoantonio ◽  
L. Yazigi ◽  
E. I. Sato
Keyword(s):  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Disease Activity Index ◽  
Female Adolescents ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Intelligence Scale ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Control Study

The purpose of this study was to investigate the personality characteristics in adolescents with SLE. The research design is a case-control study by means of the Rorschach Method and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale. Study group: 30 female adolescents with lupus, 12–17 years of age. The SLE Disease Activity Index was administered during the period of psychological evaluation. Control group: 32 nonpatient adolescents were matched for age, sex, and socioeconomic level. In the Wechsler Intelligence Scale the mean IQ of the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group (77 and 98, respectively, p < .001). In the Rorschach, the lupus patients showed greater difficulty in interpersonal interactions, although they displayed the resources to process affect and to cope with stressful situations. A positive moderate correlation (p = .069) between the activity index of the disease and the affect constriction proportion of the Rorschach was observed: the higher the SLEDAI score, the lower the capacity to process affect. There is a negative correlation between the activity index of the disease and the IQ (p = .001): with a higher activity index of the disease, less intellectual resources are available.

Acute and Chronic Changes in Platelet Volume and Count After Cardiopulmonary Bypass Induced Thrombocytopenia in Man

1987 ◽  
Vol 57 (01) ◽  
pp. 55-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
J F Martin ◽  
T D Daniel ◽  
E A Trowbridge
Keyword(s):  
Platelet Count ◽  
Mean Platelet Volume ◽  
Artery Bypass ◽  
Bypass Graft ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Artery Bypass Graft ◽  
Platelet Volume ◽  
Young Males ◽  
The Mean

SummaryPatients undergoing surgery for coronary artery bypass graft or heart valve replacement had their platelet count and mean volume measured pre-operatively, immediately post-operatively and serially for up to 48 days after the surgical procedure. The mean pre-operative platelet count of 1.95 ± 0.11 × 1011/1 (n = 26) fell significantly to 1.35 ± 0.09 × 1011/1 immediately post-operatively (p <0.001) (n = 22), without a significant alteration in the mean platelet volume. The average platelet count rose to a maximum of 5.07 ± 0.66 × 1011/1 between days 14 and 17 after surgery while the average mean platelet volume fell from preparative and post-operative values of 7.25 ± 0.14 and 7.20 ± 0.14 fl respectively to a minimum of 6.16 ± 0.16 fl by day 20. Seven patients were followed for 32 days or longer after the operation. By this time they had achieved steady state thrombopoiesis and their average platelet count was 2.44 ± 0.33 × 1011/1, significantly higher than the pre-operative value (p <0.05), while their average mean platelet volume was 6.63 ± 0.21 fl, significantly lower than before surgery (p <0.001). The pre-operative values for the platelet volume and counts of these patients were significantly different from a control group of 32 young males, while the chronic post-operative values were not. These long term changes in platelet volume and count may reflect changes in the thrombopoietic control system secondary to the corrective surgery.

Computed Tomography-Based Patient-Specific Instrumentation Loses Accuracy with Significant Varus Preoperative Misalignment

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vicente Jesús León-Muñoz ◽  
Mirian López-López ◽  
Alonso José Lisón-Almagro ◽  
Francisco Martínez-Martínez ◽  
Fernando Santonja-Medina
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Deformity Correction ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Control Group ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Varus Alignment ◽  
Patient Specific Instrumentation ◽  
Conventional Instrumentation ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Valgus Alignment

AbstractPatient-specific instrumentation (PSI) has been introduced to simplify and make total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgery more precise, effective, and efficient. We performed this study to determine whether the postoperative coronal alignment is related to preoperative deformity when computed tomography (CT)-based PSI is used for TKA surgery, and how the PSI approach compares with deformity correction obtained with conventional instrumentation. We analyzed pre-and post-operative full length standing hip-knee-ankle (HKA) X-rays of the lower limb in both groups using a convention > 180 degrees for valgus alignment and < 180 degrees for varus alignment. For the PSI group, the mean (± SD) pre-operative HKA angle was 172.09 degrees varus (± 6.69 degrees) with a maximum varus alignment of 21.5 degrees (HKA 158.5) and a maximum valgus alignment of 14.0 degrees. The mean post-operative HKA was 179.43 degrees varus (± 2.32 degrees) with a maximum varus alignment of seven degrees and a maximum valgus alignment of six degrees. There has been a weak correlation among the values of the pre- and postoperative HKA angle. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of postoperative alignment outside the range of 180 ± 3 degrees was significantly higher with a preoperative varus misalignment of 15 degrees or more (aOR: 4.18; 95% confidence interval: 1.35–12.96; p = 0.013). In the control group (conventional instrumentation), this loss of accuracy occurs with preoperative misalignment of 10 degrees. Preoperative misalignment below 15 degrees appears to present minimal influence on postoperative alignment when a CT-based PSI system is used. The CT-based PSI tends to lose accuracy with preoperative varus misalignment over 15 degrees.

A STUDY OF SERUM URIC ACID LEVELS IN PREECLAMPSIA

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sushma Goad ◽  
Anita Verma ◽  
Subhash Chandra
Keyword(s):  
Uric Acid ◽  
Serum Uric Acid ◽  
Uric Acid Level ◽  
Acid Level ◽  
Serum Uric Acid Level ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Hypertensive Disorders Of Pregnancy ◽  
Level Elevation ◽  
The Mean

Background: To Study Serum Uric Acid level elevation in Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy. Methods: 50 Patients diagnosed as having Pre-eclampsia with age between 18-37 years and 50 controls with similar age group. Results: The mean serum uric acid level in control group was 3.41 ± 0.62 and in patient 7.01 ± 0.58 which was statistically significant (p =0.001). Conclusion: Serum uric acid levels were significantly higher in preeclampsia could be a useful indicator of fetal complication in preeclampsia patients. Keywords: serum uric acid, preeclampsia, laboratory.

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