Music Therapy for Chronic Tinnitus: Variability of Tinnitus Pitch in the Course of Therapy

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (04) ◽  
pp. 335-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Hutter ◽  
Miriam Grapp ◽  
Heike Argstatter ◽  
Hans Volker Bolay
Keyword(s):  
Music Therapy ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Acoustic Stimulation ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Chronic Tinnitus ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Pitch Matching ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

Background: In general, tinnitus pitch has been observed to be variable across time for most patients experiencing tinnitus. Some tinnitus therapies relate to the dominant tinnitus pitch in order to adjust therapeutic interventions. As studies focusing on tinnitus pitch rarely conduct consecutive pitch matching in therapeutic settings, little is known about the course and variability of tinnitus pitch during therapeutic interventions. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the variability and development of tinnitus pitch in the course of therapeutic interventions. Tinnitus pitch was suspected to be highly variable. Research design: The researchers conducted a descriptive, retrospective analysis of data. Study Sample: A total of 175 adult patients experiencing chronic tinnitus served as participants. All patients had received a neuro-music therapy according to the “Heidelberg Model of Music Therapy for Chronic Tinnitus.” Data Collection and Analysis: During therapeutic interventions lasting for 5 consecutive days, the individual tinnitus frequency was assessed daily by means of a tinnitus pitch–matching procedure. The extent of variability in tinnitus pitch was calculated by mean ratios of frequencies between subsequent tinnitus measurements. Analysis of variance of repeated measures and post hoc paired samples t-tests were used for comparison of means in tinnitus frequencies, and the test-retest reliability of measurements was obtained by the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient. Results: Tinnitus pitch displayed a variability of approximately 3/5 to 4/5 octaves per day. Overall, the mean frequency declined in the course of the therapy. Detailed analysis revealed three groups of patients with diverging tinnitus progression. The test-retest reliability between assessments turned out to be robust (r = 0.74 or higher). Conclusions: Considerable variation in tinnitus pitch was found. Consequently, a frequent rechecking of tinnitus frequency is suggested during frequency-specific acoustic stimulation in order to train appropriate frequency bands.

Accuracy and Reliability of a Real-Ear-to-Coupler Difference Measurement Procedure Implemented within a Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aid

2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (09) ◽  
pp. 612-622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Scollie ◽  
Marlene Bagatto ◽  
Sheila Moodie ◽  
Jeff Crukley
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Predictive Accuracy ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Measurement Procedure ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
The Real ◽  
Repeated Measures Design ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

Background: Measurement of the real ear response of a fitted hearing aid allows matching of the frequency response to prescriptive targets, as well as comparison of the response to both threshold and loudness discomfort level (LDL). These processes are recommended procedures for hearing aid fittings. The real ear aided response (REAR) is often predicted based on the coupler response of the device, the real-ear-to-coupler difference (RECD), and the microphone location effect (MLE). Individualized measurement of the RECD tends to increase the accuracy of this prediction. A commercial hearing aid has been developed that measures the individual RECD and incorporates the data into the software-assisted fitting process. Purpose: This study evaluated the test-retest reliability and predictive validity of this particular method for measuring the RECD. Research Design: A repeated measures design was used to evaluate differences between subsequent measures of the RECD in the same ear, and prediction differences associated with using the RECD (and other information) to predict the REAR. Study Sample: Fifteen ears, on a convenience sample of ten adults (45–86 yr) and five children (6–15 yr) were tested. All participants were hearing aid users. Data Collection and Analysis: Predicted and measured REARs were collected using normal clinical procedures, on an Audioscan Verifit VF-1 for two test signals/levels. Reliability, mean differences between predicted and measured REARs, and 95% confidence intervals of the prediction accuracy are reported. Results: The RECD procedure had test-retest reliability within 2.5 dB for 14 out of 15 ears between 500 and 4000 Hz, and had predictive accuracy within 5 dB between 500 and 4000 Hz for 14 out of 15 ears. However, errors associated with earhook misalignment were discovered. Also, the RECD values measured using this hearing-aid-specific procedure differ somewhat from the normative data available from insert earphone RECDs. Conclusions: This procedure, when measured according to recommendations, provides a reasonably accurate prediction of the REAR. Functionally, this procedure does not replace the range of measures offered by modern real ear measurement systems. However, given the inaccuracy of software-assisted fittings without a measure of individual ear canal acoustics, use of this procedure may have the potential to improve the accuracy of fittings versus fittings completed without real ear measurement.

scholarly journals Neuromuscular Plasticity: Disentangling Stable and Variable Motor Maps in the Human Sensorimotor Cortex

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominic Kraus ◽  
Alireza Gharabaghi
Keyword(s):  
Sensorimotor Cortex ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Resting Motor Threshold ◽  
Motor Maps ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Test Retest Reliability ◽  
High Test

Motor maps acquired with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) are evolving as a biomarker for monitoring disease progression or the effects of therapeutic interventions. High test-retest reliability of this technique for long observation periods is therefore required to differentiate daily or weekly fluctuations from stable plastic reorganization of corticospinal connectivity. In this study, a novel projection, interpolation, and coregistration technique, which considers the individual gyral anatomy, was applied in healthy subjects for biweekly acquired TMS motor maps over a period of twelve weeks. The intraclass correlation coefficient revealed long-term reliability of motor maps with relevant interhemispheric differences. The sensorimotor cortex and nonprimary motor areas of the dominant hemisphere showed more extended and more stable corticospinal connectivity. Long-term correlations of the MEP amplitudes at each stimulation site revealed mosaic-like clusters of consistent corticospinal excitability. The resting motor threshold, centre of gravity, and mean MEPs across all TMS sites, as highly reliable cortical map parameters, could be disentangled from more variable parameters such as MEP area and volume. Cortical TMS motor maps provide high test-retest reliability for long-term monitoring when analyzed with refined techniques. They may guide restorative interventions which target dormant corticospinal connectivity for neurorehabilitation.

Validity and reliability of the Mandarin version of the Treatment Burden Questionnaire among stroke patients in Mainland China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Zhang ◽  
Ke Zhang ◽  
Miao Li ◽  
Jiaxin Gu ◽  
Xintong Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Treatment Burden ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

Abstract Objectives To examine the validity and reliability of the Mandarin version of the Treatment Burden Questionnaire (TBQ) among stroke patients. Background Stroke patients need long-term management of symptoms and life situation, and treatment burden has recently emerged as a new concept that can influence the health outcomes during the rehabilitation process. Methods The convenience sampling method was used to recruit 187 cases of stroke patients in a tertiary grade hospital in Tianjin for a formal investigation. Item analysis, reliability and validity tests were carried out. The reliability test included internal consistency and test–retest reliability. And as well as content, structure and convergent validity were performed for the validity test. Results Of the 187 completed questionnaires, only 180 (96.3%) were suitable for analysis. According to the experts’ evaluation, the I-CVI of each item was from 0.833 to 1.000, and the S-CVI was 0.967. The exploratory factor analysis yielded three-factor components with a cumulative variation of 53.054%. Convergent validity was demonstrated using measures of Morisky’s Medication Adherence Scale 8 (r = –0.450, P < 0.01). All correlations between items and global scores ranged from 0.403 to 0.638. Internal consistency reliability and test–retest reliability were found to be acceptable, as indicated by a Cronbach’s α of 0.824 and an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.846, respectively. Conclusions The Mandarin TBQ had acceptable validity and reliability. The use of TBQ in the assessment of treatment burden of stroke survivor may benefit health resources allocation and provide tailor therapeutic interventions to construct minimally disruptive care.

scholarly journals Healthy decisions in the cued-attribute food choice paradigm have high test-retest reliability

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Barakchian ◽  
Anjali Raja Beharelle ◽  
Todd A. Hare
Keyword(s):  
Food Choice ◽  
Food Choices ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Intervention Efficacy ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Test Retest Reliability ◽  
Decision Mechanisms ◽  
High Test

AbstractFood choice paradigms are commonly used to study decision mechanisms, individual differences, and intervention efficacy. Here, we measured behavior from twenty-three healthy young adults who completed five repetitions of a cued-attribute food choice paradigm over two weeks. This task includes cues prompting participants to explicitly consider the healthiness of the food items before making a selection, or to choose naturally based on whatever freely comes to mind. We found that the average patterns of food choices following both cue types and ratings about the palatability (i.e. taste) and healthiness of the food items were similar across all five repetitions. At the individual level, the test-retest reliability for choices in both conditions and healthiness ratings was excellent. However, test-retest reliability for taste ratings was only fair, suggesting that estimates about palatability may vary more from day to day for the same individual.

scholarly journals Test–retest reliability of laser evoked pain perception and fMRI BOLD responses

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanzhi Bi ◽  
Xin Hou ◽  
Jiahui Zhong ◽  
Li Hu
Keyword(s):  
Resting State ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Pain Perception ◽  
Primary Motor Cortex ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Repeated Measures Design ◽  
Brain Responses ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

AbstractPain perception is a subjective experience and highly variable across time. Brain responses evoked by nociceptive stimuli are highly associated with pain perception and also showed considerable variability. To date, the test–retest reliability of laser-evoked pain perception and its associated brain responses across sessions remain unclear. Here, an experiment with a within-subject repeated-measures design was performed in 22 healthy volunteers. Radiant-heat laser stimuli were delivered on subjects’ left-hand dorsum in two sessions separated by 1–5 days. We observed that laser-evoked pain perception was significantly declined across sessions, coupled with decreased brain responses in the bilateral primary somatosensory cortex (S1), right primary motor cortex, supplementary motor area, and middle cingulate cortex. Intraclass correlation coefficients between the two sessions showed “fair” to “moderate” test–retest reliability for pain perception and brain responses. Additionally, we observed lower resting-state brain activity in the right S1 and lower resting-state functional connectivity between right S1 and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in the second session than the first session. Altogether, being possibly influenced by changes of baseline mental state, laser-evoked pain perception and brain responses showed considerable across-session variability. This phenomenon should be considered when designing experiments for laboratory studies and evaluating pain abnormalities in clinical practice.

Perceived Causal Problem Networks: Reliability, Central Problems, and Clinical Utility for Depression

Assessment ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 107319112110392
Author(s):  
Lars Klintwall ◽  
Martin Bellander ◽  
Matti Cervin
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Utility ◽  
Treatment Success ◽  
Centrality Measures ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Causal Relations ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Causal Networks ◽  
Novel Method ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

Personalized case conceptualization is often regarded as a prerequisite for treatment success in psychotherapy for patients with comorbidity. This article presents Perceived Causal Networks, a novel method in which patients rate perceived causal relations among behavioral and emotional problems. First, 231 respondents screening positive for depression completed an online Perceived Causal Networks questionnaire. Median completion time (including repeat items to assess immediate test–retest reliability) was 22.7 minutes, and centrality measures showed excellent immediate test–retest reliability. Networks were highly idiosyncratic, but worrying and ruminating were the most central items for a third of respondents. Second, 50 psychotherapists rated the clinical utility of Perceived Causal Networks visualizations. Ninety-six percent rated the networks as clinically useful, and the information in the individual visualizations was judged to contain 47% of the information typically collected during a psychotherapy assessment phase. Future studies should individualize networks further and evaluate the validity of perceived causal relations.

Test–Retest Reliability, Training, and Detraining Effects Associated With the Dynavision D2™ Mode A Visuomotor Reaction Time Test

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Adam J. Wells ◽  
Bri-ana D.I. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Repeated Testing ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Sports Science ◽  
Test Retest Reliability ◽  
Mode A ◽  
Training And Detraining

Context: The Dynavision D2™ Mode A test (ModeA) is a 1-minute reaction time (RT) test commonly used in sports science research and clinical rehabilitation. However, there is limited data regarding the effect of repeated testing (ie, training) or subsequent periods of no testing (ie, detraining) on test–retest reliability and RT performance. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the test–retest reliability, training, and detraining effects associated with the D2™ ModeA test. Design: Repeated measures/reliability. Methods: Twenty-four recreationally active men and women completed 15 training sessions consisting of 2 ModeA tests per session (30 tests). The participants were then randomized to either 1 or 2 weeks of detraining prior to completing 15 retraining sessions (30 tests). The training and retraining periods were separated into 10 blocks for analysis (3 tests per block). The number of hits (hits) and the average RT per hit (AvgRT) within each block were used to determine RT performance. Intraclass correlation coefficients, SEM, and minimum difference were used to determine reliability. Repeated-measures analysis of variance/analysis of covariance were used to determine training and detraining effects, respectively. Results: The ModeA variables demonstrated excellent test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient2,3 > .93). Significant improvements in hits and AvgRT were noted within training blocks 1 to 5 (P < .05). No further improvements in RT performance were noted between training blocks 6 through 10. There was no effect of detraining period on RT. The RT performance was not different between blocks during retraining. Conclusions: It appears that 15 tests are necessary to overcome the training effect and establish reliable baseline performance for the ModeA test. Detraining for 1 to 2 weeks did not impact RT performance. The authors recommend that investigators and clinicians utilize the average of 3 tests when assessing RT performance using the D2 ModeA test.

Comparison of Nasalance Scores Obtained with the Nasometer, the NasalView, and the OroNasal System

2005 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 423-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Bressmann
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Test Retest Reliability ◽  
Normal Speech

Objective To compare nasalance scores obtained with the Nasometer, the NasalView, and the OroNasal System; evaluate test-retest reliability of the three systems; and explore whether three common text passages used for nasalance analysis could be shortened to a sentence each. Subjects Seventy-six adults with normal speech and hearing (mean age 26.5 years). Procedures Subjects read the complete Zoo Passage, Rainbow Passage, and Nasal Sentences. Main Outcome Measures Mean nasalance magnitudes and mean nasalance distances were obtained with the three devices. Results The Nasometer had the lowest nasalance scores for the nonnasal Zoo Passage. The NasalView had the highest nasalance scores for the phonetically balanced Rainbow Passage. The OroNasal System had the lowest nasalance scores for the Nasal Sentences. The nasalance distance was largest for the Nasometer and smallest for the OroNasal System. Over 90% of the recordings were within 4% to 6% nasalance for most materials recorded with the Nasometer and the NasalView and within 7% to 9% for materials recorded with the OroNasal System. There were significant differences between the complete Zoo Passage and the Nasal Sentences and the individual sentences from these passages for the Nasometer and the OroNasal System. Conclusions The three systems measure nasalance in different ways and provide nasalance scores that are not interchangeable. Test-retest variability for the Nasometer and the NasalView may be higher than previously reported. Individual sentences from the Zoo Passage and the Nasal Sentences do not provide nasalance scores that are equivalent to the complete passages.

Short-Term Test–Retest Reliability of Contralateral Suppression of Click-Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions in Normal-Hearing Subjects

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Hannah Keppler ◽  
Sofie Degeest ◽  
Bart Vinck
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Otoacoustic Emissions ◽  
Otoacoustic Emission ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Reliability Parameters ◽  
Contralateral Suppression ◽  
Short Term Test ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

Purpose The objective of the current study was to investigate the short-term test–retest reliability of contralateral suppression (CS) of click-evoked otoacoustic emissions (CEOAEs) using commercially available otoacoustic emission equipment. Method Twenty-three young normal-hearing subjects were tested. An otoscopic evaluation, admittance measures, pure-tone audiometry, measurements of CEOAEs without and with contralateral acoustic stimulation (CAS) to determine CS were performed at baseline ( n = 23), an immediate retest without and with refitting of the probe (only CS of CEOAEs; n = 11), and a retest after 1 week ( n = 23) were performed. Test–retest reliability parameters were determined on CEOAE response amplitudes without and with CAS, and on raw and normalized CS indices between baseline and the other test moments. Results Repeated-measures analysis of variance indicated no random or systematic changes in CEOAE response amplitudes without and with CAS, and in raw and normalized CS indices between the test moments. Moderate-to-high intraclass correlation coefficients with mostly high significant between-subjects variability between baseline and each consecutive test moment were found for CEOAE response amplitude without and with CAS, and for the raw and normalized CS indices. Other reliability parameters deteriorated between CEOAE response amplitudes with CAS as compared to without CAS, between baseline and retest with probe refitting, and after 1 week, as well as for frequency-specific raw and normalized CS indices as compared to global CS indices. Conclusions There was considerable variability in raw and normalized CS indices as measured using CEOAEs with CAS using commercially available otoacoustic emission equipment. More research is needed to optimize the measurement of CS of CEOAEs and to reduce influencing factors, as well as to make generalization of test–retest reliability data possible.

scholarly journals Reliability of Safe Maximum Lifting Determinations of a Functional Capacity Evaluation

2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 364-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas P Gross ◽  
Michele C Battié
Keyword(s):  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Interrater Reliability ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Functional Capacity Evaluation ◽  
Measurement Variability ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Repeated Measures Design ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

Abstract Background and Purpose. Functional capacity evaluations (FCEs) are measurement tools used in predicting readiness to return to work following injury. The interrater and test-retest reliability of determinations of maximal safe lifting during kinesiophysical FCEs were examined in a sample of people who were off work and receiving workers' compensation. Subjects. Twenty-eight subjects with low back pain who had plateaued with treatment were enrolled. Five occupational therapists, trained and experienced in kinesiophysical methods, conducted testing. Methods. A repeated-measures design was used, with raters testing subjects simultaneously, yet independently. Subjects were rated on 2 occasions, separated by 2 to 4 days. Analyses included intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and 95% confidence intervals. Results. The ICC values for interrater reliability ranged from .95 to .98. Test-retest values ranged from .78 to .94. Discussion and Conclusion. Inconsistencies in subjects' performance across sessions were the greatest source of FCE measurement variability. Overall, however, test-retest reliability was good and interrater reliability was excellent.

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