Usability of Visual Analogue Scales in Assessing Human Perception of Sound with University Students Using a Web-Based Tablet Interface

Response scales in auditory perception assessment are critical for capturing the true responses of listeners. Despite its impact on data, response scales have received the least attention in auditory perception assessment. In this study, the usability of visual analogue scales for auditory perception assessment were investigated. Five response scales (a unipolar visual analogue scale–negated to regular, a unipolar visual analogue scale—regular to negated, a bipolar visual analogue scale–positive to negative, a bipolar visual analogue scale—negative to positive, and a unipolar 11-point scale (ISO/TS 15666:2021)) for auditory perception assessment are presented. Music and traffic noise were presented to 60 university students at two different levels, i.e., 45 and 65 dBA, respectively. A web-based experimental design was implemented, and tablet pads were provided to the respondents to record their responses. The unipolar 11-point scale required the longest response time, followed by the two unipolar visual analogue scales and two bipolar visual analogue scales with statistical significance. All response scales used in this study achieved statistical reliability and sensitivity for the auditory perception assessment. Among the five response scales, the bipolar visual analogue scale (negative to positive) ranked first in reliability over repeated measures, exhibited sensitivity in differentiating sound sources, and was preferred by the respondents under the conditions of the present study. None of the respondents preferred the unipolar 11-point scale. The visual analogue scale was favoured over the traditional unipolar 11-point scale by young educated adults in a mobile-based testing environment. Moreover, the bipolar visual analogue scale demonstrated the highest reliability and sensitivity, and it was preferred the most by the respondents. The semantic labelling direction from negated to regular, or from negative to positive, is preferred over its opposite counterpart. Further research is necessary to investigate the use of response scales for the general public including children and the elderly, as well as that of semantic adjectives and their counterparts for auditory perception assessment.

Reframing The Individual Stress Response

Our society is preoccupied with stress. Previous research demonstrates that the majority of the sampled population perceives the consequences of stress to be primarily negative. By reframing the consequences of stress to highlight both positive and negative effects of stress, individuals may experience more efficient and adaptive stress responses (Liu et al., 2017). The extent to which we can reframe the consequences of stress to elicit more adaptive responses thus merits further investigation. This dissertation investigated the effects of reframing (positive, negative, balanced, and control) on stress responsivity, while also priming individuals on personal strengths (resilient strengths or non-resilient/control strength) to further enhance coping. Through two studies, the current dissertation examined whether different information presented on the consequences of stress via reframing contributes to improved responsivity to stressors, and whether priming an individual to believe in select strengths further enhances receptivity to reframing and reactivity to stressors. Outcome measures included both objective, physiological indexes of stress (heart rate, blood pressure, and electrodermal activity), test performance on stressor-task, and subjective ratings of stress (self-report responses via visual analogue scales). Mixed-ANOVA, linear regression, and exploratory hierarchical modelling were used to analyze the data. Results via visual analogue scales support the efficacy of balanced reframing in reducing self-reported stress, and provide some evidence for its efficacy across physiological parameters of stress via electrodermal activity. Across measures, results provide little support for the efficacy of strength priming in eliciting more adaptive responsivity to stressors. However, balanced framing and resilient strength priming may interact to reduce perceptions of stress as threatening and uncontrollable. Taken together, findings across two studies suggest that reframing stress by presenting both positive and negative information on the outcomes of stress may be an important step in the education of stress to better manage everyday stressors. Further, efforts to personalize this intervention approach by tailoring it to individual may be an area worthy of future research. Key Words: Beliefs; Coping; Personal Strengths; Reframing; Responsivity; Stress

Variation And Validity Of Body Dissatisfaction Visual Analogue Scales

When measuring state body dissatisfaction, it is common for researchers to use idiosyncratic versions of the Body Dissatisfaction – Visual Analogue Scales (BD-VASs). However, the BDVAS variants vary in their scale and psychometric properties and impede comparability of results across studies. This thesis aims to review all available BD-VAS variants and their psychometric properties (Study 1), and empirically study the effects of scale modifications on BD-VASs’ validity and reliability (Study 2). Study 1 revealed a total of 61 BD-VAS variants. Many of these variants were modified for a single study (77%) and had no supporting reliability and validity evidence (39%). In Study 2, 413 female undergraduate students completed one of six BD-VAS versions varying in extremity and scale polarity. Contrary to predictions, the BDVAS variants had comparable score distributions, reliability, and validity evidence. While there is unnecessary variability across BD-VASs, such modifications may not greatly impact responses or study results.

Reframing The Individual Stress Response

Our society is preoccupied with stress. Previous research demonstrates that the majority of the sampled population perceives the consequences of stress to be primarily negative. By reframing the consequences of stress to highlight both positive and negative effects of stress, individuals may experience more efficient and adaptive stress responses (Liu et al., 2017). The extent to which we can reframe the consequences of stress to elicit more adaptive responses thus merits further investigation. This dissertation investigated the effects of reframing (positive, negative, balanced, and control) on stress responsivity, while also priming individuals on personal strengths (resilient strengths or non-resilient/control strength) to further enhance coping. Through two studies, the current dissertation examined whether different information presented on the consequences of stress via reframing contributes to improved responsivity to stressors, and whether priming an individual to believe in select strengths further enhances receptivity to reframing and reactivity to stressors. Outcome measures included both objective, physiological indexes of stress (heart rate, blood pressure, and electrodermal activity), test performance on stressor-task, and subjective ratings of stress (self-report responses via visual analogue scales). Mixed-ANOVA, linear regression, and exploratory hierarchical modelling were used to analyze the data. Results via visual analogue scales support the efficacy of balanced reframing in reducing self-reported stress, and provide some evidence for its efficacy across physiological parameters of stress via electrodermal activity. Across measures, results provide little support for the efficacy of strength priming in eliciting more adaptive responsivity to stressors. However, balanced framing and resilient strength priming may interact to reduce perceptions of stress as threatening and uncontrollable. Taken together, findings across two studies suggest that reframing stress by presenting both positive and negative information on the outcomes of stress may be an important step in the education of stress to better manage everyday stressors. Further, efforts to personalize this intervention approach by tailoring it to individual may be an area worthy of future research. Key Words: Beliefs; Coping; Personal Strengths; Reframing; Responsivity; Stress

Variation And Validity Of Body Dissatisfaction Visual Analogue Scales

When measuring state body dissatisfaction, it is common for researchers to use idiosyncratic versions of the Body Dissatisfaction – Visual Analogue Scales (BD-VASs). However, the BDVAS variants vary in their scale and psychometric properties and impede comparability of results across studies. This thesis aims to review all available BD-VAS variants and their psychometric properties (Study 1), and empirically study the effects of scale modifications on BD-VASs’ validity and reliability (Study 2). Study 1 revealed a total of 61 BD-VAS variants. Many of these variants were modified for a single study (77%) and had no supporting reliability and validity evidence (39%). In Study 2, 413 female undergraduate students completed one of six BD-VAS versions varying in extremity and scale polarity. Contrary to predictions, the BDVAS variants had comparable score distributions, reliability, and validity evidence. While there is unnecessary variability across BD-VASs, such modifications may not greatly impact responses or study results.

Decreased Sound Tolerance in Tinnitus Patients

(1) Background: Decreased sound tolerance is a significant problem in tinnitus sufferers. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between tinnitus and decreased sound tolerance (hyperacusis and misophonia). (2) Methods: The study sample consisted of 74 patients with tinnitus and decreased sound tolerance. The procedure comprised patient interviews, pure tone audiometry, impedance audiometry, measurement of uncomfortable loudness levels, and administration of the Hyperacusis Questionnaire, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, and Visual Analogue Scales. (3) Results: The majority (69%) of the patients reported that noise aggravated their tinnitus. The correlation between tinnitus and hyperacusis was found to be statistically significant and positive: r = 0.44; p < 0.01. The higher the tinnitus severity, the greater the hyperacusis. There was no correlation between misophonia and hyperacusis (r = 0.18; p > 0.05), or between misophonia and tinnitus (r = 0.06; p > 0.05). (4) Conclusions: For tinnitus patients the more significant problem was hyperacusis rather than misophonia. The diagnosis and treatment of decreased sound tolerance should take into account not only audiological, but also psychological problems of the patients.

Assessment of patient burden from dry eye disease using a combination of five visual analogue scales and a radar graph: a pilot study of the PENTASCORE

Background/aimsDry eye disease (DED) questionnaires would ideally be easy and fast to answer and explore the main aspects of disease burden and satisfaction (efficacy and tolerability) with treatment. This pilot study evaluates the Pentascore questionnaire for routinely assessing DED.MethodsThe Pentascore combines five visual analogue scales (VAS) to assess the intensity and frequency of ocular pain/discomfort, the impact of DED on daily activities and visual tasks and the efficacy and tolerability of ongoing DED treatment(s). This retrospective study compared Pentascore to the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, fluorescein tear break-up-time, corneal staining and Schirmer I test.ResultsFor 161 DED patients, the algebraic mean (±SE) for the Pentascore was 52.6±1.8, the mean standardised area of the radar graph was 32.1±1.7 (out of 100) and the mean score for the OSDI was 52.6±1.8. Both questionnaires were highly statistically correlated (R=0.74 for both algebraic score and radar area, p<0.001), and each of five Pentascore VAS was significantly correlated with the OSDI (p<0.05). Corneal staining score (CSS) was correlated with two Pentascore VAS (impact of DED on daily activities and visual tasks), and there was a trend towards a correlation between CSS and the area of the radar graph (p=0.09).ConclusionsThis pilot study indicates that the Pentascore can rapidly and effectively assess the burden of DED and satisfaction with treatments. Compared with the algebraic mean, the estimation of the area of the radar graph likely improves the sensitivity for detecting differences/changes in symptoms and treatment follow-up.

Consuming Gymnema sylvestre Reduces the Desire for High-Sugar Sweet Foods

Background. Gymnemic acids, from the plant Gymnema sylvestre (GS), selectively suppress taste responses to sweet compounds without affecting the perception of other taste elements. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of consuming a GS-containing mint on the desire to consume high-sugar sweet foods directly thereafter. Methods. This study utilized a single-blind, crossover design comparing the consumption of a mint (dissolving tablet) containing 4 mg of gymnemic acids with an isocaloric placebo in 56 healthy young men and women. Participants were given samples of their favourite chocolate (varied between 14–18 g; energy varied between 292–370 kJ) and were directed to rate on their hunger on 100-mm visual analogue scales 30 s prior to consuming high-sugar sweet food (chocolate). They then consumed the GS mint or placebo mint and rated their perceived pleasantness and desire for more chocolate on separate visual analogue scales immediately following consumption of the high-sugar sweet food before being offered up to five additional servings (and asked to rate hunger, pleasantness and desire to eat more chocolate between each ingestion period). Results. The number of chocolate bars eaten decreased by 0.48 bars (21.3%) within a 15-min period of consumption of the GS mint (p = 0.006). Desire to eat more of the high-sugar sweet food (p = 0.011) and pleasantness of the high-sugar sweet food (p < 0.001) was reduced after GS mint intake. Those who reported having a ‘sweet tooth’ had a greater reduction in the pleasantness of chocolate (p = 0.037) and desire to eat more (p = 0.004) after consuming the GS mint for the first serving of a high-sugar sweet food following the mint. Conclusion. Consuming gymnema-containing mints compared to placebo significantly reduced the quantity of chocolate eaten mainly due to a decrease in the desire and pleasantness of consuming it.