The conceptual invariance, trajectory, and outcome associations of working alliance in unguided and guided internet-based psychological interventions: A randomized controlled trial (Preprint)

BACKGROUND The role of working alliance is largely unknown for internet-based interventions (IBI), an effective alternative for traditional psychotherapy. OBJECTIVE This study examined the conceptual invariance, trajectory, and outcome associations of working alliance in internet-based interventions incorporating or excluding clinician support via text or video. METHODS One hundred and forty-three adults with subclinical anxiety, stress, and/or depression symptoms were randomized to one of three treatment conditions for 7 weeks. All participants received access to MyCompass, an internet-delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy program. Participants in Condition 1 did not receive clinician support. Participants in Condition 2 and 3 received supplemental asynchronous clinician support via text or video respectively. Working alliance was measured weekly. Symptom outcomes were assessed at baseline, post-treatment, and 1-month follow-up. RESULTS We found scalar invariance of working alliance, indicating that working alliance was conceptually invariant across three conditions. Working alliance decreased significantly over time only in the text support group. Stronger baseline level and Faster increases in alliance predicted better outcomes at both post-treatment and follow-up only in the video support group. CONCLUSIONS Working alliance is methodologically comparable with or without clinician support and is generally established at initial sessions of IBI. Better alliance contributed to better outcomes only when clinician support is available via videos. CLINICALTRIAL clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT05122429

Long-Term BCI Training of a Tetraplegic User: Adaptive Riemannian Classifiers and User Training

While often presented as promising assistive technologies for motor-impaired users, electroencephalography (EEG)-based Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) remain barely used outside laboratories due to low reliability in real-life conditions. There is thus a need to design long-term reliable BCIs that can be used outside-of-the-lab by end-users, e.g., severely motor-impaired ones. Therefore, we propose and evaluate the design of a multi-class Mental Task (MT)-based BCI for longitudinal training (20 sessions over 3 months) of a tetraplegic user for the CYBATHLON BCI series 2019. In this BCI championship, tetraplegic pilots are mentally driving a virtual car in a racing video game. We aimed at combining a progressive user MT-BCI training with a newly designed machine learning pipeline based on adaptive Riemannian classifiers shown to be promising for real-life applications. We followed a two step training process: the first 11 sessions served to train the user to control a 2-class MT-BCI by performing either two cognitive tasks (REST and MENTAL SUBTRACTION) or two motor-imagery tasks (LEFT-HAND and RIGHT-HAND). The second training step (9 remaining sessions) applied an adaptive, session-independent Riemannian classifier that combined all 4 MT classes used before. Moreover, as our Riemannian classifier was incrementally updated in an unsupervised way it would capture both within and between-session non-stationarity. Experimental evidences confirm the effectiveness of this approach. Namely, the classification accuracy improved by about 30% at the end of the training compared to initial sessions. We also studied the neural correlates of this performance improvement. Using a newly proposed BCI user learning metric, we could show our user learned to improve his BCI control by producing EEG signals matching increasingly more the BCI classifier training data distribution, rather than by improving his EEG class discrimination. However, the resulting improvement was effective only on synchronous (cue-based) BCI and it did not translate into improved CYBATHLON BCI game performances. For the sake of overcoming this in the future, we unveil possible reasons for these limited gaming performances and identify a number of promising future research directions. Importantly, we also report on the evolution of the user's neurophysiological patterns and user experience throughout the BCI training and competition.

Knockout serotonin transporter in rats moderates outcome and stimulus generalization

Understanding the common dimension of mental disorders (such as anxiety, depression, and drug addiction) might contribute to the construction of biological frameworks (Research Domain Criteria, RDoC) for novel ways of treatment. One common dimension at the behavioral level observed across these disorders is a generalization. Testing generalization in serotonin transporter (5-HTT) knockout (KO) rats, an animal model showing depression/anxiety-like behaviors and drug addiction-like behaviors, could therefore provide more insights into this framework. We tested the outcome and stimulus generalization in wild-type (WT) and 5-HTT KO rats. Using a newly established touchscreen-based task, subjects directly responded to visual stimuli (Gabor patch images). We measured the response time and outcome in a precise manner. We found that 5-HTT KO rats processed visual information faster than WT rats during outcome generalization. Interestingly, during stimulus generalization, WT rats gradually responded faster to the stimuli as the sessions progressed, while 5-HTT KO rats responded faster than WT in the initial sessions and did not change significantly as the sessions progressed. This observation suggests that KO rats, compared to WT rats, may be less able to update changes in information. Taken together, KO 5-HTT modulates information processing when the environment changes.

Use of whole slide imaging (WSI) for distance teaching

BackgroundTime, travel and financial constraints have meant that traditional visiting teaching engagements are more difficult to accomplish. This has been exacerbated with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of digital pathology and whole slide imaging (WSI) as an educational tool for distance teaching is underutilised and not fully exploited. This paper highlights the utility and feedback on the use of WSI for distance education/teaching.Materials and methodsBuilding on an existing relationship with the University of the West Indies (UWI), pathologists at University Health Network, Toronto, provided distance education using WSI, a digitised slide image hosting repository and videoconferencing facilities to provide case-based teaching to 15 UWI pathology trainees. Feedback was obtained from residents via a questionnaire and from teachers via a discussion.ResultsThere was uniform support from teachers who felt that teaching was not hampered by the ‘virtual’ engagement. Comfort levels grew with each engagement and technical issues with sound diminished with the use of a portable speaker. The residents were very supportive and enthusiastic in embracing this mode of teaching. While technical glitches marred initial sessions, the process evened out especially when the slide hosting facility, teleconferencing and sound issues were changed.ConclusionsThere was unanimous endorsement that use of WSI was the future, especially for distance teaching. However, it was not meant to supplant the use of glass slides in their current routine, daily practice.

M245. AN RCT PROTOCOL OF HYBRID-ECT FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA

Background Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an rapid and effective treatment for schizophrenia patients, ECT may achieve significant antipsychotic effects in the several initial sessions, but significant side effects limit its use. However, our low-charge electrotherapy (LCE) pilot trial demonstrated antipsychotic effects with significantly fewer side effects. The aim of this trial is to propose a novel two-step charge set strategy for ECT treatment, referred to as Hybrid-ECT, try to decrease side effects by using a lower charge while preserving treatment efficacy. Methods A randomized, double-blinded, standard-controlled, parallel-group design will be used. We plan to enroll 62 inpatients diagnosed with acute schizophrenia and randomly assign them to routine ECT (control group) or to Hybrid-ECT (treatment group, 3 ECT sessions followed by LCE sessions (approximately half of seizure threshold per session)). The primary outcome measure is the change in total PANSS score after the last ECT/LCE session. The secondary outcome measures include the response rate, remission rate, CGI, auditory hallucination rating scale, and everyday memory questionnaire (EMQ) scales. Neuropsychological metrics include the repeatable battery for the assessments of neuropsychological status (RBANS) and the stroop test, and detailed side effects will be evaluated. Structure and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessments during treatment will be performed to explore brain changes between ECT and hybrid-ECT groups. The follow-up phase is set at the one-month after the last ECT/LCE session Results No results. Discussion This research will propose a simple but completely novel ECT strategy that aims to rapidly relieve psychosis symptoms and minimize side effects. If Hybrid-ECT is found to have the potentiality mentioned above, this could have important implications for future ECT strategies in treating schizophrenia patients in the acute phase. In addition, by using the detailed neuropsychological assessments and MRI scanning, this study may improve the knowledge of ECT-related antipsychotic mechanisms.

Failure Factors to Reach the Blind End Using a Short-Type Single-Balloon Enteroscope for ERCP with Roux-en-Y Reconstruction: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

Background. Failure factors in reaching the blind end (papillae of Vater, bilioenteric anastomosis) during short-type single-balloon enteroscope-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (sSBE-assisted ERCP) in patients with Roux-en-Y (R-Y) reconstruction remain to be evaluated. Aims. We investigated the failure factors in such patients. Methods. We retrospectively studied 253 initial sessions of sSBE-assisted ERCP at three endoscopy centers from April 2008 through September 2017, examining failure factors and complications associated with scope insertion in patients with R-Y reconstruction. Results. R-Y reconstruction was performed in 157 patients (with gastrectomy: 122 patients; without gastrectomy plus bilioenteric anastomosis: 35 patients). R-Y without gastrectomy (p=0.001; odds ratio (OR), 5.73; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.07 to 16.01) and the presence of peritoneal dissemination (p=0.021; OR, 4.71; 95% CI, 1.27 to 17.54) were significant failure factors. Insufficient sSBE length was the cause of failure in 17 (11%) of the 157 patients, and 13 (76%) of the 17 patients were with R-Y without gastrectomy. In cases of insufficient short-type length, using a long-type SBE significantly increased the success rate (p=0.002). Gastrointestinal stenosis was a significant failure factor (p=0.011) in patients with peritoneal dissemination. Perforation occurred in 2 patients who responded to conservative treatment. Conclusions. Failure factors during sSBE-assisted ERCP were R-Y without gastrectomy and the presence of peritoneal dissemination.

Composing for Improvisers: Negotiating the Issue of Individual Voice

This paper addresses one aspect of my Practice as Research project exploring composing for large groups of improvising musicians. It looks at how my practice evolved as a result of contemplating the nature of solo improvisation, together with Garry L. Hagberg’s writings around “Collective Intention.” I discuss a new work for octet that started with small-group improvisations, initially totally freely and then later using thematic material inspired and informed by the initial sessions. By basing the finished compositions on improvisations this way, I aim to bring the creative voice of the individuals into final performance. Not just by employing the compositional techniques of the likes of Graham Collier, John Zorn, Anthony Braxton and many others who allow room for realtime improvised contributions in performance, but by weaving the unique voices of the musicians into the written material as well. In this way, I am challenging the stereotype of a lone composer working away from the ensemble, which the contemporary big band composer often fits.