Effectiveness of Virtual Laboratories in Science Education: A Meta-Analysis

The development of technologies had transformed the way we deliver our instruction to the students. Many researchers and teachers alike are advocating for the integration of technology into their instruction as it provides promising results. One key aspect as to which technology can be of great help is through virtual laboratory activities. This meta-analysis offered information on the effectiveness of using virtual laboratory activities to student achievement. Results of the meta-analysis revealed a medium effect size (g = 0.587) towards the use of virtual laboratories. The subject area and level of study were used as subgrouping to further explore the effectiveness of conducting virtual laboratories.

The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy On Rumination and Intrusive Thoughts in Patients With Bipolar Disorder: Secondary Analyses From a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Preliminary evidence suggests that Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a promising treatment for bipolar disorder (BD). One of the proposed working mechanisms of MBCT in attenuating depressive symptoms is through the reduction of depressive rumination. In BD the effect of MBCT on rumination is less well studied. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effect of MBCT on self-reported trait depressive rumination and an experimental state measure of negative intrusive thoughts. On an exploratory note, we investigated the effect of MBCT on positive rumination and positive intrusive thoughts.Methods: The study population consisted of a subsample of bipolar type I or II patients participating in a multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing MBCT + treatment as usual (TAU) (N = 25) to TAU alone (N = 24). Trait depressive rumination (RRS brooding subscale) and negative intrusive thoughts (breathing focus task (BFT)) were assessed at baseline and post-treatment. During the BFT, participants were asked to report negative, positive and neutral intrusive thoughts while focusing on their breathing. Results: Compared to TAU alone, MBCT + TAU resulted in a significant pre- to post-treatment reduction of trait depressive rumination (R2 = 0.16, F(1, 28) = 5.30, p = .029; medium effect size (f2 = 0.19)) and negative intrusive thoughts on the BFT (R2 = .15, F(1, 28) = 4.88, p = .036; medium effect size (f2 = 0.17)). MBCT did not significantly change positive rumination or positive intrusive thoughts on the BFT.Conclusions: MBCT might be a helpful additional intervention to reduce depressive rumination in BD which might reduce risk of depressive relapse or recurrence. Future research is required to replicate our findings and to explore whether this reduction in rumination following MBCT indeed mediates a reduction in depressive symptoms and leads to relapse prevention in BD.

Oral and Topical Treatment of Painful Diabetic Polyneuropathy: Practice Guideline Update Summary

ObjectiveTo update the 2011 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) guideline on the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) with a focus on topical and oral medications and medical class effects.MethodsThe authors systematically searched the literature from January 2008 to April 2020 using a structured review process to classify the evidence and develop practice recommendations using the AAN 2017 Clinical Practice Guideline Process Manual.ResultsGabapentinoids (standardized mean difference [SMD] 0.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.21–0.67), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) (SMD 0.47; 95% CI, 0.34–0.60), sodium channel blockers (SMD 0.56; 95% CI, 0.25–0.87), and SNRI/opioid dual mechanism agents (SMD 0.62; 95% CI, 0.38–0.86) all have comparable effect sizes just above or just below our cutoff for a medium effect size (SMD 0.5). Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) (SMD 0.95; 95% CI, 0.15–1.8) have a large effect size, but this result is tempered by a low confidence in the estimate.Recommendations SummaryClinicians should assess patients with diabetes for PDN (Level B) and those with PDN for concurrent mood and sleep disorders (Level B). In patients with PDN, clinicians should offer TCAs, SNRIs, gabapentinoids, and/or sodium channel blockers to reduce pain (Level B) and consider factors other than efficacy (Level B). Clinicians should offer patients a trial of medication from a different effective class when they do not achieve meaningful improvement or experience significant adverse effects with the initial therapeutic class (Level B) and not use opioids for the treatment of PDN (Level B).

L2 writing development through two types of writing task repetition

This study investigated whether any remarkable effects emerge in terms of overall complexity, complexity by subordination, accuracy, and fluency in two types of writing task repetition during a single academic semester (16 weeks). The Cognition Hypothesis states that tasks involving different cognitive demands will lead to different L2 output. Thus, this study explored whether any significant differences existed between two task types: descriptive and argumentative essays. The results revealed different patterns in the two types of writing tasks. For the descriptive essays, despite the improvements in overall complexity, complexity by subordination, and fluency with a large effect size, no significant findings were confirmed for accuracy. In contrast, in the argumentative essays, the learners improved all the linguistic aspects, but with a medium effect size. This study also unraveled developmental trajectories to demonstrate how different variables interacted in the two different types of writing tasks throughout the measurement period.

QOLP-17. YOGA THERAPY AS A SUPPORTIVE CARE STRATEGY FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF HIGH GRADE GLIOMA PATIENTS: RESULTS OF 3-ARM PILOT RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

BACKGROUND This pilot RCT compared the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a dyadic versus individual yoga intervention as a supportive care strategy for family caregivers of high grade glioma patients. METHODS Caregivers completed self-reported assessments of QOL (SF-36) and caregiver burden (CRA) and were then randomized to a patient-caregiver dyadic yoga (DY), caregiver yoga (CY) or usual are (UC) arm while patients were undergoing standard radiotherapy. Both yoga programs were delivered over 15 sessions either in-person or via videoconference (Zoom). All groups were re-assessed at the end of treatment and then again 3-months later. RESULTS We consented 76 dyads (59%) and randomized 23 to the DY, 22 to the CY, and 22 to the UC arm. Attendance in the DY was higher than in the CY group (means, DY=12.23, CY=9.00, P=.06, d=.57). Caregivers reported significantly more overall subjective benefit in the CY compared to the DY arm (means, CY=1.39, DY=1.81, P< .05, d=1.45). Caregivers slightly favored the in-person delivery (means, in person: 1.48; zoom: 1.82, P=.10; d=.77). A clinically significant, medium effect size was found for improved QOL in favor of the CY over the DY group (means, CY=49.45, DY=44.45; F=3.58, P=.07; d=.67). Caregivers in the CY group reported less caregiving-related health declines compared to the DY group (means, CY=2.18; DY=2.48; F=4.23, P< .05; d=.42). Caregivers in the CY group reported less caregiving-related financial burden than the UC group (means: CY=2.79; UC=3.21; F=3.32, P=.08; d=.35). CONCLUSION Despite lower attendance, caregivers in the CY arm reported greater subjective overall benefit, experienced better mental QOL and less caregiver burden compared with those in the DY and UC comparison arms. It appears that individual rather than dyadic delivery may be a superior supportive care approach for this vulnerable caregiver population. An adequately powered, larger trial of this intervention strategy is warranted.

Metabolic, ventilatory and cardiovascular responses to FES-cycling: A comparison to NMES and passive cycling

BACKGROUND: Cyclergometry with functional electrical stimulation (FES-cycling) is a feasible method for rehabilitation. The concept is to promote exercise induced by depolarization of the motoneuron and muscular contraction. OBJECTIVE: To measure acute physiological responses to FES-cycling. METHODS: Retrospective study of data from ten healthy volunteers who performed FES-cycling, passive cycling and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) alone. Metabolic, ventilatory and cardiovascular parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: Oxygen uptake enhanced 97 ± 15% during FES-cycling, with medium effect size compared to NMES and large effect size compared to passive cycling. Energy expenditure enhanced 102 ± 15% during FES-cycling, with medium effect size compared to NMES and large effect size compared to passive cycling. Minute ventilation enhanced 115 ± 26% during FES-cycling, with small effect size compared to NMES and medium effect size compared to passive cycling. Cardiac output enhanced 21 ± 4% during FES-cycling, with medium effect size compared to NMES and passive cycling. Arterial – mixed venous oxygen content difference enhanced 60 ± 8% during FES-cycling, with a medium effect size compared to NMES and large effect size compared to passive cycling. CONCLUSIONS: FES-cycling enhances metabolic, ventilatory and cardiovascular demands and the physiological responses are higher than NMES and passive cycling.

The new normal of web camera theft on campus during COVID-19 and the impact of anti-theft signage

Objective The opportunity for web camera theft increased globally as institutions of higher education transitioned to remote learning during COVID-19. Given the thousands of cameras currently installed in classrooms, many with little protection, the present study tests the effectiveness of anti-theft signage for preventing camera theft. Methods Examined web camera theft at a southern, public university located in the United States of America by randomly assigning N = 104 classrooms to receive either anti-theft signage or no signage. Camera theft was analyzed using Blaker’s exact test. Results Classrooms not receiving anti-theft signage (control) were 3.42 times more likely to exhibit web camera theft than classrooms receiving anti-theft signage (medium effect size). Conclusions Using classrooms as the unit of analysis presents new opportunities for not only future crime prevention experiments, but also improving campus safety and security. Also, preventing web camera theft on campus is both fiscally and socially responsible, saving money and ensuring inclusivity for remote learners.

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for trauma-exposed patients in an outpatient setting: A clinical chart review study

Trauma exposure across the lifespan produces risks for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, as well as global disability in functioning. This retrospective clinical chart review is the first of its kind to assess the utility of sublingual ketamine-assisted body-centered psychotherapy in trauma-exposed patients in a real world clinic setting. De-identified clinical records data on self-reported symptom measures were retrospectively analyzed for patients (N = 18; M age = 45.22, SD = 12.90) entering ketamine-assisted psychotherapy treatment in an outpatient clinic between 2018 and 2020. Patients who completed six sessions of ketamine therapy reported meaningful (e.g., medium effect size) improvements in PTSD symptoms (P = 0.058; d = −0.48) and global disability in functioning (P = 0.050; d = −0.52) and statistically significant and meaningful improvements in depression (P = 0.019; d = −0.53). There were no improvements in anxiety symptoms. Sublingual ketamine-assisted psychotherapy was associated with heterogenous clinical utility among patients with trauma-exposure in an outpatient setting. This study was underpowered and unrepresentative of the population of ketamine patients in the United States. Replication of these findings is needed with larger and more diverse patient samples.

A Meta-Analysis of Facebook-Assisted Learning Outcomes and Their Gender Differences

Social media applications such as Facebook have received wide attention in their use in education. However, it is still hard to arrive at a conclusion regarding whether a Facebook-assisted approach is effective in education and whether there are any significant gender differences in the learning outcomes. Based on rigid inclusion criteria, this study included 21 peer-reviewed high-quality journal articles. Through a meta-analysis using Reviewer Manager 5.3, the authors concluded that a Facebook-assisted approach could obtain significantly higher learning outcomes than the non-Facebook-assisted one with a medium effect size (d = 0.42) and that females could achieve significantly better learning outcomes than males with a very small effect size (d = -0.21) in the Facebook-assisted education. Future research could examine the effect of educational use of other social media applications, as well as in sociological, psychological, or educational dimensions.

Downtrends in Offside Offenses Among ‘The Big Five’ European Football Leagues

This study examined the evolution of offside offenses and pass performance across a 10-season period in the top five European soccer leagues. Match performance observations (n = 18 259) were analysed for emergent trends. Two-way ANOVA analyses revealed significant league and seasonal differences among the five leagues (medium effect size). The total offside offenses committed during a match experienced a clear decline during the 10 seasons. In contrast, moderate increases were evident for all passing differential variables. Offside offenses per match were higher in the German Bundesliga and Spanish La Liga than in the English Premier League and France Ligue 1. However, the English Premier League had the greatest value in the touch differential, pass differential, successful pass differential, and key pass differential among all leagues. It is important to note that the number of offside offenses fell after the implementation of VAR.