Clarke, CE, Benham, CD, Bridges, A, George, AR & Meadows, HJ 2000, 'Mutation of histidine 286 of the human P2X4 purinoceptor removes extracellular pH sensitivity', The Journal of Physiology, vol. 523, no. 3, pp. 697-703.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
Covic, T, Adamson, B & Hough, MJ 2000, 'The impact of passive coping on rheumatoid arthritis pain', Rheumatology, vol. 39, pp. 1027-1030.
ELLIS, D 2000, 'Low prevalence of germline BRCA1 mutations in early onset breast cancer without a family history', Journal of Medical Genetics, vol. 37, no. 10, pp. 792-794.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
Gilroy, LJ, Kirkby, KC, Daniels, BA, Menzies, RG & Montgomery, IM 2000, 'Controlled comparison of computer-aided vicarious exposure versus live exposure in the treatment of spider phobia', Behavior Therapy, vol. 31, no. 4, pp. 733-744.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
View description>>
Forty-five participants diagnosed as having specific phobia of spiders were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: (a) computer-aided vicarious exposure; (b) therapist-delivered live exposure; (c) relaxation placebo. Each group received three 45-minute sessions. Phobic symptom severity was measured at pretreatment, post-treatment, and at a 3-month follow-up assessment with the Spider Questionnaire, Fear Questionnaire, Phobic Targets and Work Adjustment Ratings Scale, and a Behavioral Assessment Test with Subjective Units of Distress Rating Scale. The results showed that the computer-aided vicarious exposure was an effective treatment for spider phobia and comparable to live exposure therapy in significantly reducing phobic symptoms. Both the computer and live exposure treatments were more effective than the relaxation placebo treatment.
Hayes, P, Meadows, HJ, Gunthorpe, MJ, Harries, MH, Duckworth, MD, Cairns, W, Harrison, DC, Clarke, CE, Ellington, K, Prinjha, RK, Barton, AJL, Medhurst, AD, Smith, GD, Topp, S, Murdock, P, Sanger, GJ, Terrett, J, Jenkins, O, Benham, CD, Randall, AD, Gloger, IS & Davis, JB 2000, 'Cloning and functional expression of a human orthologue of rat vanilloid receptor-1', Pain, vol. 88, no. 2, pp. 205-215.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
Jones, M, Onslow, M, Harrison, E & Packman, A 2000, 'Treating Stuttering in Young Children', Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, vol. 43, no. 6, pp. 1440-1450.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
View description>>
It is known that children may recover from stuttering without formal treatment during the first years after onset. Consequently, the timing of professional, early stuttering intervention is a pressing issue in speech-language pathology. This report presents data pertinent to this issue for 261 preschool-age children who received the Lidcombe Program of early stuttering intervention. Of these children, 250 completed the program and were considered by their clinicians to have been treated successfully. For the children who were treated successfully, logistical regression analyses were used to determine whether age, gender, period from onset to treatment, and stuttering severity related systematically to the time required for treatment. The present data confirmed previous reports that a median of 11 clinic visits was required to achieve zero or near-zero stuttering with the Lidcombe Program. Results were also consistent with a preliminary report of 14 children (C. W. Starkweather & S. R. Gottwald, 1993) showing a significant relation between stuttering severity and the time needed for treatment, with children with more severe stuttering requiring longer treatment times than children with less severe stuttering. However, results did not associate either increasing age or increased onset-to-treatment intervals with longer treatment times. This finding is not consistent with the Starkweather and Gottwald report, which linked advancing age with longer treatment time. In fact, the present data suggest that, for a short period after stuttering onset in the preschool years, a short delay in treatment does not appear to increase treatment time. An important caveat to these data is that they cannot be generalized to late childhood or early adolescence. The present findings are discussed in relation to natural recovery from stuttering.
Jones, MK & Menzies, RG 2000, 'Danger expectancies, self-efficacy and insight in spider phobia', Behaviour Research and Therapy, vol. 38, no. 6, pp. 585-600.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
View description>>
In the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, (1994) Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.) Washington, DC: author) phobic adults and adolescents are said to 'recognize that the phobia is excessive or unreasonable' given the actual danger posed by the feared situation. The present study examined perceptions of danger in 15 spider phobic subjects and a matched set of controls before, during and after a spider-avoidance test. When detached from the phobic stimulus, phobic subjects: (1) gave higher estimates of the probability of being bitten than controls did; (2) gave higher estimates of the injuries that would result from being bitten and (3) in line with these first two findings, believed their high levels of anticipated anxiety were more reasonable and appropriate to the demands of the situation than controls did. These findings are inconsistent with the prevailing notion that when detached from the phobic situation patients can accurately evaluate the danger of potential phobic encounters. Instead, the findings suggest that phobic individuals, whether detached or in the presence of the feared object, have relatively limited insight into the irrationality of their fears. In examining the mediation of phobic phenomena, both self-efficacy and danger estimates remained significantly related to the anxiety and avoidance experienced in the spider-avoidance task. Further research designed to experimentally establish the likely causal roles of these two constructs is warranted. Copyright (C) 2000.
Kirkby, KC, Berrios, GE, Daniels, BA, Menzies, RG, Clark, A & Romano, A 2000, 'Process-outcome analysis in computer-aided treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder', Comprehensive Psychiatry, vol. 41, no. 4, pp. 259-265.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
View description>>
The study purpose was to examine dose-response relationships between behavior on a computer-delivered treatment program and outcome in obsessive- compulsive disorder (OCD), and to report the use of human-computer interactions (HCIs) as a process measure in psychotherapy research. Thirteen OCD patients completed three 45-minute sessions at weekly intervals on an interactive computer program which provided vicarious exposure and response prevention for OCD. The scenario modeled exposure to dirt for the treatment of a hand-washing ritual. HCIs were recorded and analyzed to provide a detailed description of the behavioral strategies used. The relationship between subject characteristics, process measures, and outcome was examined. Across the three computer treatment sessions, all subjects showed a marked increase in vicarious exposure behavior, that is, enacting a hand-dirtying behavior sequence on the interactive computer program. Some subjects enacted hand-washing, although this decreased across sessions. A higher amount of vicarious hand-dirtying behavior predicted symptom reduction on the Padua Inventory (PI). Higher National Adult Reading Test (NART) scores, an intelligence measure, predicted more enactments of hand-dirtying behavior, but the relationship between hand-dirtying and outcome remained significant after controlling for NART scores. We conclude that HCIs are a novel and objective process measure that may aid in clarifying specific treatment factors. The relationship between hand-dirtying and outcome suggests a likely increased benefit from higher treatment dosages. Copyright (C) 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.
Kneebone, II & Dunmore, E 2000, 'Psychological management of post‐stroke depression', British Journal of Clinical Psychology, vol. 39, no. 1, pp. 53-65.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
View description>>
Purpose. To evaluate existing research literature on psychological interventions to manage post‐stroke depression (PSD).Method. First, the particular nature of post‐stroke depression (PSD) was established. Then, relevant published material was identified through computerized literature searches (to May 1999) and via the first author's clinical experience in the area. This material was critically reviewed against recommended standards for the empirical validation of treatment effectiveness.Results. Methodological limitations in existing research prevent a conclusion as any one psychological intervention has empirical support for its effectiveness. However, cognitive behaviour therapy in particular was identified as worthy of further investigation.Conclusions. It is recommended that future research investigates treatments for PSD appropriate for those with cognitive impairment and communication difficulties, younger versus older stroke victims and those in institutional settings. Studies should also consider the necessity of specialist assessment strategies and allow for possible subtypes of PSD for which psychological treatments might be differentially effective.
Menzies, RG, Harris, LM, Cumming, SR & Einstein, DA 2000, 'The relationship between inflated personal responsibility and exaggerated danger expectancies in obsessive–compulsive concerns', Behaviour Research and Therapy, vol. 38, no. 10, pp. 1029-1037.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
View description>>
The association between responsibility for a negative outcome, perceived severity of the outcome and perceived likelihood of the outcome was examined in a sample of 70 undergraduate students. Participants were asked to rate the likelihood and severity of 10 negative outcomes, five related to contamination and five related to checking. Thirty-eight participants completed a version of the questionnaire that presented the subject as responsible for the action that may lead to a negative outcome ('personally responsible' group). The remaining 32 completed a version of the questionnaire that presented someone else performing the actions that may lead to a negative outcome ('other responsible' group). Significant differences emerged between the personally responsible and other responsible groups for severity of outcome ratings but not for likelihood of outcome ratings. Specifically, for both washing and checking concerns, participants in the personally responsible group rated the severity of the potential negative outcome as greater than did those in the other responsible group. The results support the claimed general tendency for individuals to regard an outcome as more aversive if they are personally responsible for that outcome, rather than someone else being responsible. The results suggest that, in general, increasing perceptions of personal responsibility will increase cost or severity estimates in subjective danger calculations, and that responsibility may influence OCD phenomena in this way. Finally, the results suggest that attempts to manipulate responsibility in the laboratory may be confounded by necessarily impacting on cost estimates, and therefore on danger expectancies. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd.
Onslow, M, Menzies, RG & Packman, A 2000, 'Anxiety and the Treatment of Stuttering', American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 91-93.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
Packman, A & Onslow, M 2000, 'Cause and Effect in Stuttering: An Examination of the Anticipatory Struggle Hypothesis', American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 359-360.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
Packman, A, Menzies, RG & Onslow, M 2000, 'Anxiety and the Anticipatory Struggle Hypothesis', American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 88-89.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
Packman, A, Onslow, M & Menzies, R 2000, 'Novel speech patterns and the treatment of stuttering', Disability and Rehabilitation, vol. 22, no. 1-2, pp. 65-79.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
View description>>
Variants of rhythmic speech and legato speech have been used for centuries to treat stuttering. Despite considerable empirical and theoretical inquiry, the reason for the effectiveness of these novel speech patterns in suppressing stuttering is unknown. Recent acoustic research conducted at the University of Sydney suggests that a reduction in the variability of syllabic stress is a critical feature of these two speech patterns, and that this reduction suppresses stuttering by stabilizing the speech motor system. This paper reviews what is known about rhythmic speech and legato speech from this perspective, and the theoretical and clinical implications of reconceptualizing them in this way are discussed.
Pate, JW 2000, 'Invited commentary', The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, vol. 70, no. 2, pp. 658-658.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
Phyllis Bonelli, Nan.B 2000, 'Child and parent speech and language following the Lidcombe Programme of early stuttering intervention', Clinical Linguistics & Phonetics, vol. 14, no. 6, pp. 427-446.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
Poulton, R, Waldie, KE, Craske, MG, Menzies, RG & McGee, R 2000, 'Dishabituation processes in height fear and dental fear: an indirect test of the non-associative model of fear acquisition', Behaviour Research and Therapy, vol. 38, no. 9, pp. 909-919.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
View description>>
The fear dishabituation hypothesis described in the non-associative model of fear acquisition was tested in a longitudinal birth cohort study. Results were consistent with height fear and phobia dishabituation. That is, 're-emergence' of a fear of heights occurred between age 11 and 18 years among individuals who reported higher levels of non-specific stress at age 15. Interestingly, there was no evidence for dental fear dishabituation - a finding consistent with the non-associative model of fear acquisition. Strengths and weaknesses of the study were considered and the results discussed in relation to laboratory-based findings on (dis)habituation. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd.
Verhagen, AP, de Bie, RA, Lenssen, AF, de Vet, HCW, Kessels, AGH, Boers, M & van den Brandt, PA 2000, 'IMPACT OF QUALITY ITEMS ON STUDY OUTCOME Treatments in Acute Lateral Ankle Sprains', International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, vol. 16, no. 04, pp. 1136-1146.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
Verhagen, AP, De Bie, RA, Lenssen, AF, De Vet, HCW, Kessels, AGH, Boers, M & Van Den Brandt, PA 2000, 'Quality Assessment of Trials: A Comparison of Three Criteria Lists', Physical Therapy Reviews, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 49-58.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
View description>>
Objective. The conclusion of a systematic review depends on the quality of the individual studies included. This article presents the results of a qualitative comparison using three different methods of quality assessment. Method. A data set of 21 randomised clinical trials (RCTs) from a systematic review concerning the efficacy of laser therapy in patients with musculoskeletal disorders is used. The criteria lists to assess the methodological quality were the 'Maastricht' list, the 'Jadad' list and the 'Delphi' list. Results. The three criteria lists show moderate to good correlation. Major differences between the lists are the number of items, and differences in wording of the items seem to affect the ranking of the studies. Conclusion. Based on our results, we conclude that the Delphi list seems the most practical and satisfactory instrument for quality assessment of RCTs.
Verhagen, AP, de Vet, HC, de Bie, RA, Kessels, AG, Boers, M & Knipschild, PG 2000, 'Balneotherapy for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.', Cochrane Database Syst Rev, no. 2, p. CD000518.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
View description>>
BACKGROUND: Balneotherapy (hydrotherapy or spa therapy) for patients with arthritis is one of the oldest forms of therapy. One of the aims of balneotherapy is to soothe the pain and as a consequence to relieve patients' suffering and make them feel well. OBJECTIVES: To perform a systematic review to assess the effects of balneotherapy for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. SEARCH STRATEGY: Using the Cochrane search strategy, studies were found by screening: 1) The Medline CD-ROM database from 1966 to June 1999 and 2) the database from the Cochrane Field 'Rehabilitation and Related Therapies', which contains also studies published in journals not covered by Medline. Also, 3) reference checking and 4) personal communications with authors was carried out to retrieve eligible studies. To perform an adequate assessment of the methodological quality the languages of the publications had to be: Dutch, English, French or German. Date of the most recent literature search: June, 1999 SELECTION CRITERIA: Studies were eligible if they were randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing balneotherapy with any intervention or with no intervention. Patients included had rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA) or some other form of arthritis. Trials incorporating patients with definite or classical rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as defined by the American Rheumatism Association Criteria (ARA) (Ropes 1958) (these criteria have changed over time) or by the criteria of Steinbrocker (1949) were regarded as a separate group. At least one of the WHO/ILAR core set of endpoints for RA clinical trials had to be the main outcome measures. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: A criteria list used to assess the methodological quality was the one developed at the Department of Epidemiology at the Maastricht University, called 'the Maastricht list'. The quality scores and data abstraction of the studies were carried out independently by two reviewers (HdV, RdB). Disagreements were so...
