Block, S, Onslow, M, Roberts, R & White, S 2004, 'Control of stuttering with EMG feedback', Advances in Speech Language Pathology, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 100-106.
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There are considerable advantages to instrument based treatments for stuttering, because they have potential to maximize the involvement of the client in the treatment process. The present report is an attempted replication of one of three such treatments that are currently available: computerized EMG feedback. Participants were 12 children and adolescents in a similar age range to the Craig et al. (1996) nonrandomized, controlled trial. Two experienced clinicians and two student clinicians presented the treatment as outlined in the Craig (1998) manual, using the requisite EMG equipment, for 6ââ,¬â€°h per day over five consecutive days. Subjects showed a reduction of 48.9% of their stuttering during reading conditions after the treatment and a reduction of 36.7% of stuttering after the treatment during conversation. During the post-treatment period participants were speaking at a mean of 111 syllables per minute, which is around half the expected speech rate for Australians in this age group. It is concluded that the EMG procedure certainly warrants consideration as a complement to other stuttering treatments, but that further work is needed to establish its value as a stand-alone treatment. © 2004 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved.
Cheek, J, Onslow, M & Cream, A 2004, 'Beyond the divide: Comparing and contrasting aspects of qualitative and quantitative research approaches', Advances in Speech Language Pathology, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 147-152.
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As an introduction to this journal issue devoted to qualitative research methods in stuttering research, the present paper provides an overview of some of the underlying questions and issues arising from the use of qualitative approaches in research. The overview is written mindful of the historical domination of quantitative approaches to stuttering research and the likelihood that many readers of the present issue will have long experience and familiarity with quantitative approaches as opposed to qualitative ones. Consequently, qualitative research approaches are overviewed with particular reference to what have been, in our experiences, recurring queries about those methods from within the quantitative perspective. A broad definition of the inductive methods of qualitative approaches is offered and contrasted with the deductive methods of quantitative research. Subsequently, the issue of "bias" in qualitative approaches is considered, along with insights into ways of determining the quality of such approaches. It is concluded that there is no future in trying to understand or conceptualise either quantitative or qualitative research approaches using understandings transported from the other. Such an unproductive polemic or "paradigm clash" (Ingham, 1984) must be avoided as qualitative approaches to stuttering research grow in influence. © 2004 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved.
Clarke, CE, Veale, EL, Green, PJ, Meadows, HJ & Mathie, A 2004, 'Selective block of the human 2‐P domain potassium channel, TASK‐3, and the native leak potassium current, IKSO, by zinc', The Journal of Physiology, vol. 560, no. 1, pp. 51-62.
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Background potassium channels control the resting membrane potential of neurones and regulate their excitability. Two‐pore‐domain potassium (2‐PK) channels have been shown to underlie a number of such neuronal background currents. Currents through human TASK‐1, TASK‐2 and TASK‐3 channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes were inhibited by extracellular acidification. For TASK‐3, mutation of histidine 98 to aspartate or alanine considerably reduced this effect of pH. Zinc was found to be a selective blocker of TASK‐3 with virtually no effect on TASK‐1 or TASK‐2. Zinc had an IC50 of 19.8 μm for TASK‐3, at +80 mV, with little voltage dependence associated with this inhibition. TASK‐3 H98A had a much reduced sensitivity to zinc suggesting this site is important for zinc block. Surprisingly, TASK‐1 also has histidine in position 98 but is insensitive to zinc block. TASK‐3 and TASK‐1 differ at position 70 with glutamate for TASK‐3 and lysine for TASK‐1. TASK‐3 E70K also had a much reduced sensitivity to zinc while the corresponding reverse mutation in TASK‐1, K70E, induced zinc sensitivity. A TASK‐3–TASK‐1 concatamer channel was comparatively zinc insensitive. For TASK‐3, it is concluded that positions E70 and H98 are both critical for zinc block. The native cerebellar granule neurone (CGN) leak current, IKSO, is sensitive to block by zinc, with current reduced to 0.58 of control values in the presence of 100 μm zinc. This suggests that TASK‐3 channels underlie a major component of IKSO. It has recently been suggested that zinc is released from inhibitory synapses onto CGNs. Therefore it is possible that inhibition of IKSO in cerebellar granule cells by synaptically released zinc may have important physiological consequences.
Einstein, DA & Menzies, RG 2004, 'Role of magical thinking in obsessive-compulsive symptoms in an undergraduate sample', Depression and Anxiety, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 174-179.
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Thought action fusion (TAF) is an important presenting feature of many individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). "Magical thinking" is a similar construct (developed within the literature on schizotypy) that may provide a more accurate depiction of difficulties encountered by individuals with OCD. This study seeks to examine relationships between components of magical thinking, TAF, and superstitiousness; establish the extent to which these constructs are independently related to OCD proneness; and establish the extent to which these biased reasoning styles are related to each of the major OCD symptom clusters (e.g., washing, checking). The Padua Inventory (PI), the Maudsley Obsessional-Compulsive Inventory (MOCI), the Magical Ideation Scale (MI), the Lucky Behaviours (Lbeh) and Lucky Beliefs (Lbel) Scales, and the Thought Action Fusion-Revised scale (TAF-R) were given to a cohort of 86 undergraduate students. Of all the measures, the MI scale was found to be the most strongly related to obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Large and significant relationships between MI scores and the two measures of OCD (i.e., MOCI and PI) were obtained even when alternative mediators (i.e., Lbeh, Lbel, TAF-R) were held constant. No other variable remained significantly related to the MOCI or PI when magical ideation scores were held constant. The findings suggest that a general magical thinking tendency may underpin previous observed links between superstitiousness, thought action fusion, and OCD severity. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Einstein, DA & Menzies, RG 2004, 'The presence of magical thinking in obsessive compulsive disorder', Behaviour Research and Therapy, vol. 42, no. 5, pp. 539-549.
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Two research groups have raised the possibility that magical ideation may be a fundamental feature of obsessive-compulsive disorder. It has been proposed to underlie thought action fusion and superstitious beliefs. In this study, the Magical Ideation scale, the Lucky Behaviours and Lucky Beliefs scales, the Thought Action Fusion - Revised scale, the Padua Inventory, and the Obsessive Compulsive Inventory - Short Version were completed by 60 obsessive compulsive patients at a hospital clinic. Of all the measures, the Magical Ideation (MI) scale was found to be the most strongly related to obsessive compulsive symptoms. Large and significant relationships between MI scores and the measures of OCD were obtained even when alternative constructs (Lucky Behaviours, Lucky Beliefs, Thought Action Fusion - Revised scales) were held constant. No other variable remained significantly related to the Obsessive Compulsive Inventory - Short Version when magical ideation scores were held constant. The findings suggest that a general magical thinking tendency may underpin previous observed links between superstitiousness, thought action fusion and OCD severity. © 2003 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Feinmann, C & Newton-John, T 2004, 'Psychiatric and psychological management considerations associated with nerve damage and neuropathic trigeminal pain', JOURNAL OF OROFACIAL PAIN, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 360-365.
Harris, LM, Cumming, SR & Menzies, RG 2004, 'Predicting anxiety in magnetic resonance imaging scans', International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 1-7.
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This study evaluated a brief screening instrument for predicting psychological distress in patients undertaking magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The scale is adapted from Wolpe and Long's (1964) Fear Survey Schedule (FSS; see Lukins, Davan, & Drummond, 1997). Noise and/or confinement were identified as the most unpleasant feature of the MRI by 48.3% of 118 outpatients. The MRI-FSS (Lukins et al., 1997; 9 items) significantly predicted the number of panic attack symptoms and state anxiety experienced during MRI scan better than a range of other measures. There was a significant increase in MRI-FSS scores from prescan to postscan among those who experienced high levels of anxiety during the scan. The MRI-FSS appears to be a useful indicator of likely adverse psychological reactions in the MRI scan that is sensitive to the sequelae of the MRI procedure.
Harrison, E, Onslow, M & Menzies, R 2004, 'Dismantling the Lidcombe Program of early stuttering intervention: verbal contingencies for stuttering and clinical measurement', International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, vol. 39, no. 2, pp. 257-267.
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AbstractBackground: Data have accumulated to show that the Lidcombe Program of early stuttering intervention is a safe treatment with positive outcomes for preschoolers who stutter, and a randomized controlled trial is under way at the time of writing. Program components have not been investigated experimentally so the functionality of each component is unknown.Aims: The aim of this preliminary study was to establish the viability of a programme of research that would assess the clinical value of two program components. These components were parental verbal contingencies for stuttering and severity ratings.Methods & Procedures: In the present preliminary experiment, 38 preschool children were randomized to an experiment involving a 4‐week ‘dose’ of treatment followed by 4 weeks without treatment. The dependent variable was the percentage of syllables stuttered (%SS) obtained from the mean %SS score from recordings on three recording occasions.Outcomes & Results: Some preliminary indications were found that parental verbal contingencies for stuttering contributed to treatment outcomes. No preliminary evidence was found for the contribution of parent severity ratings to treatment outcomes.Conclusions: It was concluded that a robust, statistical demonstration of these result would be desirable, but effect size estimates from the present data show that access to more than 650 families of stuttering preschool children would be required for such a study. Such a project would be beyond the resources of any one research group to complete in a timely manner, and a method to address this problem is proposed.
Hemsley, B & Balandin, S 2004, 'Without AAC: The Stories of Unpaid Carers of Adults with Cerebral Palsy and Complex Communication Needs in Hospital', Augmentative and Alternative Communication, vol. 20, no. 4, pp. 243-258.
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Many adults with cerebral palsy and complex communication needs rely upon the support of their unpaid carers when they are in hospital. In this paper, the authors present some of the findings of a larger qualitative study of the experiences of unpaid carers of hospitalized adults with cerebral palsy and complex communication needs who did not have access to their usual augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. Drawing upon the stories of unpaid carers, communication issues associated with cerebral palsy and complex communication needs and the absence of AAC are discussed. Such information can be used to assist AAC specialists, hospital staff, and hospital policy developers to improve care provided to not only people with cerebral palsy and complex communication needs, but also to other people who are unable to speak in hospital. © 2004 Taylor & Francis Ltd.
Hodge, C & Dunlop, A 2004, 'Unilateral red eye. Eye series--16.', Aust Fam Physician, vol. 33, no. 6, pp. 443-444.
Hodge, C & Friedrich, J 2004, 'Pupil disorder. Eye series--19.', Aust Fam Physician, vol. 33, no. 9, pp. 729-730.
Hodge, C & Lawless, M 2004, 'Corneal graft case study. Eye series--15.', Aust Fam Physician, vol. 33, no. 5, pp. 345-346.
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A young patient has returned from their ophthalmologist having been diagnosed with keratoconus. It was explained that if eye glasses or contact lenses become insufficient in correcting their vision, a corneal transplant may be necessary. The patient is concerned about this possible development.
Hodge, C & Lawless, M 2004, 'Presbyopia case study', Australian Family Physician, vol. 33, no. 10, pp. 841-842.
Hodge, C & Lawless, M 2004, 'Presbyopia case study. Eye series-20.', Aust Fam Physician, vol. 33, no. 10, pp. 841-842.
Hodge, C & Ng, D 2004, 'Dry eyes, menopause and hormone therapy. Eye series--21.', Aust Fam Physician, vol. 33, no. 11, pp. 931-932.
Hodge, C & Ng, D 2004, 'Improved reading vision. Eye series--12.', Aust Fam Physician, vol. 33, no. 1-2, pp. 53-54.
Hodge, C & Ng, D 2004, 'Itchy eyes case study. Eye series--17.', Aust Fam Physician, vol. 33, no. 7, pp. 531-532.
Hodge, C & Roberts, T 2004, 'Obesity case study. Eye series--14.', Aust Fam Physician, vol. 33, no. 4, pp. 257-258.
Hodge, C & Roberts, T 2004, 'Pregnancy and ocular complications. Eye series--22.', Aust Fam Physician, vol. 33, no. 12, pp. 1023-1024.
Hodge, C & Roberts, T 2004, 'Vision loss. The patient with developmental disability. Eye series-18.', Australian family physician, vol. 33, no. 8, pp. 635-636.
Huber, A, Packman, A, Quine, S, Onslow, M & Simpson, J 2004, 'Improving our clinical interventions for stuttering: Can evidence from qualitative research contribute?', Advances in Speech Language Pathology, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 174-181.
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The majority of research in the field of stuttering has employed traditional quantitative methods. Recently, we embarked on a randomized controlled trial comparing three treatments for adolescents who stutter (Prolonged Speech, Self Imposed Time Out and Electromyographic Feedback). However during the course of the trial, major recruitment difficulties were encountered. It became clear that prior to a large scale trial comparing treatment methods, we needed to understand why adolescents who stutter are reticent to have treatment for their stuttering. This line of inquiry clearly necessitated a shift from quantitative to qualitative methods. Focus groups were implemented in this in-progress study to explore the experiences of adolescents who stutter. It is anticipated that the findings will lead to better clinical services and clinical decision making for this age group. © 2004 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved.
Kneebone, II & Dunmore, E 2004, 'Attributional style and symptoms of depression in persons with multiple sclerosis', International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 110-115.
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Koning, S, Verhagen, AP, van Suijlekom-Smit, LWA, Morris, AD, Butler, C & van der Wouden, JC 2004, 'Interventions for impetigo', Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online), no. 2.
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BACKGROUND: Impetigo is a common superficial bacterial skin infection, most frequently encountered in children. There is no standard therapy and guidelines for treatment differ widely. Treatment options include many different oral and topical antibiotics as well as disinfectants. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of treatments for impetigo, including waiting for natural resolution. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Skin Group Specialised Trials Register (March 2002), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, Issue 1 2002), the National Research Register (2002), MEDLINE (from 1966 to January 2003), EMBASE (from 1980 to March 2000) and LILACS (November 2001). We handsearched the Yearbook of Dermatology (1938-1966), the Yearbook of Drug Therapy (1949-1966), used reference lists of articles and contacted pharmaceutical companies. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials of treatments for non-bullous and bullous, primary and secondary impetigo. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: All steps in data collection were done by two independent reviewers. We performed quality assessments and data collection in two separate stages. MAIN RESULTS: We included 57 trials including 3533 participants in total which studied 20 different oral and 18 different topical treatments. CURE OR IMPROVEMENT: Topical antibiotics showed better cure rates than placebo (pooled odds ratio (OR) 6.49, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.93 to 10.73), and no topical antibiotic was superior (pooled OR of mupirocin versus fusidic acid 1.76, 95% CI 0.69 to 2.16). Topical mupirocin was superior to oral erythromycin (pooled OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.97). In most other comparisons, topical and oral antibiotics did not show significantly different cure rates, nor did most trials comparing oral antibiotics. Penicillin was inferior to erythromycin and cloxacillin and there is little evidence that using disinfectant solutions improves impetigo. SIDE EFFECTS: The reported number of side effects was lo...
Krochmalik, A, Jones, MK, Menzies, RG & Kirkby, K 2004, 'The Superiority of Danger Ideation Reduction Therapy (DIRT) Over Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) in Treating Compulsive Washing', Behaviour Change, vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 251-268.
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AbstractThe present study involved the random allocation of 22 obsessive-compulsive (OC) washer/cleaners to one of two treatment conditions: Danger Ideation Reduction Therapy (DIRT), or Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Participants received 12 1-hour individual clinical sessions and were assessed at pretreatment, posttreatment and at a 6-month follow-up with a battery of 17 measures assessing core obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptomatology, depression, stress, general anxiety, disease expectancy and perceived responsibility. DIRT subjects experienced significantly greater before to after-treatment reductions in symptomatology on six outcome measures. On 10 of the remaining 11 measures, posttreatment mean scores were lower in the DIRT condition than in the ERP condition, though differences between groups failed to reach significance. Of note, on 3 of the 17 measures, DIRT subjects experienced significantly greater posttreatment to follow-up symptom reduction. Finally, and most importantly, symptom change (regardless of treatment condition) was shown to significantly correlate with change in threat or disease expectancy across the trial. No relationships were found between improvements in perceived responsibility and any of the dependent variables. The findings suggest that DIRT and ERP may be working by reducing specific beliefs in threat; the former treatment being more effective in producing such change than the latter.
Larcombe, JH 2004, 'Review: topical mupirocin or fusidic acid may be more effective than oral antibiotics for limited non-bullous impetigo', Evidence-Based Medicine, vol. 9, no. 6, pp. 176-176.
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Lenssinck, M-LB, Damen, L, Verhagen, AP, Berger, MY, Passchier, J & Koes, BW 2004, 'The effectiveness of physiotherapy and manipulation in patients with tension-type headache: a systematic review', Pain, vol. 112, no. 3, pp. 381-388.
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Lievense, AM 2004, 'Influence of hip dysplasia on the development of osteoarthritis of the hip', Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, vol. 63, no. 6, pp. 621-626.
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Luijsterburg, PAJ, Verhagen, AP, Braak, S, Avezaat, CJJ & Koes, BW 2004, 'Do neurosurgeons subscribe to the guideline lumbosacral radicular syndrome?', Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery, vol. 106, no. 4, pp. 313-317.
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Luijsterburg, PAJ, Verhagen, AP, Braak, S, Oemraw, A, Avezaat, CJJ & Koes, BW 2004, 'Neurosurgeons’ management of lumbosacral radicular syndrome evaluated against a clinical guideline', European Spine Journal, vol. 13, no. 8, pp. 719-723.
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Luijsterburg, PAJ, Verhagen, AP, Ostelo, RWJG, van den Hoogen, HJMM, Peul, WC, Avezaat, CJJ & Koes, BW 2004, 'Conservative treatment in patients with an acute lumbosacral radicular syndrome: design of a randomised clinical trial [ISRCTN68857256]', BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, vol. 5, no. 1.
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Luime, JJ 2004, 'Does This Patient Have an Instability of the Shoulder or a Labrum Lesion?', JAMA, vol. 292, no. 16, pp. 1989-1989.
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Luime, JJ, Koes, BW, Hendriksen, IJM, Burdorf, A, Verhagen, AP, Miedema, HS & Verhaar, JAN 2004, 'Prevalence and incidence of shoulder pain in the general population; a systematic review', Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology, vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 73-81.
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McEwen, AR, McConnell, DT, Kenwright, DN, Gaskell, DJ, Cherry, A & Kidd, AMJ 2004, 'Occult cancer of the fallopian tube in a BRCA2 germline mutation carrier at prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy', Gynecologic Oncology, vol. 92, no. 3, pp. 992-994.
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Menzies, RG 2004, 'New directions for behaviour change', Behaviour Change, vol. 21, no. 1.
Messenger, M, Onslow, M, Packman, A & Menzies, R 2004, 'Social anxiety in stuttering: measuring negative social expectancies', Journal of Fluency Disorders, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 201-212.
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Much research has suggested that those who stutter are likely to be anxious. However, to date, little research on this topic has addressed the role of expectancies of harm in anxiety, which is a central construct of anxiety in modern clinical psychology. There are good reasons to believe that the anxiety of those who stutter is related to expectancies of social harm. Therefore, in the present study, 34 stuttering and 34 control participants completed the Fear of Negative Evaluation (FNE) Scale and the Endler Multidimensional Anxiety Scales-Trait (EMAS-T). The FNE data showed a significant difference between the stuttering and control participants, with a large effect size. Results suggested that, as a group, a clinical population of people who stutter has anxiety that is restricted to the social domain. For the EMAS-T, significant differences between groups were obtained for the two subtests that refer specifically to people and social interactions in which social evaluation might occur (Social Evaluation and New/Strange Situations) but not for the subtests that contained no specific reference to people and social interactions (Physical Danger and Daily Routines). These results were taken to suggest that those who stutter differ from control subjects in their expectation of negative social evaluation, and that the effect sizes are clinically significant. The findings also suggest that the FNE and the EMAS-T are appropriate psychological tests of anxiety to use with stuttering clients in clinical settings. The clinical and research implications of these findings are discussed, in terms of whether social anxiety mediates stuttering or is a simple by-product of stuttering. Possible laboratory explorations of this issue are suggested, and potential Cognitive Behavior Therapy packages for stuttering clients who might need them are discussed. The reader will be able to: (1) explain why expectancy of social threat or harm may be associated with stuttering; (2) name and ...
Mil, JWF, Schulz, M & Tromp, TFJD 2004, 'Pharmaceutical care, European developments in concepts, implementation, teaching, and research: a review', Pharmacy World & Science, vol. 26, no. 6, pp. 303-311.
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O’Brian, S, Packman, A, Onslow, M & O’Brian, N 2004, 'Measurement of Stuttering in Adults', Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, vol. 47, no. 5, pp. 1081-1087.
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This study investigated the comparative reliability of 2 stuttering measurement tools when used by experienced judges: percentage of syllables stuttered (%SS) and a 9-point severity scale (SEV). The study also investigated the degree to which scores on 1 tool predict scores on the other and the distributions of stuttering when measured by these tools. Twelve experienced judges watched 3-min videotapes of 90 stuttering and 10 nonstuttering participants. Half the judges rated %SS, and half made severity ratings. Results showed very high intrajudge and interjudge agreement for both measures. There was a strong linear correlation between %SS scores and SEV scores. Based on this finding, it seems that the 2 measures can be regarded as largely interchangeable. The exception to this, however, was in cases where there was either a small number of significant fixed postures (blocks and prolongations) or a large number of innocuous repeated movements (repetitions) in the speech sample. In such cases, it appears that %SS and SEV scores combined would be needed to provide a valid measure of stuttering. SEV scores were more normally distributed than %SS scores, which were clearly skewed. The advantages and limitations of the SEV scale are discussed.
O'Brian, S, Packman, A & Onslow, M 2004, 'Self-Rating of Stuttering Severity as a Clinical Tool', American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 219-226.
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Scaling is a convenient and equipment-free means for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and clients to evaluate stuttering severity in everyday situations. This study investigated the extent to which the severity ratings of 10 adult stuttering speakers, made immediately after speaking and again from recordings 6 months later, agreed with ratings made by an SLP. For 9 of the 10 speakers, there was good agreement between their initial ratings and those of the SLP. For 8 of the 10 speakers, there was also good agreement between their initial ratings and those made from recordings 6 months later, indicating that the severity ratings made at the time of speaking were reliable. These findings support the use of the 9-point scale as a clinical measurement procedure.
O'Brien, M, Jones, MK & Menzies, RG 2004, 'Danger ideation reduction therapy (DIRT) for intractable, adolescent compulsive washing: A case study', BEHAVIOUR CHANGE, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 57-65.
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This paper describes the first trial of danger ideation reduction therapy (DIRT) in an adolescent patient with severe, treatment resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This case study also represents the first published data on DIRT for any individual outside the Anxiety Disorders Clinic at the University of Sydney, where the treatment package was originally developed. KP was a 16-year-old girl with a 4-year history of obsessive-compulsive disorder. She was primarily concerned with contamination and presented with associated washing and avoidance behaviour. KP met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association [APA], 1994) criteria for OCD, oppositional defiant disorder and major depressive disorder. She had also had previous diagnoses of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and motor tics. KP had received considerable treatment for OCD prior to the current trial, including 12 months of outpatient treatment at the local community health centre, a 4-week inpatient admission to a private hospital in Sydney and a 16 week inpatient admission to Rivendell Adolescent Unit in Sydney. All previous treatments involved a combination of pharmacotherapy (clomipramine [up to 125mg[, sertraline [up to the 200mg], fluvoxamine [up to 200 mg], risperidone [up to 2.5 mg] and chlorpromazine [25-50 mg prn]), and attempts to administer exposure-based treatment. KP had failed to benefit from all previous treatment attempts. However, following 16 sessions of DIRT, KP experienced substantial improvement, approximating symptom-free status on all measures. Importantly, these improvements were maintained at 12-month follow-up. The DIRT package was also effective in reducing depression and anxiety scores on self-report measures over the follow-up period. There were no substantial differences between posttreatment and 12-month follow-up scores on any of the measures given.
Onslow, M 2004, 'Treatment of Stuttering in Preschool Children', Behaviour Change, vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 201-214.
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AbstractStuttering is a speech motor disorder that begins in the first years of life and if not treated effectively can have catastrophic effects on the individual. This article briefly describes the disorder, and overviews treatment of stuttering in preschool children. Such treatment is considered far preferable to treatment in adolescence and adulthood. Evidence of the effectiveness of early stuttering treatment from clinical trials is overviewed, along with clinical benchmarks for such treatment. Epidemiological data showing considerable natural recovery are reviewed, and the implications of those data for the timing of early stuttering intervention are considered.
Pate, JW 2004, 'Esophageal perforations', The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, vol. 77, no. 6, pp. 2264-2264.
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Pishyar, R, Harris, LM & Menzies, RG 2004, 'Attentional bias for words and faces in social anxiety', Anxiety, Stress & Coping, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 23-36.
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Conflicting findings concerning the nature and presence of attentional bias in social anxiety and social phobia have been reported in the literature. This paper reports the findings of two studies comparing people with high and low social anxiety on dot probe tasks using words, faces photographed in front view, and faces photographed in profile as stimuli. In Study 1 those with high social anxiety displayed an attentional bias towards negative faces. The low social anxiety group showed an attentional bias towards positive faces. No significant effects were observed on the dot probe using words as stimuli. Study 2 used pairs of faces presented in profile as though looking at each other. One of the faces displayed either a positive, negative or neutral expression. The second face always had a neutral expression, and in half of the trials it was the subject's own face. The findings of this more ecologically valid procedure replicated those of Study 1. Facilitated attention to dots following emotional faces was specific to threatening facial stimuli. From these studies it appears that the facial dot probe task is a more sensitive index of attentional bias than the word task in a non-clinical sample with social anxiety.
Pont, LG, Denig, P, van der Molen, T, Jan van der Veen, W & Haaijer-Ruskamp, FM 2004, 'Validity of performance indicators for assessing prescribing quality: the case of asthma', European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, vol. 59, no. 11, pp. 833-840.
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Pont, LG, van der Molen, T, Denig, P, van der Werf, GT & Haaijer-Ruskamp, FM 2004, 'Relationship between guideline treatment and health-related quality of life in asthma', European Respiratory Journal, vol. 23, no. 5, pp. 718-722.
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Reijman, M 2004, 'Validity, reliability, and applicability of seven definitions of hip osteoarthritis used in epidemiological studies: a systematic appraisal', Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, vol. 63, no. 3, pp. 226-232.
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Rogers, KD, Seebacher, F & Thompson, MB 2004, 'Biochemical acclimation of metabolic enzymes in response to lowered temperature in tadpoles of Limnodynastes peronii', Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology, vol. 137, no. 4, pp. 731-738.
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We measured the rate at which the metabolic enzymes lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), citrate synthase (CS), and cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) acclimate in the response to lowered temperature in the axial muscle of tadpoles of Limnodynastes peronii (Anura: Myobatrachidae) over 6 weeks. In addition, we measured growth rates of the tadpoles kept at both temperatures and examined the activities of these enzymes in the liver tissue of the control group and cold-acclimated group at the end of the experiment. We found that LDH acclimates in axial muscle; the differences between the control and cold-acclimated group became apparent after 21 days. After 42 days, the activity of LDH in axial muscle in the cold-acclimated group was 30% greater than the control group. Growth rates were maintained at 0.7 mm/week within both treatments despite the 10°C difference in temperature between experimental groups. Both LDH and CS were increased in activity in the liver (5 and 1.3 times greater, respectively, in the cold-acclimated group). The thermal sensitivity (Q10) of LDH was between 20 and 30°C in the cold-acclimated group (1.2±0.01) when compared to the control group (1.6±0.15). The rate at which acclimation in this species occurs is appropriate for seasonal changes in temperature, and these animals may not be able to respond to a rapid drop in temperature. © 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Röst, CCM, Jacqueline, J, Kaiser, A, Verhagen, AP & Koes, BW 2004, 'Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy', Spine, vol. 29, no. 22, pp. 2567-2572.
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Roth, JH, Dadds, MR & McAloon, J 2004, 'Evaluation of a Puppet Interview to Measure Young Children's Self-Reports of Temperament', Behaviour Change, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 37-56.
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AbstractThis study developed and evaluated a puppet interview that allows children to self-report on temperamental constructs. Structured child self-report measures are rarely utilised in clinical assessment of young children under the age of 7—8 years. Given that clinical assessment is often characterised by low convergence between raters, such a measure may offer important contributions. The present study developed and evaluated a measure based on items from the Colorado Childhood Temperament Inventory and reports two studies with child participants aged 4 to 5 years. Independent observations of the children were also made. Results showed moderate levels of internal consistency and stability, and convergence between child self-report and teacher/parent raters was low, but similar levels of agreement were achieved between adult informants. The puppet interview thus showed some potential but highlighted the difficulties of self-report in young children within a multiple informant framework in clinical assessment.
Roth, JH, Dadds, MR, McAloon, J, Guastella, A & Weems, CF 2004, 'Prevalence and Prediction of Disorders in Early Childhood: A Community Study', Behaviour Change, vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 215-228.
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AbstractThis article examines the prevalence and prediction of internalising and externalising disorders from temperament and parenting in children aged 4 to 6 years (N = 491). Children were assessed via parent and teacher reports over 14 months and clinical interviews with parents were included at follow-up, along with parent and teacher reports of behavioural and emotional difficulties. Prevalence rates for internalising disorders (8.7%) were higher than for externalising disorders (5.8%), and internalising rates were similar to that found for older children in the same city. Accuracy of prediction of disorders, as well as overall behavioural and emotional difficulties, was low to moderate, and externalising problems were better predicted than internalising problems. The results highlight that while psychological disorders can be predicted from measures of temperament in infancy, the accuracy is too low to recommend these children receive selective prevention and treatment programs.
Subbiah, RN, Clarke, CE, Smith, DJ, Zhao, J, Campbell, TJ & Vandenberg, JI 2004, 'Molecular basis of slow activation of the human ether‐á‐go‐go related gene potassium channel', The Journal of Physiology, vol. 558, no. 2, pp. 417-431.
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The human ether‐á‐go‐go related gene (HERG) encodes the pore forming α‐subunit of the rapid delayed rectifier K+ channel which is central to the repolarization phase of the cardiac action potential. HERG K+ channels have unusual kinetics characterized by slow activation and deactivation, yet rapid inactivation. The fourth transmembrane domain (S4) of HERG, like other voltage‐gated K+ channels, contains multiple positive charges and is the voltage sensor for activation. In this study, we mutated each of the positively charged residues in this region to glutamine (Q), expressed the mutant and wild‐type (WT) channels in Xenopus laevis oocytes and studied them using two‐electrode voltage clamp methods. K525Q channels activated at more hyperpolarized potentials than WT, whereas all the other mutant channels activated at more depolarized potentials. All mutants except for R531Q also had a reduction in apparent gating charge associated with activation. Mutation of K525 to cysteine (C) resulted in a less dramatic phenotype than K525Q. The addition of the positively charged MTSET to K525C altered the phenotype to one more similar to K525Q than to WT. Therefore it is not charge per se, but the specific lysine side chain at position 525, that is crucial for stabilizing the closed state. When rates of activation and deactivation for WT and mutant channels were compared at equivalent total (chemical + electrostatic) driving forces, K525Q and R528Q accelerated activation but had no effect on deactivation, R531Q slowed activation and deactivation, R534Q accelerated activation but slowed deactivation and R537Q accelerated deactivation but had no effect on activation. The main conclusions we can draw from these data are that in WT channels K525 stabilizes the closed state, R531 stabilizes the o...
Uchiyama, K, Takano, H, Yanagisawa, R, Inoue, K, Naito, Y, Yoshida, N, Yoshino, S, Murase, H, Ichinose, T & Yoshikawa, T 2004, 'A NOVEL WATER‐SOLUBLE VITAMIN E DERIVATIVE PREVENTS ACUTE LUNG INJURY BY BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN', Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, vol. 31, no. 4, pp. 226-230.
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SUMMARY1. Various chemokines, such as keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)‐1α and macrophage chemoattractant protein (MCP)‐1, are involved in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury induced by bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide; LPS). Oxidative stress is an important regulator of the expression of these chemokines, whereas vitamin E protects against LPS‐induced insults. In the present study, we determined the effects of 2‐(α‐d‐glucopyranosyl) methyl‐2,5,7,8‐tetramethylchroman‐6‐ol (TMG), a novel water‐soluble vitamin E derivative with excellent anti‐oxidant activity, on acute lung injury induced by intratracheal instillation of LPS (125 µg/kg) in mice.2. When TMG was administered intratracheally and intravenously (0.1, 1.0 or 10 mg/kg), it dose‐dependently decreased the infiltration of neutrophils into bronchoalveolar lavage fluid after LPS challenge.3. Histological examination showed that treatment with TMG ameliorated the LPS‐induced infiltration of neutrophils into the lungs. Furthermore, TMG attenuated the LPS‐induced increase in pulmonary expression of KC, MIP‐1α and MCP‐1 at both the transcriptional and translational levels.4. These results indicate that TMG is a possible treatment for acute lung injury, especially that caused by Gram‐negative bacteria. The therapeutic effect of TMG may be mediated, at least in part, by suppression of the local expression of chemokines, possibly through its strong anti‐oxidant activity.
Verhagen, AP 2004, 'The efficacy of Tai Chi Chuan in older adults: a systematic review', Family Practice, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 107-113.
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Verhagen, AP, Bierma-Zeinstra, SMA, Feleus, A, Karels, C, Dahaghin, S, Burdorf, L, de Vet, HCW & Koes, BW 2004, 'Ergonomic and physiotherapeutic interventions for treating upper extremity work related disorders in adults', Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online), no. 1.
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BACKGROUND: Conservative interventions such as physiotherapy and ergonomic adjustments play a major part in the treatment of most work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMD). OBJECTIVES: The objective of this systematic review is to determine whether conservative interventions have a significant impact on short and long-term outcomes for upper extremity WRMD in adults. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Musculoskeletal Injuries Group specialised register (January 2002) and Cochrane Rehabilitation and Related Therapies Field specialised register (January 2002), the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (The Cochrane Library Issue 3, 2001), PubMed (1966 to November 2001), EMBASE (1988 to November 2001), and CINAHL (1982 to November 2001). We also searched the Physiotherapy Index (1988 to November 2001) and reference lists of articles. No language restrictions were applied. SELECTION CRITERIA: Only randomised controlled trials and concurrent controlled trials studying conservative interventions for adults suffering from upper extremity WRMD were included. Conservative interventions may include exercises, relaxation, physical applications, biofeedback, myofeedback and work place adjustments. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently selected the trials from the search yield and assessed the clinical relevance and methodological quality using the Delphi list. In the event of clinical heterogeneity or lack of data we used a rating system to assess levels of evidence. MAIN RESULTS: We included 15 trials involving 925 people. Twelve trials included people with chronic non-specific neck or shoulder complaints, or non-specific upper extremity disorders. Over 20 interventions were evaluated; seven main subgroups of interventions could be determined: exercises, manual therapy, massage, ergonomics, multidisciplinary treatment, energised splint and individual treatment versus group therapy. Overall, the quality of the studies appeared to be poor. In 10 s...
Verhagen, AP, Ostelo, RWJG & Rademaker, A 2004, 'Is the p value really so significant?*', Australian Journal of Physiotherapy, vol. 50, no. 4, pp. 261-262.
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Verhagen, AP, Peeters, GGM, de Bie, RA & Oostendorp, RAB 2004, 'Conservative treatment for whiplash', Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online), no. 1.
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BACKGROUND: Our previous review examining conservative treatments for whiplash was published in 2001. Since then, new trials have been published.Whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) can be classified by the severity of signs and symptoms: WAD Grade 0 indicates no complaints or physical signs; Grade 1 indicates neck complaints but no physical signs; Grade 2 indicates neck complaints and musculoskeletal signs; Grades 3 and 4 indicate neck complaints and neurological signs or fracture/dislocation, respectively. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of conservative treatment in patients with WAD Grades 1 or 2. SEARCH STRATEGY: We completed a computerised search of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycLIT, and PEDro, to April 2003. We also screened references of identified trials and relevant systematic reviews. SELECTION CRITERIA: Studies were selected if they were a (randomised) clinical trial, examined patients with a WAD, examined conservative treatments, measured one of: pain, global perceived effect or participation in daily activities, and were published in English, French, German or Dutch. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently assessed the methodological quality using the Delphi list and extracted the data using standardised forms. Because the population, interventions and outcome measures were heterogeneous, we used a rating system with levels of evidence rather than statistical pooling for the analysis. Clinically relevant improvement was defined as a 15% improvement relative to a control. A pre-planned stratified analysis was performed in three groups. MAIN RESULTS: We found four new studies since the previous review, resulting in 15 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Just one study evaluated patients with chronic WAD. Only three studies satisfied one of our criteria of high quality, indicating overall a poor methodological quality. The broad array of conservative interventions were divided into passive and active interventions a...
Vonk, F, Verhagen, AP, Geilen, M, Vos, CJ & Koes, BW 2004, 'Effectiveness of behavioural graded activity compared with physiotherapy treatment in chronic neck pain: design of a randomised clinical trial [ISRCTN88733332]', BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, vol. 5, no. 1.
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Vos, CJ, Verhagen, AP & Hermans, GPH 2004, 'Neck pain', Huisarts en Wetenschap, vol. 47, no. 6, pp. 306-309.
Webber, MJ, Packman, A & Onslow, M 2004, 'Effects of self‐modelling on stuttering', International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, vol. 39, no. 4, pp. 509-522.
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AbstractBackground: The paper reports on a laboratory investigation of the effects of self‐modelling on stuttering rate in adolescents and adults. Self‐modelling refers to a therapeutic or training method, usually involving videotape, that uses exposure to oneself performing selected error‐free behaviours as the conduit for promoting behaviour change.Aims: To investigate self‐modelling in single‐subject experiments to determine whether any reductions in stuttering could be directly attributable to watching self‐modelling videotapes and to ascertain whether instruction to focus attention on the target behaviour, namely stutter‐free speech, was necessary for experimental effects.Methods & Procedures: A single‐subject withdrawal design was employed with two adult men and an adolescent boy. Speaking sessions during all phases of the study were of 3‐min duration. During the B Phase, subjects watched one of their self‐modelling videotapes, which had been edited to remove all stuttered speech, before each speaking session. In the B+C Phases, subjects continued to watch the self‐modelling videotapes before each speaking session and, in addition, were instructed to attempt to speak during the session as they had spoken on the videotape.Outcomes & Results: Stuttering reduced under self‐modelling conditions for one of the three subjects. This effect was observed during the B+C Phases, which included instruction to attend to the target behaviour.Conclusions: The study provides laboratory evidence that self‐modelling can ameliorate stuttering. The clinical implications of this finding are that treatments for adults may well benefit from the inclusion of self‐modelling procedures, and self‐modelling procedures may form a part o...
Williams, KA, Gelgor, L & Aslani, P 2004, 'Use of non-prescription products', Australian Journal of Pharmacy, vol. 85, no. 1012, pp. 492-493.
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Community pharmacy has a growing role to play in collecting information on the use, efficacy and safety of non-prescription drugs.
Wilson, L, Onslow, M & Lincoln, M 2004, 'Telehealth Adaptation of the Lidcombe Program of Early Stuttering Intervention', American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 81-92.
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This article describes and reports databased outcomes of a low-tech telehealth adaptation of the Lidcombe Program of Early Stuttering Intervention. Participants were 5 children with early stuttering, ranging in age from 3;5 (years;months) to 5;7, and their families. All children met the speech criteria for completion of Stage 1 of the Lidcombe Program. Data suggested that the treatment method may be viable and that favorable outcomes may be achievable. Mean posttreatment stuttering rates in everyday speaking situations were available 12 months posttreatment for 4 children. Two children scored a mean percent syllables stuttered of less than 1.0 at that time, and 2 children scored a mean of below 2.0. As occurs often in standard delivery of the Lidcombe Progam, 1 child relapsed after Stage 1, apparently because of parental noncompliance, but this relapse was managed successfully. Follow up data were unavailable for 1 child. For 4 of the 5 cases, the number of consultations required exceeded established benchmarks for standard Lidcombe Program delivery, suggesting that telephonebased telehealth may be a less efficient version of the treatment. The implications of these preliminary data are discussed.
