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Parametric measures of effect size
... Bu bulgulara göre dijital okuryazarlık ve STEM etkinlikleri 21. yüzyılda 4. sınıf öğrencilerine fayda sağlayacağı ve 21. yüzyılda öğrenme ve yenilenme becerileri ve alt boyutları üzerinde olumlu bir etkiye sahip olduğu söylenebilir. Uygulamanın etki değerine (Cohen) bakıldığında Wilcoxon işaretli testler etki değeri hesaplaması şu formüle göre yapılmıştır: r = Z/√N (Rosenthal, 1994). Uygulamaların 21. yüzyıl öğrenme ve yenilenme becerileri bağlamında çalışma grubundaki etki değeri alt boyutlar düzeyinde orta düzeyde (d1=.76, ...
... According to these findings, it can be said that digital literacy and STEM activities will benefit 4th grade students in the 21st century and have a positive effect on learning and innovation skills and sub-dimensions in the 21st century. Considering the effect size (Cohen) of the implementation, Wilcoxon signed tests effect size calculation was made according to the following formula: r = Z/√N (Rosenthal, 1994). In the context of 21st century learning and innovation skills, the effect value of the interventions in the study group had a moderate effect at the level of sub-dimensions (d1=.76, ...
Bu araştırmada, dijital hikâyelerde kullanılan STEM etkinliklerinin ilkokul 4. sınıf öğrencilerinin 21. yüzyıl becerilerine, dijital okuryazarlıklarına ve Web 2.0 araçlarına yönelik farkındalıklarına etkisinin tespit edilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Araştırma karma yönteme göre kurgulanmış olup, açıklayıcı desende yürütülmüştür. Araştırmanın nicel boyutunda deneme öncesi modellerden tek grup ön test-son test uygulanmış, nitel boyutunda ise durum çalışması tercih edilmiştir. Nicel verilerin toplanmasında 10-12 yaş grubu öğrencileri için dijital okuryazarlık ölçeği, Web 2.0 araçlarına yönelik farkındalık ölçeği, 21. yüzyıl öğrenme ve yenilenme becerileri ölçeği, nitel veriler için ise yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu kullanılmıştır. Çalışmada dijital hikâyeler kapsamında 4. sınıf fen bilimleri dersi kazanımları odağında geliştirilen 7 STEM etkinliği uygulanmıştır. Araştırmanın sonucunda STEM etkinliklerinin, öğrencilerin 21. yüzyıl becerilerini olumlu yönde etkilediği ve Web 2.0 araçlarına yönelik farkındalıklarının gelişimini desteklediği bulgularına ulaşılmıştır. Nitel bulgular incelendiğinde ise; öğrencilerin dijital teknoloji kullanımlarını olumlu yönde etkilediği görülmüştür. Kullanılan etkinliklerin öğretmenlerin derslerinde ve ders dışı zamanlarda kullanmalarının yararlı olabileceği düşünülmekte ve önerilmektedir.
... This value might arise from an equation elucidating the contributions of statistics and elements to the effect size, or it could represent a parameter value for an imagined population [7]. Effect sizes can be described in terms of various parameters, including the regression coefficient in a regression analysis, the difference in means, or the likelihood of a specific event [8] (such as a heart attack) taking place. ...
Sample size determination is a critical aspect of biomedical research, as it dictates the number of samples needed for a successful experiment that can yield generalizable results to the broader population. This paper outlines the methodology for calculating sample sizes in various categories of biomedical and clinical research, encompassing cross-sectional surveys, comparative studies, case–control studies, cohort studies, and animal studies. Detailed examples are provided for each category. The determination of an appropriate sample size holds significant importance from scientific, ethical, and resource allocation perspectives. It is noteworthy that research outcomes are often directly influenced by the accuracy of sample size calculations. A robust sample size calculation serves as a cornerstone for researchers, enabling them to draw precise inferences with a high level of precision across a spectrum of biomedical and clinical investigations.
... The effect sizes (Hedge's g) of the two groups were also determined. Absolute values of: 0.2 to less than 0.5, 0.5 to less than 0.8, and 0.8 or greater indicate small, moderate, and large effect sizes, respectively [36]. ...
This pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed to explore whether depression and anxiety could be reduced by psychiatric home healthcare supporters offering brief cognitive behavioral therapy for psychosis (CBTp) at home using a workbook for patients with schizophrenia. Eighteen patients with schizophrenia treated in a psychiatric home nursing service were randomly assigned to two groups: one group received CBTp in addition to usual care (CBTp + TAU group; n=8) and the other received only usual care (TAU group; n=8); 2 patients were excluded due to hospitalization or withdrawal of consent. Eight weekly CBTp sessions were conducted; anxiety/depression, quality of life, self-esteem, and overall functioning were assessed at baseline, week 9, and week 13. There was no significant difference in the primary evaluation; however, a significant improvement (p=0.014) was observed in the secondary evaluation of quality of life. The effect size was 0.95 for primary evaluation and 1.33 for the secondary evaluation, indicating a large effect. This study showed that nurses and occupational therapists can provide CBTp in psychiatric home care for patients with schizophrenia to potentially alleviate anxiety and depression compared to standard psychiatric home care alone. Therefore, larger RCTs with larger sample sizes are recommended.
... The effect size is tested to determine the effect of different variables on the dependent variable. The effect size values of 0.02, 0.15, and 0.35 are small, medium, and large effect sizes, respectively [56]. The data highlighted that the independent and moderating variables significantly affect a firm's sustainable development. ...
The first goal of this research was to measure the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on the sustainable development of an organization. However, the second objective examines the moderating influence of government policies, cultural norms, and stakeholder expectations on the relationship between CSR and an organization’s sustainable development. This research primarily focused on the enterprises operating in the energy industry in Beijing. A sample of 498 individuals holding management positions within these enterprises was collected. The study’s results established that CSR significantly influences the sustainable development of firms. Moreover, the results revealed that governmental regulations, cultural norms, and stakeholder expectations play a significant and positive role in moderating the impact of corporate social responsibility on the sustainable development of companies. The results of this study make a valuable contribution to the existing body of literature on CSR and its impact on the sustainable performance of enterprises in China.
... Subsequently, the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test served as the post hoc analysis to discern specific differences between conditions. Effect sizes were computed using the formula r = Z/ √ N (Rosenthal 1994) 35 , where values falling within the range of 0.10 to < 0.30 were characterized as small, 0.30 to 0.50 as medium, and ≥ 0.50 as large (Cohen 2013) 36 . ...
Recent studies suggest that noninvasive imaging methods (EEG, MEG) in the human brain scalp can decode the content of visual features information (orientation, color, motion, etc.) in Visual-Working Memory (VWM). Previous work demonstrated that with the sustained low-frequency Event-Related Potential (ERP under 6 Hz) of scalp EEG distributions, it is possible to accurately decode the content of orientation information in VWM during the delay interval. In addition, previous studies showed that the raw data captured by a combination of the occi-parietal electrodes could be used to decode the orientation. However, it is unclear whether the orientation information is available in other frequency bands (higher than 6 Hz) or whether this information is feasible with fewer electrodes. Furthermore, the exploration of orientation information in the phase values of the signal has not been well-addressed. In this study, we propose that orientation information is also accessible through the phase consistency of the occipital region in the alpha band frequency. Our results reveal a significant difference between orientations within 200 ms after stimulus offset in early visual sensory processing, with no apparent effect in power and Event-Related Oscillation (ERO) during this period. Additionally, in later periods (420–500 ms after stimulus offset), a noticeable difference is observed in the phase consistency of low gamma-band activity in the occipital area. Importantly, our findings suggest that phase consistency between trials of the orientation feature in the occipital alpha and low gamma-band can serve as a measure to obtain orientation information in VWM. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that phase consistency in the alpha and low gamma band can reflect the distribution of orientation-selective neuron numbers in the four main orientations in the occipital area.
... We report effect sizes measuring the differences between both periods using phi coefficients for dichotomous categorical indicators, and rank-biserial correlations for non-normally distributed numeric indicators. 39 40 We also produced time-series plots for each indicator, using 30-day intervals for the 2-YCG cohort. The time-series plots also present monthly national COVID-19 case counts to visualise temporal relationships between primary care patterns and COVID-19 case patterns. ...
Objective
The objective was to analyse how the pandemic affected primary care access and comprehensiveness in chronic disease management by comparing primary care patterns before and during the early COVID-19 pandemic.
Design
We conducted a quasi-experimental pre–post design cohort study and reported indicators for the 21 months before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Setting
We used electronic medical record data from primary care clinics enrolled in the Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2021.
Population
The study population included patients (n=919 928) aged 18 years or older with at least one primary care contact from 12 March 2018 to 12 March 2020, in Canada.
Outcome measures
The study indicators included three indicators measuring access to primary care (encounters, blood pressure measurements and lab tests) and three for comprehensiveness (diagnoses, non-COVID-19 vaccines administered and referrals).
Results
67.3% of the cohort was aged ≥40 years, 56.4% were female and 53.5% were from Ontario, Canada. Fewer patients received an encounter during the pandemic (91.5% to 81.5%), while the median (IQR) number of encounters remained the same (5 (2–1)) for those with access. Fewer patients received a blood pressure measurement (47.9% to 31.8%), and patients received fewer measurements during the pandemic (2 (1–4) to 1 (0–2)).
Conclusions
Encounters with primary care remained consistent during the pandemic, but in-person care, such as lab tests and blood pressure measurements, decreased. In-person care indicators followed temporally to national COVID-19 case counts during the pandemic.
... The odds ratio less than 1 indicates a negative relationship, while the odds ratio greater than 1 indicates a positive relationship. We included Pearson's r correlation statistics as standardized measures of effect sizes across models in Table 2 (Rosenthal et al. 1994). ...
... A difference was considered significant at p < 0.05. Cohen's d was calculated, enabling us to categorize the magnitude of the error of estimation as large (0.8), moderate (0.5-0.8), or small (0.5) and to facilitate a more in-depth discussion of our results (Rosenthal and al., 1994). ...
During high-intensity (HI) exercise, metabolic acidosis significantly impairs exercise performance. Increasing the body's buffering capacity through training and exogenous intake of alkalizing supplements may improve high-intensity performance. Manipulating water and diet intake may influence the acid-base balance. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of mineral water rich in bicarbonate ions (STY) or placebo water (PLA) on circulating biomarkers and anaerobic performance and to verify whether alkalizing (ALK) or acidizing (ACI) diet would modulate these effects. Twenty-four athletes, assigned either to ALK (n = 12) or ACI (n = 12) diet for four weeks, completed a 1-min rowing Wingate Test in a double-blind and randomized trial after one week of daily hydration (1.5 to 2L/d) with either STY or PLA. Blood samples were taken before and after each test, and urine samples were collected each week. Chronic consumption of bicarbonate-rich water significantly impacted resting urinary pH irrespective of alkalizing or acidizing dietary intake. STY induced a significant increase in blood pH, lactate, and HCO3-ion concentration post-exercise compared to PLA. Similar changes were observed when STY was associated with the ALK diet. In contrast, STY combined with the ACI diet only significantly affected urine pH and peak blood lactate compared to PLA (p < 0.05). No effect of bicarbonate-rich water was reported on anaerobic performance (p > 0.05). Our results suggest that consumption of bicarbonate-rich water alters acid-base balance during a warm-up and after HI exercise, could potentiate beneficial effects of an alkalizing diet on the acid-base balance after HI exercise, and reduces the acid load induced by an acidifying diet.
... Differences between groups were analyzed using t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests for continuous variables (e.g., adherence to nicotine reduction guidelines), and chi-square for categorical ones (e.g., time point in which participants quitted smoking). Effect sizes were calculated, as appropriate, by Cohens' d (Cohen, 1988), r = Z/√ n (Rosenthal, 1994), phi coefficient (Fleiss, 1994), and Cramer's V (Cramér, 1946). ...
Introduction: A more comprehensive understanding of the factors regarding weight control in individuals with overweight or obesity after quitting smoking is needed. The study aimed to analyze the changes of in-treatment variables during a smoking cessation intervention and examine their impact on weight.
Methods: A total of 120 individuals who smoke with overweight or obesity (MBMI = 31.75 ± 4.31; 54.16 % female) participated in a cognitive-behavioral therapy for smoking cessation and weight control or the same treatment plus contingency management. Weight, smoking variables (cotinine and continuous abstinence), eating behaviors (appetite, grazing), exercise, and sleep were assessed weekly throughout the treatment.
Results: More participants gained weight over time with reduced nicotine use or abstinence. There was a tendency during treatment to increase appetite and exercise time, while grazing episodes and sleeping hours remained stable. Higher baseline weight (p < .001), greater cotinine reduction (p = .021) and time (p = .009) were associated with greater weight gain, while more hours of exercise (p = .003), no appetite changes (p = .003) and diminished appetite (p < .001) were associated with less gain over the treatment. Both treatment conditions showed similar results in all in-treatment variables.
Discussion: Individuals with overweight and obesity with higher baseline weight and higher baseline cotinine levels during smoking cessation interventions may require special attention to improve weight outcomes. Exercise and appetite regulation may be useful for mitigating weight gain in smoking cessation interventions for individuals with overweight or obesity.
... It was frequently essential to convert reported data into correlation coefficients since reported relationships between determinants and school dropout were stated in various ways among eligible studies, such as correlations, odds ratios, and risk ratios. The techniques and formulae of earlier studies were applied to these modifications [48,51,52]. Additionally, it was essential that each Pearson correlation value accurately indicate the direction in which a determinant was associated with school dropout. ...
School dropout entangled around various human life factors, highly impacts individual development and societal well-being. Understanding the factors that lead to school dropout is fundamental for lowering the risk of this issue. Up to this point, India needed a comprehensive assessment of these determinants and their effects. Given the critical implications of school dropout, this meta-analytic study aims to fill the existing gap in the literature by providing a detailed estimate of determinants influencing school dropout in India. In this meta-analysis, 14,522 dropouts out of 117,115 students from fourteen studies were included. Rigorous criteria for study selection were applied, and data were drawn from reputable databases such as Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science. The determinants were divided into 34 dropout risk domains. Among these, siblings (r = 0.133; p < 0.05) in the family domain and birth order (r = 0.122; p < 0.05) in the child domain emerged as particularly influential factors, highlighting the nuanced dynamics of familial and individual characteristics. The results of the present study advance our fundamental understanding of the causes of school dropout, emphasizing the pivotal roles of familial and individual factors. This study contributes to the theoretical understanding of dropout determinants and underscores the practical implications for targeted interventions. Moving forward, an in-depth knowledge of the magnitude of determinant impacts on school dropout is crucial for creating and enhancing evaluation and prevention programs.
... Then, Egger's test is a linear regression method used to test the symmetrically of the funnel plot [38]. The fail-safe N estimates the number of studies with statistically insignificant results (unpublished data) required for the mean effect size to become statistically insignificant [39]. ...
This study explores the correlation between technology utilization and language acquisition while analyzing the impact of moderating variables on this relation. Our meta-analysis approach analyzes data from 43 extracts out of 19 primary studies published between 2012 and 2021. Our data analysis employs a random-effect model utilizing a significance level of α = 0.05. Additionally, the authors examine four moderating variables: level of education, location of research, proficiency in language, and year of publication. Technology-based language acquisition outperforms traditional methods, indicating a significant and moderate impact on the learning process. This study enhances comprehension of the efficacy of technology in language acquisition by identifying various factors, such as the geographical location of research, methods of assessing language proficiency, and technology type employed. However, there is insufficient evidence to support the notion that educational level or sample size significantly impact technology-based language acquisition. This meta-analysis highlights the importance of considering nuanced factors when integrating technology into language learning. The findings emphasize the possibility of technology to transform methods of acquiring language and urge additional investigation into customized strategies that optimize its advantages.
... Therefore, the Cohen´s d could not be calculated. The effect size (ES) r is calculated as Z statistic divided by square root of the sample size (47). Due to differences in data collection between the two hospitals, only one hospital was able to provide a clinician-administered scale rather than a self-rating, which were analyzed. ...
Background
Behavioral activation (BA) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) have shown to be efficacious treatment methods for depression. Previous studies focused mostly on the outpatient treatment either in group or individual setting. The present study aimed at comparing the efficacy of group treatment BA vs. CBT, when embedded in inpatient psychosomatic rehabilitation treatment.
Methods
375 inpatients were randomly assigned to either BA (N = 174) or CBT (N = 201). We used established scales for depression such as the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II, self-rating), the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS; expert rating) and the Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale (BADS) to assess changes over the course of the treatment and at follow-up (4 to 6 months). In addition, we measured disability-related functioning with the Mini-ICF-APP, a rating scale built in reference to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Multilevel models with repeated measures were conducted to examine the differences between groups in relation to change over time with patients’ random effects.
Results
Both group formats showed substantial reduction in depressive symptoms at the end of treatment (d= 0.83 BA vs. d= 1.08 CBT; BDI-II) and at follow-up after 4 to 6 months (d = 0.97 BA vs. d = 1.33 CBT, BDI-II; and d = 1.17 BA vs. d = 1.09 CBT, QIDS). There were no significant differences between treatment approaches. At least 50% symptom reduction was achieved by 53.7% and 54.2% in BA vs. CBT respectively. Reported activation levels increased from pre- to posttreatment (d = 0.76 BA vs. d = 0.70CBT), while showing loss of increment between the end of the treatment until follow up in both formats (d = 0.28 BA vs. d = 0.29 CBT).
Discussion
Both modalities led to significant improvement of symptomatology and functioning at the end of the treatment and at follow-up, thus for the first time demonstrating the practicability of BA in rehabilitation clinics. Considering its lower requirements regarding cognitive abilities and its easier implementation, BA proved to be a good alternative to other psychotherapeutic treatments.
... Physiological and psychological responses of participants under different stimulus conditions (Color Group, Bare Tree Group, from single dimension to multi-dimensions) and the control group were analyzed through one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and paired t-tests, with Holm correction applied (P < 0.05). Cohen's d was utilized to represent the effect size of t-tests (effect magnitude) [41]. Finally, data visualization was conducted using Photoshop 2019 and Prismchs. ...
In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the potential health benefits of the natural environment for human well-being. Given the fast-paced nature of contemporary lifestyles, research into the use of virtual environments as a means to provide various seasonal landscapes has gained increasing importance. Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of different sensory modes on the preferences and therapeutic effects of virtual autumn landscapes on university campuses. Methods: In this study, 320 participants, with an average age of 21.11 years (±1.21 years), were exposed to virtual environments featuring autumn color landscapes and bare tree landscapes using visual, auditory, and combined conditions. A control group was included for comparison. Differences in participants’ physiological indicators (EEG, heart rate) and psychological measures (POMS, PANAS, SVS, ROS) were analyzed, with the use of the Holm correction ( P < 0.05). Results: (1) Autumn virtual landscapes with color had a superior therapeutic effect. (2) There were significant differences in the therapeutic effects of different sensory modes within the same season’s landscape categories, suggesting that incorporating additional sensory dimensions may enhance therapeutic outcomes. Conclusion: Based on the study’s findings, we recommend that when designing therapeutic environments, attention should be given to seasonal variations and the integration of various sensory modes to optimize therapeutic results.
... A significance level of p < 0.05 (two-tailed) will be utilized to determine statistical significance. A partial correlation coefficient (pr) will be computed as the effect size measure for each fixed effect [104]. Among participants who complete the questionnaire, Cohen's d will be computed to assess the between-group effect for primary and secondary outcomes. ...
Background
Chronic heart failure (CHF) poses a significant burden on both patients and their family caregivers (FCs), as it is associated with psychological distress and impaired quality of life (QOL). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) supports QOL by focusing on value living and facilitates acceptance of psychological difficulties by cultivating psychological flexibility. A protocol is presented that evaluates the effectiveness of a dyad ACT-based intervention delivered via smartphone on QOL and other related health outcomes compared with CHF education only.
Methods
This is a single-center, two-armed, single-blinded (rater), randomized controlled trial (RCT). One hundred and sixty dyads of CHF patients and their primary FCs will be recruited from the Cardiology Department of a hospital in China. The dyads will be stratified block randomized to either the intervention group experiencing the ACT-based intervention or the control group receiving CHF education only. Both groups will meet two hours per week for four consecutive weeks in videoconferencing sessions over smartphone. The primary outcomes are the QOL of patients and their FCs. Secondary outcomes include psychological flexibility, psychological symptoms, self-care behavior, and other related outcomes. All outcomes will be measured by blinded outcome assessors at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at the three-month follow-up. Multilevel modeling will be conducted to assess the effects of the intervention.
Discussion
This study is the first to adopt an ACT-based intervention for CHF patient-caregiver dyads delivered in groups via smartphone. If effective and feasible, the intervention strategy and deliverable approach could be incorporated into clinical policies and guidelines to support families with CHF without geographic and time constraints.
Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04917159 . Registered on 08 June 2021.
... where SDpooled = √((SD1 2 + SD2 2 ) ⁄2) (Cohen, 1988). In linear mixed models and simple slope analyses, Cohen's d was calculated with an alternative formula for multilevel models, d = 2t/(√ df), as recommended by Rosenthal (1994). For bootstrapping path analyses, Cohen's d effect sizes were calculated by the formula d = B/((n)*SE). ...
This study analyzed effects of savoring on unstudied positive mindset targets of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) treatment (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05040061). 85 students with GAD were randomly assigned to one of two ecological momentary interventions (EMIs) on smartphone for seven days. The SkillJoy EMI promoted practices for savoring positive emotions. An active control EMI mirrored SkillJoy, yet did not include savoring or positive emotion. Optimism, worry, kill-joy thinking (lessening positive emotion with cognition), and prioritization of positive emotion activities and goals were assessed at pre-trial, eighth-day, post-trial, and 30th-day follow-up. Savoring was assessed pre-trial and fifth-day mid-trial. Longitudinal linear mixed models and simple slope analyses examined change between and within conditions. Bias-corrected bootstrapping path analysis examined mediation of worry change by increased savoring. SkillJoy led to significantly greater increases in both optimism and prioritizing positivity than the control from pre-trial to post-trial and pre-trial to follow-up. Both interventions significantly reduced kill-joy thinking at both timepoints with Skilljoy leading to marginally greater change at post-trial. Pre- to mid-trial increases in savoring mediated the relationships between treatment condition and reductions in worry at both post-trial and follow-up.
... The further debate was validated by testing it using the meta-analysis procedure [9], which provided a framework to integrate the statistical findings. The five-step process that was followed for the validation of hypotheses includes: ...
This study examines the multifaceted impacts of hierarchical systems and social networking on social differentiation, network formation, and individual well-being. Employing a comprehensive literature review and meta-analysis, it explores the dynamics of power and status within organizations, the influence of social resources on socioeconomic status, and the role of social networking sites in shaping social capital and psychological health. The research investigates how hierarchical structures within organizations and informal social settings contribute to social differentiation, examining the effects of power, status, and social resources on individual and group dynamics. Additionally, it assesses the impact of social networking sites on social well-being, career development, and psychological health, considering both the positive and negative consequences of online social interactions. The study reveals that while hierarchical systems and social networking can foster social capital, professional growth, and enhanced well-being, they also pose risks of social inequality, psychological distress, and exacerbated mental health issues. The findings underscore the complexity of social relations in the digital age, offering insights for developing more inclusive social structures and healthier digital interaction spaces. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the interplay between social hierarchies, networking, and well-being, providing valuable implications for organizational leaders, policymakers, and individuals navigating social differentiation and digital socialization.
... For question 2, paired samples t-tests or Wilcoxon signed rank test (WSRT; if t-test assumptions were not met) were used to investigate changes in outcomes from Time 1 to Time 2 for each group. Cohen's (1988) d effect sizes for t-tests and Rosenthal's (1994) r effect sizes for WSRTs were reported. For question 3, ANCOVA was used as a preliminary analysis investigating whether sexual orientation or gender identity group membership had an effect on end of treatment (or similar) outcomes, while controlling for baseline scores on the same measure. ...
Background
Sexuality and gender minoritised (SGM) adolescents are at increased risk of self-injury and suicide, and experience barriers to accessing mental health support. Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is an effective treatment for self-injury and emotion dysregulation in adolescent populations, but few studies have published outcomes of DBT for SGM young people.
Aims
This study aimed to investigate treatment outcomes and completion for SGM adolescents and their cisgender and heterosexual peers, in the National & Specialist CAMHS, DBT service (UK).
Method
Treatment completion, and opting out before and during treatment were examined for sexual and gender identity groups, as well as changes by the end of treatment in emotion dysregulation, self-injury, in-patient bed-days, emergency department attendances, and borderline personality disorder, depression and anxiety symptoms.
Results
SGM adolescents were over-represented in this service, even after considering their increased risk for self-injury. No statistically significant differences were found for treatment completion between the sexual orientation and gender identity groups, although there were patterns indicating possible lower treatment uptake and completion that warrant further investigation. Clinical outcomes for treatment-completers showed improvement by the end of DBT for each group, with few exceptions.
Discussion
These results are from relatively small subsamples, and it was not possible to separate by sex assigned at birth. Findings should be treated tentatively and as early indications of effect sizes to inform future studies. This study suggests that DBT could be a useful treatment for SGM adolescents in a highly specialist treatment setting.
... Analysis to verify whether the data met the assumptions of parametric statistics revealed a non-normal distribution. Given this and the small sample size, Wilcoxon's Signed Rank test was used to compare pretest and posttest scores, and r was calculated to estimate the effect size of the program (Rosenthal, 1994). ...
Purpose
Women are exposed to vulnerabilities that can lead to drug use or hinder recovery. However, there is a dearth of studies on recovery programs for women. This study aims to add to the literature by examining the feasibility of a women-only aftercare program for recovering users in the Philippines.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used a mixed-method design with pre and post-program surveys used to measure changes in participants’ recovery capital. Focused group discussions elicited participants’ context, their reactions, perceived outcomes and suggestions on the program.
Findings
Women in the program shared narratives of pain, trauma and abuse before treatment. Participants reported significant improvements in personal, community and family recovery capital dimensions. The program enabled personal growth in the form of new knowledge, skills and self-confidence. The women-only program also provided a safe space for women, to receive support from other women, community members and family. However, the women continue to face continuing challenges related to stigma and discrimination and a lack of livelihood opportunities.
Research limitations/implications
A limitation of the study was its small sample size and the lack of a control group. Another limitation was the variability in treatment received by the women, which could have affected overall outcomes. Future studies using a randomized control trial and longitudinal designs may provide more robust conclusions on the effectiveness of the program.
Practical implications
Given punitive contexts, gender-sensitive and trauma-informed programs and services for women involved in drug use could potentially mitigate the abuse, stigma and vulnerabilities they experience.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the sparse literature on women-only aftercare, particularly in countries that criminalize drug use.
... The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to examine within-group (pSCI or CPs) differences for those who completed T1, T2, and T3 assessments. Effect size, r, was calculated [35,36]. Effect sizes of 0.5, 0.3, and 0.1 were considered large, medium, and small, respectively [37]. ...
Study design
Non-randomized clinical trial.
Objectives
Examine the feasibility, physical and psychosocial effects of a high intensity functional training (HIFT) exercise program for people with spinal cord injury (pSCI) and their care partners (CPs).
Setting
Community fitness center in a Medically Underserved Area (Fort Smith, USA.)
Methods
A single-group design with three assessment points (before the program, at midpoint (13 weeks), and post-program (25 weeks) was used to examine the effects of up to 49 HIFT sessions over 25-weeks. Sessions were 60 to 75 min in duration and adapted to the abilities of participants. Feasibility measures included recruitment, retention, attendance, safety and fidelity (exercise intensity rated via session-Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE). Physical measures included cardiovascular endurance, anaerobic power, and muscular strength. Psychosocial measures included perceived social support for exercise, exercise self-efficacy and health-related quality of life.
Results
Fourteen pSCI (7 with paraplegia and 7 with tetraplegia, 2 females) and 6 CPs (4 females) were included (median age = 60) (IQR = 15.8). Recruitment rates were 40% for pSCI and 32% for CPs. On average, participants attended 73% (22%) of exercise sessions with a median session-RPE of 5 (IQR = 1). Retention rates were 83% and 67% for pSCI and CPs, respectively. For pSCI and their CPs, large effect sizes were observed for cardiovascular endurance, anaerobic power, muscular strength, and social support for exercise.
Conclusions
For pSCI and their CPs, HIFT appears feasible and potentially leads to improvements in physical and psychosocial health for both groups.
... Thus, positive effect sizes indicate a positive effect of non-standard language. As Cohen's d has a slight bias in small samples (i.e., it overestimates the true standardized mean difference), Cohen's d was converted to Hedges' g, as Hedges' g is an unbiased estimator (Borenstein et al., 2009; even though the differences typically concern at most the third decimal place and the interpretation therefore remains unchanged, Rosenthal, 1994). Hedges' gs were then corrected for the unreliability of the measurement of the dependent variable in the respective study. ...
This meta-analysis examined biases in personnel selection owing to applicants' use of non-standard language such as ethnic and migration-based language varieties or regional dialects. The analysis summarized the results of 22 studies with a total N of 3615 raters that compared applicants with an accent or dialect with applicants speaking standard language. The primary studies used different standard and non-standard languages and assessed different dependent variables related to hiring decisions in job interviews. The k = 109 effect sizes (Hedges' g) were assigned to the dependent variables of competence, warmth, and hirability. Non-standard speakers were rated as less competent (δ = −0.70), less warm (δ = −0.17), and less hirable (δ = −0.51) compared to standard speakers. Thus, at the same level of competence, non-standard speakers are rated lower than standard speakers and might, therefore, be disadvantaged in personnel selection contexts. We also considered several potential moderator variables (e.g., applicants' specific language variety, raters' own use of non-standard language, and raters' background) but only found rather limited support for them. Furthermore, publication bias had only limited effects. Practical implications for personnel selection are discussed.
... An effect size is a value measuring the strength of the relationship between two variables in a population. Various standard measures of effect size include Pearson r, Coefficient of determination (R²), Cohen's d, and Hedges' g [26,27]. Conversion between different types of effect sizes is possible. ...
The aim of this article is to provide a quantitative assessment of the correlation between heightened mindfulness and stress reduction among cancer patients and survivors who engaged in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) interventions. Utilizing data from eight studies, we conducted quantitative analyses to provide the effectiveness scores of MBSR interventions on mindfulness, assessed using the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), and stress symptoms, evaluated through standardized self-reported questionnaires. The effectiveness scores are standardized as percentages relative to baseline (pre-intervention) levels, which allows for the comparison of two variables: mindfulness and perceived stress, on a common scale, facilitating a regression analysis to generate a correlation trendline. The findings reveal that MBSR interventions yielded an average increase in mindfulness levels of 7.93%, with a standard deviation of 4.97%, while concurrently reducing stress or stress-like symptoms by an average of 22.58%, with a standard deviation of 8.77%. Subsequent linear regression analyses were performed on these effectiveness metrics to establish a correlation trendline, demonstrating a robust negative correlation between mindfulness and stress among cancer patients and survivors. In conclusion, MBSR interventions are effective in enhancing mindfulness and alleviating stress or stress-like symptoms in cancer patients and survivors. This finding suggests a causal relationship between mindfulness and stress reduction, endorsing the integration of MBSR as a complementary therapy for cancer management.
... To effectively address the issue of multiple comparisons, provide more robust results, and reduce the risk of false positives, all statistical analyses were conducted using Monte Carlo estimation with 10,000 permutations (Gandy and Hahn 2016). Finally, the effect size (ES) for all analyses has been computed according to Rosenthal et al. (1994) using the formula r = Z/√N and the test distance, for the Wilcoxon test and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, respectively. ...
Over the past years, different studies provided preliminary evidence that Disorganized Attachment (DA) may have dysregulatory and disintegrative effects on both autonomic arousal regulation and brain connectivity. However, despite the clinical relevance of this construct, few studies have investigated the specific alterations underlying DA using electroencephalography (EEG). Thus, the main aim of the current study was to investigate EEG microstate parameters of DA in a non-clinical sample (N = 50) before (pre) and after (post) the administration of the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI). Two EEG eyes-closed Resting State (RS) recordings were performed before and after the AAI, which was used for classifying the participants [i.e., Disorganized/Unresolved (D/U) or Organized/Resolved (O/R) individuals] and to trigger the attachment system. Microstates parameters (i.e., Mean Duration, Time Coverage and Occurrence) were extracted from each recording using Cartool software. EEG microstates clustering analysis revealed 6 different maps (labeled A, B, C, D, E, F) in both groups (i.e., D/U and O/R individuals) and in both conditions (i.e., pre-AAI and post-AAI). In the pre-AAI condition, compared to O/R individuals, D/U participants showed a shorter Mean Duration and Time Coverage of Map F; in the post-AAI condition, a significant reduction in the Mean Duration of Map E was also observed in D/U individuals. Finally, in the “within” statistical analysis (i.e., pre-AAI vs. post-AAI), only the D/U group exhibited a significant increase in Time Coverage of Map F after the AAI. Since these maps are associated with brain networks involved in emotional information processing and mentalization (i.e., Salience Network and Default Mode Network), our result might reflect the deficit in the ability to mentalize caregiver’s interaction as well as the increased sensitivity to attachment-related stimuli typically observed in individuals with a D/U state of mind.
... The Greenhouse-Geisser correction was applied in case of violation of the sphericity assumption; effect sizes were calculated using partial eta squared (ηp2), and Newman-Keuls post hoc tests were then performed to detect differences over the three-time points. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed immediately after significant Friedman tests, and the effect size was calculated using the following formula: r = Z/ √ N [35]. We analyzed the amplitude of progress, expressed in % of initial performance (∆% = [post-test score-pre-test score)/pre-test score] * 100) in three time periods: pre-int (first 4 weeks-F4W), int-post (second 4 weeks-S4W), and pre-post (total of 8 weeks-T8W), respectively. ...
Nordic walking requires the association of walking and coordination of limbs while orienteering in a natural environment. It has been shown to improve functional capacities more than normal walking. However, its cognitive benefits are less clear. The main hypothesis was that this training improves visuospatial capacities and inhibition functions. A total of 14 healthy older adults were included. The training was performed in three sessions of 75 min a week for 8 weeks. Pre-, intermediate, and post-tests were carried out. Cognitive functions including global cognition (MoCA), executive functions (Color–Word Stroop test), speed of information processing, switching capacities (Trail Making Test A and B), and visuospatial capacities (Rey Complex Figure Copy Task) were assessed. Motor functions including balance control (Unipedal Balance Test), functional mobility (Timed Up and Go), hamstring flexibility (Chair Sit and Reach test), and motor coordination (Four-Square Stepping Test) were evaluated. Physical function, including lower limb strength (Timed Sit-To-Stand) and cardiovascular capacities (Incremental Shuttle Walking Test), was measured. Cardiovascular capacity, strength of lower limbs, and motor coordination were positively affected by training. With respect to cognition, training improved visuospatial capacities, while switching capacities, information processing speed, and executive functions did not improve. A possible explanation is that they needed a longer program duration to show benefits. However, analyses of responders suggested that NW positively affected cognitive functioning in a subset of participants. Eight weeks of NW training produced physical, motor, and cognitive improvements. A longer training duration could be necessary to extend the benefits to executive functions in all participants.
... The Friedman test was used to analyze differences across pretest, posttest, and follow-up scores, while the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was carried out for post-hoc comparisons of the three time intervals. The effect size calculations for the Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were calculated based on Rosenthal's (1994) formulation, r = Z/√N. The statistical analyses were conducted with IBM SPSS version 28. ...
Improvisation is a form of theater with no predetermined script. All actors create a flow based on two core principles: "Yes, and..." and "No mistakes", referring to accepting what the partner offers unconditionally, and embracing all contributions to creating content without judgment. This pilot study investigated whether 12 weeks of improv intervention can help alleviate individuals’ obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms. A questionnaire package was given to participants to complete at three different points. The results showed statistically significant decreases in participants’ OCD, depression, and anxiety scores from pre-test to post-test measurements. By its very nature, improv intervention may help create an atmosphere full of unpredictability and invite participants to be a part of it. In improv, participants are encouraged to take risks, be in the moment, and trust each other to manage challenges. This paper will also present a discussion of possible mechanisms of change to explain the effects of improv.
... Finally, after the collection and analysis of data, it is important to calculate the effect size [109]. The effect size is defined as the value that quantifies the strength of the relationship between two variables [109] and it can be calculated through many different methods [110]. It represents the magnitude of the effect, and it is useful to compare different outcomes [109]. ...
Gamification, commonly described as the use of game design elements in non-game contexts, is frequently adopted to enhance users' motivation, engagement, and happiness while supporting them in reaching different objectives, related to learning activities and behavioral changes. Despite being a widely used approach, several studies show that the final outcomes following gamification use are not always positive. To face this problem, we developed a tool called GamiDOC composed of different features aimed at facing the existing problems in the gameful systems design process and, at the same time, guiding designers and practitioners in the design and evaluation of gamified solutions. In this paper, we present the elements that make gameful systems design a challenging process, the state of the art in gamification design, and the issues that are still open in the design of gameful systems. Finally, we provide a detailed description of GamiDOC and why the tool stands as a valuable solution to guide users across all the stages of gameful systems design, development, and evaluation. Finally, we present a usability evaluation of GamiDOC and a use-case scenario.
... The control group and the intervention group were two independent groups, and the paired sample t-test was utilized for pre-post comparisons of the various scores. The formula used to get the effect size was r = √(t2/ (t2 + df)), where r is the effect size, t is the paired sample t-test value, and df is the degree of freedom (Rosenthal, 1994). Effect size (r) values were interpreted by Cohen's (2013) guidelines. ...
Background
Menopausal women often complain of a range of physical and psychological symptoms known as menopausal syndrome. These symptoms are associated with fluctuating hormone levels, sleep disturbances, and mood swings.
Aim
This study aimed to examine the efficacy of a program‐based cognitive behavioral group therapy (CBT) for insomnia and depression among women experiencing menopause.
Methods
A randomized controlled trial of 88 women experiencing menopause was conducted in Egypt from June to September 2022 in outpatient clinics at Mansoura University Hospitals in Egypt. Participants were randomly assigned to a control group (45 women) and an intervention group (43 women). The intervention group received 7 weeks of CBT sessions. Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Beck Depression Inventory 2nd Edition (BDI‐II) were administered before and after the intervention.
Results
In the intervention group, there was a significant difference in scores of the subdomains of PSQI, including sleep efficiency, daytime dysfunction, subjective sleep quality, and sleep disturbance ( t = 8.911, 11.77, 7.638, and 11.054, respectively), while no significant difference in domains of using sleep medication, sleep duration, and sleep latency. Significant improvements were observed between pre‐and‐post‐intervention in the intervention group for the total scores of PSQI, ISI, and BDII‐II ( t = 12.711, 16.272, and 12.384, respectively), indicating a large effect size for the three studied variables ( r = .81, .87, .8, respectively).
Linking Evidence to Action
This study demonstrated the efficacy of group CBT for lowering insomnia and depression in women experiencing menopause. Thus, results indicated the need of considering prompt and appropriate interventions such as CBT as a safe treatment option to prevent the aggravation of sleep and emotional problems for menopausal women.
Trial Registration
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05920460.
... We used the odds ratio (OR) as the common metric. When individual studies did not provide an OR, we converted other statistics (e.g., χ 2 , t-values) into this metric using the statistical software or, when this was not possible, using conversion formulas (Cohen, 1988;Rosenthal, 1994). Specifically, we converted regression coefficients (B and β) into t-values by dividing them by their standard error (Stanley & Jarrell, 1989), and then converted them into the common metric OR. ...
Dropout in perpetrator intervention programs (PIPs) is extensively documented in the literature, yet findings across various studies exhibit global inconsistency. This meta-analysis aimed to identify dropout rates among individuals attending PIPs and examine sociodemographic, violence-related, intrapersonal, interpersonal, and external variables related to dropout. A search was conducted across six databases, encompassing studies published between 2010 and 2022 in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. Thirty manuscripts, comprising data from 31 independent samples, were included. Dropout rates varied from 9% to 67%. Bivariate analysis results indicated that younger age ( OR = 0.69), non-White ethnicity ( OR = 1.54), unemployment ( OR = 1.78), offender typology other than family only ( OR = 2.45), substance abuse ( OR = 1.78), presenting a personality disorder ( OR = 1.21), engaging in problematic leisure activities ( OR = 1.28), possessing a greater criminal history ( OR = 1.47), and experiencing more adversity in childhood ( OR = 1.44) were significantly correlated with dropout. Additionally, the inclusion of motivational strategies in treatment ( OR = 0.44) significantly decreased the likelihood of dropout. Results from multivariate analyses revealed that younger age ( OR = 0.63), presenting a personality disorder ( OR = 1.73), and experiencing more adversity in childhood ( OR = 2.16) were significantly associated with dropout. Notably, intimate partner violence characteristics established a significant negative relation with dropout ( OR = 0.59). Findings indicate that variables associated with dropout align with those related to general and intimate partner violence recidivism, suggesting that individuals requiring more intensive intervention are those who derive less benefit from it.
... two tests were performed: the Mann-Whitney U test for independent samples to inferentially compare both moments and the Wilcoxon W test for related samples within each gender. The effect size of the significant differences was calculated using Rosenthal's r (Rosenthal, 1994), where the values of 0.2, 0.5, and 0.8 indicate small, medium, and large effects respectively. ...
Gamification involves making teaching processes fun with the intention of improving factors that affect learning, such as motivation. Although the focus is not on the game itself and the corresponding entertainment, its design and results provide an alternative for developing educational proposals that make students the protagonists and generate student engagement with their education. On that basis, this study aims to understand pre-service primary school teachers’ perceptions of gamification as an active methodology, taking the gender and time of analysis variables into account. To this end, a quantitative longitudinal panel design (pre-test and post-test) from a descriptive and inferential approach was applied. The sample consisted of 284 pre-service primary education teachers from the University of Málaga (2021/2022 academic year). The information was collected through a validated instrument that measures perceptions of both digital didactic resources and teaching methodologies. The results revealed positive perceptions of gamification as a methodology, with a significant improvement from the pre-test to post-test scores. As for the analysis of the gender variable, there were significant differences, with the male participants’ ratings of gamification being higher than those of the female participants. In conclusion, gamification constitutes a feasible methodology to implement due to being well-received by university students, as a result of its motiving and fun nature and the fact that it makes students the protagonists of the learning process.
... It is worthy of note that although we report the original p-values, we only consider the p-values that survive the Bonferroni-correction (i.e., 0.05 2 = 0.025, where 2 indicates the number of groups) as significant. Additionally, we provide the respective Wilcoxon ranksum tests' effect-size [12]: ...
The present study focuses on evaluation of the underlying dynamics in two-agent, single-target pursuit within the context of division of labor paradigm. Specifically, it aims at clarifying which of the two tracking strategies viz. equipping agents with switching complementary roles versus designated specialization may result in increased information integration between agents. Although our previous findings on this topic hinted at significantly higher benefit of the first strategy, they suffered from the assumptions of linearity and independence of agents, imposed by our parametric Gaussian formulation of information integration. Here we address these shortcomings through adaptation of non-parametric multivariate information integration formalism. We show (1) that with this new formulation our previous results still hold, (2) that they also remain intact if target is taken into account for quantification of agents' information integration and (3) that the agents' relation with respect to the tracking task can be explained in terms of potential colinearity of their actions. We further discuss some of potential issues that require careful consideration while studying such dynamics and conclude by highlighting recent advances that can potentially help overcome such pitfalls.
... For non-parametric two-sample Wilcoxon rank-sum test, we reported the effectsize r = W √ N [80] where W and N refer to Wilcoxon rank-sum test's statistics and total sample size, respectively. r is considered small, medium, or large if r ≤ 0.3, 0.3 < r < 0.5, and r ≥ 0.5 [81]. ...
In recent decade, wearable digital devices have shown potentials for the discovery of novel biomarkers of humans' physiology and behavior. Heart rate (HR) and respiration rate (RR) are most crucial bio-signals in humans digital phenotyping research. HR is a continuous and non-invasive proxy to autonomic nervous system and ample evidence pinpoints the critical role of respiratory modulation of cardiac function. In the present study, we recorded longitudinal (up to 6 days, 4.63 ± 1.52) HR and RR of 89 freely-behaving human subjects (Female: 39, age 57.28 ± 5.67, Male: 50, age 58.48 ± 6.32) and analyzed their HR and RR dynamics using linear models and information theoretic measures. While the predictability by linear autoregressive (AR) showed correlation with subjects' age, an information theoretic measure of predictability, active information storage (AIS), captured these correlations more clearly. Furthermore, analysis of the information flow between HR and RR by transfer entropy (i.e., HR → RR and RR → HR) revealed that RR → HR is correlated with alcohol consumption and exercise habits. Thus we propose the AIS of HR and the transfer entropy RR → HR as two-dimensional biomarkers of cardiorespiratory physiology for digital phenotyping. The present findings provided evidence for the critical role of the respiratory modulation of HR, which was previously only studied in non-human animals.
Path integration, the process of updating one’s position using successive self-motion signals, has previously been studied using visual distance reproduction tasks in which optic flow patterns provide information about traveled distance. These studies have reported that reproduced distances show two types of systematic biases: central tendency and serial dependence. In the present study, we investigated whether these biases are also present in vestibular path integration. Participants were seated on a linear motion platform and performed a distance reproduction task in total darkness. The platform first passively moved the participant a pre-defined stimulus distance which they then actively reproduced by steering the platform back the same distance. Stimulus distances were sampled from short- and long-distance probability distributions and presented in either a randomized order or in separate blocks to study the effect of presentation context. Similar to the effects observed in visual path integration, we found that reproduced distances showed an overall positive central tendency effect as well as a positive, attractive serial dependence effect. Furthermore, reproduction behavior was affected by presentation context. These results were mostly consistent with predictions of a Bayesian Kalman-filter model, originally proposed for visual path integration.
New & Noteworthy
Distance reproduction tasks based on visual information about the traveled distance have shown that reproductions are biased by central tendency and serial dependence effects. Here, we show that distance reproductions based on vestibular signals show similar biases and that the reproductions are affected by the presentation order of the stimulus distances.
Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Imaging (EPRI) can image the partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) within in vivo tumor models. We sought to develop Oxygen Enhanced (OE) EPRI that measures tumor pO2 with breathing gases of 21% O2 (pO221%) and 100% O2 (pO2100%), and the differences in pO2 between breathing gases (ΔpO2). We applied OE EPRI to study the early change in tumor pathophysiology in response to radiotherapy in two tumor models of pancreatic cancer.
We developed a protocol that intraperitoneally administered OX071, a trityl radical contrast agent, and then acquired anatomical MR images to localize the tumor. Subsequently, we acquired two pO221% and two pO2100% maps using the T1 relaxation time of OX071 measured with EPRI and a R1-pO2 calibration of OX071. We studied 4T1 flank tumor model to evaluate the repeatability of OE EPRI. We then applied OE EPRI to study COLO 357 and Su.86.86 flank tumor models treated with 10 Gy radiotherapy.
The repeatability of mean pO2 for individual tumors was ± 2.6 Torr between successive scans when breathing 21% O2 or 100% O2, representing a precision of 9.6%. Tumor pO221% and pO2100% decreased after radiotherapy for both models, although the decreases were not significant or only moderately significant, and the effect sizes were modest. For comparison, ΔpO2 showed a large, highly significant decrease after radiotherapy, and the effect size was large. MANOVA and analyses of the HF10 hypoxia fraction provided similar results.
EPRI can evaluate tumor pO2 with outstanding precision relative to other imaging modalities. The change in ΔpO2 before vs. after treatment was the best parameter for measuring the early change in tumor pathophysiology in response to radiotherapy. Our studies have established ΔpO2 from OE EPRI as a new parameter, and have established that OE EPRI is a valuable new methodology for molecular imaging.
This study investigated the generalisation of a brief parent-mediated eye gaze intervention outcome across communication partners and different aspects of social behaviour in preschool-aged autistic children. ADOS-BOSCC change scores were compared between intervention and control groups in the short-term and long-term, showing no significant differences in domain-level changes. Item-level findings indicate that intervention showed generalisation of eye gaze across communication partners in the semi-structured researcher-child interaction after the intervention. Interestingly, the intervention seemed to partly alter the course of generalisation development in gestures and integration of vocal and non-vocal communication. Intervention temporarily slowed the progress in these areas, as evidenced in the control group’s greater improvement in the short-term. However, in the long-term, the intervention group achieved the same level as the control group in the gestures and integration. Overall, results indicate that parent-mediated interventions can facilitate the generalisation of children’s learning in targeted social skills across different contexts.
Purpose: The aim of the study was to examine the effects of virtual reality training on balance and speed-agility in obese children. Methods: The study included 34 obese children at the ages of 9-11. The participants in the training group (n=17) were taken into virtual reality training for 6 weeks. No treatment was applied on the control group (n=17). Balance was assessed by the Flamingo and Y balance tests. Speed-agility was assessed by the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-Brief Form-speed-agility sub-test. The physical activity enjoyment levels of the children in training group were assessed by the Short Form-Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale. Results: Before the study, the groups were similar in terms of the investigated variables (p’s>0.05). Speed-agility scores and Y balance test anterior, posterior-lateral and mixed reaching distances of the children in training group significantly increased after the training in comparison to their pre-training results (p’s
Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic wearing face masks was mandatory. Nowadays, face masks are still encouraged indoors, especially in hospitals. People climbing stairs with masks describe unpredictable dyspnea.
Methods: Healthy adults climbed 5 floors with and without a mask. Various cardio-respiratory parameters were measured, including O2-Saturation (O2-Sat) and End-tidal CO2 (EtCO2), at baseline and on the top floor. Subjective indexes, such as Borg's scale, were evaluated.
Results: Thirty-two volunteers (16 males), median age 39 years (IQR 32.5-43), median BMI=23.6 (IQR 21.5-25.1), with good fitness levels, participated. Comparing baseline to end-activity, median (IQR): O2-Sat change was -1.0% (-2–0) without mask, versus -3.0% (-4–0) with mask, p=0.003; EtCO2 +7.0 (+3.3–+9) without mask, versus +8.0 (+6 –+12) with mask, p=0.0001. Hypercarbia was seen in 5 (15.6%) participants without mask, median=48mmHg (IQR 47.5-51), and in 11 (34%) participants with mask, median=50mmHg (IQR 47-54), p<0.001. Desaturation (O2-Sat<95%) was seen in 5 (15.6%) participants without mask, median=94% (IQR 93–94%), and in 10 (31%) participants with mask, median=91.5% (IQR 90-93%), p=0.06. Regression analysis demonstrated that only male sex was significantly associated with abnormal EtCO2 (OR=26.4, 95%CI=1.9-366.4, p=0.005). Ascent duration increased from median (IQR) of 94 seconds (86-100) without mask to 98 seconds (89-107) with mask, p<0.001. Borg’s scale of perceived exertion (range 0-10) increased from median (IQR) of 3.0 (2.5-3.87) without mask to 4.0 (3.0-4.37) with mask, p<0.001.
Conclusions: During routine daily activities, such as stair-climbing, face masks cause dyspnea, and have measurable influences on ventilation, including true desaturation and hypercapnia, especially in males.
The purpose of this study is to explore how a university-school partnership in Canada supports pre-service teachers in developing positive perceptions about learning and teaching Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in their teacher preparation programs. This initiative provided opportunities for pre-service teachers to understand STEM as a boundary-object (i.e. S.T.E.M) and work in communities of practice toward creating and implementing lesson plans with K-12 students. Using a non-random pre- and post-intervention research design, we examine the effectiveness of this initiative by analyzing survey responses from 43 pre-service teachers. The survey consisted of 37 Likert-scale responses measuring agreement on statements relating to pre-service teachers’ feelings about learning and teaching S.T.E.M. The initiative had a positive effect on pre-service teachers’ perceptions and feeling of competence in teaching mathematics and S.T.E.M as a whole, their perceptions of learning S.T.E.M, and views on teaching S.T.E.M. Also, findings revealed some differences in responses by age, undergraduate field of study, and program stream. We discuss these findings and their implications for pre-service teaching programs, emphasizing S.T.E.M as a boundary-object and building communities of practice as 2 primary factors.
Visuomotor reaction time (VMRT) is predictive of lower-extremity musculoskeletal injury and may be a modifiable anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk factor that affects the incidence of primary and secondary ACL injuries in females. However, it is unknown if females with ACL reconstruction (ACLR) experience diminished VMRT compared with their male counterparts. The purpose of this study was to compare lower-extremity VMRT (LEVMRT) between males and females with ACLR. Female ( n = 40) and male ( n = 20) participants who were between 4 and 12 months after primary, unilateral ACLR completed a LEVMRT task with each limb using a series of wireless light discs. Mann–Whitney U tests were used to compare between-group differences for LEVMRT (in milliseconds). No statistically significant sex differences were observed for LEVMRT when the ACLR limb deactivated the light discs (females = 509.5 [132.5], males = 507.0 [79.8]; p = .77) or when the ACLR limb was stabilizing while the nonsurgical limb deactivated the light discs (females = 528.5 [105.3], males = 546.0 [92.5]; p = .77). Both males and females may benefit from visual motor training to improve VMRT after ACLR.
BACKGROUND: In individuals with transfemoral amputation (TFA), adaptations caused by prosthesis use may adversely affect contractile/noncontractile structures. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the immediate effect of the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) kinesiology taping (KT) on the tone and stiffness of the fascia, low back pain (LBP) and standing balance in individuals with TFA. METHODS: Syrian male participants with TFA were enrolled in the prospective, single-blind, randomised controlled trial. Participants were divided into two groups: Experimental (EG with KT, n= 15) and Control (CG with sham KT, n= 14). A 6-minute walk test (6MWT) was performed, after which KT was applied. Measurements were taken at baseline, immediately after the 6MWT and 30 minutes after KT. RESULTS: Although pain decreased below baseline in both groups at 30 minutes post intervention (p< 0.001), the rate of pain reduction was significantly higher in the EG (p= 0.016). Anterior-posterior sway with eyes open improved significantly 30 minutes after KT application only in the EG (p= 0.010). In the eyes closed condition, anterior-posterior and medio-lateral sway decreased significantly compared to baseline 30 minutes after taping in the EG (p= 0.010-0.032). CONCLUSION: KT can be used as an effective method to support standing balance and reduce LBP in individuals with TFA.
Empirical research with adults reveals that performance‐enhancing placebo effects emerge in sports and exercise. However, there is no research on children. Coaches' messages to them could have positive, performance‐improving (placebo) or negative, performance‐impairing (nocebo) effects. This experiment examined the former by ascribing fictive performance‐enhancing properties to an ingredient of the Tic Tac mint to 12 children (aged 12.67 ± SD = 1.83 years), all elite kayakers. Another kayaker was an actor who helped enhance the credibility of the information. The children completed 2‐min kayak ergometer sprints in counterbalanced control and placebo conditions. The measures included heart rate (HR), feeling state, perceived arousal, and expected‐ and perceived‐ performances. Pre‐sprint and maximal HR during the sprint and distance completed in 2 minutes were statistically significantly higher (p < 0.005) in the placebo than in the control condition without being affected by order effects. While the expected performance in the placebo session was higher (p = 0.008), perceived performances did not differ statistically between the conditions. This study reveals a sport performance‐related objective, but not subjective, placebo effect in children after a short kayak sprint. The findings have practical implications for performance‐related messages children receive from their coaches and others and show how their altered beliefs can influence their performance.
Health Measurement Scales is the ultimate online guide to developing and validating measurement scales that are to be used in the health sciences. It covers how the individual items are developed; various biases that can affect responses (e.g. social desirability, yea-saying, framing); various response options; how to select the best items in the set; how to combine them into a scale; and finally how to determine the reliability and validity of the scale. It concludes with a discussion of ethical issues that may be encountered, and guidelines for reporting the results of the scale development process. Appendices include a comprehensive guide to finding existing scales, and a brief introduction to exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis.
La Medicina Tradicional presupone un conjunto de conocimientos, saberes y técnicas ancestrales sobre las plantas medicinales, que han pasado por generaciones como manera de manifestación cultural para el cuidado de la salud, no solo se conforma de conocimientos desarrollados por los pueblos indígenas, sino una integración de lógicas sociales donde coexisten el respeto y aprovechamiento de la naturaleza, misma que brinda recursos con propiedades para la posibilidad de la sanación o curación del ser humano. Todo ello se hace a través de rituales y creencias, donde la práctica y experiencia de las personas que funcionan como sanadores, juegan un papel fundamental. Es entonces donde la sociedad se involucra y el turismo puede aprovechar los saberes ancestrales para dignificar las formas de vida de pueblos y comunidades indígenas, sobre todo con el turismo de bienestar desde la valorización de conocimientos que por las dinámicas sociales actuales se ven en situación de riesgo.
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