Objective
To assess the psychometric properties of the EuroQol-5-Dimension five-level instrument (EQ-5D-5L) proxy in caregivers of children and adolescents with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) or ...spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
Method
Data were collected using the EQ-5D-5L proxy for individuals with DMD or SMA, as reported by their caregivers. Ceiling and floor effects, reliability (Cronbach’s alpha), convergent and divergent validity (Spearman's correlation coefficient and Bland–Altman plot) and known-group validity (analysis of variance) was used to assess the instrument’s psychometric properties.
Results
Totally, 855 caregivers completed the questionnaire. Significant floor effects were observed for most dimensions of the EQ-5D-5L in both SMA and DMD samples. The EQ-5D-5L was strongly correlated with the hypothesized subscales of the SF-12, which confirmed satisfactory convergent and divergent validity. The EQ-5D-5L can significantly differentiate between impaired functional groups for individuals, demonstrating satisfactory discriminative ability. The agreement between the EQ-5D-5L utility and EQ-VAS scores was poor.
Conclusions
Based on the measurement properties assessed in this study, the EQ-5D-5L proxy is a valid and reliable tool for measuring the health-related quality of life of individuals with DMD or SMA rated by caregivers. Further studies should examine the content validity of the EQ-5D as well as the performance of its young version in these two patient groups.
Introduction
High‐quality research is the foundation of occupational therapy and physical therapy/physiotherapy. A bibliometric study on the research productivity of occupational therapy and physical ...therapy/physiotherapy scholars in different Western and Asian countries/regions could provide a snapshot of current research achievement in rehabilitation science.
Method
On the basis of an understanding of the leading role of rehabilitation research in Western countries and a recognition of achievements made by Asian occupational therapy and physical therapy/physiotherapy scholars, the current bibliometric study examined the research productivity of occupational therapy and physical therapy/physiotherapy professors and associate professors from four Western countries (Australia, Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom) and five Asian countries/regions (Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and South Korea). The h‐indices of these scholars were retrieved online and aggregated to quantify the research productivity of institutions and countries/regions.
Results
Australia, Canada, Hong Kong and the United States were identified as countries/regions with higher research productivity in occupational therapy and physical therapy/physiotherapy. The institutions were ranked on the basis of the median h‐indices of their professors and associate professors; the top 20 productive institutions with occupational therapy programmes had a median h‐index of 17.5 or higher, whereas the benchmark of the top 20 institutions with physical therapy/physiotherapy programmes was 25.
Conclusion
Professors and associate professors in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong and the United States are productive in occupational therapy and physical therapy/physiotherapy research. The number of faculty members and university connections are regarded as important for research achievement. Recommendations for various levels of collaboration are provided.
A healthy lifestyle with sufficient physical activity (PA) can contribute to weight management. Yet, many people do not maintain a healthy lifestyle. To explain PA, we propose a model that ...incorporates the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) with weight-related self-stigma. We recruited 325 young adults to complete questionnaires regarding their physical activities, weight-related self-stigma, and TPB factors. We used structural equation modeling to examine the model fit and the path invariance across weight groups. The model showed excellent model fit, but path invariance was not supported. Weight-related self-stigma significantly explained the perceived behavioral control, behavioral intention, and engagement of PA. People without overweight and people with overweight have different considerations for PA. Weight-related self-stigma is important for PA as well. To promote a healthy lifestyle, healthcare providers should provide different suggestions or interventions that suit their patients' weight-related concerns.
The present study aims to assess psychosomatic and physical responses to a multi-component stress management program with the use of CAM and CB approaches among teaching professionals in Hong Kong.
A ...random controlled trial (RCT) was used to compare between CB group (n = 26) and the CAM-CB group (n = 30). Interventions were administered for 1.5 h once a week for eight consecutive weeks. A self-administered questionnaire including perceived stress scale (PSS) and frequency of psychosomatic symptoms were measured at baseline (T1), immediate after the program (T2), and 4 weeks after the program (T3). Physical parameters were measured at T1 and T2.
A reduction of 23% in PSS was observed in the CB group, while the CAM-CB group yielded 18% reductions in PSS from T1 to T3 F(2,108) = 3.099; p = .049. No significant interactions were observed in the frequency of psychosomatic symptoms and physical parameters. However, a significant downward time trend was observed (p < .001) and larger percentage changes in physical responses were shown in the CAM-CB group than CB group.
Clinical evidence of both the CAM-CB and CB program has been demonstrated in the current study and both approaches are easy to be self-implemented. The CAM technique might serve as an alternative choice for self-administered stress management to replace the additional time needed for professional follow-up contacts. It might further improve some physical responses such as handgrip strength and resting heart rate, which are associated with better psychosomatic health and better occupational stress management.
•Combination of CAM with CB approach is first to study using randomized control trial.•Psychosomatic and stress-related physical indicators were included for measurement.•Similar effects were found in both the CAM with CB group and CB alone group.•CAM with CB approach would further improve some physical responses.•CAM technique might be an alternative choice to replace professional follow-up contacts.
Stigma, Health and Well-Being Lin, Chung-Ying; Tsang, Hector W H
International journal of environmental research and public health,
10/2020, Letnik:
17, Številka:
20
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
In order to understand the phenomenon of stigma in different populations (e.g., different ethnicities, different diseases, and different conditions), this Special Issue collects papers from around ...the world to illustrate the stigma phenomenon. After a rigorous process of peer review, a total of 24 papers were published and included in the Special Issue. These papers were contributed from different continents and countries, including the Americas (e.g., United States), Europe (e.g., Finland), and Asia (e.g., Saudi Arabia). Therefore, the diversity of ethnicity was ensured in the Special Issue. Moreover, these papers address different stigmatized populations/conditions (e.g., mental illness, obesity, public housing, homosexuality, and transgender). The most discussed populations were those with mental illness and those with obesity/overweight. However, additional evidence on the stigma topic is still needed. Specifically, future studies could consider the following directions to explore in depth the issues of stigma in different populations: (1) using longitudinal designs to understand the temporal or causal relationship between stigma and other related psychosocial factors; (2) designing treatment programs to fight stigma-this could be carried out in healthcare providers, healthcare trainees, the public, caregivers, and the stigmatized populations.
Abstract Objectives The present study aims to investigate the synergistic effects of cognitive remediation training (CRT) on Integrated Supported Employment (ISE). ISE blends individual placement ...support service with work-related social skills training for Chinese people suffering from schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Method Ninety participants with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders were recruited from two psychiatric outpatient services in Hong Kong. They were randomly assigned into the ISE + CRT ( n = 45) and ISE ( n = 45) conditions. Blinded assessments on vocational, clinical, psychological, and neurocognitive outcomes were conducted by independent assessors. The two groups were followed up at 7 and 11 months. Results Both groups yielded similar improvements across several outcome domains assessed immediately after the interventions and at 7 and 11 month follow-ups, but no significant group differences were found. Significant positive trends over time in vocational, clinical and cognitive outcomes consistently favored the ISE + CRT condition. Conclusion While both the ISE + CRT and ISE groups demonstrated improvement in vocational, clinical, psychological, and neurocognitive outcomes, there was no evidence to show that cognitive remediation facilitated further improvement in these domains beyond gains associated with ISE alone. Further investigation is needed to fully exploit the synergistic potential of ISE combined with CRT, and to better understand which individuals experience a maximal benefit from the specific rehabilitation program components.
We aimed to unravel the clinical benefits and the plausible underlying psychophysiological mechanism based on available randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Meta‐analysis of 26 RCTs shortlisted from ...electronic databases from 1997 to 2006 shows that qigong had some effects on increasing the numbers of white blood cells and lymphocytes, stroke volume, peak early transmitral filling velocity, peak late transmitral filling velocity, forced vital capacity, and forced expiratory volume, and, conversely, lowering of total cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and depressive mood scores. Explanatory pathways may pertain to stress reduction via nervous, endocrine, and immune systems. Limitations on methodology are discussed and directions for further studies are suggested. Because of its safety, minimal cost, and clinical benefit, health qigong can be advocated as an adjunctive exercise therapy for older people with chronic conditions.
We aimed to fill the literature gap by identifying the clinical benefits of aromatherapy in older adults with dementia, and its efficacy in reducing behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia ...(BPSD) based on available randomized controlled trials (RCT). A systematic review of 11 clinical trials shortlisted from electronic databases from 1995 to 2011 was carried out. The RCT showed that aromatherapy had positive effects on reduction of BPSD, improvement in cognitive functions, increasing quality of life, enhancing independence of activities of daily living and so on. However, adverse effects were noted in some studies. Limitations on methodology are discussed and suggestions on directions of further studies are made. It is recommended that aromatherapy shows the potential to be applied as a therapeutic and safe complementary and alternative therapy for the management of BPSD on more evidence collected from better designed RCT. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2012; 12: 372–382.
Work opportunities for people with behaviorally driven health conditions such as HIV/AIDS, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and psychosis are directly impacted by employer perspectives. To investigate this ...issue, we report findings from a mixed method design involving qualitative interviews followed by a quantitative survey of employers from Chicago (U.S.), Beijing (China), and Hong Kong (China). Findings from qualitative interviews of 100 employers were used to create 27 items measuring employer perspectives (the Employer Perspective Scale: EPS) about hiring people with health conditions. These perspectives reflect reasons for or against discrimination. In the quantitative phase of the study, representative samples of approximately 300 employers per city were administered the EPS in addition to measures of stigma, including attributions about disease onset and offset. The EPS and stigma scales were completed in the context of one of five randomly assigned health conditions. We weighted data with ratios of key demographics between the sample and the corresponding employer population data. Analyses showed that both onset and offset responsibility varied by behaviorally driven condition. Analyses also showed that employer perspectives were more negative for health conditions that are seen as more behaviorally driven, e.g., drug and alcohol abuse. Chicago employers endorsed onset and offset attributions less strongly compared to those in Hong Kong and Beijing. Chicago employers also recognized more benefits of hiring people with various health conditions. The implications of these findings for better understanding stigma and stigma change among employers are considered.
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