Changes In Psychosocial Status Research Articles

The difference of depression level in pregnant women based on the acceptance of pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic: a study on pregnant women in Bontang, East Kalimantan

Background: Antenatal depression in pregnant women becomes less of a concern, leading to the worse condition of developing postpartum blues, ranging from moderate to severe degrees. In this study, antenatal depression was detected as a psychosocial impact on pregnant women, and their perspective on accepting pregnancy may alter due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional study design. A total of 257 pregnant women were enrolled in this study with a purposive sampling technique. Inclusion criteria: healthy pregnant women (over 18 years) from trimester I until trimester III. Antenatal depression was measured using a PHQ-9 scale questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 for Windows. Results: The prevalence of antenatal depression of 257 pregnant women was: 80.95% had mild depression, 14.12% had moderate depression, 4.69% had moderate or severe depression, and 0.79% had severe depression. The factor analysis results indicated that refusal of pregnancy had the highest correlation coefficient (coef. 0.586; p=0.000) on the incidence of antenatal depression compared to the history of abortion, parity, financial deficits, and conflicts with partners. During the assessment, pregnant women who reported refusal of their pregnancy felt that their pregnancy was a burden because it occurred at a challenging time. Conclusion: Changes in psychosocial status through determinants of antenatal depression in pregnant women in East Kalimantan during the COVID-19 pandemic are expected to be the initiation of policy and antenatal depression screening formulation for each pregnant woman and mental health improvement during pregnancy.

Living with chronic illness scale in Parkinson's disease: Longitudinal metric properties and meaningful change

AimTo analyze the responsiveness and interpretability of the Living with Chronic Illness Scale in patients with Parkinson's disease (LW-CI-PD). MethodsLongitudinal, international study, with a convenience sample of 153 PD Spanish and Latin-American patients assessed at baseline and one year later. The LW-CI-PD and other clinical measures were applied. For responsiveness, Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test of differences, correlation of change between rating scales, standard error of difference, relative change, Cohen's effect size and standardized response mean of LW-CI-PD were computed. The minimally clinical important difference was calculated using anchor- (applying the Patient Global Impression of Severity) and distribution-based methods. A triangulation of interpretability indexes was performed to determine the range of the minimally clinical important difference values. ResultsThe LW-CI-PD scored 65.7 (11.7, range: 33–101) at baseline, and 68.6 (10.3, range: 33–102) one year later (p < 0.001). Change in LW-CI-PD correlated −0.26 with change in psychosocial status, 0.18 with change in motor function and −0.15 with change in social support. Responsiveness statistics were: relative change = 4.5%; effect size = 0.25; standardized response mean = 0.46. Using PGI-S as anchor, 29 patients worsened, and the value of minimally clinical important difference for worsening in LW-CI-PD total score was 4.7. Minimally clinical important difference values using distribution-based methods were between 4.5 (1 standard error of measurement) and 10.4 (10% of total score), with a mean of 6.9. ConclusionsOur study suggest the LW-CI-PD is responsive to changes over time. The use of different methods for calculating the minimally clinical important difference allows to determine a range of the real change for the LW-CI-PD.

Psychosocial Maternal Perception of the Outcome of Pre Surgical Infant Orthopedics in Infants Born with Cleft Lip and Palate.

The setback of having a child with cleft lip and palate deeply affects the parents psychology. The Pre Surgical Infant Orthopaedics(PSIO) is a promising procedure for improvement in facial morphology prior to primary lip repair. The current study examines the perception of effects of PSIO procedures on the facial appearance of newborns with cleft lip/palate by their mothers and finds its correlation if any, with the change in psychosocial status of the mothers. The mothers of 50 infants(0-6 months) born with cleft lip/palate rated the nasal morphology, extent of cleft defect and overall facial morphology on a Likert's scale before and after PSIO procedure. This was correlated with changes in mother's depression, anxiety and stress levels by using the validated Hindi-version of Depression Anxiety and Stress scale(DASS-42) index before and after PSIO. The mothers reported a significant improvement in all the morphological parameters for their infants with PSIO which correlated well with significant reduction in the DASS scores from 22.54(severe) to 7.10(normal) for depression, 20.64(extremely severe) to 6.46(normal) for anxiety and 24.7(severe) to 8.4(normal) for stress. The changes in facial morphology by PSIO procedures are well perceived by mothers and significantly improves their depression, anxiety and stress levels.

Comparison of psychosocial and aesthetic features of class III malocclusion after orthognathic surgery: Conventional approach versus surgery-first approach

The aim of this study is to investigate and compare the changes in psychosocial status, self-esteem, and quality of life in patients treated with conventional and SF approaches. 14 patients (mean age 23.04±3.36; 9 male and 5 female) who met the inclusion criteria were included in the SF group; 18 patients with class III malocclusion (mean age 29.27±3.78; 9 male and 9 female) were included in the COS group. In the research protocol, the first questionnaires were carried out 2 weeks before surgery (T0); second survey approximately 4 weeks after surgery (T1); and the third one was done to patients after the treatment was completed (debonding) (T2). In our study, Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ), Pyschosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ), Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), Beck Depression Inventory second edition (BDI-II) and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), surveys were conducted. No statistically significant difference was observed in all of the PIDAQ parameters and most of the OQLQ parameters within the COS and SF groups (P>0.05). When the BDI-II results were examined, different trends in scores were observed between the two groups, and this difference was found to be statistically significant (P<0.05). In the SF approach, progressive improvement was detected in the patients in terms of psychosocial and quality of life in the early period of treatment. The greater improvement in psychological and social characteristics in the SF approach compared to conventional orthognathic surgery may also be associated with a shorter treatment time.

Role of psychosocial status in predicting health-related quality of life at 1-year follow-up among newly diagnosed people living with HIV.

BackgroundPsychosocial problems are common among people living with HIV (PLWH) and have been cross-sectionally associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We evaluated the longitudinal relationship between psychosocial status and HRQoL among PLWH during the first year after diagnosis.MethodA consecutive sample of newly diagnosed PLWH was recruited from Changsha Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Hunan Province, China. Assessments were conducted at baseline and 1 year later. The measures used in this study included the Medical Outcomes Study HIV Survey (MOS-HIV), the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the HIV/AIDS Stress Scale (SS-HIV) and the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS). The trajectories of depression from baseline to 1-year follow-up were categorized into four groups: never (PHQ-9 < 10 at two time points), new-onset (PHQ-9 < 10 at baseline & PHQ-9 ≥ 10 at follow-up), recovered (PHQ-9 ≥ 10 at baseline & PHQ-9 < 10 at follow-up) and persistent depression (PHQ-9 ≥ 10 at two time points). In addition, the trajectories of stress and social support were classified by calculating the proportions of participants whose stress and social support scores changed between baseline and 1-year follow-up by more than 0.5 effect size in either direction. Generalized linear models were used to examine the potential role of baseline and changes in psychosocial status in predicting the HRQoL at 1 year, after adjusting for socio-demographic and clinical characteristics.ResultsA total of 410 participants completed both the baseline and 1-year follow-up surveys. Higher stress levels at baseline predicted a lower HRQoL at 1 year, while baseline depression status and social support did not predict 1-year HRQoL scores. Compared to those who were never depressed at both baseline and follow-up, participants who experienced new-onset or persistent depression had lower HRQoL at 1 year. Additionally, the 1-year HRQoL score of participants who recovered from depression by follow-up was comparable to that of participants who were never depressed. Moreover, participants who experienced increases in stress levels by follow-up had lower HRQoL scores at 1 year than those with decreases in stress levels. Changes in social support did not predict 1-year HRQoL scores in this study.ConclusionsAssessing psychosocial status regularly and implementing effective interventions targeted at psychosocial problems may be particularly important for PLWH to improve their HRQoL. Among PLWH, special attention should be given to those with new-onset or persistent depression and those with high stress levels at the time of diagnosis and increased stress levels 1 year after the new HIV diagnosis.

The responsiveness and interpretability of psychosocial patient-reported outcome measures in chronic musculoskeletal pain rehabilitation.

For several widely used patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMSP) rehabilitation, it is still not known whether they are responsive to change, and what the smallest detectable change (SDC) and minimal clinically important change (MCIC) are. Knowledge of these values can be used to accurately interpret change scores in research and clinical practice. In this retrospective cohort study, the responsiveness, the SDC and the MCIC of the mental components of the Research and Development 36-Item Health Survey (RAND-36), the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) and the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK) were investigated in CMSP patients. Responsiveness, the SDC and MCIC were determined by using both anchor and distribution-based methods. For all outcome measures, there was a progression from smallest to largest mean change scores between participants who did not perceive change and those who reported change after treatment. However, correlations of the Global Perceived Effect (GPE) with the change scores on the outcome measures were low. For all outcome measures, the SDC was larger than the MCIC. For this population, the questionnaires were shown not to be responsive. Furthermore, the questionnaires appeared not to be able to distinguish clinically important change from measurement error in individual patients. The finding of large measurement errors of PROMs is in line with previous research in pain rehabilitation. Using generic PROMs only, to examine changes in psychosocial status due to a pain rehabilitation programme, is therefore questionable. This study shows that widely used generic psychosocial PROMs might not be responsive and not able to distinguish clinically important change from measurement error in individual chronic musculoskeletal pain patients. It therefore seems reasonable to reconsider the (compulsory) use of these PROMs for assessing the quality of pain rehabilitation programmes, and necessary to consider other, more objective, outcome measures for this purpose in this population.

Revising the bariatric psychological evaluation to improve clinical and research utility.

Although psychological evaluations are a routine component of the bariatric surgery process, the goals commonly identified for bariatric psychological evaluations have not been realized. This brief report describes a revised bariatric psychological evaluation designed to repurpose the evaluation towards more achievable and equally valuable goals. Changes include revisions to the evaluation contents and administration methods. The revised evaluation: (1) includes pre- and post-bariatric psychological assessments to capture important surgery-related changes in psychosocial status, physical functioning, and quality of life; (2) incorporates measures of functional capacity, treatment adherence, and patient-centered goals; (3) improves clinical utility by using the post-surgery assessment data to identify patients who may benefit from psychosocial interventions; (4) expands opportunities for bariatric psychology research.

Psychosocial effects of otoplasty in adult patients: a prospective cohort study.

This prospective study investigated changes in psychosocial status following otoplasty. All patients who participated in the study filled a sociodemographic form that included age, gender, educational status and job preoperatively. Body Image Scale (BIS), Social Appearance Anxiety Scale (SAAS) and Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale (RSES) were completed prior to surgery and 6months postoperatively. A total of 20 patients completed psychometric measures of body image, social appearance anxiety, and self-esteem. Of the patients (6 males, 14 females) whose charts were reviewed, the mean age was 24.05 ± 8.25years (median 22 years: range 18-49) years. Six months post operatively BIStotal scores were increased significantly relative to that of the baseline values (p = 0.005).SAAS scores were decreased significantly relative to that of the baseline values (p = 0.003).Although the postoperative RSES score tended to improve, it was not significantly different from the baseline value. The RSES scores showed significantly strong correlation with the SAAS scores (p < 0.001) and moderate correlation with the BIS scores at baseline (p = 0.013). None of the patients admitted for surgery had low self-esteem at baseline, with all patients categorized as having either moderate (n = 10, 50%) or high (n = 10, 50%) self-esteem. Following surgery, only one patient improved from moderate to high self-esteem. The baseline and postoperative BIS, SAAS, and RSES scores did not significantly differ between women and men. None of the other sociodemographic characteristics showed significant relationships with the three scales. Otoplasty can provide significant positive psychosocial benefits, even in an adult population. Therefore, this type of surgery should be offered to any patient seeking a solution to prominent ear-related psychosocial problems regardless of age.

Longitudinal Investigation of Patient Centric Outcomes: Comparisons between CRT-D vs. ICD Patients

Introduction: The addition of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) to the ICD has demonstrated significant symptomatic, QOL and mortality benefit in heart failure patients. However, comparisons of the psychosocial impact of CRT-D vs ICD alone have not been examined. The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in patient centric outcomes between patients receiving either an ICD or a CRT-D. Methods: 98 ICD patients (49 had CRT-D) were enrolled at 3 centers. QOL (KCCQ and SF-12), depression (PHQ-9), and stress (Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) were assessed at baseline and 9 months post-implant while shock anxiety (Florida Shock Anxiety Scale) and device acceptance (Florida Shock Anxiety Scale and Florida Patient Acceptance Survey) were assessed at 3 and 9 months. Results: Defibrillator patient groups (CRT-D vs ICD) were demographically similar at baseline (80 vs 90% Caucasian, 66 vs 64 years old, 51 vs 48% ischemic) with the exception of gender (41 vs 19% female), NYHA class III (87 vs 40%), LVESV (185 vs 44ml), KCCQ (49+25 vs 60+26) and QRS duration (146 vs 111 ms). Comparisons between CRT-D and ICD patient groups on study measures at each time point revealed no significant differences. Within group comparisons over time indicated that CRT patients had significant improvement in KCCQ (21% change from 49 baseline score), SF-12 mental score (12% change from 48), depression (31% change from 8.5) and stress (12% change from 31.5), while ICD patients without CRT did not have any significant changes in psychosocial status (p!.05). Shock anxiety and device acceptance were similar between groups, and there were no significant changes from 3 to 9 months. Conclusions: Patients implanted with defibrillators capable of providing CRT had psychosocial improvement in terms of QOL, depression, and stress, while patients with defibrillators without CRT were unchanged. These results demonstrate potential additional benefit of CRT in patient centric outcomes following CRT-D implantation.

Changes in psychosocial distress in outpatients with heart failure with implantable cardioverter defibrillators

Patients given implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) after arrhythmic events or sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) experience psychosocial distress. ICDs now are inserted for the primary prevention of SCA in patients with heart failure; the psychosocial impact of ICDs on patients with heart failure is unknown. Changes in psychosocial status in these ICD recipients were examined. ICD recipients (n = 57) completed depression, anxiety, and social support inventories every 6 months for up to 2 years. Initially, 35% of recipients were depressed and 45% of recipients were anxious. In linear mixed models, depression decreased over time overall but increased in those who experienced ICD shocks. Anxiety decreased in New York Heart Association class III ICD recipients but not in class II ICD recipients. Decreases in social support were related to age: the younger the patient the greater the decrease. A significant proportion of ICD recipients were depressed or anxious, or had diminished social support even after 2 years. Investigation of strategies to improve ICD recipients' psychosocial status is warranted.

Two-Year Results of a Prospective, Multi-Site Investigation of Patient Satisfaction and Psychosocial Status Following Cosmetic Surgery

The number of cosmetic surgical and nonsurgical procedures performed in the United States has increased by 500% over the past 10 years. Most studies of psychosocial functioning following aesthetic procedures have reported high levels of patient satisfaction and improved functioning; however, nearly all these studies focused only on changes during the first posttreatment year. This paper reports on the 2-year results of a prospective, multi-site investigation of postoperative satisfaction and changes in psychosocial status following cosmetic surgery. One hundred patients from 8 surgical practices completed psychometric measures of body image, depressive symptoms, and self-esteem before surgery. Patients completed the same measures again at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. In addition, they reported their postoperative satisfaction as well as self-rated attractiveness at the 4 postoperative assessment points. Patients reported improvements in their overall appearance and body image, the appearance of and their degree of dissatisfaction with the feature altered by surgery, and the frequency of negative body image emotions in specific social situations through 24 months after surgery. These improvements were first evident at 3 months postoperatively and were maintained, without deterioration, through 2 years following surgery. Patients reported high rates of satisfaction and improvements in body image within the first 3 months of cosmetic surgery. These improvements were well maintained through the first 2 postoperative years.

Change in perceived psychosocial status following a 12‐week Tai Chi exercise programme

This paper reports a study to examine change in psychosocial status following a 12-week Tai Chi exercise intervention among ethnic Chinese people with cardiovascular disease risk factors living in the United States of America. Regular participation in physical activity is associated with protection against cardioavascular disease, and improvements in physical and psychological health. Increasing amounts of scientific evidence suggests that mind-body exercise, such as Tai Chi, are related to improvements in mental health, emotional well-being, and stress reduction. No prior study has examined the effect of a Tai Chi exercise intervention on psychosocial status among people with cardiovascular disease risk factors. This was a quasi-experimental study. Participants attended a 60-minute Tai Chi exercise class three times per week for 12 weeks. Data were collected at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks following the intervention. Psychosocial status was assessed using Chinese versions of Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale, Profile of Mood States, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and Tai Chi exercise self-efficacy. A total of 39 participants, on average 66-year-old (+/-8.3), married (85%), Cantonese-speaking (97%), immigrants participated. The majority were women (69%), with < or =12 years education (87%). Statistically significant improvements in all measures of psychosocial status were found (P < or = 0.05) following the intervention. Improvement in mood state (eta2 = 0.12), and reduction in perceived stress (eta2 = 0.13) were found. In addition, Tai Chi exercise statistically significantly increased self-efficacy to overcome barriers to Tai Chi (eta2 = 0.19), confidence to perform Tai Chi (eta2 = 0.27), and perceived social support (eta2 = 0.12). Tai Chi was a culturally appropriate mind-body exercise for these older adults, with statistically significant psychosocial benefits observed over 12-weeks. Further research examining Tai Chi exercise using a randomized clinical trial design with an attention-control group may reduce potential confounding effects, while exploring potential mechanisms underlying the relaxation response associated with mind-body exercise. In addition, future studies with people with other chronic illnesses in all ethnic groups are recommended to determine if similar benefits can be achieved.

Autologous olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation in human spinal cord injury

Olfactory ensheathing cells transplanted into the injured spinal cord in animals promote regeneration and remyelination of descending motor pathways through the site of injury and the return of motor functions. In a single-blind, Phase I clinical trial, we aimed to test the feasibility and safety of transplantation of autologous olfactory ensheathing cells into the injured spinal cord in human paraplegia. Participants were three male paraplegics, 18-55 years of age, with stable, complete thoracic injuries 6-32 months previously, with stable spinal column, no implanted prostheses, and no syrinx. Olfactory ensheathing cells were grown and purified in vitro from nasal biopsies and injected into the region of damaged spinal cord. The trial design includes a matched injury group as a control for the assessors, who are blind to treatment status. Assessments, made before transplantation and at regular intervals subsequently, include MRI, medical, neurological and psychosocial assessments, and standard American Spinal Injury Association and Functional Independence Measure assessments. One year after cell implantation, there were no medical, surgical or other complications to indicate that the procedure is unsafe. There is no evidence of spinal cord damage nor of cyst, syrinx or tumour formation. There was no neuropathic pain reported by the participants, no change in psychosocial status and no evidence of deterioration in neurological status. Participants will be followed for 3 years to confirm long-term safety and to compare neurological, functional and psychosocial outcomes with the control group. We conclude transplantation of autologous olfactory ensheathing cells into the injured spinal cord is feasible and is safe up to one year post-implantation.

A prospective, multi-site investigation of patient satisfaction and psychosocial status following cosmetic surgery

Although several studies have investigated patient satisfaction and changes in body image following aesthetic plastic surgery, few have investigated more specific dimensions of body image, including dysphoric emotions that occur in specific social situations or body image quality of life. In addition, few studies have investigated changes in body image that may occur in concert with changes in more general areas of psychosocial functioning, such as depressive symptoms and self-esteem. This prospective, multi-site study investigated postoperative satisfaction and changes in psychosocial status following cosmetic surgery. One hundred patients recruited from 8 geographically diverse surgical practices completed psychometric measures of body image, depressive symptoms, and self-esteem prior to surgery. Seventy-two patients completed the 3-month postoperative assessment, 67 completed the 6-month assessment, and 63 completed the 12-month assessment. All statistical tests on changes after surgery were conducted using the sample of 72 patients who completed the 3-month assessment. A Last Observation Carried Forward analysis was used to account for patients who did not complete the subsequent follow-up assessments. In addition, they reported their postoperative satisfaction as well as self-rated attractiveness at the 3 postoperative assessment points. Eighty-seven percent of patients reported satisfaction with their postoperative outcomes. Patients also reported significant improvements in their overall appearance, as well as the appearance of the feature altered by surgery, at each of the postoperative assessment points. Patients experienced significant improvements in their overall body image, their degree of dissatisfaction with the feature altered by surgery, and the frequency of negative body image emotions in specific social situations. All of these improvements were maintained 12 months after surgery. These results add to a growing body of literature documenting improvements in body image following cosmetic surgery.

The Longevity of Temporomandibular Disorder Improvements after Active Treatment Modalities

Of concern to practitioners and patients alike are the long-term results following temporomandibular disorder/craniofacial pain (TMD/CP) treatments. This paper examines 270 patients who underwent active TMD/CP treatment and had follow-up an average of 41 months after the termination of treatment when the patients had reached maximum medical improvement (MMI). Data show that, notwithstanding a mild degree of recrudescence, overall levels remain significantly lower than initial baseline symptoms, indicating a long-term benefit from active treatment. It could not be determined whether the recrudescent symptom levels were related to the conditions for which patients initially sought treatment or to new pathological states. Possible considerations for relapse may be the function of aging, musculoskeletal structural adaptation, resorting to parafunctional habits, and/or a change in psychosocial status. No significant differences were found between males and females regarding symptom levels and outcomes. Clinical experience suggests that TMD/CP symptoms do not resolve spontaneously and generally require active treatment. Unfortunately, most studies to date have largely measured symptom changes immediately (or very shortly) after the completion of treatment. This article, however, finds that the benefits of appropriate active TMD treatments remain long after treatment completion.

Outcomes following liver transplantation for patients with alcohol- versus nonalcohol-induced liver disease.

To document and compare the outcomes of adult patients who received liver transplants for alcohol- and nonalcohol-induced liver diseases who attended a liver transplantation follow-up clinic in an urban, nontransplantation centre at a time when no formal alcohol abuse program for transplant candidates and/or recipients was offered. The study population comprised 10 alcoholic patients and 48 nonalcoholic patients followed for an average of 41 months (range five to 79 months) and 46 months (range two to 116 months), respectively. Primary outcome variables included rates of recidivism, duration of abstinence after transplantation and compliance with post-transplant medical follow-up visits. Time to discharge after transplantation, episodes of graft rejection, liver and renal biochemical abnormalities, diabetes, hypertension, sepsis, strictures, complications unrelated to transplantation and changes in psychosocial status were secondary outcome variables. Significant differences were found with respect to a higher incidence of recidivism (50% for alcoholic patients compared with 2% for nonalcoholic patients, P<0.0001), a shorter period of abstinence after transplantation (14.7+/-17.2 months for alcoholic patients compared with 26.3+/-23.0 months for nonalcoholic patients, P<0.05) and more missed office visits (2.7+/-3.5 for alcoholic patients compared with 1.0+/-1.9 for nonalcoholic patients, P=0.05) in the alcoholic group. The alcoholic group also had a lower incidence of rejection episodes (10% for alcoholic patients compared with 44% for nonalcoholic patients, P<0.05) but higher rates of post-transplantation diabetes (40% for alcoholic patients compared with 2% for nonalcoholic patients, P<0.05), more nontransplantation-related complications (20% for alcoholic patients compared with 0% for nonalcoholic patients, P<0.05), and higher serum creatinine but lower bilirubin and cyclosporine A levels (P<0.05, respectively). Marital separations were also more common in the alcoholic group (20% for alcoholic patients compared with 0% for nonalcoholic patients, P<0.05). In the absence of formal alcohol abuse programs, the post-transplantation outcome in alcoholic patients generally does not compare well with that of patients who undergo transplantation for nonalcohol-related liver diseases.

Neuropsychological function and psychosocial status of alcohol rehabilitation program residents

This investigation examined the relationship between changes in psychosocial status and changes in neuropsychological function of cliets undergoing treatment for substance use. A sample of 74 adults enrolled at a rehabilitation program for substance use were randomly assigned to two groups (one serving as a comparison group for practice effects). Participants were tested three times over 60 days on self-esteem, motivation, depression, and neuropsychological function. Consistent with other studies, participants demonstrated impaired baseline neuropsychological function that improved with alcoholic abstinence; however, changes in motivation and depression were associated with positive changes on few tests of neuropsychological function. The more common predictor of improved motor function test scores was low baseline function. Participants who remained in treatment were more likely to be Black, homeless, report less alcohol consumption, and score lower on a motivational scale than those who left treatment.

PSYCHOSOCIAL AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY CHANGES AFTER GASTRIC RESTRICTIVE PROCEDURES FOR MORBID OBESITY

Gastric restrictive procedures for morbid obesity are frequently performed to reduce problems arising from the physical limitations and social isolation of massive obesity. Numerous reports have described changes in weight after gastric restrictive operations, yet few studies have documented changes in the secondary effects of obesity. This report deals with changes in psychosocial status and physical activity occurring in 240 patients who remained in the study 3 years after surgery. These patients were members of a group of 310 patients who were entered into a prospective randomized trial to assess the relative benefits of three forms of gastric restrictive procedure. Prior to operation, and at yearly intervals after operation, the physical activities and psychosocial status of each patient was assessed by a standardized semi-structured interview. At the time of the three-year interview the median weight loss for these patients was 29.5 kg which represents 53% of excess weight lost. This weight loss was associated with a marked reduction in the amount of food eaten. There was a significant increase in the number of patients smoking more than 20 cigarettes a day and a mild increase in alcohol intake. There were significant improvements in the level of self-image and state of happiness. The social lives and sex lives of the majority of patients were improved and a significantly greater number of patients reported being in a stable emotional relationship at 3 years after operation than did so pre-operatively. There was a marked increase in the number of patients in full-time or part-time employment from 38% prior to surgery to 60% at 3 years after operation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)