Changes In Behavioral Measures Research Articles

Mutation of the dyslexia-associated geneDcdc2impairs LTM and visuo-spatial performance in mice

Developmental reading disorder (RD) affects 5-10% of school aged children, with a heritability of approximately 60%. Genetic association studies have identified several candidate RD susceptibility genes, including DCDC2; however, a direct connection between the function of these genes and cognitive or learning impairments remains unclear. Variants in DCDC2, a member of the doublecortin family of genes, have been associated in humans with RD and ADHD and Dcdc2 may play a role in neuronal migration in rats. In this study, we examined the effect of Dcdc2 mutation on cognitive abilities in mice using a visual attention and visuo-spatial learning and memory task. We show that both heterozygous and homozygous mutations of Dcdc2 result in persistent visuo-spatial memory deficits, as well as visual discrimination and long-term memory deficits. These behavioral deficits occur in the absence of neuronal migration disruption in the mutant mice, and may be comorbid with an anxiety phenotype. These are the first results to suggest a direct relationship between induced mutation in Dcdc2 and changes in behavioral measures. Dcdc2 mutant mice should prove useful in future studies designed to further dissect the underlying neural mechanisms that are impaired following Dcdc2 mutation.

Assessing Economic Impacts and Benefits of Commercial Horticulture Extension Programs

As fiscal pressures increase from federal and state government agencies to spend public dollars more effectively, it is imperative that the outcomes from educational efforts be clearly documented in terms of measurable changes in knowledge and behavior of clientele or stakeholders. This 5-page fact sheet presents a standardized approach for evaluating the economic impacts of extension educational programs in commercial horticulture in Florida, with which impacts are quantified in terms of measurable changes in revenues, income, or jobs. Written by Alan Hodges, Shawn Steed, Jane Morse, Peggy Dessaint, Donald Rainey, and Charles Vavrina, and published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, September 2011. (AP Photo: Thomas Wright, University of Florida/IFAS)

Improved receptive and expressive language abilities in nonfluent aphasic stroke patients after application of rTMS: An open protocol case series

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been identified as a potentially valuable tool for the rehabilitation of language impairment after left hemisphere (LH) stroke, in populations of persons with chronic aphasia. Applied to a homologue to Broca's area, rTMS is posited to modulate bilateral language networks, promoting measurable behavioral language change, in accordance with theories of transcallosal disinhibition arising from the damaged LH. The current investigation is an open-label study, presenting detailed case and group presentations on a population of seven nonfluent aphasic participants. Behavioral language performance is presented on expressive and receptive language measures up to 8 months after a 10-day protocol of 1 Hz stimulation. This research aims to provide longitudinal behavioral language outcomes for persons with aphasia, subsequent to rTMS and supplement previous studies to inform the clinical efficacy of rTMS. In accordance with previous investigations, significant improvements in picture naming, spontaneous elicited speech and auditory comprehension were found. Time of testing was identified as a significant main effect. Significant improvements in picture naming accuracy and decreases in picture naming latency were also identified. The results demonstrate sustained language improvements up to 8 months subsequent to TMS application. The results of this investigation are consistent with the findings of previous research studies, reporting behavioral language changes after rTMS in nonfluent aphasia. Additional evidence is provided to demonstrate that rTMS may facilitate retrieval mechanisms involved in picture naming.

Tackling risk compensation – a psycho-physical approach to measuring behaviour change

BackgroundRisk compensation theory has been used to explain why safety interventions in sport, such as personal protective equipment, are not as successful as predicted. As an example, it has been...

Enhancing Objectivity in Pastoral Education: Use of Standardized Patients in Video Simulation

Measurement of student learning outcomes in clinical pastoral education has historically been assessed through student self-report instruments and subjective evaluation by CPE supervisors. Valid quantitative measurement is limited. This study utilizes standardized patients and a behavioral interview checklist to measure the impact of an initial summer unit of CPE training. Results demonstrate measurable change in student interview style behavior suggesting that simulation utilizing standardized patients is a valid objective measure of students' behavioral communication styles.

Measuring negative behavior change: a pilot study determining feasibility and baseline rate in measures of quality of life and behavior of children after day case ENT surgery and anesthesia

Aim: To determine the feasibility and baseline rate in measures of quality of life and behavior of children after day case ENT surgery and anaesthesia.Background: Negative behavior change post anesthesia has been reported in previous studies to varying degrees [1–3]. Variation may be because of the scales used to measure change. The Post Hospitalization Behavior Questionnaire (PHBQ) [4] has been commonly used to detect these behavior changes. Another scale, the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Generic Core Scales version 4.0 (pedsql) [5] is a validated quality of life questionnaire. It may prove superior in measuring behavior change post anesthesia but has not been used in this context. The comparative feasibility of using the scales and baseline rates of behavior is yet to be determined in this setting.Methods: The population was pediatric ENT day surgeries. After informed consent, demographic and medical data were collected. Questionnaires were performed preoperatively (Baseline), and postoperatively (Day 7 and 30).Results: Neither scale found evidence for substantial negative behavior change, with some negative changes in anxiety domains on the PHBQ and negative changes on the functional domains of the pedsql. Surprisingly, many children showed improvement in behavior. Both scales were equally feasible. Overall return rate was <50%.Conclusion: This pilot data can provide some baseline rates and data on feasibility to plan future intervention studies. In these studies, the anxiety domain of PHBQ may be the best scale to use but small changes indicate large numbers would be needed and particular strategies would be needed to increase follow‐up.References 1 Kotiniemi LH, Ryhanen PT, Moilanen IK. Behavioural changes in children following day‐case surgery: a 4‐week follow‐up of 551 children. Anaesthesia 1997;52(10): 970‐6.2 Kain ZN, Caldwell‐Andrews AA, Maranets I, McClain B, Gaal D, Mayes LC et al. Preoperative anxiety and emergence delirium and postoperative maladaptive behaviors. Anesthesia & Analgesia. 2004 of contents, 2004; 99(6): 1648‐54.3 Stargatt R, Davidson AJ, Huang GH, Czarnecki C, Gibson MA, Stewart SA et al. A cohort study of the incidence and risk factors for negative behavior changes in children after general anesthesia. Paediatric Anaesthesia 2006; 16(8): 846‐59.4 Vernon DT, Schulman JL, Foley JM. Changes in children's behavior after hospitalization. Some dimensions of response and their correlates. American Journal of Diseases of Children 1966; 111(6): 581‐93.5 Varni JW, Seid M, Knight TS, Uzark K, Szer IS. The PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scales: sensitivity, responsiveness, and impact on clinical decision‐making. Journal of Behavioral Medicine 2002; 25(2): 175‐93.

A Systematic Review of Community Handwashing Interventions Leading to Changes in Hygiene Behavior in the Developing World

A B S T R A C T Background: Educational interventions in hygienic practices have shown to be cost effective methods of controlling diarrhea and other diseases spread through poor hygiene. Hand washing is one method of breaking the chain of transmission between household contacts, and especially between mother and child. Effective interventions to promote this behavior should be expanded and encouraged in the developing world. Objectives: To determine the extent and credibility of intervention studies done to promote uptake of improved hand washing behaviors in communities. To assess these interventions on their results in terms of behavior change, and identify factors contributing to their success or failure. Methods: The investigators searched the databases SCOPUS, EMBASE (1980-2010), and Pubmed for English papers written about hygiene promotion interventions in developing countries. Interventions included were community based control trials examining the effectiveness of increased hygiene education through measured behavior change. Only studies measuring behavior change using structured observation or demonstration of hand washing skills were used. Results: The search terms: hand washing, health education, hygiene promotion, behavior change, and diarrhea were used, resulting in a total of 330 titles. The investigators scanned the titles and abstracts to narrow down to 13 hygiene interventions measuring behavior change. Only five control trial interventions met the observation measurement criteria. Behavior change measurements were compiled and compared based on the length of intervention and the degree of change noted with each study.Conclusion: Encouraging uptake of hand washing behavior is possible using educational interventions to promote improved hygiene. The most significant impacts were seen from interventions running for longer periods of time. More robust and long term control trials are necessary to gather conclusive data on the sustainability of behavior change after educational interventions. Statistically sound methods of measurement of hand washing behavior change should be encouraged in future studies.

Educator Experience with the U.S. Diabetes Conversation Map® Education Program in the Journey for Control of Diabetes: The IDEA Study

It is widely accepted that educating patients about ways to better understand and self-manage type 2 diabetes is a cornerstone for managing the disease.1 However, there is still much debate over the educational approach that is most effective in delivering such crucial health information in a way that leads to measurable changes in patient behavior and improved clinical outcomes.2 In an effort to help resolve this debate, the Journey for Control of Diabetes: The IDEA Study, a multisite randomized trial, is underway, conducted by researchers at Health-Partners Research Foundation (HP) in Minneapolis, Minn., and LCF Research (LCF), in Albuquerque, N.M. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of two methods of education: 1 ) a traditional individual educational approach and 2 ) a more novel group-based, interactive learning experience called IDEA (Interactive Dialogue to Educate and Activate) using the U.S. Diabetes Conversation Map education program (created by Healthy Interactions in collaboration with the American Diabetes Association [ADA] and sponsored by Merck & Co.). This form of group education, using the Conversation Map education tools as a vehicle to facilitate interaction between educators and patients, shows promise to change patient attitudes toward diabetes, improve self-efficacy, and lead to better clinical outcomes. The purpose of this article is to describe the IDEA Study educator experience with implementing the Conversation Map education approach to inform and assist others in integrating this learning tool in their care settings. The IDEA Study enrolled 623 participants with a history of suboptimally controlled type 2 diabetes through HP and LCF from June 2008 to May 2009, with the purpose of evaluating the effectiveness of an interactive, group-based diabetes educational experience using the Conversation Map tools. Individuals interested in the study were eligible to participate if they had an A1C value within the past 6 months of ≥ …

Peer Education for Hepatitis C Prevention

The purpose of this article is to describe a model of education about hepatitis C virus prevention tested in a county correctional facility. The Teach One Method and Relational Communication models inform this work. Using a one-group pretest-posttest prospective design our aims were to (1) convey education about prevention, protection, and safety; (2) provide this information through relationship-centered communication; (3) test the reliability and validity of the instruments; and (4) measure changes in behavior, knowledge, and relationship in the learner. A convenience sample of 25 men was recruited at a Massachusetts county jail. Subscale reliability was 0.78 and 0.79 for the relationship and behavior subscales, respectively. Knowledge questions were evaluated using face and content validity by teachers before and during this study. All subscale mean scores improved in the posttest condition. The level of significance of the calculated t value for the behavior subscale was 0.16. The level of significance for the relationship t value was nonsignificant at 0.65. Knowledge, behavior, and relationship scores improved after the intervention. Recommendations include retesting study instruments on a larger sample and using a control group.

Ultrafine grinding of sugar cane bagasse ash for application as pozzolanic admixture in concrete

Sugar cane bagasse ash, a byproduct of sugar and alcohol production, is a potential pozzolanic material. However, its effective application in mortar and concrete requires first the controlled use of grinding and classification processes to allow it to achieve the fineness and homogeneity that are required to meet industry standards. The present paper investigates the role of mill type and grinding circuit configuration in grinding in laboratory- and pilot plant-scale on the particle size, specific surface area and pozzolanic activity of the produced ashes. It was observed that, although different size distributions were produced by the different mills and milling configurations, the pozzolanic activity of the ground ash was directly correlated to its fineness, characterized by its 80% passing size or Blaine specific surface area. From a low pozzolanic activity of less than 50% of the as-received ash, values above 100% could be reached after prolonged grinding times. Electric power requirements to reach the minimum pozzolanic activity were estimated to be in the order of 42 kWh/t in an industrial ball mill. Incorporation of an ultrafinely-ground ash in a high-performance concrete in partial replacement of Portland cement (10, 15 and 20% by mass) resulted in no measurable change in mechanical behavior, but improved rheology and resistance to penetration of chloride ions.

Coming of Age: Online Continuing Education for the Journal and the Society for Simulation in Healthcare

Coming of Age: Online Continuing Education for the Journal and the Society for Simulation in Healthcare

A Practical Framework for Evaluating a Culturally Tailored Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Programme in Molokai, Hawaii

Objective. Successful substance abuse treatment requires many changes in behavior, attitude and skills. Culturally tailored approaches to substance abuse treatment have shown initial success, but are not yet accepted as best practice models. In order to document programme effectiveness of a new culturally tailored substance abuse treatment programme on the rural island of Molokai, Hawaii, the authors worked to develop a multi-level evaluation plan to measure behavior changes occurring after participation in activities targeting identified causes of substance abuse in the population of interest. Methods. The authors compiled interview results to develop a map of identified causes of substance abuse in the community studied. Strategic planning then identified the specific activities aimed at impacting identified root causes. A literature review was performed to document the effectiveness of such activities. An evaluation plan was developed to measure programme impact on antecedent conditions contributing to substance use in this community. Results. Prioritized causes of substance abuse in the target group included low self esteem, lack of self identity and life plan, and limited communication and conflict resolution skills. Activities targeting these conditions included cultural activities, group counseling, and individual counseling. Literature to support the benefit of addressing these factors was uncovered, and evaluation methodology was developed to measure changes in behaviors, attitudes, and practices, as a measure of programme success. Discussion. While programme evaluation data is still being collected, the authors have demonstrated a sound foundation for programme activities, and designed methodology for collecting meaningful data to measure programme effectiveness at changing important root causes of substance abuse in a rural Native Hawaiian community.

Pregnanolone Hemisuccinate Inhibits Priming‐Induced Reinstatement of Cocaine Seeking in Rats

Glutamate receptors within the nucleus accumbens (NAc) play an important role in relapse following withdrawal in cocaine addiction. Animal studies indicate that inhibition of AMPA receptors in the NAc inhibits reinstatement of cocaine seeking (Cornish and Kalivas, 2000), while selective inhibition of NMDA receptors induces reinstatement (Park et al., 2002). Neuroactive steroids such as pregnanolone hemisuccinate (3α5βHS) and pregnenolone hemisuccinate (PHS) have been shown to modulate glutamatergic neurotransmission (Yagoubi et al., 1998; Sadri-Vakili et al., 2003). We investigated the therapeutic potential of 3α5βHS and PHS using priming-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking behavior in rats as a model of human relapse. Male Sprague Dawley rats were trained to self-administer cocaine on a fixed ratio reinforcement schedule for 21 days, following which cocaine was replaced with saline to extinguish the behavior. The neuroactive steroids were administered 10 minutes before the priming injection of cocaine (10mg/kg), which was delivered immediately before initiation of the next self-administration session. Pretreatment with 1 mg/kg of 3α5βHS did not inhibit reinstatement. However, ANOVA indicated that 10 mg/kg of 3α5βHS significantly (F = 20.664; p < 0.003) reduced active lever pressing as compared with vehicle. No measurable changes in locomotor activity or food seeking behavior were associated with this dose of 3α5βHS. By contrast, 10 mg/kg of PHS did not significantly inhibit reinstatement. These data indicate 3α5βHS inhibits cocaine-priming induced reinstatement of drug seeking behavior in rats and suggest that neuroactive steroids that act as allosteric modulators of ionotropic glutamate receptors may be useful for treating cocaine addiction.

Testing the odontocete acoustic prey debilitation hypothesis: No stunning results

The hypothesis that sounds produced by odontocetes can debilitate fish was examined. The effects of simulated odontocete pulsed signals on three species of fish commonly preyed on by odontocetes were examined, exposing three individuals of each species as well as groups of four fish to a high-frequency click of a bottlenose dolphin [peak frequency (PF) 120 kHz, 213-dB peak-to-peak exposure level (EL)], a midfrequency click modeled after a killer whale's signal (PF 55 kHz, 208-dB EL), and a low-frequency click (PF 18 kHz, 193-dB EL). Fish were held in a 50-cm diameter net enclosure immediately in front of a transducer where their swimming behavior, orientation, and balance were observed with two video cameras. Clicks were presented at constant rates and in graded sweeps simulating a foraging dolphin's "terminal buzz." No measurable change in behavior was observed in any of the fish for any signal type or pulse modulation rate, despite the fact that clicks were at or near the maximum source levels recorded for odontocetes. Based on the results, the hypothesis that acoustic signals of odontocetes alone can disorient or "stun" prey cannot be supported.

Measuring behaviour change

Most HR and communication professionals share a common belief that the ultimate goal of their efforts is to facilitate a change in behaviours that directly links to improved business results. But they may have different perspectives on how to effectively measure behaviour change in the context of management objectives and often employ different approaches.

Effects of Rivastigmine on Sustained Attention in Schizophrenia

This study assessed the neural correlates of the effects of rivastigmine, a CNS-selective cholinesterase inhibitor, given as an add-on therapy to antipsychotics-treated patients with schizophrenia who displayed moderate cognitive impairments, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a sustained attention task. The study used a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind longitudinal design. Twenty patients stable on antipsychotics, 11 assigned to receive rivastigmine and 9 to receive placebo, underwent fMRI and clinical assessments at baseline and after 12 weeks. The fMRI task used a periodic block design and involved 3 conditions: rest, detecting a nonzero number ("nonzero" condition), and detecting a specific number ("specific number" condition) among a series of 6-digit numbers. Online data (via button presses) were acquired on both occasions. Behavioral results showed a trend (P = 0.075) for the rivastigmine-treated patients to have more correct responses and the placebo group to have fewer correct responses at 12 weeks compared with baseline in the "nonzero" condition. There was also an increase in regional brain activity in the cerebellum in the rivastigmine group at 12 weeks in both conditions, which was only partially explained by change in behavioral measures; no change was observed in the placebo group. Our results showed that rivastigmine treatment increased cerebellar activity and influenced attentional processes.

A Review of Rating Scales for Measuring Behavior Change Due to Frontal Systems Damage

To perform a critical review of scales designed to measure frontal behavior change. Changes in cognition due to frontal disease or damage have been well described, but noncognitive changes in behavior are often more deleterious functionally for frontal patients. The review concentrates on five behavior rating scales: the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functions (BRIEF), the Dysexecutive Questionnaire (DEX), the Frontal Behavior Inventory (FBI), the Frontal Systems Behavior Scale (FrSBe), the Iowa Rating Scales of Personality Change (IRSPC), and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Other scales purporting to measure specific aspects of frontal functioning, but having less research support, are described briefly. The BRIEF and FrSBe have good reliability and large-scale norms. No norms are available for the other scales. The FrSBe and IRSPC have been shown to be valid in discriminating frontal from nonfrontal lesioned patients, but this has not been shown in the other scales. The FBI and NPI require trained raters, whereas the FrSBe, IRSPC, and BRIEF are administered to patients and/or family informants directly. The NPI and FBI are sensitive to certain changes in behavior attributed to frontal systems disruption but have been used primarily in dementia.

Practical and Relevant Self-Report Measures of Patient Health Behaviors for Primary Care Research

With increasing evidence for the value of behavior change counseling, there is a need for health behavior measurements that can be implemented in primary care research. This article discusses criteria for and reviews self-report measures to briefly assess cigarette smoking, eating patterns, physical activity, and risky drinking across the life course. It then proposes pragmatic measures for use in practice-based research. Drawing from literature reviews, previous multisite studies, personal communications with experts in the field, and guidance from an expert panel, we identified self-report behavior change measures and gave priority to items that addressed Healthy People 2010 goals, as well as those that were practical (ie, shorter, and easier to score and use for intervention), were sensitive to change, and produced results that could directly inform primary care intervention. Separate recommendations are described for measures for adults and for children/adolescents. We recommend a set of 22 items for adults and 16 items for adolescents to track succinctly their status on the 4 health behaviors above. Perfected measures remain elusive: newly developed measures of physical activity and eating patterns are recommended, and in general, the brief measures for adults are currently better validated than are the child measures. A set of totally satisfactory practical instruments for measuring behavior change in primary care settings does not yet exist. There is sufficient progress to encourage use of and further research on the proposed items. Use of a common set of items across different interventions and projects will help to advance clinical and behavioral research in primary care settings.

Measuring behavior change in young children receiving intensive school‐based mental health services

AbstractAn innovative urban school‐based mental health program was developed to treat the subset of elementary school‐referred children who are experiencing severe emotional and behavioral difficulties. The program served a group of 201 students and their families, referred from 15 elementary schools through a large urban school district in Ohio (K through fifth grade). The children in the sample are predominantly African‐American (N = 157, 78.1%), and male (N = 154, 76.6%), with an average age at admission of 9.23 years (SD = 1.75). Parents and teachers provided behavioral rating data using a standardized psychiatric assessment instrument (i.e., the Devereux Scales of Mental Disorders—DSMD). Results showed that at intake 68.7% of children scored above the clinical cutoff score of 60 on the conduct disorder subscale of the DSMD, with more than 40.8% of youth scoring 70 or higher. On the depression subscale 55.7% scored above the cutoff score, with slightly less than a third (30.8%) scoring 70 or higher. Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) was used to measure longitudinal behavior change. Children evidenced statistically significant reductions in conduct disordered behavior ( p &lt; .01), attention deficit/hyperactivity ( p &lt; .05), and depressive symptomatology ( p &lt; .01) over the course of approximately 1 year. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 31: 629–639, 2003.

Behaviorally referenced experimentation and symptom validation: a paradigm for 21st-century personality disorder research.

Construct validity problems in contemporary personality disorder (PD) symptoms and diagnoses include poor interrater reliability, high comorbidity, limited discriminant validity, and inadequate criterion validity. These problems are due in part to a limited range of outcome measures and research methods utilized by PD investigators: The vast majority of PD studies use correlational methods to assess relationships among questionnaire- and interview-based self-reports. To strengthen the PD database, researchers must: (1) emphasize behaviorally referenced criterion validation of PD symptoms; and (2) explore PD dynamics using manipulations that alter PD-related psychological processes and produce measurable changes in behavior. Frameworks for conducting behaviorally referenced PD symptom validation studies and experiments are outlined. The advantages of a behaviorally referenced experimental approach to PD research are described, along with possible objections to this approach.