Delayed Treatment Control Group Research Articles

Testing the Effects of a Self-Determination Theory-Based Intervention with Youth Gaelic Football Coaches on Athlete Motivation and Burnout

We conducted a cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test the effects of a self-determination theory-based intervention on athlete motivation and burnout. In addition, we examined the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention. We randomly assigned youth Gaelic football coaches (N = 6) and their teams to an experimental or a delayed treatment control group (n = 3 each group). We employed linear mixed modeling to analyze changes in player motivation and burnout as a result of their coach participating in a 12-week SDT-based intervention. In addition, we conducted a fidelity assessment to examine whether the intervention was implemented as planned. The findings demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a self-determination theory-based intervention in the coaching domain. In addition, this study demonstrated favorable trends in the quality of player motivation and burnout symptoms as a result of an SDT-based intervention.

Self-regulation therapy increases frontal gray matter in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: evaluation by voxel-based morphometry.

Children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder show executive function (EF) deficits, particularly in self-regulation skills, and abnormalities in brain regions critical for these skills. None of the validated EF interventions for these children has been evaluated with regards to impacts on brain structure. Twenty-nine children with FASD were assigned to either an immediate-treatment (TX) or delayed-treatment control (DTC) group (DTC). Nineteen typically developing children served as healthy controls (CT). All received a structural MRI scan and baseline neuropsychological testing, following which the TX group underwent 12 weekly 1.5-h sessions of the Alert Program for Self-Regulation®. After treatment or a period of ~14 weeks, all received a repeat scan and post-intervention testing. Whole-brain and region-of-interest analyses using voxel-based morphometry evaluated group differences and changes over time in gray matter (GM). Exploratory analyses revealed significant group changes: (1) At baseline, combined TX and DTC groups demonstrated global GM reductions compared with the CT group. (2) Region-of-interest analysis using a frontal mask, comparing post-intervention to pre-intervention results, showed significantly increased GM in the left middle frontal gyrus (BA10), right frontal pole (BA11), and right anterior cingulate (BA32) in the TX group. Similar results were not found in the DTC or CT groups. (3) At post-intervention, both TX and CT groups showed larger GM volumes than the DTC group in the left superior frontal gyrus (BA9), which was smaller in the FASD group at baseline. These results suggested that Alert led to improvements in post-intervention testing of self-regulation skills and typical brain development in treated children.

Frequent Self-Weighing and Visual Feedback for Weight Loss in Overweight Adults.

Evidence has suggested that self-weighing may be beneficial for weight control in adults, but few studies have independently assessed the contribution of this behavior to weight loss. This study experimentally tested daily self-weighing and visual feedback (the Caloric Titration Method (CTM)) as a weight loss and weight loss maintenance intervention over 2 years. 162 overweight individuals were randomized to the CTM intervention or delayed treatment control group. In year 1, weight change was compared between groups, and in year 2, the control group started using the CTM while the intervention group continued using the CTM for maintenance. A significant difference in weight loss over the first year (CTM n = 70; 2.6 ± 5.9 kg versus control n = 65; 0.5 ± 4.4 kg, p = 0.019) was qualified by a group × gender × time interaction (p = 0.002) such that men lost more weight using the CTM. In year 2, the CTM group maintained their weight and the control group lost an amount similar to the intervention group in year 1. Daily self-weighing and visual feedback facilitated a minimal amount of weight loss and maintenance of this loss. Future research investigating characteristics of those who benefit from this type of self-directed intervention is warranted.

Virtual small groups for weight management: an innovative delivery mechanism for evidence-based lifestyle interventions among obese men.

While group interventions for weight management have been shown to be efficacious, adherence is often low, especially among men. This pilot study seeks to test whether group interventions using web-based group video conferencing (VC) technology is effective for weight loss. We adapted a 12-week curriculum based on the Diabetes Prevention Program, and delivered this intervention to a small group of men (BMI ≥30 kg/m(2)), using web-based group VC. Participants were randomized to intervention (n = 32) or delayed-intervention control group (n = 32). The intervention group lost 3.5 % (95 % CI 2.1 %, 4.9 %) of their initial body weight. Difference in mean weight loss was 3.2 kg (p = 0.0002) and mean BMI decrease was 1.0 kg/m(2) (p = 0.0010) between the two groups. Virtual small groups may be an effective means of allowing face-to-face group interaction, while overcoming some barriers to access.

A randomised controlled trial of a computerised intervention for children with social communication difficulties to support peer collaboration.

An intervention aiming to support children with social communication difficulties was tested using a randomised controlled design. Children aged 5-6 years old (n=32) were tested and selected for participation on the basis of their scores on the Test of Pragmatic Skills (TPS) and were then randomly assigned to the intervention arm or to the delayed intervention control group. Following previous research which suggested that computer technology may be particularly useful for this group of children, the intervention included a collaborative computer game which the children played with an adult. Subsequently, children's performance as they played the game with a classmate was observed. Micro-analytic observational methods were used to analyse the audio-recorded interaction of the children as they played. Pre- and post-intervention measures comprised the Test of Pragmatic Skills, children's performance on the computer game and verbal communication measures that the children used during the game. This evaluation of the intervention shows promise. At post-test, the children who had received the intervention, by comparison to the control group who had not, showed significant gains in their scores on the Test of Pragmatic Skills (p=.009, effect size r=-.42), a significant improvement in their performance on the computer game (p=.03, r=-.32) and significantly greater use of high-quality questioning during collaboration (p<.001, r=-.60). Furthermore, the children who received the intervention made significantly more positive statements about the game and about their partners (p=.02, r=-.34) suggesting that the intervention increased their confidence and enjoyment.

IMPLEMENTING THE CAPACITY BUILDING FOR CHANGE MODEL WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION COALITIONS

Community prevention coalitions are a commonly utilized mechanism for supporting community‐based prevention efforts. The effectiveness of community coalitions to foster change and improvements in outcomes is inconclusive and often influenced by other factors such as community readiness and coalition capacity. Limited studies have examined the effects of technical assistance (TA) models on coalition and community capacity to facilitate change and improvements in outcomes. The present study analyzed the effects of a capacity‐building TA model on the implementation of both key coalition processes (e.g., strategic planning) and the facilitation of community changes (i.e., program, policy, and practice changes) by prevention coalitions. A between‐group randomized controlled trial, with a delayed intervention control group design, was used with eight coalitions in the Midwest. The results suggest that although internal coalition capacity increased, it did not immediately result in greater facilitation of external community changes by the community prevention coalitions.

Efficacy and process of cognitive bibliotherapy for the treatment of depression in jail and prison inmates.

The purpose of this two-study project was to determine the effects of cognitive bibliotherapy for the treatment of depressive symptoms in jail and prison inmates. Participants in both samples were randomly assigned to either a treatment group that received the 4-week bibliotherapy program or a delayed-treatment control group. In the jail sample, which served as a pilot study for the more detailed prison study, the treatment group showed greater improvement on the A. T. Beck and R. A. Steer Beck Depression Inventory, 1993, Psychological Corporation, San Antonio, TX and the DAS (M. M. Weissman, & A. T. Beck Development and validation of the Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale: A preliminary investigation; paper presented at the meeting of the American Educational Research Association, November, 1978, Toronto, ON, Canada). In the prison sample, results indicated that the treatment group showed greater improvement on the HRSD (M. Hamilton, Development of a rating scale for primary depressive illness, British Journal of Social & Clinical Psychology, Vol. 6, 1967, pp. 278-296) and the A. T. Beck, R. A. Steer, & G. K. Brown Beck Depression Inventory (2nd ed.), 1996, Psychological Corporation, San Antonio, TX. Approximately half of the treated participants achieved clinically significant change. Analyses of the follow-up data revealed maintenance of treatment gains in the prison and jail samples. In the prison study, significant changes were also observed on a general measure of psychological distress. Overall, results suggest that cognitive bibliotherapy may be efficacious for depressed inmates.

Group mindfulness-based therapy significantly improves sexual desire in women

At least a third of women across reproductive ages experience low sexual desire and impaired arousal. There is increasing evidence that mindfulness, defined as non-judgmental present moment awareness, may improve women's sexual functioning. The goal of this study was to test the effectiveness of mindfulness-based therapy, either immediately or after a 3-month waiting period, in women seeking treatment for low sexual desire and arousal. Women participated in four 90-min group sessions that included mindfulness meditation, cognitive therapy, and education. A total of 117 women were assigned to either the immediate treatment (n = 68, mean age 40.8 yrs) or delayed treatment (n = 49, mean age 42.2 yrs) group, in which women had two pre-treatment baseline assessments followed by treatment. A total of 95 women completed assessments through to the 6-month follow-up period. Compared to the delayed treatment control group, treatment significantly improved sexual desire, sexual arousal, lubrication, sexual satisfaction, and overall sexual functioning. Sex-related distress significantly decreased in both conditions, regardless of treatment, as did orgasmic difficulties and depressive symptoms. Increases in mindfulness and a reduction in depressive symptoms predicted improvements in sexual desire. Mindfulness-based group therapy significantly improved sexual desire and other indices of sexual response, and should be considered in the treatment of women's sexual dysfunction.

Abstract 29: Virtual Small Groups for Weight Management: An innovative delivery mechanism for evidence-based lifestyle interventions

Background: Innovative, feasible and effective treatment strategies are urgently needed to address the obesity epidemic. While group interventions for weight loss have been shown to be efficacious, adherence is often low due to participant burden in attending in-person weekly meetings. Technology offers the potential for highly scalable intervention strategies that can be disseminated in diverse settings, and may improve access and adherence. This study assessed the feasibility and effectiveness of using virtual small groups for weight loss treatment. Methods: Obese men (BMI ≥30kg/m 2 ) age 21-60 years, were recruited within a primary care clinic. We delivered an adapted Group Lifestyle Balance curriculum , based on the Diabetes Prevention Program lifestyle intervention, for 3-months using synchronous, encrypted, web-based video conferencing. Each session allowed for 8 participants and 1 facilitator, all attending from their own personal computer. Body weight was remotely monitored weekly using wireless scales. Participants (n= 48) were randomized to receive the intervention immediately following the baseline assessment, or 3-months later, as a delayed intervention control group. The main outcome of mean change in body weight was compared between intervention and control groups using student’s t-test. Results: Baseline characteristics did not differ between the intervention (n = 25) and delayed intervention control groups (n = 23). Intervention participants lost more weight than those in the delayed intervention control group, losing on average 4.3% (95% CI: -5.9%, -2.6%, P = 0.0004) of their initial body weight. The decrease in body weight was greater among men in the intervention group than in the delayed control group, with a mean difference of -3.9 kg (-5.9kg, -1.9kg, P = 0.0003) and mean difference for BMI of-1.2 kg/m 2 (-1.9 kg/m 2 ,-0.4 kg/m 2 , P = 0.0021). On average, of the 12 weeks of the intervention, participants transmitted weekly weights 10.2 times (9.1,11.3) and attended 9.0 sessions (7.9, 10.0), or 74.7% (9 of 12) of total sessions offered. Conclusion: This pilot study is the first attempt to our knowledge to evaluate the delivery of a group behavior weight loss intervention via video conferencing in a primary care setting. Virtual small groups may be an effective means of healthcare service delivery and allow for face-to-face group interaction, while overcoming some barriers to access that a participant of an in-person program may face.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Korean Version of the PEERS® Parent‐Assisted Social Skills Training Program for Teens With ASD

Impaired social functioning is a hallmark feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), often requiring treatment throughout the life span. PEERS(®) (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills) is a parent-assisted social skills training for teens with ASD. Although PEERS(®) has an established evidence base in improving the social skills of adolescents and young adults with ASD in North America, the efficacy of this treatment has yet to be established in cross-cultural validation trials. The objective of this study is to examine the feasibility and treatment efficacy of a Korean version of PEERS(®) for enhancing social skills through a randomized controlled trial (RCT).The English version of the PEERS(®) Treatment Manual (Laugeson & Frankel, 2010) was translated into Korean and reviewed by 21 child mental health professionals. Items identified as culturally sensitive were surveyed by 447 middle school students, and material was modified accordingly. Participants included 47 teens between 12 and 18 years of age with a diagnosis of ASD and a verbal intelligence quotient (IQ) ≥ 65. Eligible teens were randomly assigned to a treatment group (TG) or delayed treatment control group (CG). Primary outcome measures included questionnaires and direct observations quantifying social ability and problems directly related to ASD. Secondary outcome measures included scales for depressive symptoms, anxiety, and other behavioral problems. Rating scales for parental depressive symptoms and anxiety were examined to detect changes in parental psychosocial functioning throughout the PEERS(®) treatment. Independent samples t-tests revealed no significant differences at baseline across the TG and CG conditions with regard to age (14.04 ± 1.64 and 13.54 ± 1.50 years), IQ (99.39 ± 18.09 & 100.67 ± 16.97), parental education, socioeconomic status, or ASD symptoms (p < 0.05), respectively. Results for treatment outcome suggest that the TG showed significant improvement in communication and social interaction domain scores on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, interpersonal relationship and play/leisure time on the subdomain scores of the Korean version of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale (p's < 0.01), social skills knowledge total scores on the Test of Adolescent Social Skills Knowledge-Revised (p < 0.01), and decreased depressive symptoms on the Child Depression Inventory following treatment (p < 0.05). Analyses of parental outcome reveal a significant decrease in maternal state anxiety in the TG after controlling for potential confounding variables (p < 0.05). Despite cultural and linguistic differences, the PEERS(®) social skills intervention appears to be efficacious for teens with ASD in Korea with modest cultural adjustment. In an RCT, participants receiving the PEERS(®) treatment showed significant improvement in social skills knowledge, interpersonal skills, and play/leisure skills, as well as a decrease in depressive symptoms and ASD symptoms. This study represents one of only a few cross-cultural validation trials of an established evidence-based treatment for adolescents with ASD.

Daily Self-Weighing and Adverse Psychological Outcomes

Despite evidence that daily self-weighing is an effective strategy for weight control, concerns remain regarding the potential for negative psychological consequences. The goal of the study was to examine the impact of a daily self-weighing weight-loss intervention on relevant psychological constructs. A 6-month RCT. The study sample (N=91) included overweight men and women in the Chapel Hill NC area. Between February and August 2011, participants were randomly assigned to a daily self-weighing intervention or delayed-intervention control group. The 6-month intervention included daily self-weighing for self-regulation of diet and exercise behaviors using an e-scale that transmitted weights to a study website. Weekly e-mailed lessons and tailored feedback on daily self-weighing adherence and weight-loss progress were provided. Self-weighing frequency was measured throughout the study using e-scales. Weight was measured in-clinic at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Psychological outcomes were assessed via self-report at the same time points. In 2012, using linear mixed models and generalized estimating equation models, there were no significant differences between groups in depressive symptoms, anorectic cognitions, disinhibition, susceptibility to hunger, and binge eating. At 6 months, there was a significant group X time interaction for body dissatisfaction (p=0.007) and dietary restraint (p<0.001), with the intervention group reporting lower body dissatisfaction and greater dietary restraint compared to controls. Results indicate that a weight-loss intervention that focuses on daily self-weighing does not cause adverse psychological outcomes. This suggests that daily self-weighing is an effective and safe weight-control strategy among overweight adults attempting to lose weight. This study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov NCT01369004.

Effects of Practice Combined with Somatosensory or Motor Stimulation on Hand Function in Persons with Spinal Cord Injury

Individuals with chronic tetraplegia prioritize recovery of hand function as an important factor in improving their quality of life. Interventions that may improve hand function and increase corticomotor excitability are functional electrical stimulation (FES), somatosensory stimulation (SS), and task-oriented training. We compared functional and corticomotor outcomes in a control condition to changes associated with FES (triggered via electromygraphic signals) and with SS (constant trains), each combined with either unimanual or bimanual training. Using a randomized, clinical trial design, comparisons were made to a delayed intervention control group. Participants (n = 24) had chronic tetraplegia, with the ability to activate thenar muscles, and were randomly assigned to either the immediate intervention (intervention) or control/ delayed intervention groups. Primary analyses compared intervention (FES or SS) to control/delayed intervention. Secondary analyses compared subgroups of FES versus SS (regardless of uni- or bilateral training) and uni- versus bimanual training (regardless of stimulation type). Outcomes were assessed before and after the control and the intervention period. Compared to control/delayed intervention, the intervention group had greater changes in unimanual function and corticomotor area, regardless of whether practice was combined with FES or with SS. Irrespective of stimulation type, the bimanual subgroups improved to a greater extent than the unimanual subgroups on the bimanual hand function test. Hand training combined with either SS or FES was associated with improved hand use and corticomotor activity in persons with chronic tetraplegia. Both interventions appear to be equally effective.

Designing and Evaluating Culturally Specific Smoking Cessation Interventions for American Indian Communities

American Indians have the highest smoking rates in the United States, yet few randomized controlled trials of culturally specific interventions exist. This study assessed American Indians' opinions about evidence-based treatment and attitudes toward participating in clinical trials. Six focus groups were conducted based on smoking status (current/former smoker), sex, and elder status (55 years and older or younger). Meetings were held at local American Indian community organizations. This project was accomplished in partnership with the American Indian Community Tobacco Projects, a community-academic research partnership at the University of Minnesota. Thematic qualitative data analyses were conducted. Participants desired the following: (a) programs led by trained American Indian community members, (b) the opportunity to connect with other American Indian smokers interested in quitting, and (c) programs promoting healthy lifestyles. Strategies desired for treatment included (a) free pharmacotherapy, including nicotine replacement therapy (NRT); (b) nominal incentives, e.g., gift cards for groceries; and (c) culturally specific program components such as American Indian images, education on traditional tobacco use, and quit-smoking messages that target the value of family and include narratives or story telling in recruitment and program materials. Biochemical verification of smoking abstinence, such as salivary cotinine or carbon monoxide breathalyzers, is likely acceptable. Standard treatment or delayed treatment control groups were viewed as potentially acceptable for randomized study designs. Rigorously conducted randomized controlled trials of culturally specific smoking cessation interventions are sorely needed but will only be accomplished with the commitment of funders, researchers, and collaborative trusting relationships with the community.

Evaluation of a school-based intervention programme for South African children of divorce

Objective: Parental divorce affects approximately 30 000 South African children annually. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Children of Divorce Intervention Programme (CODIP) at two South African schools. CODIP is a preventively oriented group programme which was developed to foster resilience by helping children cope more effectively with possible academic, behavioural, and emotional problems brought about by their parents’ divorce. Method: Twenty-five 10- to 14-year-old boys from two primary schools were randomly assigned to 2 experimental groups and 1 delayed intervention control group. The experimental groups attended 12 one-hour weekly sessions; the control group received no intervention until after the study was completed. Children's understanding of divorce related events and social, emotional and behavioural adjustment was assessed one week before the intervention and three months thereafter using a battery of self-rated, teacher-rated and parent-rated questionnaires. Results: One-way ANOVAs indicated no statistically significant decline in children's self-reported problematic beliefs about divorce or total difficulties. However, teachers’ and parents’ ratings indicated that compared to the control group, the combined experimental groups showed significant improvement in their general behavioural, emotional and social adjustment after programme participation. Conclusions: The results suggest that South African children who experience parental divorce may benefit from participation in CODIP.

A Phased Cluster-randomized Trial of Rural Hospitals Testing a Quality Collaborative to Improve Heart Failure Care

Use of evidence-based practices for heart failure (HF) patients has the potential to improve outcomes and reduce variations in care delivery. To evaluate the effect of a rural hospital quality collaborative and organizational context (nurse staffing and practice environment) on 4 HF core measures. Phased cluster-randomized trial with delayed intervention control group. The intervention included a HF toolkit, 2 onsite meetings, and a monthly phone call. Twenty-three rural eastern US hospitals, registered nurses who care for HF patients (N=591). Seven quarters of 4 HF core measures, nurse staffing (nursing skill mix, registered nurse hours per patient day, nurse-turnover), and a survey of practice environment. : Using regression models with generalized estimating equation autoregressive methods, no statistically significant changes were found during the intervention period on all 4 core measures for either group. Higher nurse-turnover was related to all 4 core measures: lower compliance with discharge instructions [β=-1.042; 95% confidence interval (CI): -1.777, -0.307], smoking cessation (β=-1.148; 95% CI: -2.180, -0.117), left ventricular ejection fraction (β=-0.893; 95% CI: -1.784, -0.002), and prescribing angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors on discharge (β=-1.044; 95% CI: -1.820, -0.269). Better practice environment was related to higher left ventricular ejection fraction (β=0.217; 95% CI: 0.054, 0.379). Significant improvements in 4 core measures were realized in stable environments (less nurse-turnover). Assuring appropriate nurse staffing and stability is essential to increase organizational preparation for quality initiatives and adoption of best practices in HF care in rural hospitals.

Case management and self-management support for frequent users with chronic disease in primary care: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial

BackgroundChronic diseases represent a major challenge for health care and social services. A number of people with chronic diseases require more services due to characteristics that increase their vulnerability. Given the burden of increasingly vulnerable patients on primary care, a pragmatic intervention in four Family Medicine Groups (primary care practices in Quebec, Canada) has been proposed for individuals with chronic diseases (diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, musculoskeletal diseases and/or chronic pain) who are frequent users of hospital services. The intervention combines case management by a nurse with group support meetings encouraging self-management based on the Stanford Chronic Disease Self-Management Program. The goals of this study are to: (1) analyze the implementation of the intervention in the participating practices in order to determine how the various contexts have influenced the implementation and the observed effects; (2) evaluate the proximal (self-efficacy, self-management, health habits, activation and psychological distress) and intermediate (empowerment, quality of life and health care use) effects of the intervention on patients; (3) conduct an economic analysis of the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the intervention.Methods/DesignThe analysis of the implementation will be conducted using realistic evaluation and participatory approaches within four categories of stakeholders (Family Medicine Group and health centre management, Family Medicine Group practitioners, patients and their families, health centre or community partners). The data will be obtained through individual and group interviews, project documentation reviews and by documenting the intervention. Evaluation of the effects on patients will be based on a pragmatic randomized before-after experimental design with a delayed intervention control group (six months). Economic analysis will include cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analysis.DiscussionThe integration of a case management intervention delivered by nurses and self-management group support into primary care practices has the potential to positively impact patient empowerment and quality of life and hopefully reduce the burden on health care. Decision-makers, managers and health care professionals will be aware of the factors to consider in promoting the implementation of this intervention into other primary care practices in the region and elsewhere.Trial RegistrationNCT01719991

Acute Post-Traumatic Stress Reactions in Children Survivors of a Large Road Traffic Accident: Epidemiological Analysis and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Treatment

Introduction: In the last years, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder played a leading role in clinical research, together with its Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) treatment. The analysis of the effectiveness of the treatment through EMDR on post traumatic symptoms is the subject of this survey, which was experienced on a group of children being victims of a serious car accident and on their parents, comparing it with other English research. Method: This survey is based on the study of the reduction in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms on some children attending primary school, involved in a serious school bus accident. Through a statistic analysis of the replies to the questionnaires and interviews before and after the treatment, the non-spontaneous remission of the three clusters (intrusivity, avoidance, and arousal) for the group of children not treated has been the subject of this study. Two different groups established, thanks to the different times of access to treatment: a so-called experimental group and the control one. Results: The results obtained through this survey provided some very important records on the number of children developing a post traumatic syndrome after a serious event. We found out that without treatment, reactions can last several months without evolving into a spontaneous remission, as from the records of the delayed treatment control group, smaller than the experimental one, showing a higher percentage of post traumatic symptoms. From the records appeared after the clinical interviews on parents and on the effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) treatment carried out with them, it is clear the strong need of a psychotherapeutic intervention, also with parents and caregivers of children victims of a traumatic experience. Conclusion: This survey was a real success considering the compliance to treatment, if compared with other research in current literature. Above all, it was relevant to underline the importance of a prompt intervention, focused on acute phase of trauma. EMDR actually played an effective role in the therapy with children.

Experimentally Based, Longitudinally Designed, Teacher-Focused Intervention to Help Physical Education Teachers Be More Autonomy Supportive Toward Their Students

Using the field's state-of-the-art knowledge, we designed, implemented, and assessed the effectiveness of an intervention to help physical education (PE) teachers be more autonomy supportive during instruction. Nineteen secondary-school PE teachers in Seoul were randomly assigned into either an experimental or a delayed-treatment control group, and their 1,158 students self-reported their course-related psychological need satisfaction, autonomous motivation, amotivation, classroom engagement, skill development, future intentions, and academic achievement at the beginning, middle, and end of the semester. Observers' ratings and students' self-reports confirmed that the intervention was successful. Repeated-measures ANCOVAs showed that the students of teachers in the experimental group showed midsemester and end-of-semester improvements in all dependent measures. A multilevel structural equation model mediation analysis showed why the teacher-training program produced improvements in all six student outcomes - namely, teachers in the experimental group vitalized their students' psychological need satisfaction during PE class in ways that teachers in the control group were unable to do, and it was this enhanced need satisfaction that explained the observed improvements in all six outcomes.

A self-help behavioral activation treatment for geriatric depressive symptoms

This study investigated behavioral activation (BA) bibliotherapy as a treatment for late-life depressive symptoms. BA bibliotherapy was administered using Addis and Martell's Overcoming depression one step at a time as a stand-alone treatment that was completed by participants (N = 26) over a 4-week period [Addis, M.E., & Martell, C.R. (2004). Overcoming depression one step at a time. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, Inc.]. Results of an immediate intervention group were compared with those of a delayed treatment control group and treatment response for both groups was evaluated at 1-month follow-up. Primary outcome results showed that symptoms on a clinician-rated measure of depressive symptoms, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, were significantly lower at post-treatment for those who received immediate BA bibliotherapy compared with those who were in the delayed treatment control condition. However, self-reported depressive symptoms (a secondary outcome measured via the Geriatric Depression Scale), were not significantly different at this period. Because study control was lost after the delayed treatment group received the intervention, within-subjects analyses examining both treatment groups combined showed that clinician-rated depressive symptoms significantly decreased from pre-treatment to both post-treatment and 1-month follow-up. Self-reported depressive symptoms were significantly lower from pre-treatment to 1-month follow-up. These findings suggest that BA may be useful in treating mild or subthreshold depressive symptoms in an older adult population.

Instant Recess ® : A Practical Tool for Increasing Physical Activity During the School Day

An increased prevalence of overweight/obesity among children has led to school district level policies to increase physical activity (PA) among elementary school students. Interventions are needed that increase activity levels without sacrificing time spent in academics. We evaluated a policy implementation intervention for to increase in-school PA in elementary schools in Forsyth County, North Carolina, in a randomized study with a delayed intervention control group. The study included third- through fifth-grade classrooms in eight elementary schools. Instant Recess® was used to introduce 10-minute PA breaks in classrooms on schedules determined by teachers. Direct observation was used to measure activity levels, other student behaviors, and teacher behaviors related to PA in the classrooms. Twenty-eight visits to schools were made during the spring and fall semesters of 2009. At baseline 11% to 44% of intervention and control schools were engaged in classroom-based PA. PA increased from baseline to spring follow-up in intervention schools and was maintained the following fall. Control schools decreased PA from baseline to spring and increased PA once they began the intervention. Students in classrooms engaged in Instant Recess exhibited statistically significant increases in light (51%) and moderate-intensity (16%) PA and increases in time spent in on-task behavior (11%). Control schools experienced similar benefits after they began implementing Instant Recess. Instant Recess is useful for increasing PA and improving behavior among elementary school children. Additional research may be needed to understand how to create policies supporting classroom activity breaks and how to assess policy adherence.