Expectancy Questionnaire Research Articles

Influence of Drinking Context and Age of Onset on Alcohol Consumption Patterns and Motivations Among Uruguayan Adults.

An early age of drinking onset is linked to a greater likelihood of alcohol-related problems. Alcohol use occurs in places featuring characteristic social groups, and different drinking contexts are associated with different levels of alcohol-related outcomes. Drinking context may affect drinking motives, expectations or alcohol-related outcomes in concert with individual-level variables. The study aimed to examine how the preferred drinking context and age of the first drink affects the occurrence and volume of alcohol use, drinking motives and alcohol-related expectations. This cross-sectional study was conducted at Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Republic, Montevideo, Uruguay, from September 2020 to January 2021. Uruguayan citizens ≥18 years old were asked about their preferred drinking context, the age of first alcohol use and alcohol consumption frequency. In addition, the Drinking Motives Questionnaire and Alcohol Outcome Expectancies Questionnaire were used. A total of 752 Uruguayan citizens were included. The distribution of alcohol consumption across social contexts was not influenced by the age of first alcohol use. Those who began drinking early and endorsed solitary drinking reported higher frequency of drinking (P <0.05) and coping motives (P <0.05) than any other group. Those who drank at parties reported more conformity motives than most of the groups (P <0.01). An early age of drinking onset was associated with greater enhancement and social motives (P <0.05) and higher alcohol expectancies for stress reduction and social facilitation (P <0.005). Solitary drinking as a high-risk drinking context is likely to interact with the age of first alcohol use, suggesting that drinking in specific contexts is associated with specific drinking motivations and expectancies. This study represents progress towards exploring factors that influence alcohol consumption among a broader range of socio-cultural populations.

Pathway analysis of clinical nurse educator's intention to use virtual reality technology based on the UTAUT model.

This study aims to investigate the willingness of clinical nurse educator to adopt virtual reality technology, while also examining the underlying mechanisms that influence this willingness through the lens of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). A convenience sampling method was employed to select 225 clinical nurse educator, all of whom possess a professional qualification certificate as nurse practitioners, from a tertiary hospital in Wuhan City, Hubei Province. The study utilized an adapted UTAUT model theory-based design to develop several questionnaires: the performance expectancy questionnaire (11 items), the effort expectancy questionnaire (4 items), the social influence questionnaire (6 items), the facilitating conditions questionnaire (7 items), and the behavioral intention questionnaire (4 items). These instruments were designed to assess the clinical nurse educators' willingness to adopt VR technology. Furthermore, a regression model was established to analyze the factors influencing this willingness, utilizing SPSS 26.0 for statistical analysis and validating the model through path analysis with AMOS 24.0, where a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The questionnaire demonstrated strong reliability and validity, yielding a total of 222 valid samples, comprising 209 females (94.14%) and 13 males (5.86%). Among the clinical nurse educators, 163 (73.42%) reported a willingness to use virtual reality technology, with scores of 4 or higher. Pearson correlation analysis revealed positive correlations between performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions with behavioral intention (p < 0.05). Furthermore, regression analysis indicated that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions had a positive impact on behavioral intention (p < 0.05). The path model exhibited a good fit, and the results were consistent with the regression analysis, showing that the effects of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence on the behavioral intention to use virtual reality technology were 0.231, 0.150, 0.236, and 0.247, respectively. Clinical nurse educators exhibit a robust willingness to engage with VR technology. Moreover, improving factors such as performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions can substantially enhance their readiness to adopt this technology.

Cross-Sectional Associations Between Expectancies for Cannabis use and Pain in an Emerging Adult Sample.

Pain and cannabis use are highly prevalent among emerging adults but research regarding how pain is associated with cannabis-related expectancies is limited. Emerging adults who reported past three-month cannabis use (N = 173) were recruited through an online sampling platform. Participants completed the Graded Chronic Pain Scale, Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test - Revised, and Marijuana Effect Expectancy Questionnaire. Multiple linear regressions indicated that pain intensity and disability were associated with hazardous cannabis use and expectancies for global negative effects (ps < .001). Sex did not moderate any of these relationships (ps > .14). Findings suggest that emerging adults who experience pain report greater hazardous cannabis use and may expect more negative effects of cannabis use. Researchers and clinicians should consider assessing pain in the context of cannabis studies and interventions.

A comparative effectiveness study of usual care, simple Chuna manual therapy, and complex Chuna manual therapy for the treatment of pelvic biomechanical lesions in patients with non-acute low back pain: a protocol for multicenter, randomized controlled trial

BackgroundChuna manual therapy (CMT), a Korean manual therapy technique predominantly used for treating low back pain (LBP) and related disorders, lacks well-conceived research focusing on its comparative effectiveness, safety, and economic evaluation, particularly with respect to complex CMT with established CMT diagnostic algorithms. This study aims to illustrate a protocol for a randomized clinical study for comparative effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of complex CMT with simple CMT and usual care.MethodsThis is a protocol for a three-armed, multicenter, assessor-blinded, pragmatic, randomized controlled trial study. A total of 81 patients suffering from non-acute LBP with pelvic biomechanical lesions (PBL), characterized by a pain duration of at least two weeks and a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) score of 5 or higher, will be recruited from two Korean medicine hospitals. These participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: complex CMT plus usual care (UC; n = 27), simple CMT plus UC (n = 27), or UC groups (n = 27). They will undergo treatment for 4 weeks, and follow-up assessments will be performed 8 weeks after treatment completion. The primary outcome will be the NRS score of LBP, and secondary outcomes will include the Oswestry Disability Index, Patient Global Impression of Change, credibility and expectancy questionnaire, three-dimensional posture analysis indicators, quality of life assessment, economic evaluation, and safety assessments.DiscussionThis will be the first study to assess the comparative effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness of complex CMT compared to UC and simple/complex CMT in patients with LBP and PBL. We will also analyze useful diagnostic methods to help in clinical practice for CMT diagnosis.Trial registrationClinical Research Information Service (CRIS), KCT0009210. Registered on February 28, 2024.

Patients' Expectations of Yoga and Associated Therapies Influence Treatment Outcome: A Convenience Sampling Pre-Post Study from India.

An association between expectations of treatment and treatment outcome has been reported for conventional medical and surgical treatments. However, this association has not been described for yoga therapy. The present study recruited patients (154 males and 145 females, n = 299; age 48.8 ± 14.7 years) who had been admitted to a residential wellness center, most commonly with diseases of the musculoskeletal system or connective tissue; endocrine, nutritional, or metabolic diseases; and digestive system disorders (all based on ICD-11). Assessments included: (1) expectations of yoga and associated therapies at baseline using two questionnaires (Treatment Expectation Questionnaire and Expectation for Treatment Scale); and (2) treatment outcome at baseline and after 7 days of yoga and associated therapies using the Physical Health Questionnaire and Global Perceived Effect scale. The intervention included yoga and additional therapies (e.g., hydrotherapy and ayurveda for approximately 40% of the time). Multivariable regression analyses (controlled for variation due to age, gender, education, and baseline Physical Health Questionnaire scores) demonstrated that expectations of (1) positive outcomes of all aspects of treatment significantly predicted better overall perceived effect of treatment; (2) symptom resolution (positive expectations) significantly predicted higher total Physical Health Questionnaire scores, with better digestion; and (3) low adverse outcomes significantly predicted better sleep. The findings support the premise that higher positive expectations and lower negative expectations of yoga therapy predict better treatment outcomes. These findings suggest that people should be well-informed about the reported benefits and the less-frequent negative outcomes of yoga therapy so that their expectations may be positive yet realistic, optimally influencing treatment outcomes.

Cannabis expectancies and associations with cannabis use and health functioning among adults with chronic pain

IntroductionCannabis is increasingly available to individuals in the United States, with the majority of states legalizing medical or recreational cannabis use. Cannabis expectancies (e.g., positive expectations from cannabis use) are related to more frequent cannabis use and associated with greater odds of lapse following a cessation attempt. MethodsTo evaluate the relationship between expectancies and cannabis- and health-related outcomes, we surveyed adults who used medical cannabis for chronic pain (n = 633; 52.2 % female; 82.1 % white) over a two-year period. Then, we performed a principal components analysis (PCA) on the Cannabis Expectancies Questionnaire to derive components of cannabis expectancies. We performed k-means clustering to identify subgroups with similar expectancies. The relationship between subgroup assignment and cannabis use outcomes (frequency, quantity), and physical and mental health functioning were evaluated. ResultsThe PCA identified a three-component solution and k-means clustering identified four subgroups: low expectancies, negative expectancies, amotivation expectancies, and positive expectancies. Participants’ cannabis expectancies were dynamic over time. After adjusting for demographics, expectancy subgroup was able to predict six-month cannabis use frequency (χ2(3) = 11.244; p = 0.010) and mental health functioning (χ2(3) = 24.926; p < 0.001), but not quantity (χ2(3) = 2.741, p = 0.433) or physical health functioning (χ2(3) = 5.110, p = 0.164). ConclusionIn a large cohort of individuals who use medical cannabis, four subgroups with differing cannabis expectancies emerged: low expectancies, negative expectancies, amotivation expectancies, and positive expectancies. These subgroups predicted subsequent outcomes and may be important for targeted intervention approaches to reduce cannabis use and improve functioning.

The Impact of Obesity on Childbirth Expectations.

Positive childbirth expectations are crucial for fostering a positive labor experience and enhancing the health and well-being of both the woman and her newborn. However, the impact of obesity on childbirth expectations remains underexplored. We aim to assess childbirth expectations in women living with obesity to enhance perinatal care tailored to their specific needs. Using an adapted version of the Childbirth Expectation Questionnaire (CEQ) in a nationwide online survey, we assessed expectations on childbirth of pregnant women living in Switzerland. We performed one-way analysis of variance and independent t tests to analyze associations between childbirth expectations and women's characteristics such as body mass index (BMI). Binomial logistic regressions estimated the likelihood of positive birth expectations occurring based on individual and contextual factors. In total, 961 pregnant women responded to the CEQ through social media. Increased BMI was associated with lower mean scores in overall birth expectations (P =.008), whereas women accompanied by midwives during pregnancy showed significantly increased mean scores (P <.001). Regression analysis revealed that women living with obesity were less likely to have positive expectations for their upcoming childbirth when compared with others (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.63; 95% CI, 0.42-0.95; P =.027). Conversely, midwifery care and plans for nonclinical births were associated with increased positive childbirth expectations (aOR, 3.65; 95% CI, 2.11-6.32; P <.001 and aOR, 4.77; 95% CI, 3.37-6.74; P<.001, respectively). Women living with obesity exhibited significantly lower childbirth expectations compared with other women, impacting birth outcomes and satisfaction. Midwife involvement correlated with more positive expectations, emphasizing their role in improving women's realistic expectations and fostering well-being. Enhanced accessibility to models of care with midwifery continuity may be a crucial factor in promoting positive expectations among women living with obesity.

Assessment of treatment expectations in people with suspected endometriosis: A psychometric analysis.

Treatment expectations influence clinical outcomes in various physical and psychological conditions; however, no studies have explored their role in endometriosis treatment. It is necessary to understand how these expectations can be measured to study treatment expectations and their effects in clinical practice. This study aimed to psychometrically analyze and compare different treatment expectation measurements and describe treatment expectations in women with suspected endometriosis. Analysis of cross-sectional baseline data of a mixed-method clinical observational study of N=699 patients undergoing laparoscopy in Germany. Descriptives, bivariate associations, convergent and discriminant validity of four expectation measurements (Treatment Expectation Questionnaire (TEX-Q); Generic rating scale for previous treatment experiences, treatment expectations, and treatment effects (GEEE); numerical rating scales (NRS) assessing improvement and worsening of endometriosis symptoms, expected Pain Disability Index (PDI); range: 0 to 10) were estimated. A cluster analysis was performed on the three GEEE items. Most participants expected high improvement ( M=6.68 to 7.20, SD=1.90 to 2.09) and low worsening ( M=1.09 to 2.52, SD=1.80 to 2.25) of disability from laparoscopy. Participants who expected greater worsening expected more side effects ( r=.31 to .60, p<.001). Associations between the positive and negative expectation dimensions, including side effects, were small to non-significant ( r =|.24| to .00, p<.001 to.978). Four distinct clusters, described as'positive', 'no pain, no gain', 'diminished', and 'uniform' were found, with a total PVE of 62.2%. Women with suspected endometriosis reported positive expectations concerning laparoscopy, but wide ranges indicated interindividual differences. Treatment expectations seem to be a multidimensional construct in this patient group. The investigated measurements did not correlate to the extent that they measured exactly the same construct. The selection of measurements should be carefully considered and adapted for the study purposes. Clusters provide initial indications for individualized interventions that target expectation manipulation. ID NCT05019612 ( ClinicalTrials.gov).

Sexual Alcohol Expectancies, Alcohol Intoxication, and Sexual Behavior in MSM: An Experience Sampling Study.

Despite advances in prevention and treatment, the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus remains a significant problem in the United States, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM). Alcohol use can promote risky sexual decisions, and alcohol expectancies may influence the role of alcohol in decision making. The present secondary analysis tests the moderating role of sexual alcohol expectancies (SAEs) in the relation between daily alcohol intoxication and sexual behavior in a sample of 248 moderate- to heavy-drinking MSM. SAEs were assessed with the Sexual Alcohol Expectancies Questionnaire at baseline, followed by two 23-day bursts of ecological momentary assessment including self-initiated morning assessments of sexual behavior and the prior night's perceived intoxication, as well as nine daily random alcohol assessments. Multilevel modeling showed that SAEs moderated a curvilinear association between intoxication and anal intercourse with a condom such that the relation between daily intoxication and anal intercourse with a condom is a more pronounced inverted u-shape among individuals with strong SAEs, and this moderation effect was not seen for condomless anal intercourse (CAI). While SAEs do appear to influence the association between intoxication and sexual behavior in MSM, they do not appear to moderate the association between alcohol intoxication and CAI.

Psychometric properties and Longitudinal Measurement Invariance of the Spanish version of the Alcohol Expectancies Questionnaire Short Form among young adult binge drinkers

ABSTRACT Background: Longitudinal Measurement Invariance (LMI) is critically important to evaluate changes in alcohol expectancies over time. However, past research has not explored the longitudinal properties of the Spanish Expectancy Questionnaire Short Form (EQ-SF). Objectives: To examine the reliability, sources of validity (structural, invariance across sex, and concurrent validity), and LMI of the Spanish EQ-SF among young adults who engage in binge drinking. Methods: Participants (n = 279; 48.4% female) completed the EQ-SF and, two months later, completed it again along with measures of alcohol use, drinking motives, and protective behavioral strategies (PBS). We performed confirmatory factor analysis for structural validity and measurement invariance analysis for longitudinal and sex stability. Results: The eight-factor intercorrelated model (i.e. social facilitation, fun, sexual disinhibition, tension reduction, antisocial effects, negative emotional states, negative physical effects, and cognitive impairments) provided the best fit (χ2(df) = 497.29(224), CFI = .962, RMSEA = .064, SRMR = .049). This model was invariant across sex and time. Reliability coefficients (Ordinal alpha) for each dimension were consistently strong at both time points (from .72 to .93 at T1 and .73 to .91 at T2). Positive alcohol expectancies at baseline were positively related to alcohol use and drinking motives and negatively related to PBS at follow-up, demonstrating predictive validity. Conclusion: Our results support the temporal invariance of the EQ-SF scores among Spanish young adults who engage in binge drinking. The evidence supports the suitability of this measure for accurately assessing changes in alcohol expectancies over time in interventions aimed at preventing binge drinking in young adults.

Managing more than bones: the psychological impact of a recurrent fracture-related infection.

Fracture-related infections (FRIs) are a devastating complication of fracture management. However, the impact of FRIs on mental health remains understudied. The aim of this study was a longitudinal evaluation of patients' psychological state, and expectations for recovery comparing patients with recurrent FRI to those with primary FRI. A prospective longitudinal study was conducted at a level 1 trauma centre from January 2020 to December 2022. In total, 56 patients treated for FRI were enrolled. The ICD-10 symptom rating (ISR) and an expectation questionnaire were assessed at five timepoints: preoperatively, one month postoperatively, and at three, six, and 12 months. Recurrent FRI cases consistently exceeded the symptom burden threshold (0.60) in ISR scores at all assessment points. The difference between preoperative-assessed total ISR scores and the 12-month follow-up was not significant in either group, with 0.04 for primary FRI (p = 0.807) and 0.01 for recurrent FRI (p = 0.768). While primary FRI patients showed decreased depression scores post surgery, recurrent FRI cases experienced an increase, reaching a peak at 12 months (1.92 vs 0.94; p < 0.001). Anxiety scores rose for both groups after surgery, notably higher in recurrent FRI cases (1.39 vs 1.02; p < 0.001). Moreover, patients with primary FRI reported lower expectations of returning to normal health at three (1.99 vs 1.11; p < 0.001) and 12 months (2.01 vs 1.33; p = 0.006). The findings demonstrate the significant psychological burden experienced by individuals undergoing treatment for FRI, which is more severe in recurrent FRI. Understanding the psychological dimensions of recurrent FRIs is crucial for comprehensive patient care, and underscores the importance of integrating psychological support into the treatment paradigm for such cases.

The Treatment Expectation Questionnaire Tool: A Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Evaluation in Turkey.

Patients' general treatment expectations are an important indicator of the outcomes of the various treatments they will receive. There is a need for valid and reliable assessment tools that measure the expectations of patients receiving rehabilitation services. This study aimed to translate and validate the Treatment Expectations Questionnaire (TR.TEX-Q) in Turkish patients to assess their treatment-specific expectations. 150 physiotherapy patients were enrolled in the study. The original version of the Treatment Expectation Questionnaire was translated into Turkish. Cronbach's α was used to investigate internal consistency. Intraclass correlation coefficients were used to assess test-retest reliability. Pearsons's correlation was used to calculate convergent and divergent validity. Principal component analysis produced a 15-items scale which had a 6-factors structure. Cronbach's α values ranged from .649 to .879. Test-retest reliability was high for total score and for all subscales. The ICC was between .622 and .852, p < .001. TR.TEX-Q showed good convergent validity, a moderate correlation was found between the Positivity Scale (rho = .45, p < .001). For divergent validity, low to moderate correlation was found between the TR.TEX-Q and the HADS scores. The Turkish version of Treatment Expectation Questionnaire has good reliability and validity data in terms of evaluating the treatment expectations of patients who will receive physiotherapy.

High-intensity interval training is feasible, credible and clinically effective in the early subacute stroke stage in the low-income country of Benin

ABSTRACT High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been shown to benefit stroke patients when implemented three months post-stroke. This study examined HIIT’s feasibility and clinical effectiveness in the early post-stroke stage in Benin. This was a prospective interventional study comprising an HIIT programme executed on a recumbent bike, three times/week, 20–30 min/session for 6 weeks, added to a conventional physiotherapy. The primary outcomes were feasibility, credibility and expectancy assessed with credibility and expectancy questionnaire. A maximal exercise test, 6-min walking test (6MWT), 10-m walking test (10mWT), Berg balance scale (BBS) and five repetitions sit-to-stand test (5 R-STS) were performed before and after the training programme. Ten outpatients, with a median age [P25-P75]: 63.5[56.7–71.2] years; time since stroke: 15.0[9.7–21.0] days, started and completed all training sessions without serious adverse events. High scores were observed on the Credibility subscale at admission (27.0[25.7–27.0]), which remained so after intervention (26.5[25.7–27.0]). Expectancy subscale scores were high at admission (25.5[24.0–27.0]) and post-training (25.5[24.5–27.0]). Peak workload (p < 0.001), BBS (p < 0.001), 6MWT (p < 0.001), 10mWT (p < 0.001) and 5 R-STS (p = 0.004) were all improved. HIIT is feasible and safe in the early subacute post-stroke stage and is perceived by patients as highly credible, meeting their expectations of recovery.

Preoperative Expectations of Women Undergoing Breast Reconstruction Surgery.

The study investigated the expectations of patients undergoing immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy, considering factors such as the cause for mastectomy (cancer versus prophylactic due BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations), age, marital status, and education. The study had a cross-sectional design. Eligible patients at Oslo University Hospital received a link to the BREAST-Q Expectations questionnaire, which they filled out before surgery from 2019 to 2022. One hundred forty-six patients completed the questionnaire (79.8% response rate). The mean age was 46.6 years, and the majority (95.1%) were undergoing reconstruction with implants. Most patients (86.9%) wanted to be involved in the decision-making. The highest expectation was for breast appearance and the lowest for sensation after surgery. Patients not diagnosed with cancer (n = 27) before surgery expected significantly more pain after surgery compared with patients diagnosed with cancer (P = 0.016). Patients 40 years or younger had higher expectation of pain after surgery than patients 41 years or older, 73.2 versus 54.2, P < 0.001, respectively. After 10 years, 26.7% of the patients expected that further reconstruction procedures might be necessary. Our study's results regarding patient's expectations with breast reconstruction, as assessed using the BREAST-Q Expectations module, align with previous research in terms of overall trends. However, our study provides a more nuanced understanding by exploring variations within different patient subgroups. These differences emphasize the need for personalized preoperative counseling and support to align patient's expectations with realistic outcomes.

Evaluation of social appearance concerns and satisfaction after orthognathic surgery

The main aim of orthognathic surgery is to provide a good occlusion and masticatory function and to achieve positive changes in facial aesthetics. The aim of this study was to determine the reasons behind patients' acceptance of orthognathic surgery and their expectations from this treatment, to assess whether their expectations were met, the change in their self-confidence and their satisfaction, and finally, to use the results obtained to inform future surgical procedures to increase patient satisfaction. The study was designed as a cross-sectional observational study and included 73 people treated with orthognathic surgery (surgery group) and 42 people with minimal crowding who did not require treatment (control group). The study found that the primary reason for requesting orthognathic surgery was to improve facial appearance and that patients had high expectations in this regard. Using the Social Appearance Anxiety Questionnaire and the Expectation and Satisfaction Questionnaire, 73.97 % of patients in our study said the treatment met their expectations and 90.41 % said they were satisfied with the overall results of the surgery. The study also highlighted the importance of surgeon-patient communication and the satisfaction of the patient's environment with the final result in determining patient satisfaction. In conclusion, since patients' high expectations of orthognathic surgery influence treatment success and patient satisfaction, it is important to know and manage patients' expectations before treatment and to have good patient-surgeon communication to increase patient satisfaction after surgery.

The relationship between exercise-related expectancies and exercise behaviour in adolescent athletes

ABSTRACT Background In recent years, a decline in sports behaviour among adolescents was observed, even though it is generally known that sports contribute to healthy development. According to the social cognitive theory of Bandura, outcome expectancies play an important role in the practice of health behaviour. Methods This study analysed the relationship between exercise-related outcome expectancies (EOEs) and exercise behaviour among adolescent athletes, and the differences of EOEs according to age, gender and type of sport played. In an online survey N = 223 (female = 140, male = 83) athletes between the age of 10–19 (Mage = 14.27, SD = 3.21) completed the Exercise-related Outcome Expectancies Questionnaire for Adolescents (EOEQ-A), as well as questions about their sociodemographic background and training behaviour. Results A small positive correlation of psychological EOEs with the overall amount of training was discovered while expectancies about negative consequences of sports were associated with lower training efforts. Athletes between 14 and 16 years reported significantly stronger negative EOEs than younger or older participants. Regarding gender, no significant differences were found. Furthermore, a positive correlation between social EOEs and participation in team sports, as well as training in a group was found. Conclusion These results could help with adapting exercise-related interventions so that the positive expectancies of the athletes can be fulfilled and exercise behaviour among adolescents can be promoted. Future studies should investigate the relationship between changes in expectancies and changes in exercise behaviour.

Investigating the Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Life Expectancy in Leukemia Patients regarding Selected Hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2023

Introduction: Experiencing tensions such as anxiety, stress, and depression is inevitable due to the nature of the disease and treatment, which can affect the life expectancy of these patients. Emotional intelligence is one of the most effective components in adapting to a disease and its complications and in complying with treatment. This study is conducted with the aim of determining the relationship between emotional intelligence and life expectancy in leukemia patients. Methods: This was a descriptive -correlational study conducted on 200 patients with leukemia who were referred to the selected hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2023. The research tools included a demographic information form, Schutte emotional intelligence questionnaire, and Snyder life expectancy questionnaire. Data analysis was done in SPSS version 16 using descriptive and inferential statistics methods. Results: The average age of the participants in the research was 36/83 ± 11/13 in the age range of 18-69. Most of the patients were male (62%) and married (66/5%). The mean score of emotional intelligence in leukemia patients was 127/17 and the mean score of life expectancy was 32/19. According to the results of the study, there was a positive and significant correlation between emotional intelligence and life expectancy (P&lt;0/001) (r=0/364). Conclusion: Based on the results of the study, patients with higher emotional intelligence had higher life expectancy. Since emotional intelligence is very helpful in facing stress and tension and can be taught and learned, implementing interventions to increase emotional intelligence can be the basis for improving the life expectancy of these patients.

Nocebo expectations rather than placebo expectations affect topical pain relief: A randomized clinical trial

Patients' expectations and beliefs regarding the potential benefits and harms of medical interventions may induce placebo and nocebo effects, and affect the response to pain therapies. In a randomized clinical trial, we examined the effect of placebo and nocebo expectations on pain relief and adverse events (AEs) in association with a topical treatment among 65 cancer survivors experiencing chronic musculoskeletal pain. Participants received either a 1% camphor-based topical pain patch or a placebo treatment for 14 days. We measured pain severity with the worst pain item of the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) at baseline and 14 days and treatment expectations at baseline with validated expectation questionnaires. We found that high vs. low nocebo expectations decreased pain severity improvements by 2.5 points (95% confidence interval [CI] −3.8 to −1.2; p<0.001) on a 0–10 numeric rating scale of the BPI and pain response rate by 42.7% (95% CI 0.2–0.6; p<0.001) at day 14, irrespective of placebo expectation status or treatment arms. Patients with high vs. low nocebo expectations in the true arm reported 22.4% more unwanted AEs. High nocebo expectations were associated with increased AEs by 39.5% (odds ratio: 12.0, 95% CI 1.2, 145.5; p=0.029) and decreased pain response in the true arm vs. placebo. Our study demonstrated that nocebo expectations, rather than placebo expectations, elevate the risk of AEs and compromise the effect of topical pain interventions. The findings raise the possibility that nocebo expectations may worsen somatic symptoms through heightening central pain amplification and should be further investigated.

Preoperative expectations of patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy: an observational study from the Canadian Spine Outcomes and Research Network

BACKGROUNDDespite an abundance of literature on degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM), little is known about preoperative expectations of these patients. PURPOSEThe primary objective was to describe patient preoperative expectations. Secondary objectives included identifying patient characteristics associated with high preoperative expectations and to determine if expectations varied depending on myelopathy severity. STUDY DESIGNThis was a retrospective study of a prospective multicenter, observational cohort of patients with DCM. PATIENT SAMPLEPatients who consented to undergo surgical treatment between January 2019 and September 2022 were included. OUTCOMES MEASURESAn 11-domain expectation questionnaire was completed preoperatively whereby patients quantified the expected change in each domain. METHODSThe most important expected change was captured. A standardized expectation score was calculated as the sum of each expectation divided by the maximal possible score. The high expectation group was defined by patients who had an expectation score above the 75th percentile. Predictors of patients with high expectations were determined using multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTSThere were 262 patients included. The most important patient expectation was preventing neurological worsening (40.8%) followed by improving balance when standing or walking (14.5%), improving independence in everyday activities (10.3%), and relieving arm tingling, burning and numbness (10%). Patients with mild myelopathy were more likely to select no worsening as the most important expected change compared to patients with severe myelopathy (p<.01). Predictors of high patient expectations were: having fewer comorbidities (OR -0.30 for every added comorbidity, 95% CI -0.59 to -0.10, p=.01), a shorter duration of symptoms (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.35–1.19, p=.02), no contribution from “failure of other treatments” on the decision to undergo surgery (OR 1.49, 95% CI 0.56–2.71, p=.02) and more severe neck pain (OR 0.19 for 1 point increase, 95% CI 0.05–0.37, p=.01). CONCLUSIONSMost patients undergoing surgery for DCM expect prevention of neurological decline, better functional status, and improvement in their myelopathic symptoms. Stopping neurological deterioration is the most important expected outcomes by patients.

Social media addiction: associations with attachment style, mental distress, and personality.

Social media bring not only benefits but also downsides, such as addictive behavior. While an ambivalent closed insecure attachment style has been prominently linked with internet and smartphone addiction, a similar analysis for social media addiction is still pending. This study aims to explore social media addiction, focusing on variations in attachment style, mental distress, and personality between students with and without problematic social media use. Additionally, it investigates whether a specific attachment style is connected to social media addiction. Data were collected from 571 college students (mean age = 23.61, SD = 5.00, 65.5% female; response rate = 20.06%) via an online survey administered to all enrolled students of Sigmund Freud PrivatUniversity Vienna. The Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) differentiated between students addicted and not addicted to social media. Attachment style was gauged using the Bielefeld Partnership Expectations Questionnaire (BFPE), mental distress by the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-18), and personality by the Big Five Inventory (BFI-10). Of the total sample, 22.7% of students were identified as addicted to social media. For personality, it was demonstrated that socially media addicted (SMA) students reported significantly higher values on the neuroticism dimension compared to not socially media addicted (NSMA) students. SMA also scored higher across all mental health dimensions-depressiveness, anxiety, and somatization. SMA more frequently exhibited an insecure attachment style than NSMA, specifically, an ambivalent closed attachment style. A two-step cluster analysis validated the initial findings, uncovering three clusters: (1) secure attachment, primarily linked with fewer occurrences of social media addiction and a lower incidence of mental health problems; (2) ambivalent closed attachment, generally associated with a higher rate of social media addiction and increased levels of mental health problems; and (3) ambivalent clingy attachment, manifesting a medium prevalence of social media addiction and a relatively equitable mental health profile. The outcomes are aligned with previous research on internet and smartphone addiction, pointing out the relevance of an ambivalent closed attachment style in all three contexts. Therapeutic interventions for social media addiction should be developed and implemented considering these findings.