Health Locus Of Control Beliefs Research Articles

Demographics, health literacy and health locus of control beliefs of Australian women who take complementary medicine products during pregnancy and breastfeeding: A cross‐sectional, online, national survey

BackgroundPregnant and breastfeeding women's use of complementary medicine products (CMPs) is common, and possibly associated with autonomous health care behaviours. However, the health literacy levels and health locus of control (HLOC) beliefs of women who use CMPs in pregnancy and lactation have not been previously assessed in a large Australian sample.AimThe aim of this study is to determine the health literacy levels and HLOC beliefs of women who use CMPs in pregnancy and lactation and determine the types of CMPs used.MethodsA cross‐sectional, national, online survey of Australian pregnant or breastfeeding women aged 18 years and older, and currently using CMPs was conducted.ResultsA total of 810 completed surveys (354 pregnant and 456 breastfeeding women) were analysed. Most had adequate functional health literacy levels (93.3%). Health care practitioners (HCPs) HLOC mean scores were the highest for the sample, followed by Internal HLOC beliefs mean scores. Almost all (n = 809) took at least one dietary supplement, the most popular being pregnancy and breastfeeding multivitamins, iron supplements and probiotics. Use was generally in line with clinical recommendations, except for low rates of iodine supplementation. Herbal medicine use was lower for the total sample (57.3%, n = 464), but significantly higher (p < .0001) for the breastfeeding cohort, with consumers taking one to four herbal medicines each. The most popular herbs were raspberry leaf, ginger, peppermint and chamomile (pregnant respondents) and chamomile, ginger and fenugreek (breastfeeding respondents).ConclusionsRespondents were health literate, with high scores for Internal and HCP HLOC scales, suggesting that they are likely to demonstrate self‐efficacy, positive health behaviours and work well in partnership with HCPs. HCPs can facilitate discussions with pregnant and breastfeeding women using CMPs, while considering women's health literacy levels, health beliefs and goals.

Predictors of African American Belief in Illness as Punishment for Sin

While religious participation is positively associated with health, and faith traditions often promote wholesome behavior among followers, religious beliefs endorsing the notion of illness as punishment for sin can be negatively related to health. To date, little is known about the correlates of this belief. This study examined demographic characteristics and religiosity as predictors of the belief that illness occurs as punishment for sin in a national probability sample of African American adults. Of 3,173 participants completing a telephone survey, 2,172 (68.45%) moderately endorsed belief in illness as punishment for sin (mean of 16 [SD=4.59] out of possible 32). Spearman correlations and linear regression modeling were conducted. Findings suggested that participants who were men, less educated, with lower income levels, lower religious beliefs, greater religious participation, greater use of negative religious coping, and both active and passive spiritual health locus of control beliefs, reported significantly stronger belief in illness as punishment for sin. Age, employment, and positive religious coping were not significant predictors. Psychologists, counselors, and health professionals working with African Americans may consider these findings in helping clients find healthy ways to reflect on their illnesses in collaboration with clergy, that are client-centered and respectful of their faith traditions.

Perception and predictors of health locus of control at rehabilitation discharge and 1 year after traumatic spinal cord injury.

This retrospective study examined the perception and predictors of health locus of control (LOC) in 71 individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI) at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation (average age 39 years, 77% male, 54% black, 51% cervical SCI, 51% incomplete SCI and average time post-SCI 20 days). We also determined if health LOC beliefs and predictors change over the 1st year after SCI in a representative subsample of 36 individuals. The participants completed surveys regarding the health LOC, self-esteem and depression whereas demographic and SCI information were retrieved from medical records. At inpatient discharge, 55% of SCI individuals endorsed the doctor LOC category compared to internal (14%), other people (6%), chance (3%) or multiple LOC categories (22%). A similar pattern was found at 1-year postinjury (doctor LOC 44% and non-doctor LOC combined 56%). A backward stepwise regression revealed that white race (P = 0.093), >12 years of education (P = 0.001) and cervical level of SCI (P = 0.033) were significant predictors of the doctor LOC category at inpatient discharge (overall classification accuracy 76%). Similarly, >12 years of education (P = 0.055), cervical level of SCI at inpatient discharge (P = 0.033) and higher self-esteem at 1-year post-SCI (P = 0.113) were significant predictors of the doctor LOC category at 1-year post-SCI (overall classification accuracy 78%). We conclude that health LOC remains stable over the 1st year after SCI with the majority of individuals believing that the control over outcomes of their health is in the hands of doctors. These findings have implications for the provision of rehabilitation services after SCI.

528 - Health locus of control beliefs among older Greek hemodialysis patients: Sociodemographic and psychological correlates

ABSTRACTIntroduction:Quality of life of a significant proportion of patents under hemodialysis treatment is determined by their health locus of control beliefs (internal, external, chance).The aim of the present study was to investigate health locus of control of patients under hemodialysis treatment. Moreover, the relationship between socio-demographic, clinical, psychological factors and health locus of control was explored.Method:A total of 105 patients with chronic kidney failure under hemodialysis treatment (64 men and 41 women) with a mean age of 72.51 ± 7.55 years were recruited and completed (a) a demographic questionnaire, (b) the Multidisciplinary Health Locus of Control Scale and (c) the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.Results:Internal locus of control (the degree to which participants feel they are in control of their own health) fluctuates lower, while locus of control from others (the degree that participants believe that others -doctors- control their health) and luck (the degree to which participants believe their health is a matter of luck) fluctuates higher in our participants than general population. State, trait and total anxiety levels were significantly correlated negatively with internal locus of control and positively with “chance” locus of control scale in the present study.Conclusions:Our participants seemed to feel highly dependent from others, such as treating physicians, nurses, family, hemodialysis machine resulting in a limited sense of freedom and autonomy. Understanding health locus of control beliefs among Greek hemodialysis patients may help health professionals to implement appropriate counseling intervention programs and improve patient psychological state and provided services.

Health Locus of Control and Neurocognitive Function in Latinx and Non-Latinx White People Living With HIV: A Cross-sectional Study.

Research suggests that health locus of control (HLOC) is related to important health and neurocognitive outcomes in people living with HIV. However, the role of ethnicity in these relationships remains poorly understood. This study explored the role of HLOC on neurocognition in a diverse sample of 134 people living with HIV (Latinx: n = 96; non-Latinx White: n = 38) who completed comprehensive neurocognitive evaluations and the Multidimensional HLOC Scale-Form C. Results indicate no ethnocultural differences in HLOC beliefs (ps > .05). External HLOC (i.e., chance and powerful others) related to worse neurocognition in the Latinx group and contributed to significant variance in global neurocognition and learning, memory, and verbal fluency, underscoring the role of external HLOC beliefs on neurocognition, particularly for Latinx individuals. Additional research is needed to better characterize the mechanistic relationship between HLOC beliefs and neurocognitive function and to further explore this relationship among other underrepresented populations also disproportionately affected by HIV.

Health literacy and quality of life among Iranian pregnant women: The mediating role of health locus of control.

Background: Main health challenge of the 21st century is improving quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of health locus of control (HLC) between health literacy and QoL among Iranian pregnant women. Methods: In this cross sectional survey, 400 pregnant women referred to the community health centers of Gonabad, Iran, and completed the demographic, health literacy, QoL, and multidimensional HLC questionnaires during 2015-2016. Descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling were conducted using SPSS 22.0 version and AMOS 24.0 software. Results: The findings showed that health literacy has a significant positive effect on the physical (β= 0.54, p< 0.001) and mental (β= 0.57, p< 0.001) health. Also, it has a significant positive effect on internal subscale (β= 0.42, p< 0.001) and a significant negative effect on the chance (β= -0.51, p< 0.001) and powerful others (β= -0.33, p< 0.001) subscale of HLC. From HLC subscales, internal HLC had a significant positive effect on physical (β= 0.26, p< 0.001) and mental (β= 0.12, p= 0.010) health, while the effects of chance and powerful others on QoL dimensions were not significant. The findings indicated that internal HLC is a partial mediator between health literacy and physical dimension of QoL. Conclusion: The results indicate that health literacy can be considered as an effective factor in HLC orientations and can improve QoL. This reflects the need for more attention on health literacy and the recognition of the type of HLC beliefs, especially the internal belief in health promotion programs for pregnant women.

Chance health locus of control beliefs in Hindu Nepali patients following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction relates to perceived sports knee function and symptoms

Purpose In western society an internal health locus of control (perception that health outcomes are due to one’s own behavior) is related to perceived sports knee function following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. This prospective cohort study was performed to determine if similar health beliefs exist among athletically active Hindu patients from Nepal following primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Materials and methods Twenty-five consecutive patients (21 men, 4 women) of 26.7 ± 7.7 years of age participated in this study at 4.2 ± 2 months post-surgery. All subjects had undergone primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft, with anteromedial portal use for femoral tunnel drilling and interference screw fixation. Subjects completed the Knee Outcome Survey – Sports Activities Scale symptoms and functional limitations during sports subscales and Form C of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scales. Descriptive and correlational statistical analysis was performed. An alpha level of p < 0.05 was selected to indicate statistical significance. Results Knee Outcome Survey – Sports Activity Scale symptoms scores were 71.3 ± 18 (range = 43–97) and functional limitations scores were 42.4 ± 34 (range = 10–95). Multidimensional Health Locus of Control subscale scores were Internal (27.8 ± 4.6), Chance (21.5 ± 6.3), Doctors (16.1 ± 1.9) and other people (14 ± 3.5). Significant relationships were not observed between symptoms or functional limitations subscale scores and Multidimensional Health Locus of Control internal, doctors or powerful others subscale scores. However, strong (r = 0.72) and moderately strong (r = 0.48) relationships were observed between the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control chance subscale score and Knee Outcome Survey – Sports Activities Scale functional limitations and symptoms subscales, respectively. Conclusion Following primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, Hindu patients from Nepal displayed strong relationships between perceived knee function and symptoms and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control chance subscale. Identification and targeting the beliefs of patients may be clinically important to facilitating positive treatment progression and behavioral changes during post-surgical rehabilitation programs. Further studies are needed to determine how medical and rehabilitation clinicians who provide care to patients from eastern, collectivist cultures can optimize healthcare strategies for patients with sociocultural or religious/spirituality influences that possess strong chance or luck beliefs. Implications for Rehabilitation Following primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, Hindu patients from Nepal displayed strong relationships between perceived knee function and chance health locus of control beliefs. Identification and targeting the health locus of control beliefs of patients may be clinically important to facilitating positive treatment progression and behavioral changes during post-surgical rehabilitation programs. Medical and rehabilitation professionals need to become more aware of how a patient’s religious or spiritual beliefs may conflict with healthcare instructions, or, alternatively, could be better harnessed to facilitate improved program adherence.

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Health Locus of Control Is Associated With Physical Activity and Other Health Behaviors in Cardiac Patients.

Physical inactivity, smoking, and excessive alcohol use are well-recognized modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet uptake of strategies to mitigate these poor health behaviors varies widely among patients with cardiovascular disease. Part of this variation may be explained by health locus of control (HLOC), defined as the extent to which individuals believe their health is a consequence of their own actions, chance, or the influence of others (eg, physicians). A total of 599 cardiac outpatients (30% female, 61.4 ± 9.4 y of age) completed the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control questionnaire and a structured health behavior questionnaire assessing physical activity, smoking, and alcohol use, at baseline and a 4-y follow-up. Relationships between health behaviors and HLOC were assessed cross-sectionally and longitudinally using general linear models and logistic regression models adjusting for medical and sociodemographic factors. Higher Internal HLOC was found to be associated with higher levels of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) (β = .21, P = .0008), while lower Internal HLOC was associated with decreasing levels of alcohol consumption over time (β = .26, P = .03). Increasing Chance HLOC was related to lower levels of leisure time physical activity (β = -.15, P = .047) and increased likelihood of being a smoker (β = .10, P = .01), and increasing physician HLOC was associated with decreased likelihood of being a smoker (β = -.17, P = .01). Associations between HLOC and multiple health behaviors were observed in a large sample of cardiac outpatients. Results suggest that assessing and targeting HLOC beliefs of cardiac patients may be clinically relevant for behavior change in settings, such as in rehabilitation programs where behavior change is a goal.

How to effectively design public health interventions: Implications from the interaction effects between socioeconomic status and health locus of control beliefs on healthy dietary behaviours among US adults.

This study investigated whether individuals with different socioeconomic status (SES) should be provided differently tailored health messages to promote healthy dietary behaviour (HDB). Prior research has suggested that people with different SESs tend to exhibit different types of beliefs about health, but it remains unclear how SES interacts with these beliefs to influence health outcomes. To better understand the differences in HDB between high- and low-SES populations and propose effective intervention strategies, we examined (i) how SES is associated with HDB, (ii) how internal health locus of control (HLC) and powerful others HLC are associated with HDB, and (iii) how SES interacts with internal and powerful others HLC to influence HDB. Using data from the Annenberg National Health Communication Survey, collected from 2005 to 2012 (N=6,262) in the United States, hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted. Education level was found to be positively associated with HDB, while income level was not. Both internal and powerful others HLC beliefs were positively associated with HDB. The positive relationship between internal HLC and HDB strengthened as the level of education and income increased, whereas the positive relationship between powerful others HLC and HDB weakened as respondents' education level increased. These results suggest that the design and delivery of communication messages should be tailored to populations' specific SES and HLC beliefs for effective public health interventions. For example, messages enhancing internal HLC (e.g. providing specific skills and knowledge about health behaviours) might be more helpful for the richer and more-educated, while messages appealing to one's powerful others HLC beliefs (e.g. advice on health lifestyles given by well-known health professionals) might be more effective for less-educated people.

Health locus of control: Its relationship with medication adherence and medication wastage.

Non-adherence is a significant factor contributing to medication wastage. Whilst there is some evidence on the influence of patients' health locus of control in relation to adherence, there has been little inquiry into its relationship with mediation wastage. To determine the relationship between medication adherence and health locus of control as well as medication wastage and health locus of control in patients with chronic conditions. Outpatients having a diagnosis of asthma, cardiovascular conditions, or diabetes participated in a cross-sectional study employing a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire determined presence of unused medication (wastage), adherence using 'Tool for Adherence Behaviour Screening' (TABS), and health locus of control using 'Multidimensional Health Locus of Control' (MHLC) scale Form C. Logistic regression was performed to ascertain the effects of MHLC and demographics in relation to adherence and wastage. MHLC beliefs were divided into 8 types of health locus of control. One-Way ANOVA was used to assess differences between conditions and belief types. P-values ≤ .05 were considered significant. There were 330 patients recruited (58% male; age, mean±(SD): 61±15 years; 110 asthma, 110 cardiovascular, 110 diabetes). In terms of health locus of control, females had higher 'doctors' beliefs (p=.054) and significantly lower 'other people' beliefs (p=<.0005). Lower 'chance' beliefs (p=.016) were associated with adherence. Lower 'doctors' beliefs and higher 'other people' beliefs were significantly associated with wastage (p =<.0005). There was a significant difference in adherence (p =<.0005) and in wastage (p=.002) between the eight types of health control. 'Yea-sayers' had the least presence of unused medication, followed by 'pure internal' believers. 'Pure powerful others external' had the highest presence of unused medication. Healthcare professionals should take into account patients' health locus of control beliefs whilst conducting an intervention with patients; this can impact positively medication adherence and minimisation of medication wastage.

Medical Drama Viewing and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors: Understanding the Role of Health Locus of Control Beliefs and Education Level

ABSTRACTThe present study advances the understanding of how medical drama viewing influences healthy lifestyle behaviors (e.g., smoking, exercising, and consuming vegetables) by examining the role of the health locus of control (HLOC) beliefs and education level. An analysis of nationally representative data reveals that watching medical dramas is positively associated with chance and powerful others’ HLOC beliefs. In addition, healthy lifestyle behaviors are positively associated with the internal HLOC belief and are negatively associated with the chance and powerful others’ HLOC beliefs. Research findings demonstrate that there are indirect effects of medical drama viewing on these behaviors via chance and powerful others’ HLOC beliefs. The indirect effect through the powerful others’ HLOC belief is also contingent on the education level. The implications for the role of HLOC beliefs and education level in terms of the effects of medical dramas on health-promoting behaviors are discussed.

Internal health locus of control predicts willingness to track health behaviors online and with smartphone applications

Given rising technology use across all demographic groups, digital interventions offer a potential strategy for increasing access to health information and care. Research is lacking on identifying individual differences that impact willingness to use digital interventions, which may affect patient engagement. Health locus of control, the amount of control an individual believes they have over their own health, may predict willingness to use mobile health (mHealth) applications (‘apps’) and online trackers. A cross-sectional study (n = 276) was conducted to assess college students’ health locus of control beliefs and willingness to use health apps and online trackers. Internal and powerful other health locus of control beliefs predicted willingness to use health apps and online trackers while chance health locus of control beliefs did not. Individuals with internal and powerful other health locus of control beliefs are more willing than those with chance health locus of control beliefs to utilize a form of technology to monitor or change health behaviors. Health locus of control is an easy-to-assess patient characteristic providers can measure to identify which patients are more likely to utilize mHealth apps and online trackers.

Differences in Knowledge, Stress, Sensation Seeking, and Locus of Control Linked to Dietary Adherence in Hemodialysis Patients.

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often require regular hemodialysis (HD) to prolong life. However, between HD sessions, patients have to restrict their diets carefully to avoid excess accumulation of potassium, phosphate, sodium, and fluid, which their diseased kidneys can no longer regulate. Failure to adhere to their renal dietary regimes can be fatal; nevertheless, non-adherence is common, and yet little is known about the psychological variables that might predict this dietary behavior. Thus, this study aimed to assess whether dietary adherence might be affected by a variety of psychological factors including stress, personality, and health locus of control, as well as dietary knowledge, in chronic HD patients. Fifty-one patients (30 men; age range 25–85) who had undergone HD for at least 3 months and had been asked to restrict at least one of potassium, phosphate or fluid, were recruited from a hospital renal unit. Measures of adherence to each of potassium, phosphate, and fluid were derived from standard criteria for these physiological indices in renal patients. Knowledge of food/drink sources of these dietary factors, and their medical implications in relation to HD and CKD were assessed by a bespoke questionnaire. Psychological factors including stress, personality and health locus of control beliefs were measured by standardized questionnaires. Having to restrict a particular nutrient was associated with better knowledge of both food sources and medical complications for that nutrient; however, greater dietary knowledge was not linked to adherence, and knowledge of medical complications tended to be associated with poorer adherence to potassium and phosphate levels. Adherence to these two nutrient requirements was also associated with lower reported stress in the past week. Adherence was associated with differences in locus of control: these differences varied across indices although there was a tendency to believe in external loci. For potassium, phosphate, and fluid restriction, adherers were less likely to be sensation seekers but did not differ from non-adherers on impulsivity, anxiety sensitivity, or hopelessness. In conclusion, the links between dietary adherence and stress, locus of control and personality suggests that screening for such psychological factors may assist in managing adherence in HD patients.

How did MERS Outbreak Become a Political Matter? : How Political Ideology Moderates the Effect of Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Beliefs on Citizens’ Attribution Process of MERS Outbreak

How did MERS Outbreak Become a Political Matter? : How Political Ideology Moderates the Effect of Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Beliefs on Citizens’ Attribution Process of MERS Outbreak

Gender differences in the roles of religion and locus of control on alcohol use and smoking among African Americans.

Spiritual health locus of control reflects a person's beliefs about the role of a higher power in one's health and can take an active or a passive perspective. The purpose of this study was to examine the moderating role of active and passive spiritual health locus of control beliefs on select health risk behaviors--alcohol use and smoking--in a national sample of African Americans. A national U.S. probability sample of study participants (N = 2,370; 906 men; 1,464 women) completed a telephone survey assessing religious involvement, active and passive spiritual health locus of control beliefs, and alcohol consumption and smoking status. Because of previous research suggesting gender-specific associations among these variables, moderation analyses were conducted separately for men and women. For women, higher religious behaviors were associated with less alcohol use, and this effect was more pronounced among those high in active spiritual health locus of control. For men, the combination of lower religious beliefs and higher passive spiritual health locus of control was associated with more alcohol consumption and more days of consuming five or more alcoholic drinks. No moderation effects were found for smoking. This study identified unique patterns of religious involvement and spiritual health locus of control beliefs that are associated with alcohol use, including heavy drinking, among African Americans. These findings have implications for pastoral counseling and other faith-based approaches for addressing heavy drinking in African Americans.

Predicting Health Care Utilization Among Latinos

There are two competing research explanations to account for Latinos' underutilization of health services relative to non-Latino Whites in the United States. One hypothesis examines the impact of health locus of control (HLOC) beliefs, while the other focuses on the role of access factors on health care use. To date, the relative strength of HLOC beliefs in explaining Latinos' use of health care services in the context of access factors is inconclusive. This study, therefore, tests and compares both explanations. We analyzed data from the 2007 Pew Hispanic Healthcare Survey, a nationally representative survey of 4,013 Latino adults. HLOC beliefs had a statistically significant but weak impact on health care use after accounting for access factors. Having continuous health insurance coverage and a usual place of care to go when sick or in need of health advice were much more influential in predicting health care use than HLOC beliefs. This study suggests that disparities in health care service use among Latinos are much more an issue of access than it is an issue of HLOC beliefs. Implications for public health research and intervention efforts that aim to reduce health disparities in health care use are discussed.

Difference in perception between nurses and patients related to patients' health locus of control.

Patient's health locus of control (HLOC) belief associates with superior health outcomes and patient satisfaction. Higher levels of HLOC beliefs among patients and nurses contribute positively in developing the partnership model of care. The purpose of this study was to examine the differences between nurses and patients' perception of patient's health locus of control at the Jordanian general health-care settings. This study used cross-sectional, descriptive-correlation design to collect data using self-report questionnaires from 180 general nurses and 178 patients in general wards. Data collected were in regard to patient's perception of health locus of control. Patients and nurses expressed high level of externality and internality HLOC beliefs inferring the significance of partnership model of care. Chance was rated low among nurses and patients. The study emphasizes the role of nurses in enhancing their patient control and power over their health and participation in planning and implementation of health-care plans.

Midlife and Older Gay Men Living with HIV/AIDS: The Influence of Resiliency and Psychosocial Stress Factors on Health Needs

HIV/AIDS research has mostly focused on younger gay men. This cross-sectional study originated from a larger study of 316 respondents to include a subsample of 38 midlife and older gay men living with HIV/AIDS. The study explores physical and mental health utilization rates, including physical and mental health status. Resiliency, internal health locus of control beliefs, and psychosocial stressors of age and sexual orientation discrimination, stigma, and internalized homophobia were also examined. A total of 65.8% of the HIV/AIDS participants received no mental health services the past year, despite reporting higher mental health distress. Of those reporting an HIV status, 10.5% indicated having no health visits in the preceding year and more delays in seeking care when needed and unmet health needs for which services were not sought. Participants reporting higher resiliency indicated less mental health distress and better health access indicators. Stigma and internalized homophobia negatively affected resiliency. Implications for practitioners working with midlife and older gay men are provided.

Gesundheitliche Kontrollüberzeugungen von Patienten in Disease Management Programmen

Health locus of control beliefs plays a major role in improving self-management skills of the chronically ill - a main goal in disease management programmes (DMP). This study aims at characterising participants in disease management regarding their health locus of control. Data are based on 4 cross-sectional postal surveys between spring and autumn of 2006 and 2007 within the Health Care Monitor of the Bertelsmann Foundation. Among the 6 285 respondents, 1 266 are chronically ill and not enrolled in a DMP and 327 are participating in a DMP. A high internal locus of control (HLC) occurs significantly less often in DMP patients than in normal chronically ill patients (and healthy people) controlling for age, gender and social class. With increasing age, a high internal locus of control is also significantly less likely. When comparing healthy people, the chronically ill and the DMP participants a social gradient of a high internal locus of control belief can be observed. The weaker internal and higher doctor-related external locus of control of DMP participants should be carefully observed by the physician when trying to strengthen the patients' self-management skills. Evaluators of DMP should take into account the different baselines of DMP patients and relevant control groups and incorporate these differences into the evaluation.