Large Effect Sizes Research Articles

Effect of fatigability on sprint time performance and force-velocity profile according to maturity status in young rugby players

Little is known about the influence of fatigue in repeated overground sprinting on force-velocity properties in children and adolescents, while this ability to repeat sprints is important for future progress in rugby union. Sprint time decline is commonly used to assess fatigability. However, it does not provide data on biomechanical aspects of sprint performance such as maximal power, force, and velocity production. As sprint time performance and force-velocity properties do not linearly change during adolescence, considering maturity status is important. This study aimed to assess the effect of fatigue on sprint time performance fatigability, force-velocity parameters, and mechanical effectiveness according to maturity status. A group of fifteen boys (12.5 ± 0.5 years) children and a group of seventeen boys (15.1 ± 0.6 years) adolescent rugby players completed seven blocks, consisting of a 30-meter sprint followed by five minutes of high-intensity exercise with one minute of passive recovery. The force-velocity parameters were calculated at each sprint, and performance decrement was assessed using a fatigue index. A main effect of block repetition was found for maximal power output, maximal force, maximal velocity, 30-meter sprint time, fatigue index and mechanical effectiveness parameters with large effect sizes (p <0.001; ηp2 = 0.19 to 0.47) and without a main effect of maturity status (p = 0.37 to 0.99; ηp2 = 0.00 to 0.05). This could be explained by the modalities (duration, intensity, recovery) of the protocol and the training level of the adolescent group. For both groups, the decrease in maximal power output was due more to a reduction in maximal velocity than force, and mechanical effectiveness was negatively impacted. Coaches could prioritize the training of horizontal force at high velocity under fatigue conditions, as this ability tends to be the most affected. They could also incorporate training on mechanical effectiveness as this is a determinant in team sports.

Acceptance, Safety, and Effect Sizes in Online Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder: Interventional Pilot Study.

The potential of telehealth psychotherapy (ie, the online delivery of treatment via a video web-based platform) is gaining increased attention. However, there is skepticism about its acceptance, safety, and efficacy for patients with high emotional and behavioral dysregulation. This study aims to provide initial effect size estimates of symptom change from pre- to post treatment, and the acceptance and safety of telehealth dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD). A total of 39 individuals meeting the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [Fifth Edition]) criteria for BPD received 1 year of outpatient telehealth DBT at 3 sites in Germany and Canada. Effect size estimates were assessed using pre-post measures of BPD symptoms, dissociation, and quality of life. Safety was evaluated by analyzing suicide attempts and self-harm. Additionally, acceptance and feasibility, satisfaction with treatment, useability of the telehealth format, and the quality of the therapeutic alliance were assessed from both therapists' and patients' perspectives. All analyses were conducted on both the intention-to-treat (ITT) and according-to-protocol (ATP) samples. Analyses showed significant and large pre-post effect sizes for BPD symptoms (d=1.13 in the ITT sample and d=1.44 in the ATP sample; P<.001) and for quality of life (d=0.65 in the ITT sample and d=1.24 in the ATP sample). Dissociative symptoms showed small to nonsignificant reductions. Self-harm behaviors decreased significantly from 80% to 28% of all patients showing at least 1 self-harm behavior in the last 10 weeks (risk ratio 0.35). A high dropout rate of 38% was observed. One low-lethality suicide attempt was reported. Acceptance, feasibility, and satisfaction measures were high, although therapists reported only moderate useability of the telehealth format. Telehealth DBT for BPD showed large pre-post effect sizes for BPD symptoms and quality of life. While the telehealth format appeared feasible and well-accepted, the dropout rate was relatively high. Future research should compare the efficacy of telehealth DBT with in-person formats in randomized controlled trials. Overall, telehealth DBT might offer a potentially effective alternative treatment option, enhancing treatment accessibility. However, strategies for decreasing drop-out should be considered. German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00027824; https://drks.de/search/en/trial/DRKS00027824.

Effects of Recording Condition and Number of Monitored Days on the Discriminative Power of the Daily Phonotrauma Index.

The Daily Phonotrauma Index (DPI) can quantify pathophysiological mechanisms associated with daily voice use in individuals with phonotraumatic vocal hyperfunction (PVH). Since DPI was developed based on weeklong ambulatory voice monitoring, this study investigated if DPI can achieve comparable performance using (a) short laboratory speech tasks and (b) fewer than 7 days of ambulatory data. An ambulatory voice monitoring system recorded the vocal function/behavior of 134 females with PVH and vocally healthy matched controls in two different conditions. In the laboratory, the participants read the first paragraph of the Rainbow Passage and produced spontaneous speech (in-lab data). They were then monitored for 7 days (in-field data). Separate DPI models were trained from the in-lab and in-field data using the standard deviation of the difference between the magnitude of the first two harmonics (H1-H2) and the skewness of neck-surface acceleration magnitude. First, 10-fold cross-validation evaluated the classification performance of the in-lab and in-field DPIs. Second, the effect of the number of ambulatory monitoring days on the accuracy of in-field DPI classification was quantified. The average in-lab DPI accuracy computed from the Rainbow Passage and spontaneous speech were 57.9% and 48.9%, respectively, which are close to chance performance. The average classification accuracy of the in-field DPI was significantly higher with a very large effect size (73.4%, Cohen's d = 1.8). Next, the average in-field DPI accuracy increased from 66.5% for 1 day to 75.0% for 7 days, with the gain of including an additional day on accuracy dropping below 1 percentage point after 4 days. The DPI requires ambulatory monitoring data as its discriminative power diminished significantly once computed from short in-lab recordings. Additionally, ambulatory monitoring should sample multiple days to achieve robust performance. The result of this research note can be used to make an informed decision about the trade-off between classification accuracy and cost of data collection.

The contribution of general intelligence to cognitive performance across the lifespan: A differentiation analysis of the wechsler tests.

Human cognitive abilities exhibit positive interrelationships that can be represented by a latent general intelligence factor (g). Differentiation hypotheses propose that there are systematic interindividual differences in the strength of g, specifically along the dimensions of ability level (ability differentiation) and age (age differentiation). Despite the potential implications for cognitive theory and assessment, the available evidence on the matter is inconclusive. We present comprehensive analyses of differentiation effects across the lifespan, drawing on the meta-analytic integration of nonlinear factor analyses with German standardization samples (N = 4,129) of the most widely used intelligence tests worldwide (i.e., the Wechsler tests). Results support ability differentiation at all ages, with particularly large effect sizes in young adults, and suggest a complex pattern of age differentiation and dedifferentiation across the lifespan. These findings challenge the uniformity of g, highlighting the need to account for differentiation effects in cognitive theories and assessment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Sensitivity of driving simulation to sleep deprivation: effect of task duration.

The Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) is widely recognized as the gold standard for measuring vigilance, providing a rapid and objective measure of this state. While driving simulations are also used, they typically require longer administration times. This study examines the sensitivity of driving simulation variables to sleep deprivation throughout the task. The aim is to determine the shorter duration at which performance declines can be observed. A secondary goal is to compare driving simulation and PVT variables' sensitivity in detecting sleep deprivation. 43 participants (22 males; aged 46.7 ± 17.8 years) completed a 90-minute driving simulation and a 10-minute PVT under two conditions (normal sleep and partial sleep deprivation of 3.5 hours). Signed-rank Wilcoxon tests and effect sizes were computed for variables from both tasks. Effect sizes were calculated for each 10-minute interval to assess sensitivity over time. All the variables showed sensitivity to sleep deprivation. The largest effect sizes were observed in the driving simulation and specifically for the standard deviation of lateral position (SDLP) (r=0.73) and the standard deviation of steering wheel movement (SDSW) (r=0.73). A large effect size for the SDLP (r=0.71) was observed after only 20 minutes of driving. For the 10-minute PVT, the highest effect size was observed for the number of lapses (r=0.52). Driving-related variables are highly sensitive to sleep deprivation while providing continuous performance measurements. The SDLP is a particularly sensitive variable even with a reduced driving time of 20 minutes, suggesting that driving simulation tasks can be effectively shortened to 20 minutes.

Effectiveness of cognitive functional therapy (CFT) for chronic spinal pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

To assess the effectiveness of cognitive functional therapy (CFT) in reducing disability and pain compared to other interventions in chronic spinal pain patients. Five databases were queried to October 2023 for retrieving randomized controlled trials (RCTs), including patients with chronic spinal pain and administering CFT. Primary outcomes were disability and pain. Secondary outcomes included psychological factors, quality-of-life, patient satisfaction and adverse events. Two independent reviewers performed study selection, data extraction, risk of bias assessment (Cochrane RoB 2.0), and evidence certainty (GRADE approach). Random-effect models were used for meta-analyses. Clinical relevance was assessed with the Smallest Worthwhile Effect. Eight RCTs (N = 1228) for chronic low back pain (CLBP), one (N = 72) for chronic neck pain (CNP) were included. Compared to other conservative interventions, CFT may reduce disability (MD: -9.41; 95%CI: -12.56, -6.27) and pain (MD: -1.59; 95%CI: -2.33, -0.85 for CLBP) at short-term follow-up with probable to possible clinical relevance in CLBP and with low and very low evidence certainty, respectively. Similar results, with larger effect sizes, were observed for CFT compared to any unstructured or unsupervised minimal care treatments. Efficacy persisted in longer-term follow-ups, except for comparison with other conservative interventions. The CNP study showed positive results for CFT. Evidence certainty was low to very low. Sparse evidence was found for secondary outcomes. CFT may offer clinically relevant benefits for CLBP, although the evidence remains mainly of low to very low certainty. Well-conducted studies, particularly in CNP and other spinal pain conditions are needed to strengthen these findings. PROSPERO CRD42023482667.

Empowering lives: How deinstitutionalization and community living improve the quality of life of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The number of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) living in residential settings has not changed substantially in recent years in Spain. To change this situation the project "My House: A Life in the Community" aims to promote the transition of individuals with IDD and high support needs into community settings. This paper deepens the understanding of the underlying mechanisms responsible for the changes observed in the process of deinstitutionalization. A longitudinal study was designed to evaluate the quality of life of individuals with IDD (n = 90) across different environments at two distinct time points: when they were living in an institution and nine months after transitioning to a community-based setting. A comparison group (n = 72) consisting of individuals who remained institutionalized was included to carry out intergroup comparisons. T-tests were used to estimate mean differences both between and within groups. Longitudinal path models were used to investigate the processes underlying the relationships between variables. After transition, movers obtained significantly higher mean scores on all variables with large or very large effect sizes. However, simply moving to a different place was not the factor responsible for the observed improvements: positive changes in quality of life require the constant availability of opportunities to support decision making. deinstitutionalization will only lead to improvements in quality of life if it favors people's control over their lives. Community living should therefore be understood not as an autonomous life but as a chosen one.

Evaluation of an interprofessional education program involving medical and pharmacy students: a mixed-method study

BackgroundEffective pharmacotherapy requires strong collaboration between physicians and pharmacists, highlighting the need for interprofessional education (IPE) in university curricula. This study evaluated the impact of an IPE program on medical and pharmacy students, focusing on their perceived development of interprofessional collaborative competencies, perceived learning outcomes, and clinical collaboration perceptions.MethodsA mixed-method approach was employed to evaluate an IPE program that consisted of three mandatory activities with increased complexity and autonomy, that were integrated into the medical and pharmacy students’ curricula. From September 2022 to June 2023, using a retrospective pre-post approach, students rated their competence levels after an educational activity using the Interprofessional Collaborative Competency Attainment Scale (ICCAS). The participants also answered open-ended survey questions about their learning outcomes. Medical students participated in both uniprofessional education (UPE) and IPE, while pharmacy students participated exclusively in IPE. Effect sizes for competency development were estimated, and subgroup analyses were performed to examine the impact of multiple IPE activities. Semi-structured interviews provided additional qualitative insights, which were analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsOf the 309 surveys completed (response rate 64%, with 274 medical and 35 pharmacy students), all 21 ICCAS items showed statistically significant improvement in both UPE (n = 127) and IPE (n = 182) (p < 0.05). While effect sizes for UPE were small across all items, IPE had medium effect sizes for six items and large effect sizes for two items. Overall, students rated themselves as more capable of interprofessional collaboration after IPE, with 55% (n = 124) reporting feeling 'somewhat better' and 6% (n = 14) feeling 'much better,' compared to 16% (n = 12) and 0%, respectively, after UPE. Competency development seems to improve slightly with an increased number of IPE activities. Pharmacy students reported somewhat higher post-activity scores than medical students did. Qualitative data from open-ended survey responses and interviews with six medical students and four pharmacy students highlighted a deeper understanding of professional roles and a greater appreciation for collaborative work through this program.ConclusionsThis IPE program focused on pharmacotherapy improved self-perceived interprofessional collaborative competencies among medical and pharmacy students. Through multiple interprofessional activities, students can develop a deeper understanding of professional roles and improve collaborative skills.

Medication use is associated with distinct microbial features in anxiety and depression.

This study investigated the relationship between gut microbiota and neuropsychiatric disorders (NPDs), specifically anxiety disorder (ANXD) and/or major depressive disorder (MDD), as defined by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-IV or V criteria. The study also examined the influence of medication use, particularly antidepressants and/or anxiolytics, classified through the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) Classification System, on the gut microbiota. Both 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing (16S) and shallow shotgun sequencing (WGS) were performed on DNA extracted from 666 fecal samples from the Tulsa-1000 and Neurocomputational Mechanisms of Affiliation and Personality Study Center for Biomedical Research Excellence (NeuroMAP CoBRE) cohorts. The results highlight the significant influence of medication use; antidepressant use is associated with significant differences in gut microbiota beta diversity and has a larger effect size than NPD diagnosis. Next, specific microbes were associated with ANXD and MDD, highlighting their potential for non-pharmacological intervention. Finally, the study demonstrated the capability of Random Forest classifiers to predict diagnoses of NPD and medication use from microbial profiles, suggesting a promising direction for the use of gut microbiota as biomarkers for NPD. Though the effect sizes were larger in females than males, similar trends emerged for both sexes. These findings encourage future research on the gut microbiota's role in NPD and its interactions with pharmacological treatments.

Risk Factors and Impact of Intra-Articular Scarring After Open Reduction and Internal Fixation in Mandibular Condylar Head Fractures-A Prospective Analysis.

Background: During the routine removal of osteosynthesis materials after surgical treatment (ORIF) of condylar head fractures (CHFs), as performed at our clinic, localised and sometimes pronounced intra-articular scarring were observed quite regularly. This prospective study therefore investigates the causes of intra-articular scarring and its impact on functionality after surgical treatment (ORIF) of condylar head fractures (CHFs). Methods: Moreover, 80/98 patients with 96/114 CHFs (ORIF between 2014 and 2024) were evaluated when performing hardware removal. Statistical analysis used logistic regression and sign tests. Results: Postoperative scarring was seen in 72/96 cases (75%), either localised (n = 54; 56%) or pronounced (n = 18; 19%). Scarring correlated with limitations of laterotrusion for pronounced scarring (p = 0.016; OR = 6.806; 95% CI [1.422, 32.570]; large effect size) and with limitations of mediotrusion for localised scarring (p = 0.013; OR = 0.236; 95% CI [0.076, 0.734]; very small effect size). Factors favouring localised scarring were reduced ipsilateral dental support (p = 0.022; OR = 3.36; 95% CI [1.191, 9.459]; medium effect size) and major fragmentation (p = 0.029; OR = 3.182; 95% CI [1.123, 9.013]; medium effect size). However, there was no correlation between scarring and types (screws w/wo microplates) or number of osteosynthesis materials. Pronounced scarring showed a significantly higher risk for osseous degenerative complications (p = 0.041; OR = 4.171; CI [1.058, 16.452]; medium effect size). Conclusions: Intra-articular scarring after ORIF of CHFs poses a risk for functional limitations and osseous degenerative changes. Early adhesiolysis during the removal of hardware seems favourable for functional outcomes after CHFs.

The physiological stress response of juvenile nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum) to catch-and-release recreational angling.

Nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum), especially juveniles, are often encountered by near-shore and shore-based recreational anglers and are suggested to exhibit minimal behavioral and physiological responses to capture, largely based on studies of adults using commercial or scientific fishing methods. To quantify the sub-lethal effects of recreational angling on juvenile nurse sharks, 27 individuals (across 31 angling events) were caught using hook-and-line fishing methods. Over a 30-min period, 4 blood samples were taken with variable time intervals between sampling (i.e., randomized ordering of an interval of 5, 10, and 15 min between each sampling event). Lactate increased by 611% (6.7 ± 2.17 mmol/L) on average over the 30-min fight, and significant relationships were identified between lactate and blood draw number, fight time, and temperature, with large effect sizes. Significant relationships were also detected between blood draw number, glucose, and hematocrit, while osmolality was only affected by fishing site. These results suggest juvenile nurse sharks may exhibit a greater physiological stress response when exposed to recreational angling than adults captured with other fishing methods.

VR Cognitive-based Intervention for Enhancing Cognitive Functions and Well-being in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: Behavioral and EEG Evidence.

Objective: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has been recognized as a window of opportunity for therapeutic and preventive measures to slow cognitive decline. The current study investigated the efficacy of the virtual reality (VR) cognitive-based intervention on verbal and visuospatial short-term memory (STM), executive functions (EFs), and wellbeing among older adults with and without MCI. Method: The immersive VR cognitive-based intervention comprised eight 60-minute sessions, held twice a week over a span of 30 days. The participants consisted of 31 non-MCI older adults in the experimental group (mean age ± SD = 66.31 ± 3.12 years), 29 older adults with MCI in the experimental group (mean age ± SD = 68.19 ± 5.03 years), and 30 non-MCI older adults in the control group (mean age ± SD = 64.97 ± 3.35 years). The dependent variables were assessed by using a battery of computerized test, the well-being of older people questionnaire and resting-state EEG. A repeated-measures ANCOVA was employed to examine the effects of the developed VR intervention. Results: Significant improvements were observed in both STMs and EFs following the intervention, as indicated by behavioral and EEG findings, ranging from small to large effect sizes (i.e., = .05-.17). However, enhanced wellbeing was specifically observed among older adults with MCI in the experimental group, F(2, 87) = 6.78, p .01, = .11. Conclusions: The present findings lend support to the efficacy of VR cognitive-based interventions across clinical and non-clinical populations. These results underscore the immediate impact of the intervention across multimodal assessments, including neurophysiological changes, cognitive, and behavioral outcomes.

Acute Effects of Taurine Supplementation on Maximal Fat Oxidation and FATmax in Recreational Endurance Runners: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover, and Triple-Blinded Study.

Taurine (TAU) has been shown to improve time to exhaustion (TTE) and fat oxidation during exercise; however, no studies have examined the effect of acute TAU supplementation on maximal fat oxidation (MFO) and related intensity to MFO (FATmax). Our study aimed to investigate the effect of acute TAU supplementation on MFO, FATmax, VO2peak, and TTE. Eleven recreationally trained male endurance runners performed three incremental running tests. The first visit included a familiarization to the test, followed by two subsequent visits in which exercise was performed 90min after ingestion of either 6-g TAU or placebo (PLA) using a triple-blind randomized crossover design. There was no effect of TAU on MFO (p = .89, d = -0.07, TAU: 0.48 ± 0.22g/min; PLA: 0.49 ± 0.15g/min or FATmax (p = .26, d = -0.66; TAU: 49.17 ± 15.86 %V˙O2peak; PLA: 56.00 ± 13.27 %V˙O2peak). TTE was not significantly altered (TAU: 1,444.8 ± 88.6s; PLA: 1,447.6 ± 87.34s; p = .65, d = -0.04). TAU did not show any effect on V˙O2peak in comparison with PLA (TAU: 58.9 ± 8.4ml·kg-1·min-1; PLA: 56.5 ± 5.7ml·kg-1·min-1, p = .47, d = 0.48). However, V˙O2 was increased with TAU at most stages of exercise with large effect sizes. The acute ingestion of 6 g of TAU before exercise did not enhance MFO, FATmax, or TTE. However, it did increase the oxygen cost of running fixed intensities in recreationally trained endurance runners.

Resistance Training and Sarcopenia-Related Quality of Life in Younger and Older Adults

ABSTRACT Introduction Older adults are at risk for sarcopenia, which can negatively impact health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Resistance training may improve HRQoL; however, data using sarcopenia-specific HRQoL assessments are lacking. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine whether HRQoL differs by age group (younger: age 20–29 yr; older: age 60–85 yr) and resistance training exercise status. Methods Participants (n = 76) were categorized into four groups based on age and whether they met the American College of Sports Medicine guidelines for resistance training: younger resistance trained (YRT), younger not resistance trained (YNT), older resistance trained (ORT), and older not resistance trained (ONT). Participants completed the Sarcopenia and Quality of Life questionnaire (SarQoL®), which assessed total SarQoL® and seven domains: physical and mental health, locomotion, body composition, functionality, activities of daily living (ADLs), leisure activities, and fears. Results ORT and YNT were not significantly different on total SarQoL® and all seven domains (P ≥ 0.05), despite the age difference; small to medium effect sizes indicated that ORT had higher scores on four domains compared to YNT (d = 0.21–0.66). ORT scored higher than ONT on total SarQoL® and physical and mental health (P &lt; 0.05); these effect sizes were large (d = 0.95 and 0.88, respectively). YRT scored higher than YNT on total SarQoL®, physical and mental health, functionality, ADLs, and leisure activities (P &lt; 0.05) with large effect sizes (d = 0.86–1.13). Conclusion Findings suggest that resistance training may be an effective modality to attenuate age-related decline in HRQoL. Findings inform evidence-based practice for healthcare and fitness professionals working with older adults with concerns regarding feelings of weakness, loss of muscle mass, difficulty during physical effort, and feelings of frailty.

Examining the Complex Mismatch Negativity in Early Phase Psychosis Using the Dual Rule Paradigm.

Using electroencephalography (EEG) to examine the simple mismatch negativity (MMN), a marker of auditory cortex function, has been of great interest in the exploration of biomarkers for psychotic illness. Despite many studies reporting MMN deficits in chronic schizophrenia, there are inconsistent reports of MMN reductions in the early phases of psychotic illness, suggesting the MMN elicited by traditional paradigms may not be a sensitive enough measure of vulnerability to be used as a biomarker. Recently, a more computationally complex measure of auditory cortex function (the complex mismatch negativity; cMMN) has been hypothesized to provide a more sensitive marker of illness vulnerability. The current study employed a novel dual rule paradigm, in which two pattern rules are established and violated, to examine the cMMN in 14 individuals with early phase psychosis (EPP, < 5 years illness) and 15 healthy controls (HC). Relationships between cMMN waveforms, symptom severity, and measures of functioning were explored. We found reductions of cMMN amplitudes at the site of maximal amplitude in EPP (p = .017) with large effect sizes (Hedges' g = 0.96). This study is an early step in the exploration of the cMMN as a biomarker for psychosis. Our results provide evidence that the dual rule cMMN paradigm shows promise as a method for cMMN elicitation that captures more subtle neurofunctional changes in the early stages of illness.

Measuring Alcohol-Induced Striatal Dopamine Release in Healthy Humans With [11C]-Raclopride: A Meta-Analysis.

Alcohol consumption is known to affect dopamine (DA) release in the brain, with significant implications for understanding addiction and its neurobiological underpinnings. This meta-analysis examined the effects of acute alcohol administration on striatal DA release in healthy humans as measured with [11C]-raclopride positron emission tomography (PET). Oral alcohol administration was associated with a significant reduction in [11C]-raclopride binding potential (BPND) in the ventral striatum (Cohen's d = -0.76), indicative of increased DA release, particularly at lower blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels (0.08 gm%; Z = 2.34, p = 0.02). That oral alcohol may increase DA release in the ventral striatum at lower doses, and decrease DA release at higher doses, warrants further investigation but appears consistent with other known biphasic, hermetic dose-response effects of alcohol. Additionally, larger effect-sizes in the ventral striatum were observed among those studies which sampled more males than females (Z = -2.08, p = 0.04). While oral alcohol administration was associated with reduced [11C]-raclopride BPND in the caudate (Cohen's d = -0.39) and putamen (Cohen's d = -0.37), these findings in the dorsal striatum were more variable and less robust. Our analyses suggests that study design (i.e., counterbalanced versus fixed order) may moderate effect sizes observed in the putamen across studies (Z = -2.27, p = 0.02). By identifying gaps in the current literature and proposing directions for future research, this study hopes to inform the design of future PET studies aimed at quantifying alcohol-induced dopamine release in the striatum of humans.

Computerized anesthesia versus conventional anesthesia on self-perceived pain in children: systematic review and meta-Analysis

Introduction: local anesthesia and computerized anesthesia via infiltrative technique have become a key component for painless dental treatments. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of computerized anesthesia compared to local anesthesia applied through the infiltrative method. Method: an electronic search for randomized clinical trials published between 2019 and 2024 was conducted in the Medline, Scopus, and Virtual Health Library databases. The search strategy used was 'Computerized anesthesia OR local anesthesia AND pain AND pediatrics.' A total of 170 articles were found, of which eight randomized clinical trials were analyzed in a qualitative synthesis, and six in a subsequent meta-analysis. Results: the results indicated that computerized anesthesia compared to local anesthesia is more effective in reducing self-perceived pain, presenting a large effect size (SMD: -1,05; 95% CI: -2,01 to -0,08). However, the few studies analyzed together with the high heterogeneity (Tau2= 1.38; Chi2= 120,76, df = 5, p &lt; 0,001; I2 = 96 %) do not allow a complete affirmation of these findings despite that the literature has suggested better acceptance and reduction of fear of dental procedures associated with the use of syringes in the pediatric population. Conclusion: it is suggested that computerized anesthesia is more effective in reducing pain, although it is more expensive and requires more training to achieve an optimal, painless procedure that can reduce phobias associated with dental treatments.

Validation of the multi-day Boston remote assessment of neurocognitive health (BRANCH) among cognitively impaired & unimpaired older adults.

The multi-day Boston Remote Assessment of Neurocognitive Health (BRANCH) is a remote, web-based assessment designed to capture the earliest cognitive changes in the preclinical stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD). It has been validated in unimpaired older adults, but as individuals progress on the AD continuum, assessments need to remain feasible and valid at different clinical stages. The focus of this study was to assess feasibility and validity of multi-day BRANCH in participants with and without cognitive impairment. For seven days participants completed the BRANCH paradigm to capture a muti-day learning curve score. Participants also completed the mini-mental-status-exam (MMSE) and the Quick Dementia Rating Scale (QDRS). The primary cohort included 81 older adults: 38 with cognitive impairment (CI) and 43 cognitively-unimpaired (CU). A complementary replication cohort included 16 participants with consensus-defined mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 47 demographically-matched cognitively unimpaired participants. Multi-day BRANCH was feasibile with 92 % or participants completing all seven days of testing. More CI than CU reported nervousness and found tasks slightly less enjoyable on Day 1, but ratings increased at a similar rate in both groups. Convergent validity was confirmed by a positive association between BRANCH and total MMSE and QDRS scores. There was a large effect size of group status on BRANCH (CI vs. CU; Cohen's d = 0.83) and per logistic regression, BRANCH significantly predicted group status (β = -1.49, p < 0.001); even more so between MCI and CU in the replication cohort. Findings suggest that a remotely administered web-based assessment of multi-day learning is feasible and valid in participants with and without cognitive impairment.

Factors associated with posttraumatic stress severity and treatment response in a retrospective, naturalistic sample of homicidally bereaved children and young people

ABSTRACT Background: Research on the mental health of homicidally bereaved children and young people is scarce. Despite the importance of timely referral of those at risk of developing severe mental health problems, few convincing risk factors have been identified. The effectiveness of current treatment models is unclear. Objective: This study examined factors associated with posttraumatic stress (PTS)symptom severity and treatment response in a naturalistic sample of homicidally bereaved children and young people who received traumatic grief-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TGF-CBT); and assessed whether PTS-symptoms decreased between the start and termination of treatment. Method: Data was used from 222 children and young people aged between 8 and 25, who had completed therapy by July 2017, and for whom either start – or end scores on PTS-symptoms, or both, were available. PTS-symptoms were measured with the Children's Revised Impact of Event Scale-8 (CRIES-8). We explored associations of personal and loss-related variables with baseline symptom levels and symptom reduction during treatment, using latent growth modelling. Results: PTS-symptoms decreased significantly from pre- to posttreatment and with a large effect size. Higher age was associated with early treatment discontinuation. Female sex was associated with higher baseline scores, and having lost a parent or sibling with lower baseline scores. Higher baseline scores were associated with larger symptom reduction during treatment. Conclusions: TGF-CBT shows promise in reducing PTS-symptoms following homicidal bereavement, regardless of the individual differences in personal or loss-related characteristics included in this study. However, it is important to recognize the uniqueness of children and young people confronted with homicidal loss, and to tailor treatment to their individual needs and developmental stage. More research on risk and protective factors for adverse mental health outcomes and response to treatment in children and young people bereaved by homicide is urgently needed.

Automated craniofacial biometry with 3D T2w fetal MRI.

Evaluating craniofacial phenotype-genotype correlations prenatally is increasingly important; however, it is subjective and challenging with 3D ultrasound. We developed an automated label propagation pipeline using 3D motion- corrected, slice-to-volume reconstructed (SVR) fetal MRI for craniofacial measurements. A literature review and expert consensus identified 31 craniofacial biometrics for fetal MRI. An MRI atlas with defined anatomical landmarks served as a template for subject registration, auto-labelling, and biometric calculation. We assessed 108 healthy controls and 24 fetuses with Down syndrome (T21) in the third trimester (29-36 weeks gestational age, GA) to identify meaningful biometrics in T21. Reliability and reproducibility were evaluated in 10 random datasets by four observers. Automated labels were produced for all 132 subjects with a 0.3% placement error rate. Seven measurements, including anterior base of skull length and maxillary length, showed significant differences with large effect sizes between T21 and control groups (ANOVA, p<0.001). Manual measurements took 25-35 minutes per case, while automated extraction took approximately 5 minutes. Bland-Altman plots showed agreement within manual observer ranges except for mandibular width, which had higher variability. Extended GA growth charts (19-39 weeks), based on 280 control fetuses, were produced for future research. This is the first automated atlas-based protocol using 3D SVR MRI for fetal craniofacial biometrics, accurately revealing morphological craniofacial differences in a T21 cohort. Future work should focus on improving measurement reliability, larger clinical cohorts, and technical advancements, to enhance prenatal care and phenotypic characterisation.