Measure Of Ability Research Articles

Measurement of Fitness and Predatory Ability of Four Predatory Mite Species in Tibetan Plateau under Laboratory Conditions.

Predatory mites are biological control agents used in many countries against various vegetable pests, particularly spider mites. Despite the significant presence of predatory mites in the Tibetan plateau, there is limited research on their potential against spider mites in the area. This study investigated the fitness parameters and performance against TSSM of four predatory, including Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) and three species from the genus Neoseiulus (Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor), Neoseiulus barkeri (Hughes), and Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans)), originally collected from fields in the Tibetan Plateau. Compared to the other three predatory species, A. swirskii exhibited the highest fecundity (11.60 ± 0.34) and the highest pre-adult survival rate (83.33 ± 3.33%). Since their juvenile survival rate (SR) was extremely low (13.33% ± 5.77%), most N. barkeri nymphs died before emergence. Compared to the other three predatory mites, A. swirskii showed the highest predation capacity against adult TSSMs at 15 d post-release (14.28 ± 2.24). Based on the results, A. swirskii was the most effective, and N. barkeri was the least effective in controlling two-spotted mites in the Tibetan Plateau among the four species tested in this study. Collectively, these findings imply notable advantages in employing A. swirskii for controlling two-spotted mites in the Tibetan Plateau. This study informs the development of a feasible biological control method based on suitable predatory mite species to manage TSSMs in the Tibetan Plateau.

On Personality Measures and Their Data: A Classification of Measurement Approaches and Their Recommended Uses

We employ a new approach for classifying methods of personality measurement such as self-judgment, mental ability, and lifespace measures and the data they produce. We divide these measures into two fundamental groups: personal-source data, which arise from the target person’s own reports, and external-source data, which derive from the areas surrounding the person. These two broad classes are then further divided according to what they target and the response processes that produce them. We use the model to organize roughly a dozen kinds of data currently employed in the field. With this classification system in hand, we describe how much we might expect two types of measures of the same attribute to converge—and explain why methods often yield somewhat different results. Given that each measurement method has its own strengths and weaknesses, we examine the pros and cons of selecting a given type of measure to assess a specific area of personality.

A Longitudinal Study on Cognitive Training for Cognitively Preserved Adults in Liguria, Italy

In this study, we examined the effects of memory training on cognitive function and depressive symptoms in a cohort of 794 healthy adults aged 50 years or older. Participants were divided into an active intervention group and a passive intervention group, with various cognitive measures assessed over a one-year period. Univariate analysis revealed that the active intervention group consistently outperformed the passive group in measures of memory self-perception (Memory Complaint Questionnaire—MACQ), depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale—GDS-4), verbal memory and recall ability (A3LP), and verbal fluency (VF). Significant differences in MACQ scores were observed between the two groups at all time points, indicating enhanced memory self-perception in the active group. GDS-4 scores consistently favored the active group, suggesting a reduction in depressive symptoms. A3LP scores demonstrated that the active group had better verbal memory and recall abilities. VF scores consistently favored the active group, indicating superior language skills and cognitive flexibility. Linear regression model and mixed linear regression model reinforced these findings, with highly significant interaction effects observed between the active/passive group, gender, age, education, and time. These effects were particularly pronounced for MACQ and A3LP scores, indicating the combined impact of these factors on memory self-perception and verbal memory. This study highlights the positive impact of memory training intervention on cognitive function and depressive symptoms in older adults and underscores the importance of considering gender, age, and education in cognitive interventions. Notably, these benefits persist for up to six months from the end of the program. The results provide valuable insights into cognitive changes in aging populations and suggest that tailored memory training programs can yield significant improvements.

What are we measuring in international assessments? Learning? Probably. Intelligence? Not likely

In the current manuscript, we provide a brief look into the evolution of intelligence testing, tracing its origins and methodologies from the mid-19th century. We then critically examine contemporary research that misinterprets international assessment data, which measures differences in learning, as proxies for differences in intelligence. The reviewed research perpetuates racial hierarchies and leans toward a deterministic view of intelligence, sometimes with eugenicist undertones. We further emphasize the methodological shortcomings of such research, cautioning against the inappropriate interpretations of international assessment data. We underscore that these assessments, while valuable in their intended context, are not validated measures of intelligence or cognitive ability and should not be misconstrued as such. Further, these scores should not be misinterpreted as an indication of what students are capable of learning. Finally, we show several examples of why international assessment results are not well-suited as proxies of intelligence, but, rather, how they might tap into learning.

The Relationship Between Isometric Midthigh Pull Force-Time Characteristics and 2-km Load-Carrying Performance in Trained British Army Soldiers.

Nevin, JP, Bowling, K, Cousens, C, Bambrough, R, and Ramsdale, M. The relationship between isometric midthigh pull force-time characteristics and 2-km load-carrying performance in trained British army soldiers. J Strength Cond Res 38(2): 360-366, 2024-Load carriage is a fundamental military occupational task. As such, the aim of this study was to assess the relationship between isometric force-time characteristics and loaded march performance. Furthermore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between isometric force-time characteristics and standing long jump (SLJ) performance. Thirty-nine, full-trained, male British Army infantry soldiers (age 31 ± 6.1 years; height 176 ± 7.3 cm; body mass 85.8 ± 11.5 kg) performed three isometric midthigh pull trials, three SLJ trials, and a 2-km loaded march carrying an external load of 25 kg. Both the isometric midthigh pull test (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] 0.965) and SLJ (ICC 0.916) demonstrated excellent reliability. Relationships between all variables were assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Isometric peak force (r = -0.059), relative peak force (r = -0.135), and rate of force development (r = -0.162) displayed a small correlation with loaded march time to completion. However, isometric relative peak force displayed a large relationship with SLJ performance (r = 0.545; p = <0.01). Our data demonstrate that isometric lower-limb strength measures account for <2% of the total variance observed in 2-km loaded march performance. As such, the use of isometric lower-limb force-time characteristics as a proxy measure of load-carrying ability should be questioned. However, relative isometric strength seems to demonstrate a significant relationship with SLJ performance. As such, isometric testing may have utility in regard to assessing explosive strength, monitoring neuromuscular fatigue, and assessing training readiness in military populations.

A transdiagnostic approach to neurodiversity in a representative population sample: The N+4 model.

The concept of neurodiversity draws upon scientific research, and lessons from practice and lived experience to suggest new ways of thinking about neurodevelopmental conditions. Among the formative observations are that characteristics associated with neurodevelopmental conditions are part of a "broader phenotype" of variation across the whole population, and that there appear to be "transdiagnostic" similarities as well as differences in these characteristics. These observations raise important questions that have implications for understanding diversity in neurodevelopmental conditions and in neurocognitive phenotypes across the whole population. The present work examines broader phenotypes using seven widely used self-report assessments of traits associated with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, Developmental Coordination Disorder/dyspraxia, tic disorders/Tourette's, cortical hyperexcitability associated with subclinical epilepsy, and sensory sensitivities. A representative sample of 995 adults (aged 17-77) in the UK completed self-report measures of neurodiversity, wellbeing, generalized anxiety, and depression, and cognitive abilities (nonverbal intelligence and executive functioning). We used confirmatory factor analysis to test whether variation and covariation was better characterized (1) by traditional diagnostic labels, or (2) transdiagnostically according to similarities in functions, behaviours, or phenomena. Results indicated that neurodiversity characteristics were best explained using a bifactor model with one general "N" factor and four condition-specific factors. This was the largest examination to date of the factor structure of broader phenotypes relevant to neurodevelopmental conditions. It provides critical benchmark data, and a framework approach for asking systematic questions about the structure of neurocognitive diversities seen in the whole population and in people with one or more diagnoses.

Interoceptive beliefs moderate the link between physiological and emotional arousal during an acute stressor.

Growing work suggests that interoception, that is, representations of one's internal bodily changes, plays a role in shaping emotional experiences. Past studies primarily examine how behavioral accuracy in detecting interoceptive signals (interoceptive ability) relates to emotional states, with less work examining self-reported interoceptive facets such as the characterizations of one's interoceptive abilities (interoceptive sensibility) or evaluative beliefs about the value versus danger of interoceptive signals (interoceptive beliefs). However, existing studies rarely examine physiological reactivity, behavioral, and self-reported dimensions of interoception together in the same sample. As such, it remains unclear whether and how much individual differences in interoceptive facets uniquely and in interaction with physiological reactivity may matter for emotional experience. Herein, 250 healthy young adults completed a heartbeat detection task assessing interoceptive ability and questionnaire measures of interoceptive sensibility and beliefs during an initial laboratory visit. At a follow-up session, 227 participants returned to undergo an acute psychosocial stressor. Measures of physiological arousal such as preejection period (PEP) and heart rate variability were acquired throughout the stressor with self-reported emotions acquired immediately after. Linear regressions revealed that greater sympathetic nervous system reactivity (i.e., PEP), poorer interoceptive ability (i.e., accuracy), and less positive interoceptive beliefs were related to more intense high arousal emotions during the stressor. Importantly, across models, interoceptive beliefs was the only interoceptive facet to moderate the concordance between physiological and emotional arousal. Implications for psychological theories of emotion, stress, and interoception are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Validation and Utility of a Novel Foot Offloading Device: Improving Pain and Function.

Foot pain is a common presentation, and management is generally geared toward pressure offloading. Although several pressure offloading devices exist on the market, the search for the optimal device is ongoing. We recently developed PopSole, an inexpensive, simple, balanced offloading insole focused on reducing targeted foot pain. We conducted a prospective validation study of patients with foot pain lasting longer than 6 months to assess the durability and efficacy of the device with follow-up scheduled at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 2 months, and 3 months. Patient-reported outcomes were collected using multiple validated surveys. Fifteen patients were enrolled in this study. At 4 weeks, pain, function, and quality of life across all surveys showed statistically significant improvement. For the 6 patients with long-term outcomes (3 months), patients reported improvement in their pain, function, and quality of life across all surveys, which were significant in the Mayo survey (P = .018), the Manchester Foot Pain and Disability Index (P = .014), the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot scale (P = .032), the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure activities of daily living (P = .009), and the Pittsburgh foot survey (P = .01); the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure sports approached statistical significance (P = .058). The PopSole is a durable and effective device to relieve foot pain, improve function, and improve quality of life for up to 3 months of use.

Restorative Physical Function and Patient-Reported Outcomes After Acute Lateral Ankle Sprain in High School Athletes.

Limited longitudinal data exist on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after acute lateral ankle sprain (LAS). The impact of prospective hop testing on PROs at return to play (RTP) and 6 months post-RTP is unclear. To determine if high school athletes with an LAS who return to baseline physical function as measured by a single-leg hop for distance (SLHOP) have better PROs relative to individuals who return to symmetry. Cohort study. Ten high schools over 2 years. Two hundred six high school athletes who sustained an LAS were included. Baseline SLHOP testing was completed preinjury. Patient-reported outcomes were recorded at time of injury, RTP, and 6 months post-RTP. Participants were classified as symmetry (n = 134) or restorative (n = 72). Symmetry was defined as achieving an SLHOP performance within 10% of the uninjured limb at RTP. Restorative was defined as achieving an SLHOP performance within 10% of preinjury levels. The Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM)-Activities of Daily Living, FAAM-Sport, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Anxiety, and PROMIS Depression were analyzed using a 2-way nonparametric analysis of variance. The interaction term of group by time was the main comparison of interest and was interpreted if significant. Post hoc multiple comparisons were performed using the Tukey-Kramer test. The restorative group reported better FAAM scores at RTP and 6 months post-RTP (P < .05) relative to the symmetry group. There were no differences in PROMIS Anxiety scores at time of injury, RTP, or 6 months post-RTP between groups (P > .05). There were no differences in PROMIS Depression scores at time of injury between groups (P = .34), but the restorative group had worse PROMIS Depression scores at RTP (P = .03). The restorative group reported better FAAM-ADL and FAAM-Sport scores at RTP and 6 months post-RTP relative to the symmetry group. Restoring individuals to baseline physical function rather than limb symmetry may ensure better PROs after an LAS.

Perception and memory-based representations of facial emotions: Associations with personality functioning, affective states and recognition abilities

Personality traits and affective states are associated with biases in facial emotion perception. However, the precise personality impairments and affective states that underlie these biases remain largely unknown. To investigate how relevant factors influence facial emotion perception and recollection, Experiment 1 employed an image reconstruction approach in which community-dwelling adults (N = 89) rated the similarity of pairs of facial expressions, including those recalled from memory. Subsequently, perception- and memory-based expression representations derived from such ratings were assessed across participants and related to measures of personality impairment, state affect, and visual recognition abilities. Impairment in self-direction and level of positive affect accounted for the largest components of individual variability in perception and memory representations, respectively. Additionally, individual differences in these representations were impacted by face recognition ability. In Experiment 2, adult participants (N = 81) rated facial image reconstructions derived in Experiment 1, revealing that individual variability was associated with specific visual face properties, such as expressiveness, representation accuracy, and positivity/negativity. These findings highlight and clarify the influence of personality, affective state, and recognition abilities on individual differences in the perception and recollection of facial expressions.

Comparing High-Load Strength Training with Plantar-Specific Stretch and Manual Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis Pain

Background: The plantar fascia, a substantial band of tissue running along the bottom of the foot from the heelbone to the toes, is involved in the inflammation and irritation of the condition. One in ten people will experienceplantar fasciitis at some point in their lives, making it a prevalent condition.Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of High-load strength training with plantar stretch and manual therapy onpain and functional recovery in subjects with plantar fasciitis.Materials and Methods: Thirty participants were randomly assigned to experimental (High-load strength trainingwith plantar stretch) and conventional (manual therapy) groups. The numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), and footand ankle ability measure (FAAM) were used to evaluate the pre-test. The same test was used to determine posttreatmentvalues after six weeks of treatment.Results: A significant difference was observed between the experimental and control groups (P = &lt;0.0001).High-load strength training and plantar stretching play an important role in patients with plantar fasciitis.Conclusion: The combination of specific plantar stretches and high-load strength-training activities producesignificant functional benefits and rapid reduction of pain.

Language, cognitive, and speech in noise perception abilities of children with cochlear ımplants: a comparative analysis by implantation period and bilateral versus unilateral cochlear implants

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to compare the language, cognitive, and speech in noise (SiN) perception abilities of children with cochlear implants (CIs) to those of their peers with NH by grouping them according to their implantation period (12–18 months/19–24 months) and unilateral/bilateral CI use.MethodsThe sample comprised 50 children with cochlear implants (CIs) and 20 children with normal hearing (NH), ages 6–9 years. Children’s language, cognitive, and speech in noise (SiN) perception skills were assessed.ResultsChildren with CIs between 12 and 18 months and 19 and 24 months performed more poorly than children with NH on language, verbal memory (VM), verbal-short-term memory (V-STM), verbal working memory (V-WM), rapid naming, and speech in noise (SiN) perception abilities measures (p < 0.001). In addition, children with CIs between 19 and 24 months performed worse on rapid naming and V-WM tasks than children with CIs between 12 and 18 months (p < 0.017). Children with unilateral and bilateral CI performed more poorly than children with NH on language, VM, V-STM, V-WM, rapid naming, and SiN perception abilities assessments (p < 0.001). Additionally children with unilateral CI users performed poorly than children with bilateral CI users on SiN perception (p < 0.017).ConclusionsIn children with congenital hearing loss (CHL), cochlear implantation between 12 and 18 months or sequential bilateral implantation is not sufficient for these children to perform like their NH peers in language, cognitive, and SiN perception abilities. In addition, intervention approaches should focus not only on increasing language skills, but also on cognitive abilities.

Impact of anti-gravity muscle training protocol on plantar pressure, pain threshold and foot posture on chronic painful heel: an RCT study

Abstract Chronic painful heel (CPH) is a symptom of an underlying condition caused due to obesity, excessive foot pronation, tightness of Tendo-Achilles (TA), excessive running, and sedentary life. The antigravity muscles (AGM) atrophy results due to long working hours in sitting, leading to their deteriorating relationship with gravity thereby reduced sensitivity to its force. Hence, need arises to explore training effects of AGM protocol on CPH condition. A randomised controlled trial was conducted on thirty individuals with CPH allocated randomly to two study groups viz. AGMT (n = 15) and Control group (n = 15) who received intervention for twelve sessions over four weeks. Control group received conventional physiotherapy in form of therapeutic ultrasound and exercises while AGMT received conventional physiotherapy using the AGMT protocol. Outcomes assessed were plantar pressure and foot posture assessed using Harris mat, muscle strength by dynamometer, pain threshold with pressure algometer, and foot functions using Foot and Ankle Ability Measure Scale (FAAM) which were taken at pre- and post-training. The between group analysis of data revealed that foot posture, plantar pressure and muscle strength, pain threshold were significantly better in the AGMT group than in the Control group ( 0.0001), while pain intensity (P = 0.3952) and foot functions (P = 0.2372) were equally effective in both the study groups. In conclusion, the AGMT protocol along with conventional physiotherapy proved to be a promising training protocol for individuals with CPH showing positive outcomes in comparison to conventional therapy alone, suggesting to incorporate AGM strengthening alongside conventional therapy to obtain better clinical outcomes. Trial registration: This trial was prospectively registered in the Clinical trial registry of India with registration number CTRI/2022/10/046138.

Efficacy and Safety of Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection for Chronic Plantar Fasciitis: A Prospective Study on Functional Restoration and Pain Relief.

Background Heel discomfort and functional impairment are frequently caused by plantar fasciitis, and treating it can be extremely difficult for clinicians and occasionally have unfavorable clinical consequences. Recently, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been used as an alternative therapy for plantar fasciitis (PF) to reduce heel pain and improve functional restoration. We evaluated the current evidence concerning the efficacy and safety of PRP as a treatment for PF. Methodology This was a hospital-based prospective study on patients with plantar fasciitis with a symptom duration of six months or more with failed conservative therapy. All patients included in the study were assessed clinically and by a visual analog score (VAS) for heel pain, the Ankle-Hindfoot Scale (AHS) component of the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) scores before injection, and at three weeks, three and six-months post-PRP treatment follow-up. Ultrasonography (USG) measurement of plantar fascia thickness was done pre-injection and at the six-month follow-up for clinical outcomes and any complications. Results The study included 25 patients with plantar fasciitis, with the majority (48%) in the age group of 21-30 years. Females accounted for 64% of the patientswhile males accounted for 36%. Most patients (56%) had a moderately active daily activity level. The study found that 16 patients had bilateral plantar fasciitiswhile nine had unilateral plantar fasciitis. Among the patients with bilateral plantar fasciitis, a total of 32 heels were affectedwhile the 9 patients with unilateral plantar fasciitis had 9 affected heels. Most female patients (75%) had bilateral plantar fasciitiswhile most male patients (56%) had unilateral plantar fasciitis. Before PRP therapy, both male and female patients reported high pain scores on theVASfor both heels. However, after PRP infiltration, the VAS scores significantly decreased at three weeks, three months, and six months post-injection, indicating pain relief. The AOFAS hindfoot and ankle scores and FAAM scores showed improvement over the follow-up period. Both male and female patients experienced significant improvements in functional outcomes, with increases in AOFAS (p-value 0.45) and FAAM scores (p-value 0.31) at three weeks, three months, and six months post-injection compared to baseline. Statistical analysis revealed a significant decrease in pain scores (73% pain relief), as well as significant improvements in AOFAS scores with an average of 22.33 from baseline (mean = 67.75±9.7) to final follow-up (mean = 90.08±7.9) and FAAM scores with an average of 23.72 from baseline (mean = 49.38±5.2) to final follow-up (mean = 73.10±5.2) after PRP infiltration. Conclusion The outcomes of a single dosage of PRP injections demonstrate clinically and statistically substantial improvements in functional outcome scores, plantar fascia thickness evaluated by USG, and VAS scores for heel pain. According to the results of this study, local PRP injection is an effective treatment for chronic plantar fasciitis.

Reliability of interview-based ADL ability measures in older adults obtained by occupational therapists, physical therapists, and nursing staff

Purpose To examine the reliability of ADL interview (ADL-I) ability measures when administered by different health professionals (HPs). Materials and methods Older adults with stable ADL ability were invited to participate in three ADL-I interviews, administered by occupational therapists (OTs), physical therapists (PTs), and nursing staff (NS), respectively. Methods based on classic and modern test theory were applied. Results Overall, n = 36 older adults and n = 11 HPs participated. Intraclass Correlation Coefficients were acceptable for research purposes (> 0.7), but not for clinical use. Mean differences in ADL ability measures were significant when comparing measures based on interviews by OTs to measures based on interviews by PTs and NS. Further, in 25 to 47% of the individuals, ADL-I ability measures differed significantly across HPs. Limits of Agreement revealed that measures based on interviews by OTs were systematically lower compared to measures based on interviews by PTs and NS. Four ADL-I items displayed Differential Item Functioning based on HP. Conclusion When using the ADL-I, it is recommended to only involve one profession, to increase the reliability of measures. Results highlight the importance of evaluating reliability of measures based on instruments administered across HPs before implementation in rehabilitation practice and research.

Design and Validation of a Virtual Reality Mental Rotation Test

Mental rotation, a common measure of spatial ability, has traditionally been assessed through paper-based instruments like the Mental Rotation Test (MRT) or the Purdue Spatial Visualization Test: Rotations (PSVT:R). The fact that these instruments present 3D shapes in a 2D format devoid of natural cues like shading and perspective likely limits their ability to accurately assess the fundamental skill of mentally rotating 3D shapes. In this paper, we describe the Virtual Reality Mental Rotation Assessment (VRMRA), a virtual reality-based mental rotation assessment derived from the Revised PSVT:R and MRT. The VRMRA reimagines traditional mental rotation assessments in a room-scale virtual environment and uses hand-tracking and elements of gamification in attempts to create an intuitive, engaging experience for test-takers. To validate the instrument, we compared response patterns in the VRMRA with patterns observed on the MRT and Revised PSVT:R. For the PSVT:R-type questions, items requiring a rotation around two axes were significantly harder than items requiring rotations around a single axis in the VRMRA, which is not the case in the Revised PSVT:R. For the MRT-type questions in the VRMRA, a moderate negative correlation was found between the degree of rotation in the X direction and item difficulty. While the problem of occlusion was reduced, features of the shapes and distractors accounted for 50.6% of the variance in item difficulty. Results suggest that the VRMRA is likely a more accurate tool to assess mental rotation ability in comparison to traditional instruments which present the stimuli through 2D media. Our findings also point to potential problems with the fundamental designs of the Revised PSVT:R and MRT question formats.

Short-term effects of foot surgery on walking-related pain, function, and satisfaction in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: a prospective cohort study.

Patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) often suffer from walking-related pain (WRP), muscle weakness, foot deformities, and reduced ankle dorsiflexion (DF), which affects their ability to walk and daily activities. Functional surgery (FS) can restore foot deviations, affecting the loading ability during gait. We assessed the short-term effects of FS in patients with CMT on WRP, foot and ankle structure, and function, along with patients' perceived improvement. This is a prospective cohort study on CMT patients who had undergone FS and rehabilitation. We analyzed the changes after 1 month, focusing on WRP, DF, the center of pressure progression (COPP) during walking, and measures of walking ability. The non-parametric Wilcoxon test was used. Ten patients were included. One month after FS, WRP reduced from 5.5 (IQR = 3.5) to 2 (IQR = 3.5), p = 0.063, with an effect size of 0.615. The highest decrease was found in patients with very high pre-surgical pain levels. DF almost reached 10° for both active and passive movements (p < 0.05), and COPP improved from 44 to 60% (p = 0.009) of foot length. Gait speed, lower limb functioning, and balance did not change. More than half of the sample felt improved or much improved after FS. FS can be effective in reducing WRP and restoring foot posture in CMT patients in the short-term, which allows them to wear shoes, and leads to a perceived improvement and satisfaction. Lack of improvement in functional skills may be due to muscle weakness typical of CMT. Studies with longer follow-ups may confirm these hypotheses.

Revalidating a measurement instrument of spatial thinking ability for junior and high school students

Spatial thinking is a set of cognitive abilities that enable people to organize, reason about, and mentally manipulate both real and imagined spaces. One of the available measurement instruments is the Spatial Thinking Ability Test (STAT). Given the critical need for spatial thinking ability measurement for junior and high school students, and the popularity of STAT to measure spatial thinking ability, revalidation of STAT is necessary as STAT was developed primarily for university students and validation of the original STAT was based on the classical test theory from which the findings are notoriously sample dependent. We used Rasch modeling to revalidate STAT as it allows parameters to be mutually independent and measures to be interval. The sample included 1340 junior and high school students. Item fit statistics, Item Characteristics Curves, unidimensionality test, and the Wright map provided evidence for the construct validity of STAT measures. The reliability of the instrument was moderate. Wald test for item measure invariance of individual items showed that among sixteen items seven items were variant in measures. The Anderson LR test indicates that the Rasch difficulty measures of STAT were not adequate for invariance. There was no DIF between two subsamples based on gender, suggesting fairness of the instrument in terms of gender. The above results suggest that STAT possesses certain degrees of validity, reliability, and fairness, although there is still room for further improvement.

A preliminary investigation on core lexicon analysis in dementia of the Alzheimer's type.

Core lexicon (CL) analysis is a time efficient and possibly reliable measure that captures discourse production abilities. For people with aphasia, CL scores have demonstrated correlations with aphasia severity, as well as other discourse and linguistic measures. It was also found to be clinician-friendly and clinically sensitive enough to capture longitudinal changes in aphasia. To our knowledge, CL has never been investigated in individuals with neurologically progressive disease. As a preliminary investigation, we sought to investigate (1) whether CL scores correlate with dementia severity, (2) whether CL scores correlate with measures of discourse quality, and (3) whether CL scores correlate with other measures of lexical/semantic access. Twelve participants with a cognitive impairment associated with dementia of the Alzheimer's type (DAT) completed several measures of language and cognitive ability, as well as provide a language sample from the wordless picture book, Picnic. Results are informative, as they provide insight into characteristics of CL and provide support for potential use of CL in individuals with neurologically progressive disease. The results indicated that CL scores do correlate with dementia severity and several measures of language ability, indicating they may provide a useful measure of language abilities in DAT, but more research is needed. What is already known on the subject Core lexicon (CL) analysis is an assessment measure of discourse ability, most closely related to informativeness or productivity, used in aphasiology that is easier to use and less time consuming than previous measures of informativeness, such as correct information units or type-token ratio (TTR). For people with aphasia, CL analysis correlates with aphasia severity, measures of informativeness, as well as other measures of discourse quality. It has also been shown to be faster and more reliable between scorers than other informativeness measures. What this study adds Core lexicon analysis is a new simple and online method for assessing the informativeness of a discourse sample without the need to record or transcribe the language sample. CL is receiving a lot of attention in aphasia, correlating with everything from aphasia severity to measures of productivity and lexical access, as well as measures of informativeness. Unfortunately, no one has investigated CL analysis in dementia. The study demonstrates the first evidence that CL analysis may be a useful measure for determining dementia severity and language quality in people with dementia. What are the clinical implications of this work? Core lexicon analysis may provide clinicians and researchers with an easy method for assessing the discourse of people with a cognitive impairment associated with dementia of the Alzheimer's type. This will improve initial assessment, as well as improve ongoing language assessment that may provide clues into their functional ability to communicate effectively.

Photobiomodulation Therapy Plus Usual Care Is Better than Usual Care Alone for Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Plantar fasciitis (PF) results in pain-related disability and excessive healthcare costs. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) has shown promise for decreasing both pain and disability related to PF. The purpose was to assess the clinical impact of PBMT on pain and function in people with PF. Prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial. A convenience sample of adults with PF were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) usual care, (2) usual care plus nine doses of PBMT with 25W output power over three weeks, or (3) usual care plus nine doses of PBMT with 10W output power over three weeks. Both 10W and 25W PBMT participants received the same total dose (10J/cm2) by utilizing a simple area equation. Pain (with Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale) and function (by Foot and Ankle Ability Measure) were measured at baseline, weeks 3, and 6 for all groups, and at 13 and 26 weeks for PBMT groups. PBMT groups experienced a reduction in pain over the first three weeks (from an average of 4.5 to 2.8) after which their pain levels remained mostly constant, while the UC group experienced a smaller reduction in pain (from an average of 4 to 3.8). The effects on pain were not different between PBMT groups. PBMT in both treatment groups also improved function more than the UC group, again with the improvement occurring within the first three weeks. Pain and function improved during the three weeks of PBMT plus UC and remained stable over the following three weeks. Improvements sustained through six months in the PBMT plus UC groups. Level II- RCT or Prospective Comparative Study.