Modality Preference Research Articles

Hypnotizability and imagery modality preference: Do highs and lows live in the same world?

AbstractImagery plays an important role in hypnotic phenomena. Recent findings have shown, however, that hypnotized subjects with high (Highs) and low (Lows) susceptibility to hypnosis undergoing guided imagery tasks centred on specific sensory modalities share similar visual imagery ability, but Highs obtain better imagery than Lows when tactile instructions are given. The aim of this experiment was to confirm this finding using instructions of globally reduced perception instead of suggestions centred on specific sensory modalities, assuming that the preferred imagery modality would be the least easily suppressed. Changes in body sway (that are sensitive to cognitive activity because postural control requires attention) were used as indices of possible differences in the cognitive task load in Highs and Lows. The results confirmed the hypothesis that Highs and Lows differ in their preferred imagery modalities, and showed that Highs' body sway was not modified by the simultaneous imagery of globally reduced perception, while Lows increased their sway while perceiving the decreased sensory availability. The Discussion focuses on the similar networks involved in imagery and perception and on possible differences between Highs and Lows in the mechanisms of imagery/perception and sensory‐motor integration. Copyright © 2007 British Society of Experimental & Clinical Hypnosis. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration in children after cardiac surgery

Acute renal failure (ARF) is still a frequent complication following extensive cardiac surgery. Renal replacement therapy (RRT) modality preferences to treat critically ill children have shifted from peritoneal dialysis to continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), although the experience with the latter is still highly limited in the infants. We describe our results with continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) in 25 children (15 males, 10 females) who underwent CRRT from 2001 to 2006 and were retrospectively reviewed. We performed continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration (CVHDF) using PRISMA (Hospal). The mean age at the onset of CRRT was 26 months (ranging from 7 days to 11.2 years) and the mean body weight was 14 kg. The mean duration of RRT was 67 h (8-243 h) with ultrafiltration rate 4.9 ml/(h kg); the mean filter "lifetime" was 31.5h. Anticoagulation was achieved with non-fractioned heparin infusion (21/25 cases) and enoxaparin (2/16). The mean creatinine concentrations at the beginning, 24, 48 and 72 h were as follows: 171, 100, 65 and 88 micromol/l. Of these 25 treated children, 19 died in the postoperative period (8 during CVVHDF). The mortality rate for the entire group was 76%. The main cause of death was cardiac failure and sepsis with multiorgan dysfunction (MODS). The main complication during CRRT was bleeding, transient hypothermia, thrombocytopenia and filter clotting which occurred in about one-third of the patients. We conclude that CVVHDF may be an alternative method of renal support for critically ill children after cardiac surgery in experienced centers, but a significant number of specific complications should be taken into account.

A randomized evaluation of the acute efficacy, acceptability and tolerability of Flutter and active cycle of breathing with and without postural drainage in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis

Airway clearance is integral to the management of bronchiectasis, yet there is no evidence as to the optimal modality. The aim of this randomized prospective study was to evaluate the acute efficacy, acceptability and tolerability of three airway clearance techniques in non-cystic fibrosis (non-CF) bronchiectasis. Flutter, active cycle of breathing technique (ACBT) and ACBT with postural drainage (ACBT-PD) were evaluated in random order over a week in 36 patients (mean age 62 years, range 33-83), with stable non-CF bronchiectasis. Total sputum wet weight for ACBT-PD was twice that of either ACBT alone or Flutter. No objective difference in treatment duration was noted. All three techniques were well accepted and tolerated. Patient preference was 16 (44%) for Flutter, eight (22%) ACBT and 12 (33%) for ACBT-PD. Patient demography, factors such as upper airways or reflux symptoms, previous use or acute efficacy did not predict preference. This is the first randomized systematic evaluation of acute efficacy, acceptability and tolerability of Flutter, ACBT and ACBT-PD in non-CF bronchiectasis. All three techniques were well tolerated but ACBT-PD proved superior in terms of acute efficacy. Patient preference for treatment modality could not be predicted.

Effects of Tactical Navigation Display Modality on Navigation Performance, Situation Awareness, and Mental Workload

A tactical navigation task was performed in a virtual environment by 14 young male U.S. Army Soldiers using seven navigation display modalities to convey waypoint information. Among the seven experimental conditions were visual, aural, and tactile displays. Navigation performance, situation awareness, mental workload, and modality preference were measured for each participant in the within subjects design. Results indicate augmented visual displays reduced time to complete navigation, maintained situation awareness, and drastically reduced mental workload over the other display modalities.

A Pilot Survey of Inmate Preferences for On-Site, Visiting Consultant, and Telemedicine Psychiatric Services

To assess inmate preferences for in-prison mental health services, outside psychiatric consultants, and telemedicine psychiatric consultation for 16 mental health services. Structured interviews were conducted of the service modality preferences of 28 inmates who received psychiatric telemedicine consultations in New York State Department of Corrections facilities. For five of the 16 mental health services assessed, a significantly larger proportion of inmates preferred delivery of mental services by their on-site mental health team to an outside psychiatric consultant, whether visiting or using telemedicine. For another eight services, inmate preferences were approximately equal. For three services (treatment progress, evaluation of childhood sexual abuse, and sexual concerns), inmates reported a trend toward preference for outside consultation (visiting and telemedicine combined). For no service did inmates prefer telemedicine to a visiting consultant. Although inmates prefer the use of on-site mental health professionals for many mental health services, some inmates prefer visiting or telemedicine consultants for the evaluation of safety and sexual issues. Because telemedicine is efficient and readily available, its role in these areas requires further evaluation.

Speech-Based Controls in Simulated Air Battle Management

This experiment evaluated speech-based controls as an aid for Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) operators performing simulated Battle Management Command and Control tasks. Twelve AWACS operators were required to track a package of fighter aircraft, receive verbal target changes, and pass the verbal changes to the lead fighter aircraft in a simulated battlefield air interdiction environment. The availability of speech controls for selected human-machine interface manipulation tasks was varied. The participants' mission performance, mental workload, opinions, and real-time control modality preferences were recorded. The results strongly supported the application of speech-based controls in the AWACS interface.

Perceptual learning style and learning proficiency: A test of the hypothesis.

Given the potential importance of using modality preference with instruction, the authors tested whether learning style preference correlated with memory performance in each of 3 sensory modalities: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. In Study 1, participants completed objective measures of pictorial, auditory, and tactile learning and learning style self-assessments. The results indicate that objective test performance did not correlate with learning style preference. In Study 2, the authors examined in more detail the information participants used to answer the learning style self-assessment. The findings indicate that participants answered the inventory using general memories and beliefs rather than specific examples of learning in different modalities. These results challenge the hypothesis that individuals learn best with material presented in a particular sensory modality.

Speech Versus Touch: A Comparative Study of the Use of Speech and DTMF Keypad for Navigation

This article reports on an experiment that critically tests user preference for an input modality (speech vs. Dual Tone Multiple Frequency[DTMF])in a phone-based message retrieval system. Unlike previous studies that compared these two modalities, the speech system used in this study was a fully functioning natural language system, and participants in this study were working professionals, rather than college students. Results indicate that (a) DTMF was more effective and efficient for linear tasks, whereas speech was better for nonlinear tasks; (b) speech was preferred to DTMF by a majority of users; (c) speech was judged as being more satisfying, more entertaining, and easier to use than DTMF; and (d) user preference for a particular modality was better predicted by user performance in nonlinear tasks rather than linear ones. Possible reasons for users' continuing preference for the speech modality even after experiencing fairly high recognition errors are discussed. Finally, the importance of examining speech user interfaces from other perspectives, in addition to efficiency maximization, is emphasized. The results of this study have theoretical, as well as practical, implications for the design of speech user interfaces and interactive voice response applications.

MICRO-SCALE SPACE-TIME MODELLING OF EXPOSURES AND HEALTH RISKS IN A MOBILE POPULATION

ISEE-209 Introduction: Transport systems represent an important source of exposure and health risk, not only from air pollution but also noise and traffic accidents. In order to inform local transport management and policy, methods are needed to enable these exposures and their consequent health effects to be modelled and assessed. As part of the EU-funded HEARTS (Health Effects and Risks of Transport Systems) study, an integrated GIS-based system has been constructed to model exposures to air pollution, noise and traffic accident risks. Methods: An integrated system for micro-scale modelling of trip behaviour, and exposures to air pollution, noise and traffic accidents has been built in ArcGIS. Trip choices and behaviours (including pedestrian road crossing behaviours) are modelled using a stochastic model, informed by data on time activity patterns, modal preferences and route characteristics. Air pollution and noise are modelled either via external, loose-coupled dispersion models, or purposely-designed internal models, making use of GIS functionality. A specially designed accident risk model has also been incorporated, based on Routledge’s formula, and a user-friendly front-end provides access to the various model components. Models have been validated in Leicester, Lille and Florence, using observational data on time-activity patterns and trip behaviour, measured pollutant concentrations and personal exposure measurements. Results: This paper describes and demonstrates the system, presents results from validation studies in Leicester, UK, and illustrates applications of the modelling system to assess the impacts of different policy scenarios. Validation results show acceptable levels of performance for all the main model components. Results of applying the methodology to assess the potential effects of a local walk-to-school policy suggest conflicting costs and benefits from such interventions that are likely to be masked by more aggregate impact assessments. Discussion: GIS offer powerful tools for modelling of exposures and health risks. On the one hand, if these models are to provide realistic representations of the risks involved, and the consequences of intervention, they need to operate at the micro-scale, and to be capable of simulating complex behaviour patterns. On the other hand, GIS may also provide a dangerous pathway into fantasy!

An Analysis of Cross-Cultural Differences in Perceptual Modality Preferences of Fashion Design and Merchandising Students from South Korea, Swaziland, and the United States

The purpose of this study was to examine perceptual modality preferences of students from South Korea, Swaziland, and the United States who were enrolled in fashion design and merchandising classes. For each individual learning style, there are seven perceptual modality elements: Print, Interactive, Visual, Haptic, Kinesthetic, Olfactory, and Aural. Perceptual modality preferences are the preferred means by which information is obtained through the senses. Research indicates that perceptual modality preferences are influenced by cultural differences in family socialization, language, educational experiences, traditions, values, and beliefs. Students from South Korea (n = 151), Swaziland (n = 116) and the United States (n = 184) completed the Perceptual Modality Preferences Survey (PMPS). The PMPS measured students' perceived strengths and weaknesses for the seven perceptual modalities. ANOVA revealed that Korean, Swazi, and U.S. students differed significantly in six of the seven perceptual modality preferences: Print, Interactive, Visual, Haptic, Kinesthetic, and Olfactory but not Aural. Swazi students indicated the strongest preference for the Print modality. Korean and U.S. students shared common preferences for Interactive, Visual, and Kinesthetic modalities. Results of this study support the need for educators to recognize cultural differences in learning styles.

WE-C-J-6C-01: Residual Motion of Lung Tumors in Gated Radiotherapy with External Respiratory Surrogates

Purpose: To mitigate the motion-induced irradiation of healthy lung tissue, clinics have begun using external markers to gate the therapy beam. This technique assumes that the correlation between the external signal and the internal tumor position remains constant inter-fractionally and intra-fractionally. A study has been performed to assess the validity of this correlation assumption within a gating window. Method and Materials: Eight lung patients with implanted fiducials were studied. Synchronized internal and external data was taken during the entire course of treatment. Stereoscopic imaging was used to find the internal markers in four dimensions. The data was used retrospectively to assess conventional external surrogate respiratory-gated treatment. Both amplitude and phase-based gating methods were investigated. For each method, three gating windows were investigated, each giving 40%, 30% and 20% duty cycle, respectively. The residual motion of the internal marker within these six gating windows was calculated. The beam-to-beam variation and day-to-day variation in the residual motion were calculated for both gating modalities. Results: We found that the residual motion (95th percentile) was between 0.9–6.2 mm for a 40% duty cycle window. There is no clear preference for either gating modality. Large fluctuations (>300%) were seen in the residual motion between some beams. Overall, the mean beam-to- beam variation was 37% and 42% for amplitude and phase-based gating, respectively, compared to the previous beam. The day-to-day variation was 29% and 34% for amplitude and phase-based gating, respectively, compared to the previous day. Conclusion: Although gating significantly reduced tumor motion, the residual motion behaved unpredictably. Treatment margins that account for motion should be individualized and daily imaging should be performed to ensure that the residual motion is not exceeding the planned motion on a given day. Conflict of Interest: This work was sponsored, in part, by a grant from Varian Medical Systems, Inc.

Reach and posture hand preferences during arboreal feeding in sifakas (Propithecus sp.): A test of the postural origins theory of behavioral lateralization.

Sixteen sifakas (11 Propithecus verreauxi coquereli, 2 Propithecus verreauxi verreauxi form majori, and 3 Propithecus tattersalli) were videotaped as they fed on leaves in an arboreal context. The hand used to feed and the hand used to maintain postural stability was coded. For each subject, the lateral bias of the hand used to feed was opposite the hand used in postural support. Seven sifakas displayed no bias for feeding or posture-related hand use, 7 sifakas displayed significant feeding-related reach preferences for pulling branches to the mouth (5 left- and 2 right-hand preferences), and 9 sifakas exhibited significant hand preferences for postural support (2 left-, 7 right-hand preferent). Although these data do not strongly support the postural origins theory of behavioral lateralization, the modal preference pattern for sifakas that displayed significant hand preferences for posture and feeding involve a left bias for feeding and a right bias for postural support. s reserved).

Learning Preferences of Caregivers of Asthmatic Children

Background. People learn in different ways: visually, aurally, by reading/writing, and kinesthetically. In our clinic, we use color-coded Asthma Action Cards to educate our patients and their caregivers on asthma management. Our teaching is largely aural based, with the cards providing reading and visual stimulation and hands-on practice with devices offering kinesthetic stimulation. Objective. We sought to determine the learning styles of the caregivers of our asthmatic children. Methods. Caregivers in our Asthma/Allergy Clinic completed the Visual-Aural-Read/Write-Kinesthetic (VARK) questionnaire anonymously, and the responses were evaluated on the basis of previously validated scoring instructions. Results. Analysis of 98 respondents showed that 42% had a single learning modality preference, and the remaining 58% were multimodal learners. Of those who reported a single mode of learning, 61% preferred kinesthetic, 27% preferred reading/writing, and less than 1% each preferred aural or visual stimuli. Of all 98 caregivers, 82% included kinesthetic as a learning preference, 59% included read/write, 50% included aural, and 41% included visual. Conclusion. The majority of caregivers preferred the kinesthetic learning method, whether as a single learning preference or in combination with other approaches. Incorporating kinesthetic methods of learning, such as role plays and problem-solving case scenarios, into standardized asthma education curricula may be beneficial to patients and families in terms of understanding and using their regimen.

A survey of individual preference for colorectal cancer screening technique.

BackgroundDue to the low participation in colorectal cancer screening, public preference for colorectal cancer screening modality was determined.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was performed of healthy ambulatory adults in a pediatrics primary care office and neighboring church. Overall preference was ranked for each of four colorectal cancer screening modalities: Faecal Occult Blood, Fiberoptic Sigmoidoscopy, Barium Enema and Colonoscopy. Four additional domains of preference also were ranked: suspected discomfort, embarrassment, inconvenience and danger of each exam.Results80 surveys were analyzed, 57 of which were received from participants who had experienced none of the screening tests. Fecal Occult Blood Testing is significantly preferred over each other screening modality in overall preference and every domain of preference, among all subjects and those who had experienced none of the tests.ConclusionsEfforts to increase public participation in colorectal cancer screening may be more effective if undertaken in the context of public perceptions of screening choices.

A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Childhood Persistent Allergic Rhinitis

To compare active acupuncture with sham acupuncture for the treatment of persistent allergic rhinitis among children. Subjects with persistent allergic rhinitis were recruited from the pediatric outpatient clinic. They were randomized to receive either active acupuncture or sham acupuncture. Main outcome measures included daily rhinitis scores, symptom-free days, visual analog scale scores for immediate effects of acupuncture, daily relief medication scores, blood eosinophil counts, serum IgE levels, nasal eosinophil counts, patients' and parents' preferences for treatment modalities, and adverse effects. Eighty-five patients were recruited from the pediatric outpatient clinic at Kwong Wah Hospital, in Hong Kong. Thirteen patients withdrew before randomization; 35 patients (mean age: 11.7 +/- 3.2 years) were randomized to receive active acupuncture for 8 weeks, and 37 patients (mean age: 11 +/- 3.8 years) were randomized to receive sham acupuncture for 8 weeks. Acupuncture was performed twice per week for both groups. Both the assessing pediatricians and the patients were blinded. There were significantly lower daily rhinitis scores and more symptom-free days for the group receiving active acupuncture, during both the treatment and follow-up periods. The visual analog scale scores for immediate improvement after acupuncture were also significantly better for the active acupuncture group. There was no significant difference in the following outcome measures between the active and sham acupuncture groups: daily relief medication scores, blood eosinophil counts, serum IgE levels, and nasal eosinophil counts, except for the IgE levels before and 2 months after acupuncture in the sham acupuncture group. No severe adverse effects were encountered. Numbness, headache, and dizziness were found in both the active and sham acupuncture groups, with no difference in incidence, and the effects were self-limiting. This study showed that active acupuncture was more effective than sham acupuncture in decreasing the symptom scores for persistent allergic rhinitis and increasing the symptom-free days. No serious adverse effect was identified. A large-scale study is required to confirm the safety of acupuncture for children.

Static versus Dynamic Presentation of Procedural Instruction: Investigating the Efficacy of Video-based Delivery

In this study, a comparison of static (illustration and text annotation) and dynamic (video with audio annotation) delivery of procedural instructions on a highly spatial task is made. Two groups completed three origami paper-folding tasks, after which they answered a preferences questionnaire and then were asked to re-do the first origami task from memory. The results indicated a general advantage for the dynamic modality in both time for task completion and accuracy. However, complexity of the third origami task and video resolution mitigated the effectiveness of the dynamic modality. No significant difference was seen in instructional modality preference or in memory retention for the task.

Bimodal response sensitivity and bias in a test of sustained attention contrasting patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder to normal comparison group

This study examined response discrimination ( d′) and bias (likelihood ratio) differentials in a computer-generated test of auditory and visual attention functioning. Patients with bipolar disorder ( n=42) and schizophrenia ( n=47) were contrasted to a normal comparison group ( n=89) in two conditions: (a) simple modal responsivity (auditory and visual stimuli) and (b) ipsimodal (auditory/auditory and visual/visual) and crossmodal (auditory/visual and visual/auditory) responding. The results of this study indicated that in the simple modal condition both subject groups showed differential modal preferences but in opposite directions. The schizophrenic group showed a significant visual over auditory preference, committing more auditory commission and omission errors than visual errors. The bipolar group displayed a distinct auditory over visual response preference, committing significantly higher number of visual omission errors. Response bias analysis indicates that both diagnostic groups adopted a more liberal response bias, whereas the comparison group assumed a more conservative approach. For all groups response sensitivity improved as response bias became more neutral. The modal switching results indicated that all three groups tended to commit more commission errors (false alarms) in the auditory crossmodal switching condition (visual/auditory) by comparison with the other switching conditions. Between group comparisons for this condition showed that the schizophrenic group committed significantly more commission errors than the other groups. No significant medication effects were detected.

Endoscopic colorectal cancer screening—can supply meet demand?

Endoscopic colorectal cancer screening—can supply meet demand?

Overview of pediatric renal replacement therapy in acute renal failure.

The disease spectrum leading to pediatric renal replacement therapy (RRT) provision has broadened over the last decade. In the 1980s, intrinsic renal disease and burns constituted the most common pediatric acute renal failure etiologies. More recent data demonstrate that pediatric acute renal failure (ARF) most often results from complications of other systemic diseases, resulting from advancements in congenital heart surgery, neonatal care, and bone marrow and solid organ transplantation. In addition, RRT modality preferences to treat critically ill children have shifted from peritoneal dialysis to continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) as a result of improvements in CRRT technologies. Currently, multicenter prospective outcome studies for critically ill children with ARF are sorely lacking. The aims of this article are to review the pediatric specific causes necessitating renal replacement therapy provision, with an emphasis on emerging practice patterns with respect to modality and the timing of treatment, and to focus upon the application of the different renal replacement therapy modalities and assessment of the outcome of children with ARF who receive renal replacement therapy.

Pratiques modales des déplacements de personnes en milieu urbain : des rationalités d'usage à la cohérence de l'action publique

Résumé L’article analyse les logiques d’action qui sous-tendent les pratiques modales de la vie quotidienne. À partir d’une enquête auprès d’un échantillon de 3.000 personnes en situation de choix modal dans les six agglomérations de Besançon, Grenoble, Toulouse (France), Berne, Genève et Lausanne (Suisse), qui sont contrastées en matière d’usage des moyens de transport. Les résultats montrent que les logiques d’habitudes, les préférences modales et l’efficacité comparée des moyens de transport se combinent pour expliquer les pratiques modales et sont à l’origine de dynamiques urbaines. En dernière analyse, le fait que ces dynamiques urbaines favorisent l’usage de l’automobile ou d’autres moyens de transport dépend de la cohérence de l’action publique en matière d’offre de transports en commun, de gestion des accessibilités routières et d’articulation d’urbanisme transport.