Parent Report Research Articles

Prevalence of intellectual disability among adults born in the 1980s and 1990s in the United States.

Prevalence of intellectual disability (ID) is currently estimated through parent report on surveys of children. It is difficult to estimate the number of adults living with ID in the United States because no comprehensive survey or surveillance allows for identification. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence and number of adults with ID born between 1980 and 1999 using multiple years of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and Census data. We concatenated the NHIS from 1997-2016 that evaluated parental response about whether a child aged 3-17years had an ID. Using weighted survey analyses, we estimated the prevalence of ID among individuals across four birth cohorts-(1) 1980-1984, (2) 1985-1989, (3) 1990-1994, and (4) 1995-1999. The number of adults with ID was then extrapolated by applying these prevalence rates to Census population estimates (as of 1 July 2021) of respective birth cohorts. Weighted prevalence of ID varied by birth cohort, sex, race and ethnicity, and US Census Bureau regions. The overall prevalence rate was 1.066 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.831-1.302] for adults born between 1980 and 1984, 0.772 (CI: 0.654-0.891) for adults born between 1985 and 1989, 0.774 (0.675-0.874) for adults born between 1990 and 1994, and 1.069 (CI: 0.898-1.240) for adults born between 1995 and 1999. Overall, we estimate that 818564 adults with ID who were approximately 21-41years were living in the United States as of 2021. This study provides researchers examining adult health outcomes with an estimated denominator of young and middle-aged adults living with ID in the United States. Policymakers can use this information to support justification for resource and service needs, and clinicians may benefit from understanding that ID is a lifelong developmental condition often with additional physical, emotional and developmental needs requiring tailored care.

Piloting a one-day parent-only intervention in the treatment of youth with anxiety disorders: child and family-level outcomes

ObjectiveParent-only cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) interventions have promise for youth with anxiety disorders. Fear-Less Triple P (FLTP) is one such intervention that has been found comparable to child-focused CBT. Although traditionally administered in six sessions, a one-day workshop format of FLTP was developed to improve accessibility. The current study compared the effectiveness of the six-session and one-day workshop formats.MethodSeventy-three youth (mean age, 8.4 years; 74% male) were randomized to traditional FLTP (6-week group) or the one-day workshop format. Anxiety diagnostic status, self- and parent-reported anxiety symptoms scores, independent evaluator-rated improvement, treatment satisfaction, and measures of family functioning were included to assess treatment outcome. Data were collected prior to treatment, and 1-week, 6-months, and 12-months following treatment.ResultsBoth conditions resulted in significant improvement in child anxiety symptom scores per parent report (on both questionnaire and diagnostic interview measures). Furthermore, significant decreases in sibling anxiety were observed in both treatment conditions. There were no statistically significant differences between conditions on any outcome measure.ConclusionsResults of this study add to the growing evidence that brief, low-intensity, parent-only interventions can effectively target child psychopathology. These brief interventions are ideal for families for whom the resources and time required to commit to a standard multi-week intervention are prohibitive.Registration of Clinical Trials: This trial was registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN 12615001284550).

Growth of condition-related knowledge among youth with spina bifida: associations with neurocognitive functioning and self-management skills.

This study aims to characterize the growth in condition-related knowledge in youth with spina bifida (SB), identify neurocognitive predictors of growth, and examine associations between growth in knowledge and subsequent levels of medical self-management skills. Participants were recruited from a larger longitudinal study involving 140 youth with SB and caregivers, who completed questionnaires and interviews every 2 years over 8 years. The current study included the youth report of condition-related knowledge and medical self-management skills. Youth attention and executive functioning were assessed via parent and teacher reports and performance-based assessment. Latent growth curves were conducted in Mplus Version 8 (Múthen, L. K., & Múthen, B. O. [1998]. Mplus User's Guide. [Eighth]. Muthén & Muthén) to examine change over time in youth-reported condition-related knowledge. Neurocognitive variables were included as predictors of growth in knowledge and regression analyses were used to predict medical self-management skills from growth in condition-related knowledge. Youth condition-related knowledge increased linearly. Better youth performance on working memory and attention performance-based tasks predicted a higher intercept for condition-related knowledge at T1, but not slope. Teacher and parent reports of inattention and executive dysfunction were not consistent predictors of intercept and growth. Slope of condition-related knowledge was not predictive of subsequent youth self-management skills. Youth with SB gain condition-related knowledge over time. However, executive dysfunction and inattention may impede gains in condition-related knowledge. Thus, executive functioning supports, attention-related interventions, and psychoeducation may support condition-related knowledge gains and later medical self-management skills, but further research assessing family and cultural factors is needed.

Distress, waitlists and unmet needs: parents’ reports of child psychological difficulties in Aotearoa New Zealand

ObjectiveDemand for children’s mental health services has increased in New Zealand, yet little is known of young children’s experience of psychological difficulties and treatment. This study investigated psychological symptoms and treatment experiences among primary-aged children. MethodAn online survey of parents assessed children’s anxiety, depression, attentional, emotional, conduct and peer problems, and experiences seeking psychological treatment. ResultsBased on 382 parental reports, between 24.9 and 34.6% of children experienced abnormal-range symptoms. Older children had higher distress, depression, and anxiety. Boys had more conduct, hyperactivity, and peer problems. Ethnicity was not associated with the incidence of symptoms, but parents of Pākeha/European children reported greater impact than Māori parents. One-third of children had been referred for assessment; more often older children, and those with higher hyperactivity, impact, and anxiety. Parents reported difficulties accessing assessment, common barriers included waitlists (53%), cost (43%), and not knowing who to contact (36%). Following intervention, only 51% of parents reported improvements. ConclusionNZ primary-aged children are experiencing more symptoms of psychological distress than previously reported and extensive difficulties accessing treatment. Implications for Public HealthThere is a need for further screening and increased access to treatment to prevent worsening mental health outcomes in children.

Long-Term Follow-Up of the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) with Adolescent Adoptees

The present study sought to demonstrate the long-term impacts of the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS; Laugeson et al., 2010) among adolescent adoptees struggling to navigate peer relationships. Forty-one adolescents and their parents from Helder et al.’s (2023) previous study completed follow-up questionnaires 2.5 − 3.5 years following their initial participation in the PEERS program. Results indicated maintenance of gains from post- intervention to follow-up in adolescent reported hosted get-togethers and parent reports of their childs’ social anxiety, social skills, and empathy. Also, while parent reports of their adolescents’ hosted or invited get-togethers did not initially increase immediately following the intervention, results from the present study indicated an increase over the follow-up period. In contrast, the gains that were observed from pre- to post-intervention in adolescent reports of social anxiety, depression, and self-concept were not maintained over the follow-up period. The PEERS program appears to have more robust and long-term impacts on explicit and specific targets of the intervention, namely social skills and social behaviors, and less impact on related factors, such as mood and self-esteem.

Social interaction links active musical rhythm engagement and expressive communication in autistic toddlers.

Rhythm is implicated in both social and linguistic development. Rhythm perception and production skills are also key vulnerabilities in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism which impact social communication. However, direct links between musical rhythm engagement and expressive communication in autism is not clearly evident. This absence of a direct connection between rhythm and expressive communication indicates that the mechanism of action between rhythm and expressive communication may recruit other cognitive or developmental factors. We hypothesized that social interactions, including general interpersonal relationships and interactive music-making involving children and caregivers, were a significant such factor, particularly in autism. To test this, we collected data from parents of autistic and nonautistic children 14-36 months of age, including parent reports of their children's rhythmic musical engagement, general social skills, parent-child musical interactions, and expressive communication skills. Path analysis revealed a system of independent, indirect pathways from rhythmic musical engagement to expressive communication via social skills and parent-child musical interactions in autistic toddlers. Such a system implies both that social and musical interactions represent crucial links between rhythm and language and that different kinds of social interactions play parallel, independent roles linking rhythmic musical engagement with expressive communication skills.

Parenting by individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and neurobehavioral outcomes in their offspring.

The neurobehavioral health impairments associated with prenatal alcohol exposure are now known to persist through adulthood. However, little is known about how these impairments affect individuals' parenting abilities and the neurobehavioral health of their offspring. This study compares parents with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) with socioeconomically matched, nonexposed parents on measures of parenting and family support and assesses the neurobehavioral health of the children in both groups. Forty-nine parent-child dyads were recruited from a longitudinal cohort of low socioeconomic status. Measures included the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire, Family Support Scale, an in-depth psychosocial history, the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC; parent and child reports), the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), a screening psychiatric evaluation of the child, the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery for Children, The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-Third Edition caregiver rating form, and the Traumatic Events Screening Inventory (parent and child reports). Cognitive functioning was impaired for both offspring of parents with FASD ( = 81.1, SD = 13.0) and control parents ( = 79.9, SD = 16.1), but despite similar impairments, children of parents with FASD were less likely to have an Individualized Education Plan than controls. Adaptive functioning was adequate for both groups ( = 92.1, SD = 15.4 in exposed vs. = 94.3, SD = 12.3 in controls) and CBCL and PSC scores in both groups were within normal limits. Parents in both groups showed a predominantly authoritative parenting style. Despite a similar frequency of adverse childhood experiences in both groups, parents with FASD were less likely to recognize their child's adverse experiences. Parents with FASD display notable strengths including a predominantly authoritative parenting style. However, parents with FASD underrecognize child trauma and underutilize developmental services compared to socioeconomically matched controls, despite similar neurocognitive impairments. Impairments in adaptive functioning in parents with FASD may translate into difficulties with child-parent communication and limit both insight into neurobehavioral problems and advocacy skills. There is a need to identify and support parents with FASD to optimize their parenting abilities in the context of their individual strengths and difficulties.

Self-reported oral health-related quality of life and caries experiences of 5-year-old children in Mandalay, Myanmar

BackgroundThis study aimed to examine the impact of dental caries and other potential socio-demographic factors on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of preschool children from Myanmar. This was done using the Scale of Oral Health Outcomes for 5-year-old children (SOHO-5) as reported by both the children and their parents.MethodsA structured questionnaire was conducted to collect demographic information about the children and their caregivers, as well as socioeconomic data. The OHRQoL was assessed by interviewing the children and their parents using the Myanmar versions of SOHO-5c and SOHO-5p, respectively. Caries experience was assessed by two calibrated examiners and recorded using the dmft index. The Poisson regression model was adopted to investigate the association between OHRQoL and dental caries including socioeconomic factors.ResultsA total of 454 pairs participated in the study. Among them, 64% of children and 70% of parents reported a negative impact on OHRQoL (with SOHO-5c and SOHO-5p scores exceeding 0). The mean score (SD) of the child self-report and parental version of the SOHO-5 was 1.86 (2.27) and 2.65 (3.13), respectively. Difficulties in eating and sleeping were the most commonly reported by both children and parents. The overall prevalence of dental caries was 87% (mean dmft score:5.59, SD:4.65). The final multivariate-adjusted model revealed that children with higher caries experiences were more likely to have lower OHRQoL for both child self-report (RR 4.38, 95% CI 3.16–6.14, p < 0.001) and parental report (RR 6.07, 95% CI 4.38–8.41, p < 0.001), respectively. A lower family income had a negative impact on the children’s OHRQoL in child self-report (RR 1.59, 95% CI 1.26–2.04, p < 0.001) and parental report (RR 1.46, 95% CI 1.19–1.78, p < 0.001).ConclusionTwo-thirds of the study children and their parents perceived the negative impact on children’s OHRQoL. Higher caries experience and lower family income were associated with poorer OHRQoL of 5-year-old Myanmar children.

Analyzing the effect of sibling number on input and output in the first 18months.

Prior research suggests that across a wide range of cognitive, educational, and health-based measures, first-born children outperform their later-born peers. Expanding on this literature using naturalistic home-recorded data and parental vocabulary reports, we find that early language outcomes vary by number of siblings in a sample of 43 English-learning U.S. children from mid-to-high socioeconomic status homes. More specifically, we find that children in our sample with two or more-but not one-older siblings had smaller productive vocabularies at 18months, and heard less input from caregivers across several measures than their peers with less than two siblings. We discuss implications regarding what infants experience and learn across a range of family sizes in infancy.

Association between maltreatment, hair cortisol concentration, positive parent-child interaction, and psychosocial outcomes in Chinese preschool children.

Children now are facing an increasing risk of early life stress (ELS), which leads to detrimental psychosocial outcomes. Behavior studies suggested that positive parental interactions might moderate the negative impact of ELS, but the related biological alteration remains unclear. This study aims to investigate whether positive parent-child interactions moderate the association between maltreatment (as a severe form of ELS) and hair cortisol concentration (HCC), as well as between HCC and psychosocial outcomes in young children. Participants were 6-year-old Chinese children (N = 257, Mage = 6.2, 121 were male) selected by stratified cluster random sampling from a Shanghai population representative cohort. Proximal 3cm hair strands were analyzed using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry for HCC. Children's psychosocial outcome was evaluated using the parental report Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Parents also reported the frequency of positive parent-child interactions using the Chinese Parent-Child Interaction Scale (CPCIS) as well as the history of maltreatment. Multi-level logistic regression models adjusting for individual, kindergarten, and district confounders were used to evaluate the associations between maltreatment, HCC, and psychosocial outcomes. Interactions terms tested whether more frequent positive parent-child interactions moderates the association between maltreatment and HCC, as well as between HCC and psychosocial outcomes. Maltreated children exhibited higher levels of HCC (B = 1.20, 95% CI: 0.38,2.02; p = 0.004), and children with higher HCC exhibited poorer psychosocial outcomes (B = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.18,0.51; p < 0.001). Positive parent-child interactions did not have a moderating effect on the association between maltreatment and HCC, but they demonstrated a moderating effect on the association between increased HCC and psychosocial outcomes (interaction term: B = -0.42, 95% CI: -0.75,-0.10; p = 0.01). These findings provide evidence that positive parental interaction may serve as a moderator between chronic cortisol exposure and psychosocial problems. It highlights the importance of frequent parent-child interactions, especially among children under a high risk of ELS.

Parenting by lying and children’s lying to parents: The moderating role of children’s beliefs

How are children socialized about lying? One way is parental modeling of lying given that parents tell various lies to their children for parenting purposes, which is a practice known as parenting by lying. Importantly, how children perceive and interpret the lying behavior around them may be crucial to how they then learn to lie. Yet, we do not know how children’s perceptions of different types of parental lies drive this socialization. In a comprehensive birth cohort of parent–child dyads (N = 564; children aged 11 and 12 years) in Singapore, we collected multi-informant reports of instrumental lies (parental lies told for child compliance) and white lies (parental lies told to instill positive emotions), children’s belief in parental lies, and children’s lying to parents. We found greater consistency in parent and child reports of instrumental lies than of white lies and that children reported greater belief in instrumental lies than in white lies. Children’s reported exposure to instrumental lies was associated with greater lying to parents. However, for white lies this relationship was evident only when children had moderate to low beliefs in parental lies. Examining the interplay between parental lies and children’s beliefs in those lies, the current study illuminates the potential pathways to children’s lying behaviors.

Sociodemographic factors, parental mental health and movement behaviours in the early years: the SUNRISE Finland study protocol

Abstract Background The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified the prevention of obesity in young children as one of its key priorities for the 21st century, and 24-hour movement behaviours (physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep) play a key role in this priority. The SUNRISE Finland Study is part of the international SUNRISE Study, which examines the movement behaviours of young children in 64 low-, middle- and high-income countries. The SUNRISE Finland Study will investigate what proportion of 3- to 4-year-old children living in Finland meet the WHO global guidelines on 24-hour movement behaviours, and how that proportion and children’s motor and cognitive skills compare with children from other countries involved in the SUNRISE Study. We also aim to identify potential correlates of children’s movement behaviours, focusing on socioeconomic factors, residential environmental features, and parents’ mental health. In addition, this study will examine the associations between children’s movement behaviours, motor and cognitive skills, adiposity, and psychosocial wellbeing. Finally, we aim to establish a cohort of families who participate in the study and conduct follow-ups in the future. Methods We will recruit 1,000 children aged 3.0 to 4.9 years and their caregivers through early childhood education and care centres in Finland (50% in urban and 50% in rural areas). We will assess children’s 24-h movement behaviours using two accelerometers and a parental report. Children will perform validated tests to measure gross and fine motor skills and executive functions, and their height, weight and waist circumference will be measured. Caregivers will complete questionnaires regarding sociodemographic factors, nature visits, their own movement behaviours, symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, nomophobia, social media self-control failure, and happiness, and child’s psychosocial wellbeing. Geographic Information System (GIS) will be used to examine residential environmental features. Discussion In addition to facilitating international comparisons on movement behaviours and motor and cognitive skills, the SUNRISE Finland Study will provide novel evidence on factors associated with movement behaviours in young children. The results of this study will help in planning actions to promote healthy levels of movement behaviours at an early age and equal opportunities for healthy development. Clinical Trial Number This is not a trial study.

Parental Report of Remission in ADHD: Results From a Community-Based, Nationally Representative Sample

Objective: Various studies have examined rates of remission in ADHD with mixed results. Method: Survival curve analyses were performed on a community-based sample. Results: The results of the current study appear to support the contemporary literature that rates of remission in ADHD are lower than have been found in many earlier studies. The current study also reports a mean age of remission in ADHD of around 14 years old, which has not been previously reported via survival curve analyses. Additionally, the results of the current study found several variables to be significantly associated with remission in ADHD which included: the presence of comorbid disorder; lower symptoms of ADHD; sex of the child (being female); and the receipt of behavioral treatment. Conclusion: Implications and limitations are discussed as related to these findings.

Family resilience mediates exposure to adverse childhood experiences on insufficient sleep among children: findings from a population-based study.

Sleep plays a vital role in the well-being of children and adolescents. Researchers have identified adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) as an important factor associated with poor sleep among adolescents. The objective of this study was to examine the mediating role of family resilience on the association between ACEs and insufficient sleep among adolescents in the United States. Data for this study came from the 2018-2019 National Survey of Children's Health (N = 28,097). The outcome variable in this study was insufficient sleep, and the main explanatory variable was exposure to ACEs. The mediating variable was family resilience. Data were analyzed using binary logistic regression. Based on parent reports, one in five (22.4%) adolescents did not meet the recommended sleep hours on an average night. About half of the adolescents had no ACEs, 24.2% had one ACE, and 14.6% had three or more ACEs. Controlling for the effect of other factors and family resilience, the odds of having insufficient sleep were 1.63 times higher for children exposed to three or more ACEs (AOR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.30-2.05). Family resilience partially mediates the association between exposure to ACEs and insufficient sleep. Each additional increase in family resilience decreased the odds of having insufficient sleep by a factor of 12% (AOR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.86-0.91). Family resilience partially mediated exposure to ACEs on insufficient sleep. There are modifiable factors that may improve sleep outcomes among adolescents who have been exposed to adversity. Future research can help elucidate findings and establish the directionality of this association.

Baseline characteristics of children in the International PANS Registry (IPR) Epidemiology Study

PurposeThe International PANS Registry (IPR) Epidemiology Study is a registry-based, longitudinal study. We designed this study to improve phenotyping and characterisation of children with paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and...

The impact of the physical activity intervention on sleep in children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The purpose of this review was to synthesize the current literature on the relationship between sleep and physical activity in children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders. Articles were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, Cochrane, and Embase until April 2024. The meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3. Our results show that measuring sleep parameters by means of different measuring tools yields different results. Most studies have found no association between sleep and physical activity in children with neurodevelopmental disorders, especially when measured subjectively, such as parent reports and sleep logs. Physical activity interventions had a significant effect on sleep efficiency, wake after sleep onset, and sleep duration when measured objectively using instruments such as wrist actigraphy. Meta-analysis showed that children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders who participated in mind-body activities (SMD = -3.01, 95%CI = -4.15~-1.87, p < 0.001, I2 = 99%) showed significant improvements in sleep, which were sessions lasting more than 12 weeks (SMD = -1.01, p < 0.01, I2 = 97%), performed at least 3 times per week (SMD = -0.81, 95%CI = -1.53~-0.10, p = 0.03, I2 = 95%), and lasted for more than 60 min per session (SMD = -1.55, 95%CI = -2.67~-0.43, p = 0.007, I2 = 97%). However, the results of these subgroup analyses must be interpreted with caution because of the small number of studies included. Our results show that measuring sleep parameters by means of different measuring tools yields different results. There was difficulty in interpreting many of the studies included in this meta-analysis, in view of the non-standardization of protocol, especially the ability range of the cohort, duration of the study, recommended exercises, whether the caregivers or researchers supervised the exercise regime/activity, and the practicality of continuing the exercise long-term by caregivers. Identifier, CRD42024541300.

Frequency of Functional Constipation in Lebanese Children: A Cross-Sectional Study Based on Parental Reporting.

Aim: To determine the frequency and possible associated dietary and environmental factors of functional constipation (FC) among children in Lebanon followed at a single pediatric health system. Method: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in all pediatrics clinics at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC). Children aged 2-7 years presenting for a well-child visit were recruited. Data relating to the child's bowel habits and other history items were obtained from parental questionnaires. Results: The mean age of the 172 recruited participants was 4.94 years with 56.4% being males. FC was present in 32.6% of the participants. Although there was no difference in the frequency of FC based on age and gender, the peak frequency of FC was at 5 years. The daily frequency of withholding stools was 64.3%, and 46.6% of the children with FC always experienced straining while stooling for the past 2 months. Decreased physical activity and diet were not significantly associated with FC. Conclusion: The present study shows that 32.6% of children aged 2-7 years in Lebanon suffer from constipation while only 51.7% of the recruited children's physicians inquire about the child's bowel movement during the well check visit. These numbers highlight the need to raise more awareness among pediatricians on the need to screen for constipation during clinic visits as a standard of care practice.

Influence of socio-family variables on parental assessment of the pragmatic development of children under 4 years of age.

Interest in pragmatic development and its assessment has increased in recent years, not only because of the predictive value of pragmatic impairments as warning signs in the detection of multiple developmental disorders, but also because of the consideration that pragmatics has received in the field of mental disorders. Current contexts of child development assessment require pragmatic assessment instruments that accurately define profiles and take into account the immediate context in which they develop. Parents' knowledge of their children's abilities is supported by exhaustive observation over time of regularities in their behavior. But it is true that the way a caregiver interprets behavior is mediated by multiple variables. The aim of the present study, therefore, is to shed light on the possible influence of parental belief systems on the assessment of children's pragmatic development by analyzing the relationship between sociofamilial variables and the assessment of pragmatic competence. A total of 215 educational centers across Spain participated in the study. The final sample was of 262 parents of boys and girls between 6 and 48 months of age. The parental questionnaire for the evaluation of pragmatic development, The Pragmatics Profile, in an adapted Spanish version, was applied along with a number of items for the evaluation of parental beliefs. Analyses confirm the existence of an effect of child development conceptions and other socio-familial variables on the assessment of pragmatic development between 6 and 48 months of age. Furthermore, the results indicate that better scores on pragmatic development are associated with parents with higher socioeconomic and educational levels, greater number of children and more interactionist conceptions and realistic. The effect of parental conceptions on the evaluation of pragmatics points to the need to obtain convergent measures in an area as complex as that of communicative development in early childhood, especially taking into account that an evaluation which is neutral and free from context is not possible or indeed desirable. Pragmatic development must be evaluated within this contextual framework and should take into account each of the variables present therein. Hence the complementarity between parental reports and performance-based test.

The KID Study (Kids Interacting With Dogs): Piloting a Novel Approach for Measuring Dog-Facilitated Youth Physical Activity

Background: Two-thirds of children in the United States do not meet the National Physical Activity Guidelines, leaving a majority at higher risk for negative health outcomes. Novel, effective children’s physical activity (PA) interventions are urgently needed. Dog-facilitated PA (e.g., dog walking and active play) is a promising intervention target, as dogs support many of the known correlates of children’s PA. There is a need for accurate methods of quantifying dog-facilitated PA. Purpose: The study purpose was to determine the feasibility and acceptability of a novel method for quantifying the volume and intensity of dog-facilitated PA among dog-owning children. Methods: Children and their dog(s) wore ActiGraph accelerometers with a Bluetooth proximity feature for 7 days. Additionally, parents logged child PA with the family dog(s). Total minutes of dog-facilitated PA and percentage of overall daily moderate to vigorous PA performed with the dog were calculated. Results: Twelve children (mean age = 7.8 ± 2.9 years) participated. There was high feasibility, with 100% retention, valid device data (at least 4 days ≥6-hr wear time), and completion of daily parent log and questionnaire packets. On average, dog-facilitated PA contributed 22.9% (9.2 min) and 15.1% (7.3 min) of the overall daily moderate to vigorous PA for children according to Bluetooth proximity data and parent report, respectively. Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of utilizing an accelerometer with a proximity feature to quantify dog-facilitated PA. Future research should use this protocol with a larger, more diverse sample to determine whether dog-facilitated PA contributes a clinically significant amount toward overall PA in dog-owning youth.

EFFECT OF MADHUYASHTI CHURNA ON PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS IN ADOLESCENT GIRLS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED CLINICAL TRIAL

Abstract - Adolescent psychological disorders have become a major public health concern in many low and middle-income nations, including India. Increased parental and peer pressure can put this age group into lots of stress. Aim - To evaluate the effect of Madhuyaṣṭi Churna in the management of psychological distress in adolescent girls. Material &amp; Methods - Total 30 subjects satisfying the inclusion criteria selected for trial and divided into 2 groups of 15 subjects in each group, as-Group A: Trial Drug (Madhuyashti Churna), Group B: Control Drug (Ashwagandha Churna). Assessment of Psychological Distress by Strength and Difficulty Questionnaire (SDQ) Score. Results-There was a significant difference in the trend of SDQ Score (Youth Self report and parent report) over time between the two groups (p = &lt;0.001). Conclusion-Madhuyashti Churna is more effective in the management of Psychological Distress in Adolescent Girls compare to Aswagandha Churna. Madhuyashti Churna ultimately increase the overall cognitive capacity of the brain by any one of these mechanisms i.e., by increasing perfusion, metabolism and improving the chemical imbalance in brain.