Post-test Measures Research Articles

Comparing the Impact of Traditional Strength Training and Power Interval Training on Velocity Parameters During Loaded-Squat Jump Exercise

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of traditional strength and power interval training methods on the development of velocity parameters in the concentric phase of loaded-squat jump exercise and to determine which training method improves velocity parameters more. To achieve this goal, 30 male students who were studying at the School of Physical Education and Sports and did not regularly exercise participated voluntarily in this study. Participants were divided into three different groups using randomization: traditional strength training group, power interval training group, and control group. The participants performed a weighted squat jump exercise using external loads equivalent to 40% of their body weight in both pre-test and post-test measurements, and their mean velocity, mean propulsive velocity, and peak velocity values were obtained through an isoinertial velocity transducer. According to the analysis results, it was found that peak velocity significantly increased after traditional strength training. In addition, the power interval training method made a significant difference on the 1 RM pre-post test. The effect size of traditional strength training on peak velocity was determined as "small". In conclusion, it is thought that traditional strength training is a more prominent training method in improving movement velocity compared to power interval training.

Post-test diagnostic accuracy measures under tree ordering of disease classes.

The medical field commonly employs post-test measures such as predictive values and likelihood ratios to assess diagnostic accuracy. Predictive values, including positive and negative values (PPV and NPV), indicate the probability that individuals have a target health condition based on test results. On the other hand, likelihood ratios, including positive and negative ratios (LR+ and LR- respectively), compare the probability of a particular test result between the diseased and non-diseased groups. While predictive values are useful in evaluating diagnostic test accuracy in populations with varying disease prevalence, likelihood ratios provide a direct link between pre-test and post-test probabilities in specific patients. In this study, we introduce and analyze a new approach called generalized predictive values and likelihood ratios, using a tree ordering of disease classes. We evaluate the effectiveness of these methods through simulation studies and illustrate their use with real data on lung cancer.

The Influence of Motivational Therapy in Dealing with Driving Anger Among Adolescents in Selected Localities of Bhopal, India - A Quasi Experimental Single Group Pretest-Posttest Study

Purpose: To find out the influence of motivational therapy in dealing with driving anger among adolescent population. Materials and methods: The research design used for this study is Single group pretest-posttest quasi experimental design. Study was conducted in Karond and Bhanpur areas of Bhopal city, India. the duration of the data collection was four weeks. Study population were the 30 adolescents residing in Karond and Bhanpur areas of Bhopal city, India. Sampling technique used was purposive sampling technique. Consent, Ethical clearance was obtained before proceeding for the study. Results: Upon conducting a comparative analysis of the mean pre-test and post-test levels of driving anger within the experimental cohort, a noteworthy observation emerged. Specifically, a substantial mean discrepancy of 21.79 units was discerned between the pre-test and post-test measurements, coupled with a t-value of 18.08. This compellingly indicates the presence of a significant disparity in driving anger levels prior to and subsequent to the implementation of motivational therapy. Conclusion: The imperative to develop anger reduction therapies and techniques is underscored by their potential to ameliorate road rage-related issues and foster the overall well-being of humanity. In the realm of road rage reduction, it is prudent to explore techniques that promote safe and efficacious means of anger management. The individuals participating in this study exhibited diverse underlying causes for their aggressive driving tendencies, often lacking an avenue to address these issues openly. While they harbored intentions to desist from such behavior, the absence of a supportive framework hindered their progress. The present study shines a light on the significance of sustained, authentic, and resolute endeavors aimed at addressing road rage among adolescents, utilizing a structured motivational therapy approach. The outcomes of the study elucidated that the participants grappled with varying degrees of driving-induced anger. Notably, the introduction of structured motivational therapy yielded a discernible reduction in their levels of driving anger, a change substantiated through statistical analysis. Keywords: Driving anger, Adolescents, Motivational Therapy, Road rage.

Effects of Virtual Reality Exercises on Chronic Low Back Pain: Quasi-Experimental Study.

Low back pain is a common health problem globally. Based on the duration of pain, it is classified as acute, subacute, or chronic low back pain. Different treatment strategies are available to reduce chronic low back pain. Virtual reality (VR) is a novel approach in back pain rehabilitation. This study aimed to compare the effects of VR games on chronic low back pain. This quasi-experimental study was conducted among 40 patients with chronic low back pain. The data were collected using a nonprobability, convenient sampling technique. Patients visiting the Department of Physiotherapy, Government Services Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, were recruited and equally divided into 4 groups. Group A received the Reflex Ridge game; group B received the Body Ball game; group C combined the 2 games without back-strengthening exercises; and group D combined the 2 games with back-strengthening exercises. The participants received 8 treatment sessions, with 3 sessions/wk. The outcomes were pre- and posttest measurements of pain intensity, low back disability, and lumbar range of motion. The repeated measurement ANOVA was used for inter- and intragroup comparison, with significance at P≤.05. The study comprised a sample of 40 patients with low back pain; 12 (40%) were female and 28 (60%) were male, with a mean age of 37.85 (SD 12.15) years. The pre- and posttest mean pain scores were 7.60 (SD 1.84) and 4.20 (SD 1.62) in group A, 6.60 (SD 1.776) and 5.90 (SD 1.73) in group B, 6.90 (SD 1.73) and 5.40 (SD 1.07) in group C, and 7.10 (SD 1.53) and 3.60 (SD 0.97) in group D, respectively. The mean pain score differences of group D (combining the Reflex Ridge and Body Ball games with back-strengthening exercises) compared to groups A, B, and C were -.60 (P=.76), -2.30 (P<.001), and -1.80 (P=.03), respectively. Regarding the range of motion, the forward lumbar flexion mean differences of group D compared to groups A, B, and C were 3.80 (P=.21), 4.80 (P=.07), and 7.40 (P<.001), respectively. Similarly, the right lateral lumbar flexion mean differences of group D compared to groups A, B, and C were 2.80 (P=.04), 5.20 (P<.001), and 4.80 (P<.001), respectively. The left lateral lumbar flexion mean differences of group D compared to groups A, B, and C were 2.80 (P<.001), 4.80 (P=.02), and 2.20 (P<.001). respectively, showing significant pre- and posttreatment effects. VR exercises had statistically significant effects on improving pain, low back disability, and range of motion in all groups, but the combination of Reflex Ridge and Body Ball games with back-strengthening exercises had dominant effects compared to the other groups. Iranian Registry of Clinical Trial IRCT20200330046895N1; https://en.irct.ir/trial/46916.

EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF ROBOTICS PROGRAM IN ENHANCING STUDENTS’ ATTITUDE TOWARDS SCIENCE

The use of educational technology tools and program in education has been vital in Malaysia due to its benefits. Although many studies have proven these programs benefits for students’ academic improvement, very less studies have focus on students’ improvement towards attitude. Hence, the objective of this research was to explore the impact of robotics program in enhancing students' attitude towards Science. The study involved 474 10 years old students from the states of Selangor and Malacca, Malaysia. A quantitative research design was employed, utilizing a quasi-experimental approach with a control group and an experimental group using pre-test and post-test measurements. A questionnaire was administered to both the experimental and control groups to collect the necessary data. The collected data were analysed using Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test, with a significance level of 0.05, using SPSS 25 software. The results indicated a significant change (α ≤ 0.05) in the attitude towards science for the experimental group that received the robotics program, as compared to the control group.

Effects of a Canine-Assisted Intervention in Perceived and Physiological Stress of Spanish University Students

Abstract Many universities, concerned with finding methods to improve the academic environment and support their students, carry out animal-assisted interventions. This study measured the effect of a canine-assisted intervention program on the stress of first-year university students at the Complutense University of Madrid. A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design was followed, with a follow-up measure. The instruments used were the Perceived Stress Questionnaire and salivary cortisol measures. The sample was 102 students. The program, called “Compludog,” consisted of one 45-minute session a week for three weeks. The results demonstrated significant improvements in physiological and perceived stress in the posttest and follow-up measure. In addition, analyses revealed that the sociodemographic variables had no influence on the effects of the program. It is concluded that a canine-assisted intervention program is effective. Therefore, Spanish universities should consider this kind of program to support their students and reduce their stress, even during exam time.

Enhancing Soccer-Specifc Motor Skills Through Visual Training: A Quasi-Experimental Study in Young Soccer Players

In team sports like soccer, the ability to make quick decisions is essential for successful performance. Playersmust perceive and understand the available affordances in their environment to effectively utilize the informationand make accurate decisions on the feld. Visual exploratory actions play a crucial role in acquiring the necessaryinformation, allowing players to anticipate action possibilities and plan their subsequent actions. This study aimed toevaluate the effectiveness of an innovative training protocol based on visual exercises in improving soccer-specifcmotor skills of U12 soccer players. Thirty young male soccer players participated in the study and were randomlyassigned to one of three groups: Technique Group (T-G), Visual-Technique Group (VT-G), and Control Group (C-G).The T-G received technical training, the VT-G received the same training with the addition of visual stimuli, and theC-G received regular in-season training. Pre- and post-test measurements were conducted on soccer-specifc motorskills. The results showed that the VT-G demonstrated signifcant improvements in motor skills compared to the T-Gand C-G. These fndings suggest that incorporating targeted visual training into soccer training programs can enhanceperceptual-cognitive and visual skills, leading to improved agility and overall on-feld performance.Keywords: soccer, agility, visual training, youth sports, motor skills.

Effectiveness of one-to-one feedback methods of teaching with proper metered-dose inhaler technique and correcting errors in chronic obstructive lung disease patients

Abstract Objective To determine the most common mistakes made during the use of a metered-dose inhaler (MDI), and the effect of the repeated trainings performed with demonstration method by providing one-to-one feedback on these mistakes. Methods This is a quasi-experimental study with a control group. A total of 100 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients (50 in the control group and 50 in the experimental group) were included in the research. “Patient Information Form (PIF)” (to determine the descriptive characteristics of patients) through the face-to-face interview method, using “MDI Skill Assessment Form” (MDISAF) (it is composed of 10 skill steps about the use of MDI) through observation method was used. Patients in both the groups were asked to use MDI and their abilities regarding use of MDI were assessed. Then in the intervention group, usage of MDI was explained by a nurse via demonstration and placebo MDI. Trainings were repeated on days 1,3, and 5 as from hospitalization of the patient. In the intervention group, three methods were used in this study: “face-to-face training,” “one-to-one,” and “with feedbacks and repeated.” Routine training regarding use of MDI was given by the nurses in the clinic to patients in the control group. The use of an MDI was assessed using MDISAF before training and after the training on the first, third and fifth days of hospitalization. On the seventh day, the last measurement was performed. Percentage, chi square, and mean were used to assess the data. Results After repetitive training with one-to-one feedback, several differences between the groups in favor of the experimental group were found in 7 of the 10 skill levels of the MDI. There was a significant difference after “training” between the groups in the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth MDI steps in posttest measurement (P &lt; 0.05). Evaluating the skills of the groups to use MDI from pretest to posttest, it was determined that while the intervention group made less mistakes in steps in which mistakes were made mostly, the control group continued to make mistakes. Conclusions Inhaler technique intervention with repeated, face to face, and one-to-one feedback trainings can significantly enhance the MDI techniques in COPD patients. The patients in the intervention group made less mistakes during MDI application and their application skills improved. It may be asserted that the training provided to the intervention group was effective for using the device correctly, while the training provided in the clinic for the control group was inadequate.

The Effect of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Based Psychoeducation on Body Image, Quality of Sexual Life, and Dyadic Adjustment of Women After Breast Cancer Surgery.

To determine the effect of acceptance and commitment therapy-based psychoeducation applied to women who have undergone breast cancer surgery on body image, quality of sexual life, and dyadic adjustment. Women who have undergone breast cancer surgery were included. The research had a single-group quasi-experimental design with pre-/post-test measurements and 31 participants. The research was carried out between February and July 2021. Data were collected using a personal information form, a body image perception scale, the Dyadic Adjustment Scale, and the Sexual Quality of Life-Female. The post-test mean scores of body image, quality of sexual life, and dyadic adjustment scales were significantly higher than pretest (p < 0.05). To improve the body image, quality of sexual life, and dyadic adjustment of women who have undergone breast cancer surgery, nurses are recommended to include psychoeducation based on acceptance and commitment therapy interventions in the nursing care process and to evaluate the effectiveness.

Evaluating an Interprofessional Activity With the SPICE-R2

Interprofessional education is imperative for all health profession students including at the graduate level. An interprofessional activity was held for health professions graduate students including family nurse practitioner, nurse anesthesia, executive nurse leader, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. The Students’ Perceptions of Interprofessional Clinical Education Revised (SPICE-R2) instrument was used as a pre- and post-test measure for evaluation. Case studies were discussed within the framework of the social determinants of health in small group sessions via Zoom with a volunteer facilitator from one of the disciplines.

Efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy on impulsivity and suicidality among clients with bipolar disorders: a randomized control trial

BackgroundAmong people with bipolar disorders, there are high rates of impulsivity and suicide attempts. Efforts to reduce suicide are hindered by the lack of conclusive evidence on interventional programs for those at risk. Thus, this work evaluated the efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy on impulsivity and suicidality among bipolar clients.MethodsIn a randomized controlled trial, 30 eligible clients with bipolar disorders were given Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and 30 eligible clients for the control group were chosen randomly at a 1:1 ratio using Research Randomizer version 4.0. Clients completed the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II, the Short Arabic Version of the Impulsivity Behavior Scale, and the Arabic Version of the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation.ResultsIt can be observed that there was a statistically significant decrement in the mean scores of psychological inflexibility among the study group between baseline value (T0), posttest measurement (T1), and post-two-month follow-up (T2), from 32.91 SD (6.03) to 23.06 SD (6.22) post and 26.83 SD (3.49) post-two months, with an effect size of 0.846 (P < 0.001), compared to the control group, which revealed an increase in the mean score. The overall impulsivity among the study group between T0, T1, and T2 was 61.27 SD (4.57) to 46.83 SD (4.47) post- and 43.0 SD (5.30) post-two months, with an effect size of 0.906 (P < 0.001). Compared to the control group, which revealed a relative increase in the mean impulsivity score at the post- and post-two-month intervals, the Arabic Versions of the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation Scale mean score before the intervention was 16.33 SD (6.08), then the post was 7.23 SD (4.72), and the post-two-month mean was 10.13 SD (5.49) with an effect size of 0.878 (P < 0.001) among the study group. On the other hand, mean scores of “suicide ideation” among clients in the control group increased posttest and nearly returned to the same value after two months.ConclusionFor bipolar clients suffering from suicidal thoughts and impulsive behaviors, acceptance and commitment therapy, an emerging third-wave behavior therapy, is an effective intervention.Trial registrationThe study was registered retrospectively with reference number NCT05693389 on 23/1/2023, available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05693389.

Fatiguing Joint Angle Does Not Influence Torque and Neuromuscular Responses Following Sustained, Isometric Forearm Flexion Tasks Anchored to Perceptual Intensity in Men.

This study examined the effects of joint angle (JA) on maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and neuromuscular responses following fatiguing tasks anchored to RPE. Nine men (mean ± SD: age = 20.7 ± 1.2 yrs) performed forearm flexion MVICs at elbow JAs of 75° and 125° before and after sustained, isometric forearm flexion tasks to failure at fatiguing joint angles (FJA) of 75° and 125° anchored to RPE = 8. The amplitude and frequency of the electromyographic and mechanomyographic signals were recorded. Neuromuscular efficiency was calculated by dividing normalized torque by normalized electromyographic amplitude. A dependent t-test was used to assess the mean difference for time to task failure (TTF) between FJA. Repeated measure ANOVAs were used to assess mean differences for pre-test to post-test MVIC and neuromuscular responses. There was no significant difference between FJA for TTF (p = 0.223). The MVIC (collapsed across FJA and MVIC JA) decreased from pre-test to post-test (51.1 ± 5.0 vs. 45.3 ± 5.6 Nm, p < 0.001). Normalized neuromuscular parameters remained unchanged (p > 0.05). The FJA resulted in similar torque and neuromuscular responses, and the decreases in MVIC were not tracked by changes in the neuromuscular parameters. Thus, the neuromuscular parameters were not sensitive to fatigue, and pre-test to post-test measures may be compared between different FJA.

Enhancing Problem-Solving Skills in Mathematics: Applying LDMAT and SRL for Students with Learning Difficulties

This study examines the effectiveness of the LDMAT and SRL models in improving problem-solving skills in students with learning difficulties in mathematics. The research involved 18 junior high school students and employed a mixed research design. The assessment of problem-solving skills was conducted through pre-test and post-test measurements, consisting of 10 essay-based tests and weekly assignments. Furthermore, problem-solving understanding was assessed based on the strategies utilized by students in the post-test. Data analysis involved using paired t-tests to compare pre-test and post-test results. The findings indicate that applying the LDMAT and SRL models significantly enhanced problem-solving skills in students with learning difficulties in mathematics, particularly among female students. Moreover, the students exhibited an improved understanding of problem-solving procedures. This study underscores the efficacy of the LDMAT and SRL models in enhancing problem-solving abilities and promoting deeper comprehension of problem-solving strategies among students with learning difficulties in mathematics.

The Influence of Slow Deep Breathing Technique on Inpatient Anxiety

Previous studies have shown that slow deep breathing techniques provide benefits in reducing anxiety in general, but there has been no specific review investigating its benefits in inpatient populations. Objective: To provide strong and up-to-date evidence on the effectiveness of slow deep breathing technique as a potential intervention in reducing anxiety in the inpatient population. Methods: This study is a literature review conducted during April-May 2023 using Google Scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect. The keywords used were "nafas dalam", "kecemasan", "rawat inap" in Indonesian, and "slow deep breathing," "anxiety," "inpatient care" in English. Results: The literature review identified eight articles that examined the anxiety of patients undergoing surgery and treatment in hospitals in Indonesia. These articles highlighted internal and external factors influencing anxiety. The dominant research approach employed experimental designs with pre-test and post-test measurements involving more than ten respondents. The study found that internal factors influencing anxiety included age, gender, education, health condition, and prior hospitalization experiences, while external factors included access to information, therapeutic communication, environment, and healthcare facilities. Conclusion: The implementation of slow deep breathing techniques is a major factor in reducing anxiety in inpatient populations. Further research is expected to emphasize the use of slow deep breathing techniques as a primary intervention in reducing anxiety levels in patients prior to undergoing surgery.

Virtual learning effects on family nursing practices during the covid-19 pandemic: evidence from undergraduate nursing students in Bandung, Indonesia

Introduction: Family nursing courses ensure students understand and apply relational care approaches. Objectives: This study examines the effects of family nursing virtual learning on family nursing practices among nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bandung, Indonesia. Methods: This study is a quasi-experimental study of a single group with pre-test and post-test measurements. One hundred sixty-two students who took family nursing subjects participated in this study. The family nursing virtual learning lasted 14 weeks, consisting of lectures, case studies, research tasks, and practicum. The questionnaire consisted of practical appraisal and nurse-family relationship subscales. It was measured using a ten-item instrument with response formats from 1 to 5 to indicate high to low. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyse the effect. Results: The ages of students ranged from 19-23 years, with a median of 20 (IQR = 0), and most were female (90.1%). Results showed significant differences between the pre-test and post-test with total scores of family nursing practice of (p &lt; 0.00). Two subscales of family nursing practice also showed substantial differences in the post-test after 14 weeks of family nursing virtual learning: the practical appraisal and nurse-family relationship (p &lt; 0.00). Conclusions: Family nursing virtual learning benefits undergraduate nursing students' family nursing practice competence.

Effectiveness of YouTube as a Supplementary Material to Enhance the Students’ Learning Achievement in Geography

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of YouTube as supplementary material to enhance students’ learning achievement in Geography. The study also examined the students’ perception of using YouTube as supplementary material in learning, their attitude towards its use, its benefits, and the challenges posed by YouTube in learning. The study was conducted at one of the schools under Thimphu Dzongkhag with an over three-week intervention program. Participants consisted of 57 class VIII students, 32 males, and 25 females. The data was gathered through the Geography learning achievement test, survey questionnaire, and semi-structured interview. A quasi-experimental design consisting of pre-test and post-test measures was employed. The pre-test and post-test were administered before and after the intervention to ascertain the change in participants' performance in learning Geography for the experimental group in comparison to those who were exposed to a conventional approach to teaching. The independent sample t-test and paired sample t-test were conducted to analyze the results of pre-test and post-test scores. The results in both cases statistically showed that there was a significant difference (p &lt; .05) in the post-test scores between the two groups. The descriptive analysis of the study also indicated that students have positive perceptions and attitudes toward the use of YouTube as supplementary material in learning. Further, the finding suggested that YouTube is beneficial, yet poses some challenges in learning Geography. It is concluded that YouTube as supplementary material had a substantial influence on improvement in students' learning achievement and their attitude towards Geography. Therefore, the study recommends teachers and students use YouTube as supplementary material while teaching and learning Geography.

Improving Students’ English Speaking Skill by Using Spongebob Squarepants Cartoon

According to the Indonesian curriculum, which requires students to speak, speaking is now one of the essential abilities in learning English. The four English skills that students acquire in class include speaking. Additionally, a number of problems come up throughout the teaching and learning process. Speaking difficulties frequently include anxiety while speaking in front of a group of people, a limited vocabulary and a worry about making errors. This study aims to determine whether viewing SpongeBob SquarePants with English subtitles can improve students’ speaking ability. The participants of the study consisted of 9 students from junior high school number 4 Bengkulu, enrolled in the 9th grade for the academic year 2022/2023. Purposive sampling was used to choose them for a variety of reasons. This study employed a pre-experimental methodology to investigate the impact of using the SpongeBob SquarePants cartoon on enhancing English-speaking ability. Pre-test and post-test measures are used to analyze data in this design, which does not call for a control group (Creswell &amp; Creswell, 2018). As a consequence, employing a cartoon had a significant impact on the students’ speaking ability. It may be inferred that the research topic has been addressed and that it has been demonstrated that the application has been successful in enhancing the speaking skills of ninth-grade students. It was also found that cartoon usage application can be a center for language teacher techniques in learning English because of intense and meaningful language practice. In this study, students also do a lot of unconscious speaking skills in class because they think they are watching cartoon in a class. It shows that the students are easy to actively participate in learning that had made them used language and therefore learn it.

Investigation of the Effectiveness of the Solution-Focused Group Counseling Program to Increase Self-Control in University Students

The purpose of this research is to examine the effectiveness of the solution-focused group counseling program aimed at increasing the self-control levels of university students. The research is an experimental study with experimental-control group with pre-test, post-test and follow-up measurement design. The study group of the research consisted of 26 university students. Within the scope of this research, 13 of the students were randomly assigned to the experimental group and 13 to the control group. In the research, university students in the experimental group were given 6 sessions (each session is between 90-120 minutes and one day a week) of solution-focused group psychological counseling once a week. No studies were conducted on the control group. In this study, “Self-Control Scale” and “Personal Information Form” were used as data collection tools. Mann Whitney U Test and Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test were used in the analysis of the data. As a result of the research, it was determined that the solution-focused group was more effective than the control group in increasing self-control. In addition, it was determined that this effectiveness was maintained in the follow-up test performed at the end of three months.

Impact of Walking Game Activity on Teaching of Asymmetrical Rhythms in Piano Education

This study aimed at examining to what extent the walking game activity is effective in teaching of asymmetrical (aksak) rhythm patterns in piano education. The study used the experimental method by setting up control and experiment groups each of which was composed of 11 people. In this practice that was conducted with students receiving the piano class in a private course whose ages ranged between 8 and 9, walking game activity was used to teach asymmetrical rhythm patterns. The practice was based on cards on which the rhythm patterns were written and repetition of the rhythm patterns formulated according to these cards with a walking game, and the final performances were measured with a given piano piece. A pre-test was also given to the students to measure the levels of students before the practice. Digital data obtained through the practice were statistically analysed. In pre-test and post-test measurements, the Man Whitney U test was used. It was concluded as a result of the measurements that, in the post-test process, the students in the experiment group who studied with the walking game activity performed better in understanding and vocalizing the asymmetrical rhythm patterns compared to the students in control group.

Touching the Other’s Life in Turkey: Empathy-Focused Group Work as a Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose: This study evaluated the possible effects of empathy-focused group work on the participants, which is designed by bringing together cisgender heterosexual and LGBTQ+ people. Method: The study group of the research consists of 28 people (14 people in each of the experimental and control groups) who receive social service from a municipality in Istanbul, Turkey. The empathy-focused group work lasted 8 weeks, and pretest and posttest measurements were performed using the Affective and Cognitive Measure of Empathy (ACME) Scale and the Social Dominance Orientation Scale. Results: The result of this study showed that the participants were able to experience positive contact experiences in group work with heterogeneous groups, and an increase in the emotional and cognitive empathy levels of the participants and a decrease in their social dominance orientation. Conclusions: Implications for future research and professional practice are discussed.