Psychological Relief Research Articles

EMDR Therapy Following the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks: A Community-Based Intervention Project in New York City.

This article presents the results of a time-limited psychological relief effort using eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) following the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Clients made highly significant positive gains on a range of outcome variables, including validated psychometrics and self-report scales. Analyses of the data suggest 2 broad conclusions: EMDR is a useful treatment intervention both in the immediate aftermath of disaster as well as later; the longer treatment is delayed, the greater the level of disturbance experienced by clients. Also discussed are problems in conducting research during mass disaster response situations. A demonstration of an analog to a wait-list control group is provided.

Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in the treatment of low-stage nonseminomatous germ cell tumors of the testicle

Nonseminomatous germ cell tumors of the testicle are highly treatable and curable. The evolution of cancer control for this disease has demonstrated an effective integration of medical and surgical approaches over the last 30 years. Current emphasis in the therapy of nonseminomatous germ cell tumors focuses on minimizing treatment-related morbidity while maintaining consistently high cure rates. Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in experienced hands is a critical component of the treatment armamentarium in this disease. Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection is an accurate staging tool that provides important information in determining the need for chemotherapy. When performed properly, retroperitoneal lymph node dissection eliminates the retroperitoneum as a site for relapse, which in turn provides emotional and psychological relief to the patient and simplifies the follow-up protocol. Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection alone can also provide high cure rates in patients with clinical low-stage disease and high-risk factors such as lymphovascular invasion or predominance of embryonal histology in the primary tumor. Teratoma is known to be chemoresistant and, when present in the primary tumor of low-stage patients, may be best treated with primary retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. Primary chemotherapy in the treatment of low-stage nonseminomatous germ cell tumors deserves continual investigation as long-term toxicities become more apparent. Observation is an option for the highly motivated patient, but requires a rigorous follow-up schedule to avoid relapse. Laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection is a viable staging tool, however, oncologic control of the retroperitoneum has not been reliably determined.

Lebensqualitätsverbesserung nach Mammareduktionsplastik

Within this study the improvement of life quality in patients after surgery for breast reduction should be evaluated. In total 70 patients, who had undergone an operation for breast reduction in the University Women's Hospital of Heidelberg from May 1998-June 2000, were chosen for this study. They were invited to an interview with three different standardized questionnaires concerning life quality. In total the questionnaires of 37 patients could be evaluated. They were about 12 months after operation. It could be shown, that all patients had a significant improvement of their functional symptoms, the main part of them were totally free of symptoms after the operation. Most patients felt more female than before. They regarded themselves as more active, productive and sociable. This resulted in an improved self-confidence. In both groups the improvement was based mostly on a release of their functional complaints such as pain in th back or in the shoulders, but also on the psychological relief of the physical shame. The reduction of the breast masses, which were before well hidden by clothes, led to an improved self-confidence and self-assurance. Either women, who underwent the operation due to medical reasons, as well as women, who had mainly esthetic reasons for the operation, reach an improvement of life quality after surgery. The reached satisfaction of the patients and the improvement of life quality were absolutely independent from the weight of the resected tissue.

Depression, anxiety and world assumptions amongst cancer patients

8197 Background: The term ‘World assumptions’ (WA) refers to beliefs by which one defines his/her own identity and coping strategies. Psychologists have been interested in the association between depression, anxiety and WA. It was even suggested that anxiety and depression can be treated by mainly focusing on altering dysfunctional beliefs. The aim of the current study was to investigate which beliefs are associated with anxiety and depression amongst cancer patients. Methods: We conducted a convenience sampling with 69 female breast cancer patients, and 68 colorectal cancer patients (33 males, 35 females), aged 35–85, treated in 3 urban medical centers in Israel. Measurements were made using the world assumptions scale and the brief symptoms index. Results: In our sample, anxiety and depression were both found to be significantly more severe among breast cancer patients than in colorectal patients. Breast cancer patients also reported more dysfunctional world assumptions. A Pearson correlation procedure showed a significant association between some of the world assumptions and anxiety and depression. Conclusions: Since we conducted an uncontrolled field study, our findings can be explained in several ways. For examle, participants in our study were treated in distinct medical settings. This can account for at least some of the differences we found. Still, our results indicate that breast cancer patients are more prone to suffer from psychological distress, in addition or as a result of their disease. We also found that negative or rigid world assumptions, expressed by cancer patients in a regular medical examination, need to be perceived by health professionals as a possible indication for an underlying psychological distress. Finally, since some of the WA were associated with depression and anxiety, brief cognitive psychotherapy can be tested for achieving rapid psychological relief. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Depression, anxiety and world assumptions amongst cancer patients

8197 Background: The term ‘World assumptions’ (WA) refers to beliefs by which one defines his/her own identity and coping strategies. Psychologists have been interested in the association between depression, anxiety and WA. It was even suggested that anxiety and depression can be treated by mainly focusing on altering dysfunctional beliefs. The aim of the current study was to investigate which beliefs are associated with anxiety and depression amongst cancer patients. Methods: We conducted a convenience sampling with 69 female breast cancer patients, and 68 colorectal cancer patients (33 males, 35 females), aged 35–85, treated in 3 urban medical centers in Israel. Measurements were made using the world assumptions scale and the brief symptoms index. Results: In our sample, anxiety and depression were both found to be significantly more severe among breast cancer patients than in colorectal patients. Breast cancer patients also reported more dysfunctional world assumptions. A Pearson correlation procedure showed a significant association between some of the world assumptions and anxiety and depression. Conclusions: Since we conducted an uncontrolled field study, our findings can be explained in several ways. For examle, participants in our study were treated in distinct medical settings. This can account for at least some of the differences we found. Still, our results indicate that breast cancer patients are more prone to suffer from psychological distress, in addition or as a result of their disease. We also found that negative or rigid world assumptions, expressed by cancer patients in a regular medical examination, need to be perceived by health professionals as a possible indication for an underlying psychological distress. Finally, since some of the WA were associated with depression and anxiety, brief cognitive psychotherapy can be tested for achieving rapid psychological relief. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Truth and Reconciliation in South Africa (review)

Reviewed by: Truth and Reconciliation in SouthAfrica James S. Wunsch Graybill, Lyn S. 2002. Truth and Reconciliation in South Africa. Boulder, Colorado: Lynne Rienner Publishers. 231 pp. $19.95 (paper). This brief volume attempts to provide an overview of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa, including its origins, its operations, the tensions and issues surrounding it, and its effects on South Africa. While the book can be faulted for taking an impressionistic and speculative approach to these topics, it is effective in conveying a vivid picture of the commission's hearings, and presenting extensive comments from [End Page 120] theologians, philosophers, and psychologists on the commission's unresolved issues. The author briefly discusses the political compromises that lay behind establishment of the commission, as well as its mandate. She stresses the tension that existed from the beginning among people's expectations: justice, reconciliation among the races, setting straight the historical record, psychological relief for the victims through their testimony, establishing a record to determine reparations, and more. She discusses the personal journeys of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, and how their visions deeply affected the existence, operations, emphasis, and outcomes of the TRC. In particular, she emphasizes how Tutu's personality and Christianity were defining aspects of it. Graybill is at her best when she explores such issues and tensions as amnesty vs. punishment, amnesty without repentance, the psychological impact it had (at times) on victims and perpetrators, the frustrations blacks generally felt with white lack of interest in the TRC, the contrast between the repentant and the unrepentant, and the contrast between those who could forgive and those who could not. She also discusses the value of amnesty commissions in "setting the record straight" vs. courts in punishing the guilty. She argues that the latter approach will convict a few, but most will escape prosecution, and the truth would be lost. She argues that establishing the truth is paramount for long-run national reconciliation. Her commentary adds insight to these tensions. The book also reviews how the commission attempted to deal with "bystanders," such as the media, churches, the medical profession, and the relative lack of cooperation from the political parties, government leaders, and bureaucracies. She criticizes the commission for not doing a particularly good job at recognizing and bringing out the unique victimization of women, and not providing sufficient support and counseling to victims after their testimony. This is a valuable overview, but it is weakened by its essentially impressionistic analysis of the operations of the TRC. Many of the questions the author explores regarding the effect of the commission on participants and the public at large are answered only anecdotally. What proportion of the various actors felt this way? How intensely? Did their feelings change over time? What reactions do we not read about in this book? Furthermore, while Graybill suggests many possible consequences of the commission, they are largely speculative. She marshals quotations from people who gave testimony and others who observed them; however, there is no systematic or empirical analysis of their perspectives. For example, how have people functioned in the months after their testimony? What do public-opinion surveys tell us about attitudes between the races after the TRC had finished its work? Have those who earlier rejected the commission's amnesty in their desire for retributive justice changed their feelings? Indeed, what proportions of those who went through the TRC process came out giving [End Page 121] forgiveness and accepting guilt? Rather than systematic information and analysis, the book offers anecdotes and speculation. Overall, this is nonetheless a valuable book. The reader finishes it with a much greater understanding of both the limits to and the hopes placed on such commissions. The reader also understands that these are imperfect mechanisms, incapable of fulfilling the multiple expectations of them, and dependent on exceptional leadership. Finally, it is clear they are not appropriate to all situations where one finds conflict-torn nations. Finally, the reader will learn much about South Africa's postapartheid struggle to build an inclusive, democratic, political community. James S. Wunsch Creighton University Copyright © 2004 Indiana University Press

Hemifacial Atrophy: A Case Report And Review Of Literature

A case report of hemifacial atrophy and review of literature is presented in this paper. A variety of treatment techniques have been employed in an attempt to improve the atrophic deformity especially in moderate and severe cases. These have included free fat grafts, dermis fat grafts, fascia, cartilage and bone for augmentation purposes. However when dealing with mild cases of hemifacial atrophy, prostheses are particularly useful, in that facial disproportion could be easily lifted up to an acceptable aesthetic condition. Their relative cheap cost, ease of fabrication and more importantly psychological relief from the fear of expensive and multi stage surgical technique is a welcome development for the patient. Moreover, in our environment, where facilities for such advanced procedures are lacking, a simple prosthesis may be the treatment of choice.

Current issues in spinal anesthesia.

Spinal anesthesia is an old, simple, and popular anesthetic technique, yet much remains unknown regarding pertinent anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology. Investigations into physiologic effects of spinal anesthesia reveal complex actions on multiple organ systems. New local anesthetics, analgesic additives, and techniques are being investigated for different applications as the practice of medicine focuses on outpatient care. Safety of spinal agents and complications from spinal anesthesia continue to be examined and re-examined to improve safety. Further study will be needed to fully resolve these issues and to further understand and improve the clinical use of spinal anesthesia.

Islamic theology and prayer

This article examines aspects of knowledge that are important to social work practice with Muslim clients: Islamic theology, prayers and the pillars of Islam (the shahada, or profession of faith; the salat, or practice of prayer five times daily; the zakat, or alms-giving; the siam, or fasting during the holy month of Ramadan; and the hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca). Major aspects include natural forms of social support, familial and marital mediation, conflict resolution, group cohesion and support, individual catharsis and psychological relief, and self-actualization.

Effects of Shiatsu Massage on Relief of Anxiety and Side Effect Symptoms of Patients Receiving Cancer Chemotherapy.

Nine patients scheduled for cancer chemotherapy were grouped into two ; the strong anxiety group and the weak anxiety group. The relaxation effects of shiatsu massage for these two groups of patients were compared using STAI anxiety score, physical and psychological relief of side effect symptoms, relaxation (RE) scale and skin temperature. The strong anxiety group showed decline in anxiety score after intervention, indicating slight relaxation effects. Both groups had big expectation for psychological relaxation effects of massage. Physical symptoms could not be relieved. In the weak anxiety group, shiatsu massage significantly increased RE score, showing relaxation effects. There was little change in peripheral skin temperature.Above results proved that shiatsu massage would relieve anxiety. It is desired to use shiatsu massage as well as attentive listening to relieve anxiety in the clinical settings.

Diagnosis of fetal anomalies in early pregnancy

With the high-resolution ultrasound technology available today, the rapid embryofetal development during the first trimester can be imaged in detail. Thus, malformations can also be recognized if especially searched for. In the literature an enormous number of ultrasonographic normal values concerning early pregnancy have been published, and there are innumerable case reports of early diagnosed malformations of various organ systems. With a targeted search more than half of anomalies detectable in the second trimester can be seen at the end of the first trimester. These data, however, are insufficient to justify the introduction of early screening for fetal anomalies. With a burdened history a targeted exclusion diagnosis can contribute to the first psychological relief of the parents. If there are abnormal findings, in many cases the prognosis can not be ascertained and some anomalies appear only temporarily in later healthy children. Therefore, hasty conclusions should be avoided.

Stress and infertility in women: Is there a relationship?

Research has strongly suggested that infertility is an organic problem. Recently, studies have indicated that, indeed, stress may contribute to some cases of infertility. Stress management and relaxation training show promise in decreasing psychological distress in infertile women, as well as the potential for increasing conception rates. A behavioral medicine group treatment program for infertile women was started in 1987, which is described and illustrated in this article. Participants demonstrate significant decreases in all measured areas of psychological distress, as well as a 34% conception rate. Because the majority of infertile women who attend behavioral sessions experience significant psychological relief, and some may experience increased conception rates, it is suggested that such psychological interventions be offered to all infertile women. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

A positive screening test for an untreatable condition provides psychological relief from uncertainty

EDITOR,--The recent ethical debate on the genetic testing of newborn infants for familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy among parents, a cardiologist, a paediatrician, and two medical geneticists1 shows the need for research based evidence in this area. Their views differ in what defines benefit and how this might be achieved. Peter S Harper and Angus Clarke argue that parents' requests to test their children should be met only when there is clear medical benefit to the child. This, however, excludes the benefit of providing psychological relief …

The use of anencephalic neonates as organ donors. Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs, American Medical Association

HUNDREDS of children die each year of cardiac, hepatic, or renal failure because there are not enough hearts, livers, or kidneys available for transplantation from other children. Consequently, various measures have been considered over the years to increase the organ supply for pediatric transplantation. One approach that has received particular attention is the possibility of using organs from anencephalic neonates.^1-3Because anencephalic neonates face a certain and generally imminent death and because they lack any degree of consciousness, many commentators have proposed that organs of anencephalic neonates be used for transplantation, and many parents of such neonates request that their child's organs be given to other children. Permitting such organ donation would allow some good to come from a truly tragic situation, sustaining the lives of other children and providing psychological relief for those parents who wish to give meaning to the short life of the anencephalic neonate. Indeed,

The Use of Anencephalic Neonates as Organ Donors

HUNDREDS of children die each year of cardiac, hepatic, or renal failure because there are not enough hearts, livers, or kidneys available for transplantation from other children. Consequently, various measures have been considered over the years to increase the organ supply for pediatric transplantation. One approach that has received particular attention is the possibility of using organs from anencephalic neonates. 1-3 Because anencephalic neonates face a certain and generally imminent death and because they lack any degree of consciousness, many commentators have proposed that organs of anencephalic neonates be used for transplantation, and many parents of such neonates request that their child's organs be given to other children. Permitting such organ donation would allow some good to come from a truly tragic situation, sustaining the lives of other children and providing psychological relief for those parents who wish to give meaning to the short life of the anencephalic neonate. Indeed,

Alcohol in Process: A Study of Long-Term Alcohol Consumption Trends in Iowa

As alcohol sales trends rose and fell in Iowa during recent decades, beverage alcohol as a socially constructed object changed. Since the early 1960s Iowans have redefined alcohol and modified their drinking norms. During the same time period per capita consumption first trended up and then down. Although the proportion of Iowans defining alcohol for its social effects and the proportion defining it additionally for personal effects (psychological relief) changed little, the proportion defining alcohol negatively-as generally harmful and particularly as a health hazard-rose dramatically. During the prolonged sales uptrend of the 1960s and 70s Iowans' drinking norms became more approving of others' drinking and slightly more tolerant of others' getting high, while disapproval of intoxication remained constant and virtually unanimous.Numerous government actions affecting the physical availability of alcohol did not consistently ratchet sales up and down. Annual per capita (age 14+) alcohol sales rose some 7...

Sinistral Details: Nabokov, Wilson, and Hamlet in Bend Sinister

Nabokov Studies, 1 (1994), 179-94. SUSAN ELIZABETH SWEENEY (Worcester, MA, U.S.A.) SINISTRAL DETAILS: NABOKOV, WILSON, AND HAMLET IN BEND SINISTER· It may be asked if it is really worth an author's while to devise and distribute these delicate markers whose very nature requires that they be not too conspicuous. Vladimir Nabokov, Introduction to Bend Sinister In 1944 Nabokov told an editor at Doubleday that his new novel—a dark metafictional farce set in an imaginary police state—had required "a considerable amount of critical and original research in ... Shakespearean lore (mainly Hamlet)."1 Nabokov alludes to Shakespeare throughout his oeuvre, and especially in his English novels; and he alludes to Hamlet more than to any other play. Yet readers have been unable to explain why Shakespeare and Hamlet are so essential to the design of Bend Sinister, in particular. As D. Barton Johnson wryly remarks, "the most critical issue raised by the Shakespeare/Hamlet subtext is its raison d'etre ."2 The crux of the problem is the novel's seventh chapter—in which the hero, Adam Krug, and his intellectual sidekick, Ember, indulge in an extravaganza of allusions to the Bard, parodies of Shakespearean criticism , and travesties of Hamlet. Some critics, unable to find consistent parallels between the play and the novel, have decided that this chapter is merely an amusing but unnecessary digression;3 others, who believe that it is "more than a joke and more than just an opportunity for * I am grateful to Charles Nicol and D. Barton Johnson for their comments on this essay; and to Holy Cross College, for a Summer Faculty Fellowship and a Research and Publication Grant which facilitated my archival research. 1. Vladimir Nabokov, Selected Letters 1940-1977, ed. Dmitri Nabokov and Matthew ). Bruccoli (New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1989), p. 48. 2. D. Barton Johnson, Worlds in Regression: Some Novels of Vladimir Nabokov (Ann Arbor, Ml: Ardis, 1985), p. 202. 3. See, for example, Frank Kermode, Review of Bend Sinister, Encounter (June 1960), pp. 81-86; and Douglas Fowler, Reading Nabokov (Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press, 1974). 180 Nabokov Studies Nabokov to make some obscure allusions," still cannot resolve its relation to Bend Sinister as a whole.4 But if chapter 7 is "a joke," even if only in part, then we should consider for whom that joke was intended. A likely candidate is Edmund Wilson—Nabokov's correspondent, collaborator, and confidant at the time that he was writing Bend Sinister.5 Evidence suggests that Nabokov composed this fantasia of learned wit, pastiche, and Shakespearean scholarship not only for the sake of his novel, but also for the edification and delight of his friend.6 4. L. L. Lee, "Bend Sinister: Nabokov's Political Dream," Wisconsin Studies in Contemporary Literature, 8, No. 2 (1967), 193-203, 199. See also Michael Seidel, "Nabokov on Joyce, Shakespeare, Telemachus, and Hamlet," lames loyce Quarterly, 20 (1983), 358-59; Beverly Gray Bienstock, "Film Imagery in Bend Sinister," in Nabokov's Fifth Arc: Nabokov and Others on His Life's Work, ed. J. L Rivers and Charles Nicol (Austin: Univ. of Texas Press, 1984), pp. 125-38; Michael H. Begnal, " Bend Sinister : Joyce, Shakespeare, Nabokov," Modern Language Studies, 15, No. 4 (1985), 22-27; Johnson, Worlds in Regression; Lois Feuer, "The Unnatural Mirror: Bend Sinister and Hamlet," Critique: Studies in Contemporary Fiction, 30, No. 1 (1988), 3-12; Samuel Schuman, "Something Rotten in the State: Hamlet and Bend Sinister," Russian Literature Triquarterly, No. 24 (1991), pp. 197-212; and Brian Boyd, Vladimir Nabokov: The American Years (Princeton, NJ: Princeton Univ. Press, 1991), pp. 93-106. To Lee, chapter 7's playful meditation on Hamlet is both a "digression" and "a functional, but an absolutely necessary, part of the novel" (p. 198): it proclaims the value of literature; provides psychological relief for Krug and Ember, and comic relief for the reader; and enhances the novel's political satire (p. 200). Bienstock remarks that chapter 7 traces Hamlet s translation into both another language and another medium, narrative cinema (pp. 134-35); Seidel and Begnal each compare Nabokov's treatment of Hamlet to Joyce's in Ulysses; and Johnson speculates that whereas Nabokov's...

Immediate versus delayed breast reconstruction A psychological answer

A survey was conducted on 50 patients who underwent breast reconstruction (25 delayed — 25 immediate) after mastectomy. Each patient was interviewed by means of a questionnaire to collect information about psychologic, psychosocial, and aesthetic results of breast reconstruction. The kind of partner's support received by the patients in making their decision to undergo breast reconstruction was also analyzed. The patients were furthermore asked to speak about their mood relative to the time of mastectomy, and to describe (for immediate group) if the awareness of going into the operating room with a therapeutic program that included the synchronous reconstruction of the breast after mastectomy had any effect on their general mood. Afterwards, the patients were asked to draw a human figure. The Karen Machower projective test was evaluated using the Witkin rating scale. Furthermore each patient received a personality test (M.M.P.I.). Out of patients, 39 (78% of cases) replied with a completed questionnaire. Results showed that long-term adjustment does not appear to be different between the groups. No differences were found on MMPI, Human Figure Test, degree of satisfaction and acceptance of endoprosthesis. In the immediate group, 17 cases (85%) said their partners were in favor of reconstruction, 3 were indifferent, and none were against. In the delayed group, 6 cases reported receiving positive support from their partner as opposed to 9 cases where was against it and in 10 cases they were indifferent (X = 14.39, df=1, in favor vs. indifferent/against, p<0.0005). All the patients of the immediate group report having experienced strong psychological relief in knowing that they would undergo immediate breast reconstruction. All they would suggest, regardless of their satisfaction with esthetic results, mastectomized women to undergo breast reconstruction; as for the delayed group, 19 said they would always suggest and 6 mentioned it depended on the cases (Exact Fisher's Test, p<0.05). This study underlines that immediate reconstructive surgery does not present any particular contraindication for acceptance of surgical outcome. Moreover, we can suppose that delayed breast reconstruction may trigger anxiety and distress during the period of mastectomy in the patients and in the partners themselves.

Simple and microbiologically safe portable transport unit for patients requiring protected isolation.

The removal of a patient from a laminar air flow room during protected isolation poses the risk of his microbial contamination and infection. Nonetheless, temporary removal from the laminar air flow room may be necessary for certain medical procedures or for psychological relief during prolonged periods of isolation or both. A means for protecting patients during temporary removal from the laminar air flow room is highly desirable. A previously described total body garment has been shown to be microbiologically safe and effective, but is expensive, cumbersome, and not very adaptable to patients of different ages and body sizes. We now present an alternative, microbiologically safe transportation system which delivers, high-efficiency particulate air-filtered air over the head and neck through a modified, lightweight, commercially available helmet and power supply and which can be comfortably and reliably used by isolated patients.

Comic Relief In Everyday Life: Dramaturgic Observations On A Function Of Humor*

The comic relief of the theater has an everyday analog. It is seen in the momentary humorous respites from the seriousness or lengthy concentration on a collective task commonly found in certain spheres of daily life. These respites facilitate the completion of that task by refreshing the participants. Observations of social comic relief made during a series of rehearsals and performances of an amateur theater company are reported. The nature and function of this sort of humor is considered, first in theater, and then in other similar settings. A comparison of social comic relief as a function of humor with selected philosophical and psychological relief theories of humor follows. A concluding section considers the place of creativity and wit in social comic relief.