Raw Scores Research Articles

The Complex Latent Structure of Attenuated Psychotic Symptoms: Hierarchical and Bifactor Models of SIPS Symptoms Replicated in Two Large Samples at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis.

The Structured Interview for Psychosis-Risk Syndromes (SIPS) and other assessments of psychosis risk define clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR) by the presence of attenuated psychotic symptoms. Despite extensive research on attenuated psychotic symptoms, substantial questions remain about their internal psychometric structure and relationships to comorbid non-psychotic symptoms. Hierarchical and bifactor models were developed for the SIPS in a large CHR sample (NAPLS-3, N = 787) and confirmed through preregistered replication in an independent sample (NAPLS-2, N = 1043). Criterion validity was tested through relationships with CHR status, comorbid symptoms/diagnoses, functional impairment, demographics, neurocognition, and conversion to psychotic disorders. Most variance in SIPS items (75%-77%) was attributable to a general factor. Hierarchical and bifactor models included a general factor and five specific/lower-order factors (positive symptoms, eccentricity, avolition, lack of emotion, and deteriorated thought process). CHR participants were elevated on the general factor and the positive symptoms factor. The general factor was associated with depressive symptoms; functional impairment; and mood, anxiety, and schizotypal personality diagnoses. The general factor was the best predictor of psychotic disorders (d ≥ 0.50). Positive symptoms and eccentricity had specific effects on conversion outcomes. The deteriorated thought process was least meaningful/replicable. Attenuated psychotic symptoms, measured by the SIPS, have a complex hierarchical structure with a strong general factor. The general factor relates to internalizing symptoms and functional impairment, emphasizing the roles of general psychopathological distress/impairment in psychosis risk. Shared symptom variance complicates the interpretation of raw symptom scores. Broad transdiagnostic assessment is warranted to model psychosis risk accurately.

Convergent and Discriminant Validity of the Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP) and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS).

Behavior analysts frequently use the Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP) to assess the language and social skills of children with autism in everyday practice and in research. Despite the widespread use of the VB-MAPP, its psychometric characteristics have not been extensively investigated. To provide information about its convergent validity, we calculated correlations between scores earned by 235 children with autism on the VB-MAPP and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale (VABS), a commonly used assessment with good reliability and validity. We obtained moderate or strong positive correlations between the VB-MAPP Milestones score and VABS Communication, Socialization, and Daily Living Skills subdomains. There was also a strong positive correlation between the VB-MAPP Milestones score and VABS overall raw score. These findings suggest that the VB-MAPP Milestones Assessment measures aspects of social and communicative behavior comparable to those indexed by these VABS subdomains which, like prior findings, supports the use of the Milestones Assessment. No significant relationship was observed between the VB-MAPP Barriers score and the VABS Internalizing, Externalizing, or overall Maladaptive Behavior scores. These findings, like prior findings, question the value of the VB-MAPP's Barriers Assessment as a measure of maladaptive behavior.

Quality of Life Measured Using the BODY-Q After Adolescent Gynecomastia Surgery: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Background: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are increasingly used to seek feedback from patients. Knowledge gaps exist regarding outcomes in adolescents postgynecomastia surgery. This study assesses adolescent patients’ quality of life postgynecomastia surgery using a PROM specific for body contouring procedures, and identifies patient and treatment factors associated with quality of life scores. Methods: Adolescent patients undergoing surgical treatment for Simon grades I, IIa, or IIb gynecomastia from May 2009 to November 2022 at British Columbia Children's Hospital were invited to complete the Body Contouring Questionnaire (BODY-Q) Satisfaction with Chest and Psychological Function scales. Raw scores were Rasch transformed (scale 0-100), averaged, and compared to normative scores. Body mass index (BMI), Simon grade, postoperative complication, and revision procedure information were collected from medical charts and analyzed for associations with BODY-Q scores. Results: Thirty-seven of 76 patients (48.7%) completed the BODY-Q. At the time of survey completion, the median age of participants was 23.3 years, and the median BMI was 26.5. The median time from surgery to survey completion was 7 years. Median scores on the Satisfaction with Chest and Psychological Function scales were 70 and 71, respectively, which were significantly higher than normative scores of unaffected males on the same scales ( P = .0004 and P = .0014, respectively). Undergoing a revision procedure was associated with significantly worse satisfaction with chest appearance ( P = .045). Conclusion: Patients who underwent gynecomastia surgery report better satisfaction with chest appearance and psychological function, as measured by the BODY-Q, compared to unaffected males of similar age and BMI. These results may play an important role in destigmatizing gynecomastia surgery for adolescents.

Effects on the Physical Functioning of Two Exercise Interventions in Patients with Multiple Myeloma: A Pilot Feasibility Study.

Because of the high prevalence of bone destruction in patients with multiple myeloma (MM), physical exercise is oftentimes discouraged by healthcare providers. The goal of this prospective trial was to investigate the feasibility of two six-month exercise interventions in patients with MM (N = 42): a remotely prompted home-based walking intervention or a supervised strength training intervention. Physical function and pain were assessed with the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care (AM-PAC) Basic Mobility Short Form raw score, a six-minute walk test (6 MWT), a 30-second sit-to-stand test (30 SST), a timed up-and-go (TUG) test, a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, handheld dynamometer tests, heart rate at rest, blood oxygen saturation at rest, and body mass index. No intervention-related serious adverse events were observed. Adverse events mostly affected the musculoskeletal system. In the resistance training group (n = 24), patients showed significant improvements in AM-PAC, TUG, 6 MWT, and 30 SST, with all effects but the 6 MWT sustained six months after the intervention. The walking group (n = 18) saw improvements in the AM-PAC, TUG, 6 MWT, and 30 SST, with a sustained change in the AM-PAC and TUG. This trial shows the feasibility of both exercise interventions with a sustained beneficial effect on the physical functioning of a six-month strength training intervention and, to a lesser extent, a six-month unsupervised walking intervention. A larger study building on these findings is currently underway.

Effect of processing methods on physicochemical and cup quality of coffee at Jimma, Ethiopia

Coffee quality is a complex attribute influenced by a variety of factors, including postharvest processing methods. The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of coffee processing methods on coffee quality (raw, cup, and biochemical makeup) in Jimma, which represents the midland areas. Coffee samples were collected for Jimma agricultural research center and processed with three methods (washed, Semi-washed and dry process). The result indicated that washed coffee beans scored significantly the highest color (13.43) and odor (10) score than the other processing methods. The statistically best raw quality score (35.57%) was therefore reported for washed coffee in Jimma. Cup quality attributes however were not significantly affected by processing methods. Among chemical composition studied, lipid was significantly affected by processing methods and highest lipid 13.74 and 13.17 g/100g was reported for semi-washed and washed coffee beans respectively. Generally, washed and semi-washed coffee were preferable in terms of bean color and odor quality. Correlations were found among cup quality attributes and chemical compositions. However, further research into the accessibility and economics of coffee processing methods in the area is necessary.

Cognitive impairment in asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis is associated with abnormal segments in the Circle of Willis

Our group has previously demonstrated that patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (ACAS) demonstrate cognitive impairment. One proposed mechanism for cognitive impairment in patients with ACAS is cerebral hypoperfusion due to flow-restriction. We tested whether the combination of a high-grade carotid stenosis and inadequate cross-collateralization in the Circle of Willis (CoW) resulted in worsened cognitive impairment. Twenty-four patients with high-grade (≥70% diameter-reducing) ACAS underwent carotid duplex ultrasound, cognitive assessment, and 3D time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). The cognitive battery consisted of nine neuropsychological tests assessing four cognitive domains: learning and recall, attention and working memory, motor and processing speed, and executive function. Raw cognitive scores were converted into standardized T-scores. A structured interpretation of the MRA images was performed with each segment of the CoW categorized as being either normal or abnormal. Abnormal segments of the CoW were defined as segments characterized as narrowed or occluded due to congenital aplasia or hypoplasia, or acquired atherosclerotic stenosis or occlusion. Linear regression was used to estimate the association between the number of abnormal segments in the CoW, and individual cognitive domain scores. Significance was set to p<0.05. The mean age of the patients was 66.1 + 9.6 (mean + SD) years and 79.2% (n=19) were male. A significant negative association was found between the number of abnormal segments in the CoW and cognitive scores in the learning and recall (β = -6.5, p = 0.01), and attention and working memory (β = -7.0, p = 0.02) domains. There was a trend suggesting a negative association in the motor and processing speed (β = -2.4, p = 0.35) and executive function (β = -4.5, p = 0.06) domains that did not reach significance. In patients with high-grade ACAS, the concomitant presence of increasing occlusive disease in the CoW correlates with worse cognitive function. This association was significant in the learning and recall and attention and working memory domains. While motor and processing speed and executive function also declined numerically with increasing abnormal segments in the CoW, the relationship was not significant. Since flow restriction at a carotid stenosis compounded by inadequate collateral compensation across a diseased CoW worsens cerebral perfusion, our findings support the hypothesis that cerebral hypoperfusion underlies the observed cognitive impairment in patients with ACAS.

Effect of a physical education program in early childhood education on the performance of fundamental movement skills based on teaching styles: divergent discovery and practical

Background and Study Aim. Various proposals suggest that Physical Education classes (PE) should prioritize the development of fundamental movement skills (FMS), particularly in preschool children. Despite the crucial nature of mastering FMS, there is a paucity of evidence regarding the impact of PE classes on FMS development. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the effect of a physical education program on the performance of preschool students with varying levels of development in fundamental movement skills, employing divergent discovery and practical teaching styles. Material and Methods. Seventy-seven children (35 boys), aged between 4.5 and 6 years were divided into three groups: Control Group (CG) with 25 participants, Divergent Discovery Group (DDG) with 24 participants, and Practice Group (PG) with 28 participants. The intervention program spanned six months, with two 50-minute classes per week for the experimental groups. Conversely, the control group participated in the Classroom Program proposal. All three groups underwent the TGMD-3 motor test. Performance measurement involved the sum of the raw score in the locomotor and object control classes. Results. The findings revealed that the Control Group, Divergent Discovery Group, and Practice Group exhibited improved FMS performance from pre to post. Concerning intergroup differences, no significant disparities were observed in the pre-test. However, post-intervention results indicated that both the Divergent Discovery Group and Practice Group demonstrated superior FMS performance compared to the Control Group. Conclusions. Physical Education classes for Early Childhood Education play a crucial role in fostering significant effects on children's motor development when offered in an appropriate context and through a systematically structured intervention.

Validation of the Persian Version of the Palin Parent Rating Scales.

The Palin Parent Rating Scales (Palin PRS) is a structured questionnaire filled out by parents of children who stutter. It is designed to assess the effects of stuttering on both the children and their parents. The goal of this study was to translate the Palin PRS into Persian and to evaluate its validity and reliability for application in preschool children who stutter. This research was conducted from August 2021 to December 2022, involving 139 parents of children who stutter. The parents completed the Palin PRS and provided their demographic data. Descriptive statistics were used to examine the floor and ceiling effects on all subscales of the Palin PRS. The internal consistency of the scale was assessed using Cronbach's alpha method, while the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) was calculated to determine its test-retest reliability. An Exploratory Factor Analysis was also performed to clarify the factor structure of the scale. The Exploratory Factor Analysis results were highly consistent with the factor structure found in the original version. No floor or ceiling effects were observed for the factors of the Palin PRS. The three factors of the Persian version of the Palin PRS (P-Palin PRS) showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha&gt;0.8) and excellent test-retest reliability (ICC&gt;0.9). Additionally, normative scores were derived by converting raw scores into Stanine scores. The P-Palin PRS showed strong reliability, thereby establishing it as a suitable instrument for evaluating how parents perceive the effects of stuttering on their children and themselves. Further research may explore its application in diverse clinical settings and populations.

A Four Country Study of Strangulation-related Alterations in Consciousness in Women who have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence: Co-occurrence with Traumatic Brain Injuries and Measures of Psychological Distress.

At least one in three women experience intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime. The most commonly sustained IPV-related brain injuries include strangulation-related alterations in consciousness (S-AICs) and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Moreover, survivors of IPV-related S-AICs and/or TBIs often demonstrate psychological distress such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress. However, the co-occurrence of S-AICs and TBIs, and whether such TBIs may be moderate to severe, has not been systematically examined, and most data have been collected from women in North America. The purpose of this study was to examine the co-occurrence of IPV-related S-AICs and TBIs across a range of geographical locations and to determine the extent to which these S-AICs are related to psychological distress. Women who had experienced physical IPV (N=213) were included in this secondary analysis of retrospectively collected data across four countries (Canada, USA, Spain, and Colombia). The Brain Injury Severity Assessment (BISA) was used to assess IPV-related BI across all sites. Because various questionnaires were employed to assess levels of depression, anxiety, and PTSD at each site, we created a standardized composite score by converting raw scores into Z-scores for analysis. Mann Whitney U tests and Chi square tests were conducted to examine differences between women with- versus without-experience of S-AICs and to discover if there was a relationship between the occurrence of S-AICs and TBIs. Analysis of variance, and analysis of covariance (to control for the potential confounding effects of age, education, and non IPV-related TBI) were used to compare levels of psychological distress in women who had or had not experienced S-AICs. Approximately 67% of women sustained at least one IPV-related BI (i.e., TBI and/or S-AIC). In a sub-sample of women who sustained at least one IPV-related BI, approximately 37% sustained both S-AICs and TBIs, 2% sustained only S-AICs (with no TBIs), and 61% sustained TBIs exclusively (with no S-AICs). Furthermore, women who had sustained S-AICs (with or without a TBI) were more likely to have experienced a moderate to severe BI than those who had not sustained an S-AIC (BISA severity subscale: U=3939, p=0.006). Additionally, women who experienced S-AICs (with or without a TBI) reported higher levels of psychological distress compared to women who never experienced S-AICs, irrespective of whether they occurred once or multiple times. These data underscore the importance of assessing for S-AIC in women who have experienced IPV and when present, to also assess for TBIs and the presence of psychological distress. Unfortunately, there were methodological differences across sites precluding cross-site comparisons. Nonetheless, data were collected across four culturally and geographically diverse countries, and therefore highlight IPV-related BIs as a global issue which needs to be aggressively studied with policies established and then implemented to address find.

Home-Monitoring Vision Tests to Detect Active Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Most neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) treatments involve long-term follow-up of disease activity. Home-monitoring would reduce the burden on patients and their caregivers and release clinic capacity. To evaluate 3 vision home-monitoring tests for patients to use to detect active nAMD compared with diagnosing active nAMD at hospital follow-up during the after-treatment monitoring phase. This was a diagnostic test accuracy study wherein the reference standard was detection of active nAMD by an ophthalmologist at hospital follow-up. The 3 home-monitoring tests evaluated included the following: (1) the KeepSight Journal (KSJ [International Macular and Retinal Foundation]), which contains paper-based near-vision tests presented as word puzzles, (2) the MyVisionTrack (mVT [Genentech]) vision-monitoring mobile app, viewed on an Apple mobile operating system-based device, and (3) the MultiBit (MBT [Visumetrics]) app, viewed on an Apple mobile operating system-based device. Participants were asked to test weekly; mVT and MBT scores were transmitted automatically, and KSJ scores were returned to the research office every 6 months. Raw scores between hospital follow-ups were summarized as averages. Patients were recruited from 6 UK hospital eye clinics and were 50 years and older with at least 1 eye first treated for active nAMD for at least 6 months or longer to a maximum of 42 months before approach. Participants were stratified by time since starting treatment. Study data were analyzed from May to September 2021. The KSJ, mVT, and MBT were compared with the reference standard (in-hospital ophthalmologist examination). Estimated area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). The study had 90% power to detect a difference of 0.06, or 80% power to detect a difference of 0.05, if the AUROC for 2 tests was 0.75. A total of 297 patients (mean [SD] age, 74.9 [6.6] years; 174 female [58.6%]) were included in the study. At least 1 hospital follow-up was available for 312 study eyes in 259 participants (1549 complete visits). Median (IQR) home-monitoring testing frequency was 3 (1-4) times per month. Estimated AUROC was less than 0.6 for all home-monitoring tests, and only the KSJ summary score was associated with lesion activity (odds ratio, 3.48; 95% CI, 1.09-11.13; P = .04). Results suggest that no home-monitoring vision test evaluated provided satisfactory diagnostic accuracy to identify active nAMD diagnosed in hospital eye service follow-up clinics. Implementing any of these evaluated tests, with ophthalmologists only reviewing test positives, would mean most active lesions were missed, risking unnecessary sight loss.

Agreement of synchronous remote and in-person application of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale: Cohort study.

Using standardized scales to assess motor development via telemedicine can increase access for low-income populations. Our aim was to verify the agreement and feasibility between remotely and synchronously applying the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) and the in-person format. This was a concordance study, with 77 typical infants aged 4-18 months (mean = 13 months). The AIMS was applied remote via video calls and face-to-face. We applied a questionnaire to caregivers to verify feasibility. There was a high level of agreement between the remote and in-person assessments, with intraclass correlation coefficients above 0.98 and low standard error measure values (<1 item for each posture, <2 items for the total raw score, and =5% for the normative score). The smallest detectable change was between 1.67 and 2.45 for each posture, 3 for the total raw score, and 6% for the normative score. The Bland-Altman analysis showed low bias with the mean difference close to zero (<0.80) and low error with little dispersion of the difference points around the mean. Caregivers' perspectives on the synchronous remote assessment were positive, with good quality, clear information during the assessment, and comfort with the method. The synchronous remote application of the AIMS may be an alternative for families without access to in-person services that assess motor development.

Differences in music appreciation between bilateral and single-sided cochlear implant recipients

ObjectiveTo compare changes in music appreciation after cochlear implant (CI) surgery for patients with bilateral and single-sided deafness (SSD). MethodsA retrospective cohort study was performed on all adult CI unilateral or bilateral recipients from November 2019 to March 2023. Musical questionnaire subset data from the Cochlear Implant Quality of Life (CIQOL) – 35 Profile Instrument Score (maximum raw score of 15) was collected. Functional CI assessment was measured with CI-alone speech-in-quiet (SIQ) scores (AzBio and CNC). Results22 adults underwent CI surgery for SSD and 21 adults for bilateral deafness (8 sequentially implanted). Every patient group had clinically significant improvements (p < 0.001) in mean SIQ scores in the most recently implanted ear (Azbio (% correct) SSD: 14.23 to 68.48, bilateral: 24.54 to 82.23, sequential: 6.25 to 82.57). SSD adults on average had higher music QOL scores at baseline (SSD: 11.05; bilateral: 7.86, p < 0.001). No group had significant increases in raw score at the first post-operative visit (SSD: 11.45, p = 0.86; bilateral: 8.15, p = 0.15). By the most recent post-implantation evaluation (median 12.8 months for SSD, 12.3 months for bilateral), SSD adults had a significant increase in raw score from baseline (11.05 to 12.45, p = 0.03), whereas bilaterally deafened (7.86 to 9.38, p = 0.12) adults had nonsignificant increases. ConclusionsSSD patients demonstrate higher baseline music appreciation than bilaterally deafened individuals regardless of unilateral or bilateral implantation and are more likely to demonstrate continued improvement in subjective music appreciation at last follow-up even when speech perception outcomes are similar.

Converting LEA to Pelli-Robson contrast sensitivity score in neuro-ophthalmology patients.

The Pelli-Robson and LEA contrast sensitivity charts are commonly used in clinical settings to measure contrast sensitivity. Although the Pelli-Robson chart is considered the gold standard, it is limited by its bulky size. The LEA chart, on the contrary, offers a more practical and portable option that is still reliable. This has led to questions about whether we can predict Pelli-Robson scores based on LEA scores. This study developed a conversion method to help transition from the LEA chart to the Pelli-Robson chart and validate the conversion score. In this retrospective study, we analyzed the relationship between LEA and the Pelli-Robson contrast sensitivity test. Our study examined a total of 120 eyes. We developed a conversion table through the equipercentile equating method. Subsequently, we assessed the reliability and accuracy of this algorithm for converting LEA results into Pelli-Robson contrast sensitivity scores. The study used a conversion table to convert LEA scores to Pelli-Robson scores. The conversion table achieved a reliability of 0.91 based on intraclass correlation, and the algorithm had an accuracy of 81.6% within a 1-point difference from the raw score. This study reported a reliable and comparable conversion algorithm for transforming LEA scores into converted estimated Pelli-Robson scores, thereby improving the usefulness of existing data in both clinical and research contexts.

The use of EUNIS habitat classification to assess ecosystem services capacity: the case of Mamak district (Ankara, Türkiye)

Objective: The ecosystem services (ES) term is defined as all of the products, services, and benefits provided by ecosystems on earth to human beings and other living entities. In order to determine the ES capacity and integrating such data into management plans is a key element for nature conservation and sustainable land-use planning. Hence, a study was conducted, and the objective of this study was to determine the ES capacity of Mamak district (Ankara, Turkey) with an evaluation approach based on expert opinions using EUNIS habitat data. Material and Methods: Besides raw scores obtained from experts with the evaluation approach based on expert opinions, the areal ES capacity (AESC) indices for each EUNIS habitat type were calculated, and maps were developed accordingly. Results: The results obtained from this study showed that; (1) with raw scores, ES capacities of habitat types are very diverse for each ES type, (2) with AESC indices, almost all ES capacity class are same for each habitat type. Conclusion: As a conclusion, it can be stated that the use of EUNIS habitat maps is applicable to assess ES capacities in such studies if and when the presence of such habitat data.

Hungarian adaptation of the cerebellar cognitive affective/Schmahmann Syndrome Scale

Recent studies have reported that cerebellar lesions can cause cognitive, behavioral, and affective symptoms. This constellation is called the cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome (CCAS). A bedside instrument, the CCAS-Scale, has been developed to screen for this clinical presentation. The aim of this study is to adapt the CCAS-Scale to Hungarian according to international cross-cultural guidelines. In cooperation with the senior author of the original CCAS-Scale, we defined a five-step adaptation protocol (license number 6758-1/2021). Step 1: translation of the scale from English to Hungarian by two separate teams. Step 2: comparison of the two translated versions, synthesis (preliminary version). Step 3: back translation by an independent professional translator. Step 4: authorization, revision, and correction. Step 5: pre-testing the scale, measuring the test times. Following our protocol, we produced the CCAS-H and the instructions booklet. We pre-tested healthy (n = 10) and cerebellar stroke patients (n = 10) and finalized the scale. Although not significantly, but cerebellar patients reached lower raw scores compared with healthy subjects. Testing times differed significantly between the two groups. A meticulous validation protocol was outlined to assess the validity and reliability of the newly adapted test. CCAS-H is a quick and adequate scale to examine the cerebellar-cognitive affective syndrome, which will be available for Hungarian professionals. Our main challenge was to define the stimuli and cues with adequate psycholinguistic and psychometric properties. As a next step, we are gathering data for the validation with the help of six other Hungarian Neurology departments.

Cross-cultural adaptation, validity and reliability of the Japanese version of ABILHAND-kids for children with cerebral palsy using Rasch measurement model

Purpose The aim of this study was to develop the Japanese version of the ABILHAND-Kids and to examine its psychometric properties for Japanese children with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods The experimental version of 75 items was developed using forward-backward translation method. Parents of 137 children with CP answered it. Their responses were analyzed to successive items, and psychometric properties of the final version were investigated through the Rasch measurement model. Results The Japanese version of the ABILHAND-Kids contained 22 items. It showed valid item-patient targeting, no significant floor and ceiling effects, and no differential item functioning for demographic and clinical subgroups. All items contributed to the definition of one-dimensional measure. For internal consistency, the person separation index was 0.94. For test-retest reliability, the intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.96 (95% CI: 0.92–0.98). The minimal detectable difference was calculated with a logit score of 0.79 and a total raw score of 4.50. The logit score showed a strong correlation with the Manual Ability Classification System level (ρ= −0.70) and the Gross Motor Function Classification System level (ρ= −0.62). Conclusions The Japanese version of the ABILHAND-Kids was found to be valid and reliable. It appears to be a good tool for assessing manual abilities in daily activities in children with CP.

Translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of an Arabic version of the test of narrative language—second edition

BackgroundThe significance of narrative skills is evident due to their role in the development of language and their connection to significant social and academic skills. This study aimed to translate, adapt, and validate the Test of Narrative Language-Second Edition (TNL-2) for its use as a tool for the assessment of narrative language in Arabic-speaking Egyptian children. In a cross-sectional study design, the Arabic-translated version of the TNL-2 was administered to 200 typically developing Arabic-speaking Egyptian children ranging in age from 4 years to 15 years and 11 months for validation. The participants were categorized according to their age into ten groups and their scores were analyzed. Face validity was assessed by asking five expert phoniatricians to review the Arabic version of the TNL-2 and complete a questionnaire that assessed the test’s effectiveness in measuring different narrative skills.ResultsA statistically significant difference was found when comparing the TNL-2 scores among the age groups under study. In addition, there was a significant correlation between standardized Arabic language test scores and the total comprehension and total production subtests’ raw scores of the TNL-2. The test-retest reliability and inter-rater agreement demonstrated a high level of reliability and inter-rater agreement. Experts have reached a consensus that the Arabic version of the TNL-2 is capable of evaluating the primary microstructural and macrostructural components of Arabic narratives. Furthermore, it can provide insights into the overall narrative skills of Egyptian Arabic-speaking children.ConclusionThe Arabic-translated version of the TNL-2 demonstrated validity and reliability as an instrument for assessing narrative language comprehension and production skills in Arabic-speaking Egyptian children.

Introducing the Tele-OCS: Preliminary evidence of validity for a remotely administered version of The Oxford Cognitive Screen

Background Remote cognitive assessments are increasingly used with the rising popularity of teleneuropsychology. Here, we evaluated the performance of the remotely administered Oxford Cognitive Screen (Tele-OCS) compared to in-person administration in adult stroke survivors. Methods 40 stroke survivors (M age = 69.30, SD = 10.44; sex = 30% female) completed in-person and remote versions of the OCS on average 30 days apart, with different trained examiners. The order of administration was counterbalanced. Cohen’s d estimates were used to compare performance between modalities. Results We found that the proportion of OCS subtasks impaired did not differ across modalities (d &lt;.001). With regards to raw subtask scores, only the picture naming subtask and executive score from the trail making subtask were found to be statistically different across modalities, though raw differences were minimal (&lt;1 point difference on average). These statistical differences did not affect impairment classifications. Conclusions The Tele-OCS classified cognitive impairments in a comparable way to the in-person version. The validation of the Tele-OCS allows for remote assessment to increase accessibility and pragmatically aid in addressing the clinical need for stroke-specific cognitive screening in a wider population.

Depression and thoughts of self-harm or suicide among gender and sexually diverse people in a regional Australian community.

There is a paucity of data regarding depression and thoughts of self-harm or suicide among gender and sexually diverse (GSD) people living within Australian regional/rural locations. This study aims to elucidate these issues and fill a critical gap. The sample included 91 GSD people from a regional community in South-West Queensland utilising the PHQ-9 to determine presence/severity of depression and self-harm/suicide ideation. These data were drawn from a larger health and wellbeing survey. Raw mean scores were calculated to determine prevalence/severity of clinical symptoms. Bayesian ordinal regression models were employed to analyse between-subgroup differences in depression and self-harm/suicide ideation. Overall, 80.2% of GSD sample experienced depression (35.2% severe, 45.1% mild/moderate) and 41.8% experienced self-harm/suicide ideation in the past two-weeks. Trans and nonbinary people experienced higher levels of depressions than sexually diverse cisgender people. Pansexual and bisexual people experienced higher levels of depression than gay people. Trans people experienced higher prevalence of self-harm/suicide ideation than cisgender and nonbinary people, with no differences between sexuality subgroups. These findings contribute to deeper and more nuanced insights regarding clinically salient depressive and self-harm/suicide ideation symptoms among trans, nonbinary, bisexual, pansexual and queer people in regional Australian communities, with the aim to ultimately reduce mental health prevalence, improve mental health outcomes and health promotion among GSD people. SO WHAT?: The current findings revealed GSD people experience high prevalence of depression and self-harm/suicide ideation indicating tailored mental health awareness-raising, training and health promotion is warranted to enhance psychological support.

Pattern and clinical profile of patients with ocular trauma presenting to the emergency department of a teaching hospital in India: A prospective observational study

OBJECTIVES: One major contributor to avoidable ocular morbidity is ocular trauma (OT). The study aimed to document the epidemiological factors, pattern of injury, and outcome among patients with OT presenting to the emergency department (ED). METHODS: This was a prospective observational study conducted in the ED of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Eastern India after due approval from the institutional ethics committee. The data were collected during the period from March 2021 to February 2022. Data pertaining to age, sex, type of injury, mechanism of injury, time and place of injury, details of tissue involvement, visual acuity, any prior history of injury, initial diagnosis, and management were noted. To estimate the severity of the injury and the probable visual outcome, we calculated through OT score (OTS), including one raw score and OTS. Statistical analysis was performed using the R, version 4.6.1. RESULTS: A total of 180 patient’s data were included for final analysis. The median (interquartile range) age of the patients was 32 (24–45) years. The majority were males (n = 147 [81.6%]) with a male–female ratio of 4.5:1. Road traffic accidents (RTA) were the common cause of injury (n = 122 [67.7%]). Unilateral eye involvement was the most common (n = 147 [81.6%]). In the pattern of injury, most of the patients sustained closed globe injuries (CGIs) (n = 158 [87.7%]). Among the CGIs, injury to the ocular adnexa and conjunctiva (n = 141 and 127, respectively) was the most common. Injury to the retina and choroids occurred in 20 (11%) patients. The vision was not affected in most of the cases (n = 125 [69.4%]) with a visual acuity of &gt; 6/18. The majority (n = 120 [67%]) of the patients had an OTS of grade-4, followed by grade-2 (n = 22 [12%]). Most of the patients required only medical management (n = 100 [56%]), whereas 77 (43%) patients required surgical interventions. CONCLUSION: OT was a common presentation in the ED. Male patients with monocular injuries involved in RTAs were mostly affected. The vision was preserved in most of the cases.