Sample T-test Research Articles

Longitudinal experiences of Canadians receiving compassionate access to psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy

Recent clinical trials have found that the serotonergic psychedelic psilocybin effectively alleviates anxiodepressive symptoms in patients with life-threatening illnesses when given in a supportive environment. These outcomes prompted Canada to establish legal pathways for therapeutic access to psilocybin, coupled with psychological support. Despite over one-hundred Canadians receiving compassionate access since 2020, there has been little examination of these ‘real-world’ patients. We conducted a prospective longitudinal survey which focused on Canadians who were granted Section 56 exemptions for legal psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. Surveys assessing various symptom dimensions were conducted at baseline, two weeks following the session (endpoint), and optionally one day post-session. Participant characteristics were examined using descriptive statistics, and paired sample t-tests were used to quantify changes from baseline to the two-week post-treatment endpoint. Eight participants with Section 56 exemptions (four females, Mage = 52.3 years), all with cancer diagnoses, fully completed baseline and endpoint surveys. Significant improvements in anxiety and depression symptoms, pain, fear of COVID-19, quality of life, and spiritual well-being were observed. Attitudes towards death, medical assistance in dying, and desire for hastened death remained unchanged. While most participants found the psilocybin sessions highly meaningful, if challenging, one reported a substantial decrease in well-being due to the experience. These preliminary data are amongst the first to suggest that psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy can produce psychiatric benefits in real-world patients akin to those observed in clinical trials. Limited enrollment and individual reports of negative experiences indicate the need for formal real-world evaluation programs to surveil the ongoing expansion of legal access to psychedelics.

Geriatric nutritional risk index and quality of life among elderly hemodialysis patients: a cross-sectional study

Background: Nutritional problems are considered one of the main complications of hemodialysis, and the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is a new instrument for assessing geriatric nutritional status. The present study sought to evaluate the relationship between the GNRI and quality of life (QOL) among elderly hemodialysis patients. Methods: In the present analytical cross-sectional study, 110 hemodialysis individuals were selected by applying a simple random sampling method, among whom 57 and 53 were males and females, respectively (mean: 70.3±6.93 years). Demographic characteristics, GNRI, and QOL status were determined. The data were analyzed using SPSS 20 software and descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, ANOVA, independent sample t-tests, and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: The mean GNRI and mean total QOL were respectively obtained 93.903±11.067 and 20.95 ± 4.89. Among females, a significant direct relationship was observed between GNRI and total QOL (P = 0.010, r = 0.352), autonomy (P = 0.004, r = 0.389), and pleasure (P = 0.015, r = 0.333), while GNRI was not directly and significantly related to QOL in males (P = 0.161, r = 0.188). Conclusion: Due to the presence of a significant association between Geriatric GNRI and QOL among elderly hemodialysis patients, particularly among females, highlighting the importance of addressing nutritional status in optimizing well-being.

Comparative analysis of real-world vehicular emissions from BS-IV and BS-VI cars in India.

This study investigates real-world carbon dioxides (CO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions from diesel (Bharat Stage-IV (BS-IV)) and petrol/gasoline (BS-IV and BS-VI) cars in Indian driving conditions using a portable emission measurement system (PEMS). The paired sample t-test revealed a significant difference ( < 0.05) in NOx and CO2 emissions among the three types of cars, except for CO2 emissions ( > 0.05) between BS-IV petrol and BS-VI petrol cars. The highest NOx emission rates were observed in all car types during acceleration (> 1m/s2) and deceleration (- 2m/s2). CO2 emission rates were also high during acceleration (> 1m/s2) for all car types. At low speeds (around 20 kmph), all car types had low emissions of CO2 and NOx, with acceleration and deceleration rates ranging from - 0.5 to 0.5m/s2. BS-IV diesel cars emit significantly higher NOx emissions compared to petrol cars, especially at vehicle-specific power (VSP) bin 0 (deceleration to idling mode) and during VSP bin 7 (acceleration mode). BS-IV diesel cars emit 228% and 530% higher NOx emissions than BS-IV and BS-VI petrol cars at VSP bins 0 and 7, respectively. CO2 emissions from BS-VI petrol cars were 10% lower than those from BS-IV petrol cars across all VSP bins, indicating moderate reductions. Furthermore, diesel cars emit 140% less CO2 emissions than petrol cars across various VSP bins. The findings highlight the need for cleaner technologies and responsible driving practices to address vehicular emission concerns.

Cost analysis of radical resection of malignant breast tumors under the China Healthcare Security Diagnosis Related Groups payment system.

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in women worldwide and poses a severe threat to their health. Therefore, this study examined patients who underwent breast cancer surgery, analyzed hospitalization costs and structure, and explored the impact of China Healthcare Security Diagnosis Related Groups (CHS-DRG) management on patient costs. It aimed to provide medical institutions with ways to reduce costs, optimize cost structures, reduce patient burden, and improve service efficiency. To study the CHS-DRG payment system's impact on breast cancer surgery costs. Using the CHS-DRG (version 1.1) grouping criteria, 4073 patients, who underwent the radical resection of breast malignant tumors from January to December 2023, were included in the JA29 group; 1028 patients were part of the CHS-DRG payment system, unlike the rest. Through an independent sample t-test, the length of hospital stay as well as total hospitalization, medicine and consumables, medical, nursing, medical technology, and management expenses were compared. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to test the cost correlation. In terms of hospitalization expenses, patients in the CHS-DRG payment group had lower medical, nursing, and management expenses than those in the diagnosis-related group (DRG) non-payment group. For patients in the DRG payment group, the factors affecting the total hospitalization cost, in descending order of relevance, were medicine and consumable costs, consumable costs, medicine costs, medical costs, medical technology costs, management costs, nursing costs, and length of hospital stay. For patients in the DRG non-payment group, the factors affecting the total hospitalization expenses in descending order of relevance were medicines and consumable expenses, consumable expenses, medical technology expenses, the cost of medicines, medical expenses, nursing expenses, length of hospital stay, and management expenses. The CHS-DRG system can help control and reduce unnecessary medical expenses by controlling medicine costs, medical consumable costs, and the length of hospital stay while ensuring medical safety.

Effect of Transactional Analysis Intervention on Parent-adolescent Conflict and Emotional Regulation Among Adolescents in Bangladesh

Transactional Analysis (TA) focuses on the paradigm of the parent, adult, and child ego states. TA therapy tools have successfully reduced conflicts between parents and adolescents, emotional regulation, and depression. The main objective of this study is to examine the effect of transactional analysis intervention on parent-adolescent conflict and emotional regulation. This research uses pre-test, post-test control and experimental group design. The subjects were 60 students randomly allocated to one of two groups: experimental (TA Intervention) or control (non-TA Intervention). The descriptive analysis described the participants’ demographic profile, including age, gender, education grade, and parental marital status. The independent sample t-test evaluated the mean scores of parent-adolescent conflict, emotional regulation, and depression between the experimental and control groups’ post-test findings. The MANOVA determined the considerable effect of groups and genders on Parent-adolescent conflict, emotional regulation, and depression. The findings demonstrated that Transactional Analysis was more successful for adolescents dealing with parent-adolescent conflict, emotional regulation, and depression in the experimental group than in the control group. The current study is a pioneer experimental investigation in Bangladesh to determine the effect of TA on parent-adolescent conflict, emotional control, and depression, which will assist mental health professionals in better treating adolescent conflict, emotional regulatory strategies, and depression in Bangladeshi adolescents.

Quizlet's Usefulness for Vocabulary Learning: Perceptions of High-Level and Low-Level Chinese College EFL Learners

This study investigates the perceived usefulness of Quizlet for vocabulary learning among Chinese college EFL learners and examines differences in perceptions between high-level and low-level learners based on their post-test scores. A descriptive research design was employed, utilizing a web-based survey to gather quantitative data from 95 students in Shandong province, China, after an 8-week intervention using Quizlet. The survey was based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and focused on perceived usefulness. The findings reveal that overall, students hold a positive attitude towards Quizlet, with an overall mean score of 3.81 (SD = 0.64), indicating its perceived utility in enhancing vocabulary acquisition. Specifically, Quizlet was found to be particularly beneficial for improving both receptive (M=4.18, SD=0.70) and productive (M=4.17, SD=0.68) vocabulary knowledge. However, its perceived usefulness in improving broader language skills such as reading, writing, speaking, and listening was comparatively lower. An independent samples t-test indicated no significant difference in the overall perceived usefulness between high-level and low- level learners, though high-level learners perceived greater benefits in learning speed and productive vocabulary knowledge. These insights suggest that while Quizlet is a valuable tool for vocabulary learning, its integration should be complemented with other methods to address comprehensive language development. The study’s implications highlight the need for tailored instructional strategies to optimize digital tools like Quizlet across different proficiency levels in EFL contexts.

Automatic assessment of body composition in children with lymphoma: results of a [18F]FDG-PET/MR study.

To use Dixon-MR images extracted from [18F]FDG-PET/MR scans to perform an automatic, volumetric segmentation and quantification of body composition in pediatric patients with lymphoma. Pediatric patients with lymphoma examined by [18F]FDG-PET/MR at diagnosis and restaging were included. At each time point, axial fat and water Dixon T1w images of the thighs were automatically segmented and muscle volume, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intermuscular fat volume were quantified. The metabolic activity of the largest nodal lesion and of muscles and subcutaneous fat was recorded. The paired samples t-test and Spearman's correlation coefficient were applied to evaluate potential differences between the two time points and the relationship between metabolic and body composition metrics, respectively. By logistic regression analysis, the prognostic role of the investigated variables was assessed. The applied significance level was p < 0.05 for all analyses. Thirty-seven patients (mean age ± SD 14 ± 3-years-old; 20 females) matched the inclusion criteria. After chemotherapy (interval between the two PET/MR scans, 56-80 days; median 65 days), muscle volume significantly decreased (629 ± 259 cm3 vs 567 ± 243 cm3, p < 0.001) while subcutaneous, intramuscular and intermuscular fat increased (476 ± 255 cm3 vs 607 ± 254 cm3, p < 0.001; 63 ± 20 cm3 vs 76 ± 26 cm3, p < 0.001; 58 ± 19 cm3 vs 71 ± 23 cm3, p < 0.001); the metabolic activity of the main nodal lesion, muscles, and subcutaneous fat significantly decreased (p < 0.05, each). None of the examined variables acted as predictors of the response to treatment (p = 0.283). A strong correlation between BMI and subcutaneous fat volume at diagnosis (r = 0.675, p < 0.001) and restaging (r = 0.600, p < 0.001) emerged. The proposed method demonstrated that pediatric patients with lymphoma undergo muscle loss and an increase of subcutaneous fat during treatment. The proposed automatic and volumetric MR-based assessment of body composition in children with lymphoma can be used to monitor the effect of chemotherapy and may guide tailored exercise programs during chemotherapy. T1w Dixon images can be used for the automatic segmentation and quantification of body composition. Muscle and subcutaneous fat volume do not act as predictors of the response to treatment in children with lymphoma. Chemotherapy induces changes in body composition in children with lymphoma.

Promoting healthy sleep in 0-2-year-old infants: a study protocol for the development and mixed method evaluation of a sleep health program tailored to Dutch youth healthcare regions

BackgroundSleep problems are common among infants and can have a serious impact on the health and wellbeing of both child and parents. To sustainably promote infant sleep on a population level, it is necessary to develop evidence-based programs that can be implemented on a large scale. The Youth Health Care setting, with its focus on prevention, child health promotion and services widely available for parents, can be a suitable setting to do so. Currently however, sleep health promotion in this setting seems to be suboptimal. To promote healthy infant sleep on a population level, programs need to be accessible and comprehensible for all parents, including parents with limited (health) literacy. Therefore, this study aims to develop, implement and evaluate a program called ‘Sleep on number 1’, that is tailored to Dutch Youth Health Care, to sustainably promote healthy sleep in 0-2-year-old infants.MethodsThe program was developed based on co-creation with parents and Youth Health Care professionals, evidence-based behaviour change theories and sleep health promotion methods. Program effectiveness is investigated with a quasi-experimental study design comparing the program group with the care as usual control group. Participants consist of parents of 0-2-year-old children. Primary outcome is infant sleep quality at the age of 10 weeks and 6, 9, 14 and 24 months, measured with a sleep diary. The primary data analysis focuses on night awakenings at 9 months. Secondary outcomes focus on parental behaviour regarding infant sleep, related behavioural determinants and parental satisfaction with Youth Health Care sleep advice. Program effectiveness is analysed using a linear mixed-model in case of data clustering, and an independent samples T-test or linear regression in case no substantial clustering effects are found. A mixed methods process evaluation is performed with parents and Youth Health Care professionals, assessing program reach, adoption, implementation, maintenance and working mechanisms.DiscussionThe ‘Sleep on number 1’ program is an evidence-based sleep health program for 0-2-year-old children, tailored to Dutch Youth Health Care. If effective, this program has the potential to improve infant sleep on a population level.Trial registrationISRCTN, ISRCTN27246394, registered on 10/03/2023. https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN27246394.

Optimizing short-term in-class process evaluation: analyzing the effectiveness of teaching interventions in pharmaceutical education using repeated measures analysis

BackgroundThe assessment of the effectiveness of teaching interventions in enhancing students’ understanding of the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe (PCNE) Classification System is crucial in pharmaceutical education. This is especially true in regions like China, where the integration of the PCNE system into undergraduate teaching is limited, despite its recognized benefits in addressing drug-related problems in clinical pharmacy practice. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching interventions in improving students’ understanding of the PCNE Classification System in pharmaceutical education.MethodsUndergraduate pharmacy students participated in a series of sessions focused on the PCNE system, including lectures (t1), case analyses (t2), and practical implementation (t3). The levels of understanding were evaluated using time-course questionnaires. Initially, paired samples t-Tests were used to compare understanding levels between different time points. Subsequently, Repeated Measures Analysis (RMA) was employed. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between understanding levels and the usability and likelihood of using the PCNE system, as reported in the questionnaires.ResultsThe paired samples t-Tests indicated insignificant differences between t2 and t3, suggesting limited improvement following the practical implementation of the PCNE system. However, RMA revealed significant time effects on understanding levels in effective respondents and the focused subgroup without prior experience (random intercept models: all p < 0.001; random slope models: all p < 0.001). These results confirmed the effectiveness of all three teaching interventions. Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated significant positive correlations between understanding levels and the usability and likelihood of using the PCNE system at all examined time points. This finding highlighted the reliability of the understanding levels reported in the questionnaires. The homework scores were used as external calibration standards, providing robust external validation of the questionnaire’s validity.ConclusionThe implementation of RMA provided robust evidence of the positive impact of time on understanding levels. This affirmed the effectiveness of all teaching interventions in enhancing students’ comprehension of the PCNE Classification System. By utilizing RMA, potential errors inherent in common statistical methods, such as t-Tests, were mitigated. This ensured a more comprehensive and accurate assessment of the effectiveness of the teaching interventions.

The usefulness of ultrasonography as a dynamic measurement system for visualizing root canal working length: an in vivo study

ObjectiveAlthough apex locators are generally effective tools for determining root canal working length, they may produce inaccurate results in some cases. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ultrasonography as an alternative method for measuring root canal length.Materials and methodsForty-seven anterior teeth with apical lesions were selected for the study. Initially, an electronic apex locator was used to measure the working length. Subsequently, ultrasonography was employed to visualize the root apex and determine the working length. During ultrasound imaging, a K-file No. 15 was inserted into the root canal until its tip was visible on the ultrasound monitor. Measurements obtained from both methods were compared using an independent sample t-test. Correlations were assessed with the Pearson correlation coefficient, and agreement was determined using the Bland‒Altman plot.ResultsThe mean working canal length was 19.9 mm for the apex locator and 20.6 mm for the ultrasonography-guided method. No significant differences were observed between the data obtained using the apex locator method and the data obtained using the ultrasonography guidance method. Furthermore, a high level of agreement was identified between the two techniques.ConclusionUltrasonography can be used to visualize the apex effectively and determine canal length, especially when canal length determination is uncertain for various reasons.

The effect of cognitive behavioral therapy-based psychoeducation on substance abuse proclivity in adolescent smokers

ABSTRACT Aim The aim of this study is to determine how CBT-based psychoeducation affects substance abuse proclivity in adolescent smokers. Materials and Methods The study is an experimental study model with pretest–posttest control group. As a result of the power analysis carried out for the sample of the study, the sample size was calculated to be 110 adolescent smokers at a significance level of 0.05, confidence interval of 95%, an effect size of 0.7, and power of population representation of 0.95. A Descriptive Characteristics Form and SAPS were used to collect the data. The experimental group received eight sessions of cognitive-behavioral therapy-based psychoeducation. No educational program was applied to the control group. The data were analyzed using number, percentage, mean, standard deviation, chi-square, dependent samples t-test and independent samples t-test. Results Substance abuse proclivity was determined in adolescents who smoked cigarettes in the experimental and control groups. The SAPS total score average of the individuals in the experimental group decreased after psychoeducation compared to before psychoeducation. The difference between the posttest SAPS total mean scores of the control and experimental groups was statistically significant. Conclusion CBT-based psychoeducation was found to be effective in reducing substance use proclivities in adolescent smokers.

The Effects of Literature Circles on Students’ Reading Comprehension Skills

This experimental research study was conducted to determine the effects of literature circles on 2nd year baccalaureate students’ reading comprehension skills. The sample consisted of two classes of second year baccalaureate Arts stream students studying at the same public high school. The classes which were chosen for either the experimental and control group were pretested using a reading comprehension text test. The treatment lasted for a period of eight weeks. After the experiment, participants were then post-tested using the same test scale. Students who underwent the treatment (literature circles) were randomly assigned to groups of seven or eight students, and were given a role to assume and a short story to read. After reading the story independently and completing their role sheets, students discussed the story within their small groups. The data collected were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analyses. The results of the study indicated that there was a positive effect of literature circles on reading comprehension skills (summarizing, inferencing, and paraphrasing); the experimental group gained higher scores on the short answer-test compared to the control group. The results were interpreted using the t-test for independent samples. The t-test revealed that the difference between students who were exposed to the use of literature circles and those who were taught in the ordinary way was significant.

A Causal Model of Learning Loss in the Midst of COVID-19 Pandemic Among Thai Lower Secondary School Students

&lt;p style="text-align:justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:12pt"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Cambria,serif"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:9.0pt"&gt;It is known that the COVID-19 pandemic led to learning losses among students both domestically and internationally. Therefore, situational and casual factors were examined to discover and understand them so that learning loss could be reduced or recovered from. This research aimed to: (a) study learning loss situation; and (b) develop and examine the causal model of learning loss among lower secondary school students affected by the pandemic. The sample included 650 Grade 7-9 students selected by multi-stage random sampling. The data was collected using a self-developing questionnaire as a research instrument. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, ANOVA, and structural equation modeling (SEM) through the LISREL program. The findings were: (a) Lower secondary school students had an average academic achievement learning loss at the moderate level with the highest mean of learning loss in mathematics (&lt;em&gt;M&lt;/em&gt;=3.012, &lt;em&gt;SD&lt;/em&gt;=1.074), and an average learning characteristics learning loss at the medium level (&lt;em&gt;M&lt;/em&gt;=2.824, &lt;em&gt;SD&lt;/em&gt;=0.842). Several situational factors had a different effect depending on the school size with a statistical significance of .05.; and (b) the causal model showed the learning loss of grade 7-9 students was consistent with the empirical data (χ2=46.885, &lt;em&gt;df&lt;/em&gt;=34, &lt;em&gt;p&lt;/em&gt;= .069, GFI=0.991, AGFI=0.964, CFI=0.999, RMSEA=0.024, SRMR=0.014).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Increasing psychological flexibility is associated with positive therapy outcomes following a transdiagnostic ACT treatment

ObjectivesIncreasing psychological flexibility is considered an important mechanism of change in psychotherapy across diagnoses. In particular, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) primarily aims at increasing psychological flexibility in order to live a more fulfilling and meaningful life. The purpose of this study is to examine 1) how psychological flexibility changes during an ACT-based treatment in a transdiagnostic day hospital and 2) how this change is related to changes in symptomatology, quality of life, and general level of functioning.Methods90 patients of a psychiatric day hospital participated in the study. Psychological flexibility, symptomatology, and quality of life were assessed at three measurement time points (admission, discharge, and 3-month follow-up). The level of functioning was assessed at admission and discharge. Differences in psychological flexibility were tested via two-sided paired samples t-tests. Correlations of residualized change scores were calculated to detect associations between changes in psychological flexibility and other outcomes.ResultsPsychological flexibility increased significantly from pre-treatment to post-treatment (d = .43, p &amp;lt;.001) and from pre-treatment to follow-up (d = .54, p &amp;lt;.001). This change was significantly correlated to a decrease in symptomatology (r = .60 –.83, p &amp;lt;.001) and an increase in most dimensions of quality of life (r = -.43 – -.75, p &amp;lt;.001) and general level of functioning (r =-.34, p = .003).DiscussionThis study adds further evidence for psychological flexibility as a transdiagnostic process variable of successful psychotherapy. Limitations are discussed.

Psychometric testing of the training needs for advance care planning scale for clinicians and nurses

BackgroundStudies have shown that Chinese Clinicians and nurses have positive attitudes toward ACP, but no local tools exist to assess their need for ACP knowledge and skills training. resulting in their inability to initiate ACP conversations as well as poor end-of-life care for patients. Therefore, this study aims to assess the needs of Chinese Clinicians and nurses for ACP knowledge and skills training and assess the validity and reliability of a questionnaire on the Training Needs for Advance Care Planning (TNACP) scale.MethodsFrom October to November 2021, 170 clinicians and nurses were pre-surveyed using a preliminary draft of the questionnaire. The responses were screened using item analysis, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to describe the internal consistency and stability of the questionnaire. The Content validity index (CVI), Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to test the validity of the questionnaire.ResultsAfter independent samples t-test analysis, Except for the entry “A2”, the critical ratio between the two groups of the remaining 23 items was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Based on the above screening methods, the “A2” item was deleted, and the final number of questionnaire items was 23. The I-CVI was 0.79–1.00, and the S-CVI/Ave was 0.90. Three common factors were extracted—the cumulative contribution rate was 69.969%, and the factor loading of all items was 0.506–0.843 (all > 0.40). The results of confirmatory factor analysis showed that the Training Needs for Advance Care Planning (TNACP) scale model fit well(X2/df = 2.504, RMSEA = 0.092, GFI = 0.809, AGFI = 0.745, CFI = 0.931, IFI = 0.932, TLI = 0.916); the Cronbach’s α = 0.888 for the total questionnaire, and the three dimensions of Cronbach’s α were 0.729 to 0.959; and the ICC for the overall scores between the test-retest evaluations was 0.884 (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe TNACP scale has good reliability and validity and can be used to assess Chinese Clinicians and nurses’ training needs for implementing ACP.

The effect of games on listening and speaking anxiety in learning English

This action research investigates the effect of game technique on reducing English listening and speaking anxiety among fourth-grade primary school students. The study group involved 46 students at a Science and Art Centre in Türkiye. The quantitative data were collected through the English Listening Anxiety Scale and the English Speaking Anxiety Scale administered before and after the implementation. The qualitative data were gathered through student interviews and teacher’s research diary. The dependent samples t-test was used to compare the pre-test and post-test mean scores from the scales. The data from the interviews and the diary were analysed by inductive analysis. Firstly, the findings of the t-test analysis revealed that game technique significantly reduced students’ English listening anxiety, but not English speaking anxiety. On the other hand, the qualitative findings showed that this technique has positive contributions to learning-teaching process although it does not have such an effect on both speaking and listening anxiety. Nevertheless, the analysis of the interviews and the diary also indicated that the technique has a positive influence on the factors that can reduce anxiety such as “willingness to make sentences, not getting bored in lessons, feeling relaxed, thinking quickly, eagerness, and effort”. Considering all the findings in the study, we concluded that using game technique in English courses is not directly effective in reducing English listening and speaking anxiety, but it has positive contributions to the overall learning-teaching process. Finally, the study provides some practical suggestions for teachers.

Effect of Cognitive Orientation to Daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) on Motivation of Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Clinical Randomized Controlled Trial

ABSTRACT Children with cerebral palsy (CP) may experience challenges with motivation to engage in motor activities during rehabilitation sessions, which can impact therapy outcomes. This study investigated the effect of the Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) intervention on the motivation and achievement of motor-based goals in rehabilitation sessions for children with CP. In this pilot randomized trial, eighteen children aged 8–13 years with CP participated and were randomly assigned to either the CO-OP or bottom-up usual care group. The CO-OP group received 12 performance-based cognitive intervention sessions. The CO-OP intervention significantly enhanced the motivation of children with CP to engage and participate in therapeutic activities, as evidenced by the Pediatric Motivation Scale (PMOT) and its four sub-scales (p < 0.05, based on repeated measures ANOVA). Moreover, the Goal Attainment Scale (GAS) T-scores were higher for both posttest and follow-up assessments in the CO-OP group compared to the bottom-up usual care group. Additionally, independent sample t-test results demonstrated a significant difference in the mean scores of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) between the two groups. The Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) intervention successfully enhanced the motivation and facilitated the achievement of motor-based goals from the patient perspective in children with CP. The client-centered approach, focusing on meeting the basic psychological needs of the participants, contributed to improved therapy outcomes in terms of functional abilities, goal attainment, and engagement in daily activities. These findings highlight the potential of the CO-OP intervention as an effective approach for enhancing motivation and improving therapy outcomes in children with CP.

Development of a self-administered online battery for remote assessment of executive functions and verbal memory: equivalence with face-to-face administration, preliminary norms, and acceptance

ABSTRACT Objectives Interest in teleneuropsychology services increased considerably after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the utility of unsupervised administration of computerized tests remains largely unexplored. In the present study, we developed a brief computerized battery that assesses self-reported cognitive abilities and performances on executive functioning and verbal memory. We investigated the equivalence of the self-administration online (SAO) procedure and the face-to-face (FTF) administration. Preliminary normative data were developed and the acceptance of the SAO procedure was explored. Methods A community sample of 169 Greek adults [94 women; mean age: 41.95 (SD = 13.40) years, mean years of education: 15.10 (SD = 2.65)] completed the SAO assessment. A subgroup of 40 participants was tested in a counterbalanced way both with SAO and FTF. Participants’ performances were compared with paired sample t-tests and the agreement between the two methods was estimated with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Multiple linear regression analyses were applied to investigate the effect of demographic characteristics on SAO measures. Results No difference between SAO and FTF scores was observed. ICCs indicated moderate to good agreement (.418–.848) for most measures. Age was positively associated with self-reported cognitive state and negatively with neuropsychological performances and the level of acceptance of the SAO procedure. Approximately 80% of participants reported satisfaction from the SAO assessment, 69% good compliance with the instructions, but less than 30% belief that the FTF assessment could be adequately replaced. Conclusion SAO testing is feasible and well accepted among Greek adults yielding equivalent results with FTF testing. Despite the wide satisfaction, though, notable reluctance was noted for the substitution of FTF with SAO procedures.

Development of a self-administered online battery for remote assessment of executive functions and verbal memory: equivalence with face-to-face administration, preliminary norms, and acceptance

ABSTRACT Objectives Interest in teleneuropsychology services increased considerably after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the utility of unsupervised administration of computerized tests remains largely unexplored. In the present study, we developed a brief computerized battery that assesses self-reported cognitive abilities and performances on executive functioning and verbal memory. We investigated the equivalence of the self-administration online (SAO) procedure and the face-to-face (FTF) administration. Preliminary normative data were developed and the acceptance of the SAO procedure was explored. Methods A community sample of 169 Greek adults [94 women; mean age: 41.95 (SD = 13.40) years, mean years of education: 15.10 (SD = 2.65)] completed the SAO assessment. A subgroup of 40 participants was tested in a counterbalanced way both with SAO and FTF. Participants’ performances were compared with paired sample t-tests and the agreement between the two methods was estimated with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Multiple linear regression analyses were applied to investigate the effect of demographic characteristics on SAO measures. Results No difference between SAO and FTF scores was observed. ICCs indicated moderate to good agreement (.418–.848) for most measures. Age was positively associated with self-reported cognitive state and negatively with neuropsychological performances and the level of acceptance of the SAO procedure. Approximately 80% of participants reported satisfaction from the SAO assessment, 69% good compliance with the instructions, but less than 30% belief that the FTF assessment could be adequately replaced. Conclusion SAO testing is feasible and well accepted among Greek adults yielding equivalent results with FTF testing. Despite the wide satisfaction, though, notable reluctance was noted for the substitution of FTF with SAO procedures.

The relationship between parental attitude toward childhood epilepsy and spiritual orientation

AimThe aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between parental attitudes toward childhood epilepsy and spiritual orientations. MethodsThis descriptive study was conducted online between May and July 2022 with 417 parents residing in the eastern part of Turkey. Data were collected using a descriptive information form, the Social Attitudes Scale toward Childhood Epilepsies, and the Spiritual Orientation Scale. The obtained data were analyzed using the SPSS software package, employing descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, as well as inferential statistics including independent samples t-test, ANOVA, multiple linear regression and correlation tests. ResultsThe Total Social Attitudes Scale Score toward Childhood Epilepsies was calculated as 45.10 ± 7.81, and the Spiritual Orientation Scale Score was 89.88 ± 30.30 for parents with an average age of 36.64 ± 8.26. It was found statistically significant and high (p > 0.05) for parents who are female, have a higher level of education, and have previously received education about epilepsy regarding both the Total Social Attitudes Scale Score toward Childhood Epilepsies and the Spiritual Orientation Scale Score. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the Total Social Attitudes Scale Score toward Childhood Epilepsies and the Spiritual Orientation Scale Score. ConclusionAccording to the findings of the research, parents' attitudes towards childhood epilepsy are positive, and their spiritual orientation levels are high. As parents' spiritual orientation levels increase, their positive attitudes towards childhood epilepsy also increase.