Self-help Training Research Articles

Reducing Depression Through an Online Intervention: Benefits From a User Perspective.

BackgroundInternet interventions are increasingly being recognized as effective in the treatment and prevention of mental health conditions; however, the usefulness of such programs from the perspective of the participants is often not reported.ObjectiveThis study explores the experiences of participants of a 12-week randomized controlled trial of an automated self-help training program (e-couch), with and without an Internet support group, targeting depression.MethodsThe study comprised a community sample of 298 participants who completed an online survey both prior to and on completion of an intervention for preventing or reducing depressive symptoms.ResultsOverall, participants reported a high level of confidence in the ability of an online intervention to improve a person’s understanding of depression. However, confidence that a website could help people learn skills for preventing depression was lower. Benefits reported by participants engaged in the intervention included increased knowledge regarding depression and its treatment, reduced depressive symptoms, increased work productivity, and improved ability to cope with everyday stress. A minority of participants reported concerns or problems resulting from participation in the interventions.ConclusionsThe findings provide consumer support for the effectiveness of this online intervention.Trial RegistrationInternational Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN): 65657330;http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN65657330 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6cwH8xwF0)

Effects of multi-functional self-help lower extremity training band on elderly patients with hip fracture

Objective To evaluate the effects of multi-functional self-help lower extremity training band on elderly patients after hip fracture surgery. Methods A total of 120 elderly patients after hip fracture surgery were randomly divided into two groups experimental group (n=60) and control group (n=60). The patients of two groups were treated with routine care, but patients of experimental group also received functional exercise using multi-functional self-help lower extremity training. The compliance of functional exercise were compared between two groups, and the effects of postoperative rehabilitation exercise were evaluated. Results The exercise effects of knee joint and hip joint in experimental group were significantly better than those in control group (χ2=14.90, 13.89; P<0.05). The patients′ compliance of functional exercise in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). Conclusions The using of multi-functional self-help lower extremity training band can improve the compliance of functional exercise and the effects of rehabilitation on elderly patients after hip fracture surgery, and can promote the progress of rehabilitation. Key words: Elderly; Hip fracture; Multi-functional self-help lower extremity training band; Rehabilitation; Compliance

Self-help memory training for healthy older adults in a residential care center: specific and transfer effects on performance and beliefs.

Cognitive flexibility has repeatedly been shown to improve after training programs in community-dwelling older adults, but few studies have focused on healthy older adults living in other settings. This study investigated the efficacy of self-help training for healthy older adults in a residential care center on memory tasks they practiced (associative and object list learning tasks) and any transfer to other tasks (grocery lists, face-name learning, figure-word pairing, word lists, and text learning). Transfer effects on everyday life (using a problem-solving task) and on participants' beliefs regarding their memory (efficacy and control) were also examined. With the aid of a manual, the training adopted a learner-oriented approach that directly encouraged learners to generalize strategic behavior to new tasks. The maintenance of any training benefits was assessed after 6 months. The study involved 34 residential care center residents (aged 70-99 years old) with no cognitive impairments who were randomly assigned to two programs: the experimental group followed the self-help training program, whereas the active control group was involved in general cognitive stimulation activities. Training benefits emerged in the trained group for the tasks that were practiced. Transfer effects were found in memory and everyday problem-solving tasks and on memory beliefs. The effects of training were generally maintained in both practiced and unpracticed memory tasks. These results demonstrate that learner-oriented self-help training enhances memory performance and memory beliefs, in the short term at least, even in residential care center residents.

Self-Help Training System for Nursing Students to Learn Patient Transfer Skills

This paper describes the construction and evaluation of a self-help skill training system for assisting student nurses in learning skills involving the transfer of patients from beds to wheelchairs. We have proposed a feedback method that is based on a checklist and video demonstrations. To help trainees efficiently check their performance and correct errors, the checklist was prepared with items specific to the performance of tasks related to individual body parts (e.g., the height of the waist). In this system, two Kinect RGB-D sensors were used for measuring the posture of the trainees and patients. An automatic skill evaluation method was used to designate the trainees' performance against each evaluation item as correct or incorrect. Furthermore, the system's operation interface was designed to enable self-operation by trainees. Control tests were performed to measure the training effectiveness of the system. The results of the tests on a control group (n = 5) that used only a textbook and demonstration video but did not receive feedback were compared with those of the experimental group (n = 5) that used the proposed system. The results of both subjective and objective evaluation demonstrated that the experimental group showed greater improvement in performing patient transfer than the control group (p <; 0:05).

Abstract ADV02: Black voices on health: Exploring possibilities for community-based research on cancer and co-morbidities amongst rural California Central Coast African Americans.

Abstract Carmelita Austin-Schreher, a breast cancer survivor who wanted to connect African-Americans to early detection education, support and services formed the African-American Community Health Group of the Central Coast with-in 4 months of her diagnosis. Beginning in 1998, we responded as a self-help group to the disproportionately high breast cancer mortality rates of African-American women, and the need for ethnically sensitive services. Carmelita and community members envisioned a group that would not only educate the African-American community about cancer, but one that would provide one-to-one and group support, a safe and comfortable environment for discussion, and would respect the cultural needs of our community. In order to provide its participants with the highest level of care and education, African-American Community Health Group is committed to staying on top of the latest news in health and cancer screening, treatment and research. African-American Community Health Group is proud of being a “grassroots” organization and is therefore dedicated to providing comprehensive screening outreach, health education, and long-term advocacy to empower all African-Americans in the central coast community. We continue to provide crucial cancer education and prevention services as well as peer support for people with cancer through targeted projects. However, in addition to these activities we expanded health promotion and disease prevention activities of our organization to providing broad-based health education to the larger African-American and underserved communities including men and families, through office hours, library, support groups, seminars, peer and leadership training, and health fairs. The mission of the African-American Community Health Group is to empower the African-American community of the central coast to be active and informed health consumers and survivors through self-help activities, advocacy training, and health education. Additionally, we work to create a dialogue with the community at large about racial disparities in health and the need for increased cultural and racial sensitivity. Citation Format: Carmelita Austin-Schreher. Black voices on health: Exploring possibilities for community-based research on cancer and co-morbidities amongst rural California Central Coast African Americans. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr ADV02. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-ADV02

Impact of system training on community health care workers' health teaching level

Objective To explore the impact of concentrated teaching, self-help training, intensive training, scenario simulation and other systemic training methods on the health teaching level of community health education staff,and the impact of community health education on cultivation of residents' health behavior before and after training. Methods 60 community doctors and nurses involved in systematic training. Taught concentrated 8 hours every week, and continuous for 4 weeks with medicine, psychology, sociology, pedagogy, aesthetics and production of courseware. Trainees who awarded 80 points or more in examination took part in simulated scene training, which completed a 30-minute design of concentrated health lesson and a 15-minute design of one to one health lesson in written form and multimedia teaching. Teaching effect-site was evaluated by the residents of the community lectures. The impact on cultivation of residents' behaviors was evaluated with ruler evaluation method.Results The community health care workers' teaching ability had significant change after training: plan design (2.32 ± 1.41 vs 4.26 ±0.61 ), lectures (2.63 ±0.89 vs 4.09 ±0.93), teaching skills ( 1.97 ± 1.32 vs 3.89 ±1. 13 ), teaching aids configuration ( 1.68 ± 1. 43 vs 3.97 ± 1. 26 ), educational methods ( 2.01 ± 0. 96 vs 4.03 ±0.82), time control (2.83 ±0.26 vs 4.67 ±0.25), the classroom atmosphere (2.78 ± 1. 13 vs 4.12 ±0.67),courseware ( 2.48 ± 1. 08 vs 3.89 ± 1.02 ) , teaching the image ( 2.15 ± 1.15 vs 4.06 ± 0.78 ), overall evaluation (2.36 ± 1.21 vs 4. 16 ± 0.65 )(P ＜ 0. 0 1 ). After training, community residents' knowledge on community health care workers' one to one health education and collective health education training, and positive evaluation of helpful to students' behavior improved significantly ( x2 = 17.19,36.37 ;8.91,20.98 ;34.14,32.29) ,and all had remarkable difference( all P＜0. 01 ). Evaluating the impact of health care workers' teach on cultivating residents'health behavior after one year, it improved significantly (P ＜ 0. 01 ). Conclusion Systemic training can improve health education ability of community medical staff and the impact on cultivating residents' health behavior is remarkable. Key words: Community hygiene; Health education; Capacity training Ruler evaluation

A randomized controlled trial of Internet-based self-help training for recurrent headache in childhood and adolescence

Two different self-help training programs (multimodal cognitive-behavioral training (CBT) and applied relaxation (AR)) presented via the Internet were compared with an educational intervention (EDU) in an RCT. Sixty-five children and adolescents (mean age: 12.7 years) with recurrent headache (at least 2 attacks per month) were each assigned to one of the three treatment conditions. The main outcome variables related to changes in headache frequency, intensity and duration as well as the responder rate (50% reduction of headache frequency) and NNTs. Secondary outcome variables were pain catastrophizing and general well-being (depression, psychopathological symptoms and health-related quality of life). All groups showed significant reduction in headache frequency, duration and pain catastrophizing, but not in headache intensity, depression, psychopathological symptoms or health-related quality of life at post-assessment. NNTs were 2.0 for the comparison CBT and EDU; 5.2 for the comparison of AR and EDU at post-treatment. The highest responder rates at post were from CBT (63%), significantly different compared to AR (32%) and EDU (19%), whereas at follow-up no significant differences were found (CBT: 63%, AR: 56%, EDU: 55%) reflecting in the NNTs. The effects remain stable in headache frequency, pain catastrophizing and psychopathological symptoms across all groups at follow-up assessment. CBT showed the highest within-effect size in headache frequency, duration and pain catastrophizing. The results support the use of Internet programs for pediatric recurrent headache, especially given their accessibility and suitability for children and adolescents. Further studies are needed to improve their quality and efficacy.

The Krukenberg plasty and the provision of additional prostheses and technical aids

In case of bilateral forearm stumps or anomalies the Krukenberg plasty is indicated on at least one side. It aims at creating a tactile grasping organ. The coordination of Krukenberg on one side and a myoelektric prosthesis an the other side is an optimal solution for the person without hands. A blind person without hands may not miss the Krukenberg arm. The operation technique and the different modifications are discussed together with the anatomic and physiological principles, and especially the technique modified by E. Marquardt is described in detail. Due to this technique the grasping surface and the ends of the branches can be covered with skin of tactile sensation preserving all forearm muscles. By this technique two branches are created which are strong and well supplied with blood and which have tactile and well padded grasping surfaces. The post-operative physical and occupational treatment including self-help training are an important part of treatment and aim at providing the newly created grasping organ with the capability and skill that are always required for all tasks in daily life. For functional and cosmetic reasons we provide the Krukenberg arm with an electromechanical prosthesis; the advantages of this treatment compared with other possibilities are discussed.

Internet-Based Self-Help Training for Children and Adolescents with Recurrent Headache: A Pilot Study

AbstractWe report the results of a randomized controlled trial that compared the efficacy of an internet-based self-help treatment for paediatric headache including chat communication (cognitive-behavioural treatment, CBT) with an internet-based psychoeducation intervention (EDU). In the CBT group, significant pre- to post-treatment decreases were found for headache frequency and pain catastrophizing, but not for headache intensity or duration. In the EDU group none of the variables (frequency, intensity, duration, pain catastrophizing) showed improvement. No significant between group differences were found for headache variables and pain catastrophizing at post-treatment. The patients reported high satisfaction with the internet-based training and a good patient-trainer-alliance. Results were maintained at 6-month follow-up. Due to the small sample size, no general conclusions can be drawn regarding the efficacy of the internet-based training regarding the outcome variables, but the training was well accepted by patients. Further research is necessary to evaluate the therapeutic potential of such interventions.

Approaches to network training with particular reference to a perceived need for self-help materials

The Network Training Materials Project at the University of Newcastle (UK) surveyed the existing scope of network training materials and found that printed material was the most common, but that there was a demand for alternative forms of training material, particularly for self-teaching purposes. The Project is producing generic training materials primarily for the UK user-support community, though in practice, they have been taken up world-wide. These materials, and the community's response to them, are described. The paper briefly surveys examples of interactive and self-help training, looks at issues pertaining to self-teaching, and puts forward a proposal for self-help,interactive training.

Evaluating a Self-Help Approach to Helping a Phobic Child: A Profile Analysis

This is a report of the practitioner evaluation of clinical social work in afield setting; it involved helping a 9-year-old girl with a severe phobia of dogs. A single-system design is used to evaluate the outcome of contextual therapy, a real-life desensitization approach. An instigative method, self-help training for the child, was directed by a clinical social worker who was not present during the intervention. Treatment appeared to produce a rapid and significant decrease in the child's perception of fear and dog avoidance behavior. A profile analysis of the single-subject data revealed the progressive changes in the whole configuration offears. The methodology is innovative in that both the analysis and the treatment approach combine to capture the complexity of real life while imposing a logical way of measuring change.

Analysis of public verbal feedback as a staff management procedure

We evaluated public verbal feedback as a potentially effective and efficient means of improving institutional staff performance. Following baseline observations of the self-help training conducted by three groups of direct care staff with clients who had profound mental retardation, verbal feedback was presented publicly to individual staff during routine staff meetings. The feedback addressed the (in)frequency of the staffs training endeavors and required only a few minutes to present. Results indicated that each group of staff increased their client training when the public verbal feedback was provided. Probes of client self-help skills indicated that as the frequency of staff-conducted training increased, client skill acquisition improved. Generalization measures indicated that staff increased only those work behaviors for which they received feedback. Results are discussed regarding the efficiency of public verbal feedback as a means of improving staff performance, as well as the need for research to continue expanding and refining a technology of staff management.

Self-Help Relaxation Training of Recurrent Headache in Adolescents

Self-Help Relaxation Training of Recurrent Headache in Adolescents

Single Mothers in Canada: An Analysis

This paper explores the social context of single mothers in Canada. Areas of concern in the literature include role strain (both at home and at work), poverty, employment, and the inaccessibility of child care. Past interventions for single mothers at the governmental, organizational, and individual levels are discussed. These include strategies to reduce the numbers of single-parent families living below the poverty line, to ensure greater flexibility for single mothers in the workforce, and to improve the overall self-image of women through further education, assertiveness training, and confidence building. Finally, the authors make recommendations for policy changes and future interventions, proposing a strategy which combines elements of the Employment Resource Program, an innovative model used in a mid-size Ontario city, and the former Vancouver Opportunities program. The model employs self-help techniques, career counselling and job training, child care and financial assistance.

Behavioral Self-Help Training for Developmentally Disabled Individuals

Behavioral Self-Help Training for Developmentally Disabled Individuals

Ergotherapeutische Behandlung der rheumatoiden Hand

Ergotherapy should be integrated into the overall treatment concept of the rheumatoid arthritis patient. This means that, for example, the physiotherapist and the physician, being members of professional groups working closest to the patient, are fully aware and well briefed on the tasks and possibilities of ergotherapy in order to make full use of the spectrum of measures.Five points of emphasis are derived from the disease (pain/restricted funktion/deformity): - Clarification and identification of the diseased condition - Self-help training - Protection of joints - Functional training - Application of a splintOn-target clarification from a functional psychological and social point of view places the ergotherapist in a position to establish priorities in individual treatment. Depending on the condition of the patient, a wide variety of measures may be effected side by side, supplementing or correlating with each other. For example: improved function will improve the patient's independance and self-reliance.In ergotherapy, the rheumatoid hand cannot be treated as an independent, seperate tool; rather, the concept of er- gotherpy demands that the patient as a whole be treated as an entity. Hence, the principal aim of all measures must be to achieve - maximum independence and self-reliance of the rheumatoid arthritis patient - Maintenance and improvement of mobility - full exploration and discovery of all the possibilities of action which can still be taken.

Training an autistic client: The effect of brief restraint on disruptive behavior

A profoundly retarded autistic client who was making no progress in self-help skill training sessions exhibited disruptive behaviors which were incompatible with training goals. These behaviors included withdrawal, self-stimulation and mascular rigidity. Following baseline measurement of the effectiveness of standard behavior-shaping techniques, brief restraint was implemented to decelerate the disruptive behaviors. During treatment conditions a two-trainer procedure was employed. All task-oriented behavior was followed by positive reinforcement. The disruptive behaviors of the client decreased following the introduction of the restraint procedure. As the disruptive behaviors were reduced, progress in a self-help training program was evidenced. Following a fading procedure a single trainer could control the behavior of the client via positive reinforcement alone.

Strategic behavior and linguistic functions of institutionalized moderately retarded persons.

The communication skills of moderately and severely retarded persons play a major part in the success of vocational and self-help training programs in mental retardation institutions. Up to the present time, educators have attempted to overcome language deficits by training word use and comprehension skills which have immediate impact. An alternative approach which may have broader implications is to identify and develop the cognitive functions which mediate performance. Tests of two coding processes and measures of linguistic activity were administered to 100 institutionalized moderately retarded adults. Correlational analyses drew attention to the association between use and understanding of language and successive processing. However, analysis of variance based upon a double median split of simultaneous and successive processing factor scores indicated the importance of both coding dimensions in establishing syntax and relational associations. The results of the study confirmed earlier research conducted with less severely retarded and non-retarded subjects and provided evidence of the relationship between coding and linguistic functions. This research also provided a data base for the development of training programs based upon simultaneous and successive synthesis.

Development of services for mentally retarded people in the Federal Republic of Germany: a survey of history, empirical research, and current trends.

Abstract The present article provides a brief overview of existing trends in empirical research with and services for mentally retarded citizens in the German-speaking countries (with the main focus on the Federal Republic of Germany) and of the prevalent philosophy and practice of care as it has developed throughout the centuries. The historical background is considered an important aspect for the appreciation and understanding of the current situation. The areas in which empirical investigations have been conducted recently are reviewed, subdivided into research on assessment instruments, descriptive studies (prevalence studies, research on living conditions, etc.), and intervention research (self-help programs, language and communication training, problem behavior, etc.). The strong influence of the Anglo-American literature, particularly on recent trends in applied research and assessment, is emphasized. It is also pointed out that there is a lively discussion of conceptual and theoretical issues in mental retardation in Germany. Due to the selection criteria applied, some relevant research areas and important clinical work cannot be discussed in this context.

Prerequisite vs. in vivo acquisition of self-feeding skill

Separating the acquisition of prerequisite skills from the learning of skills in vivo may be a more efficacious procedure for self-help training of low functioning developmentally delayed children. Two procedures for training independent use of a fork at meals were compared using two equivalent groups of three subjects each, in multiple baseline design. Using previously accepted procedures, one group was trained during meals while the experimental group received prerequisite training making use of simulated food (styrofoam pieces). Data during training, generalization-to-meal, and follow-up were collected. For 6 months following training, the efficacy of prerequisite training was upheld. The complexity of individual responses to the singular or conjunctive use of social and edible reinforcement for the purpose of self-feeding skill generalization and maintenance, is discussed.