Psychological Tests Research Articles

Metaverse Clinic for Pregnant Women With Subclinical Hypothyroidism: Prospective Randomized Study.

Health care is experiencing new opportunities in the emerging digital landscape. The metaverse, a shared virtual space, integrates technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality, blockchain, and artificial intelligence. It allows users to interact with immersive digital worlds, connect with others, and explore unknowns. While the metaverse is gaining traction across various medical disciplines, its application in thyroid diseases remains unexplored. Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is the most common thyroid disorder during pregnancy and is frequently associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a metaverse platform in managing SCH during pregnancy. A randomized controlled trial was conducted at Fujian Provincial Hospital, China, from July 2022 to December 2023. A total of 60 pregnant women diagnosed with SCH were randomly assigned into two groups: the standard group (n=30) and the metaverse group (n=30). Both groups received levothyroxine sodium tablets. Additionally, participants in the metaverse group had access to the metaverse virtual medical consultations and metaverse-based medical games. The primary outcomes were adverse maternal and offspring outcomes, and the secondary outcomes included the neurobehavioral development of offspring and maternal psychological assessments. Of the 30 participants in each group, adverse maternal outcomes were observed in 43% (n=13) of the standard group and 37% (n=11) of the metaverse group (P=.60). The incidence of adverse offspring outcomes was 33% (n=10) in the standard group, compared to 7% (n=2) in the metaverse group (P=.01). The Gesell Development Scale did not show significant differences between the two groups. Notably, the metaverse group demonstrated significantly improved scores on the Self-Rating Depression Scale and the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale scores compared to the standard group (P<.001 and P=.001, respectively). The use of metaverse technology significantly reduced the incidence of adverse offspring outcomes and positively impacted maternal mental health. Maternal adverse outcomes and offspring neurobehavioral development were comparable between the two groups. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2300076803; https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=205905.

Psychological and Neurological Tests are Required to Reduce the Risk of Injuries in Paragliding

&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;span&gt;The study’s objective is to analyse and comprehend the types, frequency, and causes of paragliding pilot accidents to identify preventative and reducing measures in the future, such as a suitable physical training program designed explicitly for paragliding pilots. This study hypothesized that several factors, including the pilot’s experience level, weather conditions, terrain, equipment quality, attitude toward the sport, and adherence to safety regulations, may be related to the frequency of paragliding accidents. The study’s findings indicated a high accident rate since 66% of respondents had injuries while paragliding, and 67% had an occurrence that may have resulted in a pilot suffering severe injury. The analysis shows the frequent causes of accidents are primary piloting mistakes and poor decision-making as technological faults played a minor role. Equipment used for paragliding seldom malfunctions if it is routinely inspected and tested; the only exception is when it is subjected to abnormally high stresses while in flight. Oversteering of the wing or, on the other hand, inadequate reaction—specifically, inadequate pilot training in flap control and active piloting—were the leading causes of these mistakes. Poor judgments about weather and flying conditions or inadequate familiarity with the area landscape and characteristics caused some of these mistakes. In conclusion, we address the necessity to establish a standard for the ideal paraglider, conceiving psychological and neurological tests without reducing the access to this adrenaline rush sport, but increasing its safety.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;

Effect of the cervical and thoracic "Daoyin" training on posture and pulmonary function in patients with upper crossed syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

With the growing ubiquity of electronic devices, the incidence of upper crossed syndrome (UCS) is increasing every year and tends to affect younger populations. The study was designed to assess the effect of cervical and thoracic "Daoyin" training on pain, posture, pulmonary function, cervical range of motion, and emotional state in college students with UCS. We conducted a parallel-group randomized control study. The Fujian Medical University in China. 74 patients with UCS fulfilled the study requirement and were assigned to the intervention group (IG) and the control group (CG). Instructed cervical and thoracic "Daoyin" training was given to students in the IG for eight weeks, five days a week for 45min, whereas students in the CG continued with their usual activities. Primary outcomes, including forward head and shoulder angles, pain and cervical spine function, as well as secondary outcomes, such as pulmonary function, cervical range of motion and emotional state, were measured at baseline and a follow-up of 8-week. These measurements were conducted using photogrammetry, visual analog scale (VAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), pulmonary function, cervical range of motion test and Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), respectively. The statistical analysis used the change value between the baseline and the 8-week intervention measurements. 74 patients (IG = 37; CG = 37) were randomized. All participants were included in the analysis. There were significant differences of the change values between groups in Forward Head Angle (FHA) (d = 1.113, P < 0.001), Forward Shoulder Angle (FSA) (d = 1.052, P < 0.001), VAS (d = 0.854, P < 0.001), NDI (d = 0.754, P = 0.005), pulmonary function (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1s/Forced Vital Capacity (FEV1/FVC) (d = 0.516, P = 0.002), maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) (d = 0.504, P = 0.033), cervical range of motion in Left Rotation (LR) (d = 0.647, P = 0.014) and emotional state (d = 0.587, P = 0.014). No side effects were observed in this study. Cervical and thoracic "Daoyin" training can improve the abnormal posture of head forward and round shoulders, reducing pain and anxiety, improving cervical spine function, and improving lung function to a certain extent. ChiCTR2300072669 (20/06/2023), Prospective registration, www.chictr.org.cn .

Exploring the relationship between mental health status and life events in children and adolescents: the role of mediating factors

BackgroundThe mental health status of children and adolescents is significantly influenced by negative life events, yet there is a lack of comprehensive analysis on mediating factors. This study aims to examine the relationship between negative life events and symptoms of anxiety and depression in children and adolescents, as well as to identify potential mediating factors.MethodsIn May 2022, cluster-randomized sampling was used to select 8041 primary, middle, and high school students in Zhaoqing City, Guangdong Province, for the final analysis. The Adolescent Life Events Scale, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, and Self-Rating Depression Scale were employed to assess negative life events, anxiety symptoms, and depressive symptoms, respectively. Pearson correlation analysis and linear regression analysis were utilized to identify risk factors, and the Bootstrap method was applied for mediation analysis.ResultsThe study revealed that 80.52% of children and adolescents experienced negative life events, with 23.38% reporting anxiety symptoms and 42.57% reporting depressive symptoms. Significant positive correlations were observed between negative life events and anxiety symptoms (r = 0.32, p &amp;lt; 0.001), as well as depressive symptoms (r = 0.44, p &amp;lt; 0.001). Mediation analysis further demonstrated that anxiety and depressive symptoms acted as mutual mediators in the relationship between negative life events and each other.ConclusionsThis study underscores the complex interplay between anxiety, depression, and negative life events in children and adolescents. These findings can inform strategies to help mitigate the emotional impact of negative life events, enhance mental health, and provide a scientific basis for developing effective interventions.

The role of multifocal visual evoked potential in detection of minimal hepatic encephalopathy in patients with compensated liver cirrhosis.

Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is one of the most debilitating complications of hepatic cirrhosis, and visual electrophysiology, visual evoked potential (VEP) has long been used for MHE diagnosis. This technique only produces a summed response that is greatly dominated by the macular region. Multifocal visual evoked potential (mfVEP) imaging minimizes these limitations because it allows topographic recording of the optic nerve and visual cortex. The aim of this study was to detect minimal hepatic encephalopathy among cirrhotic patients using the mfVEP in comparison to the validated psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES), paired associative learning (PAL) and the Benton visual retention test (BVRT). Forty-five patients with compensated hepatic cirrhosis were enrolled in our study and compared to 45 normal controls who were matched for age, sex and educational level. Both groups underwent psychological tests (PHES, PAL, BVRT) and neurophysiological tests (mfVEP). 1According to the validated PHES, 14 patients were found to have MHE, 15 patients were found to have abnormal mfVEP, and abnormalities in the BVRT and PAL were found in 11 and 10 patients, respectively. 2-mfVEP showed the highest sensitivity in the detection of MHE in reference to the PHES. 3- The mfVEP test and potentially the BVRT have the advantage of detecting subtle abnormalities in non-MHE cirrhotic patients, for further research and follow-up are needed. mfVEP demonstates promising results for objective early detection of MHE, with a sensitivity of approximately 92.9%.

Sex and hand differences in haptic processing: implications for mental rotation ability.

It has been proposed that the sensorimotor system provides a foundation for the development of cognitive abilities and their hemispheric specialization. In this study, we investigated the potential relationship between haptic processing and mental rotation ability, both of which are typically lateralized to the right hemisphere. Previous research has also indicated that males tend to outperform females in both functions. The current study investigates how the sensorimotor-haptic system relates to mental rotation ability, specifically to examine the influence of hand performance (as a proxy for hemispheric specialization) and biological sex on this relationship. Seventy-five participants (n = 41 females) completed a haptic task, and the well-known mental rotation test (MRT) developed by Shepard and Metzler (Science 171:701-3, 1971). Results confirmed a positive correlation between performance on the haptic and MRT tasks. Further, males outperformed females in both tasks. However, when sex and hand performance were considered, males were better in the haptic task, but only when using their left-hand. Moreover, left-hand haptic performance was the sole predictor of MRT performance. These findings suggest that sex differences in haptic processing may contribute to the observed sex differences in mental rotation ability, supporting the view that sensorimotor processes shape cognitive function and its hemispheric lateralization.

Prevalence and Demographic Correlates of Social Anxiety Disorder among Medical Students at Sultan Qaboos University: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction and Objective: Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is an excessive and irrational fear of social situations, leading to an avoidance of those situations. Individuals with SAD may fear acting in a certain way or exhibiting anxiety symptoms in front of others, which can significantly impact their daily functioning and quality of life. Among medical students, SAD can negatively influence academic performance, particularly in exams, and lead to employment difficulties. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced unique stressors, including social isolation and the transition to online learning, which may have exacerbated anxiety-related conditions. Understanding the prevalence and associated factors of SAD during this period is essential to develop targeted interventions for students. Thus, this work aimed to assess the prevalence and demographic correlates of SAD among medical students at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) in Oman during the pandemic. Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted from September to October 2020 in SQU, College of Medicine and Health Sciences. Medical students from all academic years were invited to complete demographic data and the Liebowitz social anxiety scale (LSAS). The LSAS is a 24-item self-rating scale to assess SAD. An analysis using a Chi-square test was performed to obtain the factors associated with SAD. Results: A total of 558 students completed the questionnaire, of which 348 were female (62%). The total prevalence of SAD was 64%, whereas moderate grade SAD accounted for 27% of the participants, marked grade 19%, severe grade 11%, and very severe grade 7%. Among the students who had the disorder, 71% suffered a generalized subtype of SAD. A significant association between SAD and phase of study (p&lt;0.001), age group (p&lt;0.001), and gender (p&lt;0.001) was found. Phase 1 (69%) exhibited the highest prevalence, followed by phase 2 (66%) and phase 3 (48%). Among the age groups, 17-19 years group (67%) demonstrated the highest prevalence, followed by age groups 20-22 (64%) and 23-25 (46%). In terms of gender, females (70%) were more likely to display SAD symptoms than males (52%). Conclusion: The results of this study indicated a high prevalence of SAD among medical students and showed a significant association between SAD and the phase of study, age group, and gender. These results could help justify the establishment of targeted mental health interventions to support medical students in managing their anxiety, which can ultimately result in an improvement in their academic performance and overall quality of life. University administrators and psychologists should aim to develop supportive programs for students.

Clinical Efficacy of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Combined With Traditional Chinese Medicine Comprehensive Nursing in the Treatment of Biliary Tract Complications After Liver Transplantation.

This study explored the clinical efficacy of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) combined with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) comprehensive nursing in treating biliary tract complications (BTCs) after liver transplantation (LT). A total of 124 patients with BTCs after LT were screened and randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group. Both groups of patients underwent ERCP treatment and patients in the control group received conventional nursing, and those in the experimental group received TCM comprehensive nursing on top of the control group. The clinical efficacy after 1 month of intervention was recorded. Before intervention and 1 month after intervention, fasting venous blood was collected to detect the levels of hepatic function indicators alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The negative emotions of the patients were evaluated by using the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and the quality-of-life scores were determined by using the Quality-of-Life Scale. Postintervention complications, such as pancreatitis, hyperamylasemia, and reflux cholangitis, were recorded. The total effective rate in the experimental group (90.32%) was higher than that in the control group (72.58%). ALT, AST, SAS, and SDS scores of the 2 groups after treatment were lower than before treatment, and the scores of quality of life were higher. Greater improvements were observed in the experimental group. The complication rate of the experimental group (3.23%) was lower than that of the control group (22.58%) (P<0.05). ERCP combined with TCM comprehensive nursing for patients with BTCs after LT can effectively reduce anxiety and depression, improve the quality of life, and reduce the incidence of complications.

Spirituality, religion, and personal beliefs in Brazilian adults with epilepsy.

To evaluate the relationship between S/R, demographic data, and clinical variables of Brazilian adult patients with epilepsy (PWE). The scores of the WHO Quality of Life for Assessment of Spirituality, Religion, and Personal Beliefs (WHOQOL-SRPB) were related to demographic and clinical aspects, the Spirituality Self-Rating Scale (SSRS), and the Spiritual/Religious Coping Scale (SRC) of 60 PWE. The mean age was 42.8y and 35 (58.3%) patients reported regular religious practice. In the WHOQOL-SRPB, greater inner peace and harmony were observed in women, greater wholeness and integration, hope and optimism in married patients, and greater spiritual connection in patients with religious practice. The use of polytherapy with antiseizure medication (ASM) was associated with lower spiritual connection, wholeness, integration, and S/N in the WHOQOL-SRPB. The higher seizure frequency was associated with lower spiritual connection. Facet scores and total scores of the WHOQOL-SRPB were significantly correlated with positive and negative coping and a greater perception of spiritual guidance. In the PWE, the use of S/R differed according to gender, marital status, and religious practice. Clinical variables influenced the perception of S/R, which differed according to the use of ASM, frequency, and type of epileptic seizures. The greater use of coping and spiritual guidance was associated with different facets of S/R and personal beliefs.

Readiness for self-directed learning among undergraduate medical students in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during COVID-19, Pakistan.

The field of medical sciences has continuously been changing and evolving rapidly pertaining to the newly introduced practices and guidelines according to the principles of evidence-based medicine. Therefore, it is of utmost importance for the healthcare practitioners to keep themselves updated and regulated through self-directed learning. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess the readiness of self-directed learning among undergraduate medical students. A total of 824 students participated both from public and private medical colleges of KPK. A self-reported validated SRSSDL scale was used to obtain data. The perception of public and private medical colleges students was compared and analyzedusing SPSS version 24. Differences in SDL mean scores of student groups were analyzed through independent sample t-test for groups having two categories (e.g. gender, medical college setting etc.). Mean scores of all the five academic years were compared using one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The levels of SDL readiness (e.g. good, average, poor) were cross tabulated with gender, medical college setting and academic years categories by using Chi-squaretest. the p - value was set at 0.05. The self-rated scale for SDL readiness among undergraduate medical students showed a mean score of 226.91 ± 30.074 (Minimum score = 81, Maximum score = 300) with a range of 219. On the whole, among 824 students, 61.3% of students reported good readiness for self-directed learning, 38.2% average readiness.Students enrolled in private medical colleges were more likely to report good readiness for SDL (58.4%) compared to those enrolled in public sector medical colleges (41.6%). The findings of this vast survey suggest that overall undergraduate medical students are ready for self-directed learning in their prevailing circumstances at undergraduate medical education. It also finds that students enrolled in private medical colleges are more likely to be ready for self-directed learning than those studying in public medical colleges.However, further research with qualitative analysis and longitudnal designs is recomended to explore factors promoting or preventing self directed learning.

The impact of locus of control on somatic and psychological profiles of patients with irritable bowel syndrome engaging in aerobic exercise

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic and recurrent disorder characterized by gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and psychological disorders. Individuals with an external locus of control (LoC), a personality trait influencing one’s actions and outcomes, are more vulnerable to IBS. Physical activity can deal with GI symptoms, preserving mental and physical health. In this context, our study aimed to investigate differences in symptom and psychological profiles among IBS patients classified by internal or external LoC when patients engaged in an aerobic exercise program (AEP). Each IBS patient was administered the International Physical Activity Questionnaire—Short Form (IPAQ-SF) before treatment, and the Physical Capacity Assessment Tests were applied before and after treatment. Participants filled out a GI symptom questionnaire before and after the intervention and some validated psychological tests to evaluate the changes induced by AEP. The AEP consisted of 180 min of moderate-intensity aerobic walking activity a week. Fifty-four IBS patients completed the 12-week study; 37 belonged to the internal LoC group and 17 to the external one. The internal LoC subgroup had a higher percentage of physically active subjects and a better physical capacity at baseline than those with external LoC. Only patients with an internal LoC achieved a statistically significant increase in physical capacity as the effect of the AEP. However, there was no statistically significant difference when Delta was considered. The somatic and psychological health status of IBS patients in the external LoC group was poorer than that of the internal LoC group at the baseline, particularly abdominal pain, psychosocial functioning, and emotional distress. After AEP, patients showed significant improvement in scores on the IBS-related and psychological scales, regardless of whether they belonged to the external or internal LoC. The present study confirmed the importance of considering both the GI symptoms and the psychological profile when dealing with IBS. AEP organized in walking groups has shown significant improvements for all IBS patients. Since external LoC was associated with poorer health status, individually tailored interventions should be planned to increase patients’ self-motivation to treatment.Trial registration: registration number NCT05453084. First Posted Date 12/07/2022.

Clinical value analysis of integrated care model in reducing bleeding and complications during Da Vinci robot-assisted urology.

This study aims to explore the effect of integrated care mode on patients in Da Vinci robot-assisted urology surgery and provide a new nursing scheme for clinic. A total of 93 patients from August 2022 to March 2024 were selected and divided into intervention group (43 cases) and control group (50 cases). The operation time, blood loss, first postoperative exhaust time, time to get out of bed, pain score (visual analog scale), psychological status (self-rating anxiety scale and self-rating depression scale), quality of life score (36-Item Short Form Survey), catheter retention time, patient satisfaction, incision healing, incidence of urinary system infection, nutritional status, and complication rate were compared between the 2 groups. There were no significant differences in baseline data and operative time between the 2 groups (P > .05), but the amount of intraoperative blood loss in the intervention group (250.32 ± 50.23) mL was less than that in the control group (320.56 ± 65.34) mL (P < .05). The first postoperative exhaust time and getting out of bed time in the intervention group were shorter than those in the control group (P < .05), and the pain visual analog scale score was lower than that in the control group (P < .05). The scores of self-rating anxiety scale and self-rating depression scale of mental state were better than those of the control group (P < .05), and the scores of quality of life were higher (P < .05). The retention time of catheter was shorter than that of the control group (P < .05), the patient satisfaction was 93.02% higher than that of the control group 78.00% (P < .05), and the grade A incision healing rate was 90.70% higher than that of the control group 76.00% (P < .05). The incidence of urinary system infection (4.65%) was lower than that of the control group (16.00%) (P < .05), the changes of serum albumin level and body weight were lower than that of the control group (P < .05), and the complication rate of 6.98% was lower than that of the control group (22.00%) (P < .05). Although the integrated medical care model did not significantly shorten the operation time, it was beneficial to the postoperative recovery of patients in many aspects.

Dairy intake and cognitive function in older adults in three cohorts: a mendelian randomization study.

Meta-analyses of observational studies on the effect of dairy on cognitive function have yielded inconclusive results, potentially due to unmeasured confounding. To avoid the no-unmeasured confounding assumption, we used lactase persistence genetic variant as an instrumental variable, for which the CC genotype is associated with lower lactase production and, consequently, lower dairy consumption. We used it to assess the effect of long-term consumption of total and non-fermented dairy on cognitive function. We included 43,836 individuals over 55 years old with genotyping, dietary data, and cognitive function measurements from three population-based studies: CoLaus|PsyCoLaus (Switzerland), the Rotterdam Study (the Netherlands) and the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA - Canada). We performed a one-sample Mendelian randomization using two-stage least-squares regression. First, we estimated total and non-fermented dairy consumption by T-allele frequency. Second, we used the estimated dairy consumption in linear regression models on general cognition, assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Mental Alternation Test, executive function, verbal fluency, verbal learning, and memory. Per T-allele, total dairy intake and non-fermented was 24.8 and 15.3g/day higher in PsyCoLaus, 57.9 and 49.8g/day in the Rotterdam Study, and 0.31 and 0.29 times/day in CLSA, respectively. We found no association between the genetically predicted difference and the MMSE in PsyCoLaus and the Rotterdam Study. However, lactase persistent individuals scored 3.4 (95% CI2.1- 4.7) and 3.5 (95% CI 2.3-4.7) points more in the Mental Alternation Test for total and fermented dairy, respectively, in CLSA. Similarly, lactase persistent participants in CLSA had higher verbal fluency, verbal learning and executive function, but no differences were found in the other cohorts. Such inconsistencies might stem from different FFQs across cohorts and consumption ranges. Nonetheless, the generally small magnitude of effect sizes may suggest that there is no real effect between total or non-fermented dairy intake and cognitive function. The evidence for a causal effect of dairy consumption on general cognitive function is weak, consistent with previous results from classic analysis from observational studies. Interventions targeting dairy are unlikely to have a relevant effect on cognitive function.

The efficacy of auricular acupressure combined with emotional freedom techniques on the postoperative pain and anxiety state of patients with lower limb fractures: A randomized clinical controlled trial.

Lower limb fractures cause local pain, swelling, ecchymosis, and dysfunction. Clinically, incision and reduction surgery are often employed to treat lower limb fractures. However, postoperative pain can be intense, leading to adverse emotions that hinder subsequent recovery. A total of 99 postoperative patients with lower limb fractures were randomly divided into 3 groups: the control group (routine care, 33 patients), the auricular acupressure group (routine care plus auricular acupressure, 33 patients), and the combined group (routine care, auricular acupressure, and emotional freedom techniques [EFT], 33 patients). Pain levels were measured using the visual analog scale (VAS), and anxiety levels were measured using the self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) at various time points post-intervention. Patient satisfaction with nursing care was also evaluated at the end of the intervention. The VAS scores in the combined group were significantly lower than those in the auricular acupressure and control groups at 4, 12, 24, and 48 hours post-intervention (P < .05). Additionally, the SAS scores in the combined group were significantly lower than those in the auricular acupressure and control groups at 72 hours post-intervention (P < .05). The combined group also reported significantly higher satisfaction with nursing care compared to the other 2 groups at the end of the intervention (P < .05). Auricular acupressure combined with EFT effectively reduces pain levels, alleviates anxiety, and increases patient satisfaction with nursing care in postoperative patients with lower limb fractures.

Systematic Review of Self-Assessment Scales for Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia

Background/Objectives: Negative symptoms (NSs) significantly impair the outcome of schizophrenia, primarily due to their effect on quality of life and their resistance to pharmacological treatments. Several scales have been developed to assess the various dimensions of NSs, including avolition, anhedonia, alogia, social withdrawal, and blunted affect. While observer-rated scales are the most commonly used, self-assessment tools remain underutilized. However, self-assessments offer a promising approach for gaining insights into the personal experiences of individuals. The objective of this review was to identify and report the psychometric properties of self-assessment scales for NSs that are relevant for both research and clinical practice, with a focus on tools that assess multiple domains of NSs in order to support comprehensive evaluations and tailored therapeutic strategies. Methods: We conducted an exhaustive literature review following PRISMA guidelines to identify self-evaluation scales that evaluate several domains of NSs in the MEDLINE and Web of Science databases. The COSMIN checklist was used to assess the methodological quality of each tool. Results: Our review identified five self-assessment scales. Among these, two scales received a Grade A recommendation for use in clinical or research practice: the Self-evaluation Negative Symptom (SNS), which assesses the five domains of NSs, and the Motivation And Pleasure Scale Self-report (MAP-SR), which evaluates anhedonia, avolition, and social withdrawal. Conclusions: The SNS and the MAP-SR are the only tools with sufficient psychometric properties, making them reliable for use in both research and clinical practice. Despite the development of self-assessment tools for NSs, their integration into research and clinical settings remains limited, highlighting the need for increased utilization to enhance the understanding and management of these symptoms.

Measuring adaptive expertise and adaptive performance in (becoming) healthcare professionals: a scoping review of measurement instruments.

Professional work in healthcare is increasingly disruptive, requiring professionals to be flexible and adaptable. Research on adaptive expertise and adaptive performance in healthcare has grown, and operationalisation and measurement of these concepts are crucial to meet professionals' evolving needs. This study provides an overview of measurement instruments for adaptive expertise and adaptive performance in (becoming) healthcare professionals, including an evaluation of their operationalisations and the amount of evidence supporting their quality. A scoping review was conducted, including an analysis of operationalisations and the amount of evidence supporting the quality of instruments, based on the criteria outlined in the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing (2014). Seventeen articles were included, comprising nineteen measurement instruments, three of which were specifically developed for the healthcare domain. The instruments, categorized into six types, varied in the nature and volume of evidence supporting their quality. Analysis of the operationalisations led to a clearer understanding of the concepts, with themes emerging around adaptive expertise and adaptive performance. The study reveals a dominance of self-evaluation and job requirement instruments, while other methods, such as design scenarios, mixed-methods instruments, and collegial verbalization, are underrepresented. Instruments developed specifically for healthcare need further validation and reliability testing. The categorization of subscales into 13 themes provides further clarification of the concepts and suggestions for future research. Instruments to measure adaptive expertise and adaptive performance are limited and vary in conceptualisation, operationalisation and quality. Further research is needed to improve the validity and reliability of healthcare-specific instruments.

Protective factors contributing to the health status of construction industry migrant workers in Chinese mainland.

Construction industry migrant workers (CIMWs) face high-intensity labor and harsh working environments, experiencing significant health issues. Studying these health issues can help to protect workers' rights, improve labor efficiency, and promote sustainable development in the construction industry. The objective of this study is to analyze the relationships among health status, social support, and marital adjustment in construction migrant workers. Data were collected from 446 migrant workers who completed the Self-rated Health Measurement Scale (SRHMS), Marital Adjustment Test (MAT), and Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS). The results showed that (1) CIMWs were in poor social health, with low social support but good marital adjustment. (2) The higher the education level and monthly income, the better the social health. (3) The scores on the SRHMS had a significant positive correlation with the scores on the MAT and SSRS, and there were significant differences in SRHMS scores among the different levels of marital adjustment. (4) Education level, subjective social support, utilization of support, and marital adjustment significantly predicted overall health status. (5) Marital adjustment directly predicted mental health and social health, and also had an indirect relationship through social support. Education level had direct and indirect predictive effects via social support on social health. Social support fully mediated the association between education level and mental health. (6) Education level, marital adjustment, and social support were all protective factors contributing to the health status of CIMWs.

Clinical characteristics and potential pathology of Moyamoya disease combined with psychiatric disorders in Chinese population - A cross-sectional study.

This study aims to identify the clinical characteristics of Moyamoya disease (MMD) combined with psychiatric disorders and explore the potential pathogenesis. Psychiatric disorders between 88 MMD patients and 72 health controls were investigated using psychological testing scales. We subsequently analyzed the clinical features of 72 MMD patients with psychiatric comorbidities retrospectively. Finally, neurotransmitters analysis was conducted to further explore the pathogenesis. Results of self-testing scales revealed a significantly higher susceptibility of psychiatric disorders in MMD patients. Compared with MMD group, clinical features of combined group demonstrated significant differences in age (51.3 ± 9.6 vs. 40.9 ± 10.4, p = 0.000), gender of female (68.1 % vs. 51.3 %, p = 0.018), duration time (33.3 ± 44.6mon vs. 8.1 ± 15.3mon, p = 0.000), cerebral infarction (55.2 % vs. 70.8 %, p = 0.025), initial type, Suzuki stage and mRS scores (p < 0.05). The perfusion results revealed significantly decreased time to peak in frontal parietal lobe (1854.14 ± 238.62 vs. 1242.79 ± 115.99, p = 0.025), temporal occipital lobe (1721.55 ± 245.15 vs. 1165.71 ± 111.55, p = 0.040), lateral ventricle (1840.03 ± 256.88 vs. 1221.95 ± 115.53, p = 0.028), and the cerebral blood volume of temporal occipital lobe was found significantly decreased (300.36 ± 34.93 vs. 403.23 ± 19.70, p = 0.026), and remarkable lower incidence of hyperperfusion syndrome and subdural effusion were demonstrated. Differential neurotransmitters of decreased 3-htdroxybutyric acid expression and increased sarcosine, tyrosine, betaine aldehyde chloride, kynurenic acid, glycine, succinic acid and lysine were identified in combined group. Patients of MMD combined with psychiatric disorders presented unique clinical characteristics. Neurotransmitters disorder may be involved in the pathogenesis. These results provided novel clinical management evidence and new insights in pathologic mechanism of MMD combined with psychiatric disorders.

Heart rate variability versus visual analog scale for objective and subjective mental fatigue detection: A randomized controlled trial

Fatigue is a multidimensional phenomenon. Although psychological tests can be used to evaluate subjective fatigue, an objective measurement of fatigue is needed to evaluate mental, physical, and occupational health and inform appropriate interventions. Heart rate variability (HRV) has emerged as a potential candidate for assessing objective mental fatigue; however, its effectiveness and safety remain inconclusive. To address these, we conducted a single-center, randomized trial to compare the efficacy and safety of HRV with subjective psychological tests for evaluating mental fatigue. Participants aged 20 to 65 years who had received annual health check-ups and had been found to have no health concerns were included in this study. We compared HRV indexes after performing a calculation task with a control group that rested. The primary outcomes were HRV indexes as recorded by wearable electrocardiography after an intervention consisting of a calculation task. Subjective measures (visual analog scale [VAS] for fatigue and Profile of Mood States 2nd Edition [POMS2]) were evaluated as secondary outcomes. One hundred forty participants were randomized into a calculation task and control groups. Participants who performed the calculation task had a lower square root of the mean squared differences between successive RR intervals (RMSSD), absolute power in the high-frequency band, and standard deviation of Poincaré plot. In psychological tests, participants who performed the calculation task demonstrated significantly higher scores on the VAS for fatigue and POMS2. Multiple comparisons of RMSSD from HRV indexes, VAS for fatigue, and total mood disturbance from POMS2 revealed that RMSSD and VAS for fatigue were significant indicators associated with the calculation task. On the other hand, the vectors of HRV indexes and psychological tests differed based on primary component analysis. We identified RMSSD, an objective index, and VAS for fatigue, a subjective index, as significantly related to mental fatigue.

Neuroanatomical Insights: Convergence and Divergence of Tinnitus with Normal or Mild Hearing Loss

Objectives: To explore the neuroanatomical abnormalities in idiopathic tinnitus patients by voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and surface-based morphometry (SBM) techniques. To elucidate the central plasticity in tinnitus patients with normal or mild hearing loss from the neuroanatomical insights. Methods: A total of 74 patients with idiopathic tinnitus (43 with normal hearing and 31 with mild hearing loss) and 98 healthy subjects were enrolled. VBM and SBM were employed to analyze neuroimaging data and identify neuroanatomical differences. Results: Our analysis revealed a reduction in gray matter volume and a distinctive pattern of changes in cortical surface features in patients with idiopathic tinnitus, especially in brain regions closely related to the limbic system, such as the bilateral parahippocampal gyrus, bilateral entorhinal cortex, and insula. Tinnitus patients with mild hearing loss have more extensive gray matter volume reduction, and more complex changes in cortical surface features compared to tinnitus patients with normal hearing. In addition, we also found a significant correlation between the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores of patients with idiopathic tinnitus and cortical characteristic parameters in the above brain regions. Conclusions: There are extensive neuroanatomical alterations in tinnitus patients. Mild hearing loss may aggravate the reduction of gray matter volume and change the surface characteristics of the cortex. Anxiety, depression, and cognitive impairment in patients with idiopathic tinnitus may be related to neuroanatomical alterations in specific brain regions.