Psychological Tests Research Articles

Psychological testing in the profession of psychology: an Australian study

ABSTRACT Objectives In Australia, psychological measurement and testing is a core competency for all registered psychologists. This study aimed to provide a current perspective on the views of Australian psychologists in the use of psychological testing given the lack of recent Australian research. Method Psychologists (N = 821) completed online a demographic form and the European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations (EFPA) questionnaire on Test Attitudes of Psychologists – Modified (EQTAP-M), refined for the Australian setting. Constructs addressed in the survey included test appreciation, training, technology-based testing, attitudes to test use, and self-rated competence. The sample mean age was 50 years, with 84% over 34 years and 20% being males. Results Attitudinal differences, based on demographics and practice endorsement area, were examined. Partial support was obtained for the factorial model of previous EFPA studies. There was no difference in attitudes based upon the gender of the psychologists, but older psychologists reported less favourable attitudes and lower competence for psychological testing. Psychologists holding endorsements in organisational psychology, neuropsychology, and educational and developmental psychology indicated more positive testing attitudes and appreciation than other areas of practice. The application of technology in assessment was identified as an area that warrants further investigation and training. Conclusions The outcome has theoretical and practical implications for professional bodies and educational institutions that develop policies and training programs relevant to psychological measurement and testing.

The impact of acupuncture on the brain function of patients with mild to moderate major depressive disorder: a randomized controlled trial protocol

IntroductionMajor depressive disorder (MDD) is a common mental disease that significantly impact the daily lives of those affected. Acupuncture has shown promising therapeutic effects in the treatment of MDD, but its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to evaluate the influence of acupuncture on the brain function of patients with MDD and it’s therapeutic effects on MDD.MethodsThis study plans to recruit 112 participants, who will be randomly allocated to either the acupuncture group or the sham acupuncture group in a 1:1 ratio. Both groups will undergo 8 weeks of treatment, consisting of three sessions per week, with each session lasting for 30 min. A follow-up period of 3 months will be conducted after the treatment. Assessments will be conducted at weeks 0, 8, 12, 16, and 20 in this study. The primary outcome measure will be functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) brain imaging, while secondary outcome measures will include Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), 36-Item Short Form Survey Instrument (SF-36), Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome score scale, and symptom elimination rate.DiscussionWhile acupuncture has been confirmed to have a certain degree of therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of MDD, research on the mechanisms underlying acupuncture’s treatment of MDD remains limited, particularly with regards to its impact on the brain function of individuals with MDD. This study aims to explore both the clinical effectiveness and treatment mechanisms of acupuncture for MDD, with a specific focus on its influence on brain function. This research endeavors to provide new insights into the potential of acupuncture as a therapeutic approach for the treatment of MDD in the future.Trial Registrationwww.chictr.org.cn, ID: ChiCTR2300076292. Registered on 28 September 2023.

The intervention effect of psychological care combined with ondansetron, dexamethasone, and promethazine hydrochloride on chemotherapy in breast cancer surgical patients

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common malignancies in women and imposes a significant health burden globally. According to data from the World Health Organization, the incidence of BC has been increasing steadily over the years. It has become one of the leading causes of cancer-related death among women worldwide. OBJECTIVE: This work was to evaluate the combined intervention effect of psychological care along with the use of ondansetron, dexamethasone, and promethazine hydrochloride in breast cancer (BC) patients undergoing chemotherapy, including their impact on nausea and vomiting control, quality of life (QoL), and psychological status. METHODS: 64 BC patients undergoing chemotherapy were collected and randomly rolled into a control group (Group C) and an intervention group (Group I). Group C received ondansetron combined with routine psychological support and counseling therapy, while Group I received a combination of ondansetron, dexamethasone, promethazine hydrochloride, and psychological care therapy. Self-assessment scores for anxiety, QoL ratings, white blood cell counts, and incidence of adverse reactions were assessed and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Group I showed better control of nausea and vomiting versus Group C (P< 0.05). Marked improvements were also observed in the self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) scores, white blood cell counts, and nursing satisfaction in Group I versus Group C (P< 0.05). Nevertheless, the two groups had no significant difference regarding QoL scores (P> 0.05). CONCLUSION: the combination of psychological care with ondansetron, dexamethasone, and promethazine hydrochloride effectively controls nausea and vomiting symptoms in BC patients undergoing chemotherapy and provides higher levels of clinical nursing satisfaction.

Canonical correlation-based relationships between social support and sleep quality in a hospital psychiatric outpatient population with examining the mediating roles of anxiety and depressive symptoms

Objective: This study aims to examine the associations between various dimensions of social support and sleep quality in a hospital psychiatric outpatient population using canonical correlation analysis, while also investigating the potential mediating roles of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Methods: Employing a cross-sectional design, survey data were collected from 10,071 individuals visiting Hangzhou Seventh People’s Hospital between October 2020 and October 2023. After excluding invalid cases, a total of 10,063 participants were included for analysis. The survey encompassed gathering basic demographic information as well as administering the Social Support Rating Scale, Self-rating Depression Scale, Self-rating Anxiety Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Scale. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 27.0 statistical software with canonical correlation analysis employed to examine the relationships. Additionally, the mediating effects of anxiety and depression symptoms were examined using the SPSS PROCESS macro. Results: Canonical correlation analysis reveals a significant positive correlation between social support dimensions and various aspects of sleep quality. The first pair of canonical variables (r = 0.586, p < 0.001) accounts for an impressive 97% of the cumulative contribution. It is found that this pair of canonical variables explains 68.9% of the variance in social support and 49.0% in sleep quality. Mediation analysis revealed that anxiety and depressive symptoms significantly mediated the relationship between social support and sleep quality, accounting for 88% of the total effect. Specifically, anxiety accounted for 47% mediation while depression accounted for 41%. Conclusion: The study findings revealed a significant positive correlation between social support and sleep quality dimensions, indicating a robust association between increased social support and enhanced individual sleep quality. Furthermore, the results indicated that anxiety and depression partially mediated the relationship between social support and sleep quality, offering novel insights into the intricate connection between mental health and sleep quality.

Clinical and laboratory-instrumental characteristics of patients with dyspepsia syndrome not associated with &lt;i&gt;Нelicobacter pylori&lt;/i&gt; infection

BACKGROUND: The significant prevalence of dyspepsia in patients without Нelicobacter pylori infection, difficulties in differential diagnosis necessitate the identification of the most common nosological variants, optimization of the diagnosis algorithm. AIM: To study clinical, laboratory and instrumental characteristics of patients with dyspepsia syndrome unrelated to Нelicobacter pylori infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 13C-Urea Breath test was performed to 856 patients with uninvestigated dyspepsia. According to its results, 342 patients with Нelicobacter pylori infection were excluded from the study. The remaining patients (n = 514) with negative Нelicobacter pylori status underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs. The patients with an identified organic pathology (n = 129) explaining dyspeptic complaints were excluded from the study. 208 out of the 385 patients without organic pathology agreed to undergo laboratory and instrumental examination in accordance with the study protocol. To assess dyspeptic complaints, 208 patients filled out a “Dyspepsia Questionnaire” developed by the authors. Demographic, anthropometric data, and complaints were recorded in all the study participants; experimental psychological testing was performed (Beck’s questionnaires, generalized anxiety disorder questionnaire-7, Short Form-36) and laboratory and instrumental examination (the level of pepsinogen I, pepsinogen II, immunoglobulin class G to Нelicobacter pylori and gastrin-17 in serum), esophagogastrogastroduodenoscopy with biopsy and pathomorphological assessment according to the Operative Link for Gastritis Assessment (OLGA) system, 24-hour esophageal impedance–pH monitoring, radiography of the esophagus and stomach. RESULTS: The majority of the patients with dyspepsia syndrome were not infected at the time of Нelicobacter pylori complaints — 514 (60.1%) patients. An in-depth examination of 208 people with a negative helicobacter status and the absence of an organic pathology explaining the symptoms revealed the heterogeneity of the final diagnoses. The results of the study demonstrate positive correlations between the level of depression, anxiety and the AET (acid exposure time) index, the number of acid reflux. A decrease in the level of pepsinogen I, gastrin-17, and the ratio of pepsinogen I/II was revealed with an increase in the degree and stage of atrophy according to the results of an Operative Link for Gastritis Assessment biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: The revealed variability of diagnoses and comorbidity in patients with similar complaints deepens the understanding of dyspepsia syndrome and explains the possible ineffectiveness of standard therapy regimens.

Association between whole egg consumption and cognitive function in older adults: Birjand longitudinal aging study

OBJECTIVE: Egg consumption could reduce the chance of cognitive decline. We aimed to assess this possible protective effect using data from the Birjand longitudinal aging study (BLAS). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, the association between number of whole eggs consumed per week and cognitive impairment was assessed on 1352 participants in the context of the first wave of BLAS conducted on September 2018 to April 2019. Six Item Cognitive Impairment Test (6-CIT), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Verbal Fluency Test (VFT) and abbreviated mental test (AMT) questionnaires were used to assess the cognitive function. Analyses have been conducted using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Participants ate an average of 2.4 eggs per week. Older adults with moderate and high egg consumption (2–3 eggs/week and ≥4 eggs/week, respectively) performed better at 6-CIT (OR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.46; 0.80; and 0.58, 95% CI: 0.41; 0.82), AMT (0.67, 95% CI: 0.52; 0.87; and 0.56, 95% CI: 0.39; 0.80) and all 4 cognitive tests combined (0.47, 95% CI: 0.30; 0.73; and 0.44, 95% CI: 0.24; 0.78). VFT was not associated, and MMSE score was only associated with high egg intake (0.53, 95% CI: 0.38; 0.74). High egg intake was more protective of cognitive decline (≥40%) than the moderate intake (30–40%). The significance of most associations disappeared after adjustment for confounders and covariates. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the findings of this study suggest a potential inverse relationship, displaying an ascending trend, between weekly egg consumption and cognitive function among elderly Iranians.

Личностные особенности и самоотношение лиц с психогенным перееданием

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background. &lt;/strong&gt;According to the World Health Organization, in 2023, excess weight was observed in 2,5 billion adults aged 18 and older. Individuals with obesity suffer from chronic somatic diseases, face social isolation. Understanding the psychological and social factors behind weight gain allows us to develop effective programs to prevent obesity and help people lose weight. &lt;strong&gt;Objective.&lt;/strong&gt; The aim of this study is to analyze the analysis of personality traits and self-attitudes in individuals with excess body mass. &lt;strong&gt;Hypothesis.&lt;/strong&gt; Individuals with psychogenic overeating have an increased level of neuroticism, perfectionism and internal conflict, as well as reduced self-acceptance. &lt;strong&gt;Materials and methods. &lt;/strong&gt;101 people with eating disorders were examined. All respondents were divided into three groups according to the criterion of body mass index (BMI): 1 group - 33 people with pre-obesity and obesity of the first degree, average age 40&amp;plusmn;13 years; 2 group - 20 people with second degree obesity, average age 35&amp;plusmn;12 years; group 3 - 48 people with third degree obesity, average age 44&amp;plusmn;10 years. The socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents and medical documentation data were studied. Psychological testing was conducted using: the KON-2006 Neurotic Personality Questionnaire to assess neurotic personality traits, the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS), a questionnaire to study self-esteem. &lt;strong&gt;Results. &lt;/strong&gt;Analysis of the study results showed a high level of neuroticism for individuals with different BMIs in all groups, the violation of self-attitude is primarily associated with the perception of one's appearance, perfectionism is not a personal feature associated with psychogenic overeating. Low self-esteem of external data is combined in them with narcissism and a positive assessment of their personal characteristics. &lt;strong&gt;Conclusions. &lt;/strong&gt;The results obtained can be used to develop and improve the effectiveness of psychological weight correction programs for psychogenic overeating, based on taking into account the personal factors of obesity.&lt;/p&gt;

Can positive emotional writing improve the emotional health level of international medical students? Evidence from a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundDepression and anxiety are common psychological issues among international medical students in universities, which have serious negative impacts on their learning and life. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of positive emotional writing in alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as enhancing subjective well-being among this population.MethodThis study was conducted at an international college of a comprehensive university in central China. A total of ninety-two participants who met the inclusion criteria were recruited to participate in a single-blind randomized controlled trial, in which participants were not aware that there was an experimental group and a control group. Participants in control received daily psychological care weekly for 8 weeks (n = 46). Correspondingly, participants in experimental group received the positive emotional writing intervention on the basis of daily psychological care. Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and General Well-being Scale (GWB) were used to evaluate the effect of the intervention. Data from 89 students who completed the entire study (experimental group, n = 44; control group, n = 45) were analyzed.ResultsAfter the intervention, the scores of SDS and SAS in the experimental group significantly decreased, while the subjective well-being score significantly increased. Although the SAS score of the control group after intervention was significantly lower than before, the decrease in SDS and SAS scores, as well as the increase in GWB score, were significantly greater in the experimental group than in the control group.ConclusionThe findings suggest that positive emotional writing can effectively reduce the depression and anxiety of international medical students, and significantly enhance their subjective well-being, providing ideas for management to solve the psychological problems of international medical students.Trial registration numberChiCTR2400087815. Registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry.

Efficacy of Mindfulness Meditation on Patients With Stroke With Concurrent Coronary Heart Disease: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of mindfulness meditation on sleep quality and negative emotions in patients with stroke with concurrent coronary heart disease. This study was a randomised controlled trial. A total of 72 patients with stroke with concurrent coronary heart disease were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, with 36 patients in each group. The control group received routine treatment plus eszopiclone tablets at a dosage of 3 mg once daily. The observation group received mindfulness meditation in addition to the treatment given to the control group. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to assess sleep status, the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale and Self-Rating Depression Scale were used to assess depression and anxiety, and the Fugl-Meyer Assessment was used to assess motor function. All participants in both groups received a 6-week intervention. Pairwise comparisons revealed that the observation group had better outcomes in sleep quality, sleep onset latency, sleep duration, sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, daytime function and total scores at both 6 and 12 weeks compared with the control group (p < 0.05). After 12 weeks of intervention, compared with the control group, the total score of sleep quality improved more significantly (9.22 ± 2.35/6.26 ± 2.47). Additionally, different treatment methods had varying effects on anxiety scores, depression scores and motor function scores between the two groups (p < 0.001). Further comparisons showed that the observation group had lower anxiety and depression scores and higher motor function scores at both 6 and 12 weeks compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Mindfulness meditation can effectively improve sleep quality and reduce negative emotions in patients with stroke with concurrent coronary heart disease, as well as promote the recovery of limb functions.

Abnormal Autonomic Nervous Regulation in Patients with Globus Pharyngeus.

Globus pharyngeus could be described as a benign sensation of lump or foreign object in the throat. The etiology of the globus as a solitary syndrome is still unknown, but it is proposed that stress could have an important role in symptom emergence. To evaluate the autonomic nervous regulation in patients with globus compared to healthy controls in reaction to stress. Patients included in the study were diagnosed based on ROME IV criteria for Disorders of Gut Brain Interaction. Besides globus, the patients did not suffer any other substantial medical condition. As a control group, measurement of healthy volunteers was performed. Both groups underwent the same stress protocol assessment in the same laboratory settings. The protocol consist of two types of stressors: cold pressor test and mental arithmetic test to test different types of autonomic reactivity. Baroreflex sensitivity was significantly decreased in patients compared to controls in all phases of the protocol. Low-frequency band of systolic blood pressure variability was significantly increasedduring both stress phases in patients compared to controls. High-frequency band of heart rate variability was significantly decreased in patients compared to controls during the both of the stress phases. The results of this study shows discrete abnormalities in complex autonomic reflex control which are predominantly manifested in response to stressful stimuli indicating altered neurocardiac regulation as a reaction to stress associated with globus pharynegus. This fact could have an important role in the personalized management of globus patients such as biofeedback.

Effects of vitamin E and physical therapy in alleviating the symptoms of vulva pruritus: A review of 49 cases

This was a retrospective study. Vulva pruritus is a common symptom in gynaecology and causes mental burden in patients. This study aimed to analyze effects of the Vitamin E and physical therapy on alleviating the symptoms of vulva pruritus. Forty nine (49) women diagnosed with vulva pruritus in the Huai’an First People’s Hospital from November 2019 to November 2020 were included. All diagnosed cases received oral administration of Vitamin E, topical application of Vitamin E, and physical therapy consisting of low-frequency pelvic circulation and trigger point acupuncture. Clinical data, degree of itching, visual analog scale for evaluating pain, self-rating scale score for evaluating depression, and sexual function index were recorded. After treatment, the degree of itching, pain, and depression levels were significantly decreased. We conclude that a combination of Vitamin E plus physical therapy can alleviate symptoms of patients with vulva pruritus. We therefore recommend the use of this approach in clinical practice.

Analysis of the Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Perinatal Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms in Elderly Parturients.

Aims/Background Perinatal obsessive-compulsive symptoms are significant predictors of increased postpartum anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. These symptoms have persistent adverse effects on both mothers and children. Currently, there are few reports in the literature on obsessive-compulsive disorder in elderly parturient women in China. This study primarily discusses the clinical characteristics of perinatal obsessive-compulsive symptoms in elderly parturient women and analyzes their influencing factors, aiming to provide references for clinical prevention and treatment. Methods This research employed a cross-sectional design, utilizing a convenience sampling method to select elderly parturients who delivered at Panjin Central Hospital from September 2022 to August 2023. The assessment instruments included a general data questionnaire, the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), the self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), the edinburgh postpartum depression scale (EPDS), and the sense of coherence scale (SOC-13). The relationship between the severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms and negative emotions and psychological burden was examined through Pearson correlation analysis. Additionally, the influencing factors of perinatal obsessive-compulsive symptoms were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. Results In this study, a total of 124 questionnaires were distributed, and 122 valid questionnaires were recovered, yielding an effective recovery rate of 98.39%. Among the 122 elderly parturients, 37 were positive for perinatal obsessive-compulsive disorder, accounting for 30.33% (37/122). Among the 37 elderly parturients with perinatal obsessive-compulsive symptoms, 64.86% had both obsessive-compulsive thoughts and behaviors, 21.62% had obsessive-compulsive thoughts as the main symptom (8/37), and 13.51% had obsessive-compulsive behaviors (5/37). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that pregnancy history, pregnancy complications, fetal health, SOC-13 score, SAS score, and EPDS score were independent risk factors for positive perinatal obsessive-compulsive symptoms (p < 0.05). Conclusion The incidence of perinatal obsessive-compulsive symptoms in elderly parturient women is high. Obsessive-compulsive thoughts primarily involve fears of injury and contamination, while obsessive-compulsive behaviors mainly consist of compulsive checking and cleaning. The occurrence of perinatal obsessive-compulsive disorder is associated with factors such as pregnancy and childbirth history, pregnancy complications, fetal health, negative emotions, and stress resistance.

Axial rotation affects the cognitive characteristics of spatial ability

PurposeTo test spatial ability in athletes with different axial rotation experience and analyze their behavioral data to explain the cognitive mechanisms of spatial ability in athletes.MethodsExperiment 1: A total of 147 athletes were selected for the paper-and-pencil mental rotation test (MRT). The athletes were separated according to three sport types: open high-spatial (OH) sport, closed high-spatial (CH) sport, closed low-spatial (CL) sport. Spatial ability testing with a two-factor mixed experimental design of 3 (sport type) × 2 (stimulus type). Experiment 2: In this study, 47 players were selected for computerized mental rotation test, with a three-factor mixed experimental design of 3 (sport type) × 2 (angle: 45°, 90°) × 3 (rotational axis: left–right axis, up–down axis, and front–back axis). Repeated-measures ANOVA was performed to evaluate the data.Results(1) The CH group and OH group outperformed the CL group in the non-embodied task (all ps &amp;lt; 0.003) and the CH group was better than the other groups in the embodied and tasks (all ps &amp;lt; 0.008). (2) Under 45° rotational conditions, the reaction time (RT) for the left–right (LR) and up–down (UD) axes were shorter than that for the front-back (FB) axis (all ps &amp;lt; 0.026). However, under 90° conditions, the RT for FB &amp;lt; LR &amp;lt; UD, with superior accuracy and rotational speed for the FB axis than for the LR and UD axes (all ps &amp;lt; 0.034). (3) Male players from the CH and CL groups had shorter RTs than did those from the OH group at both angles (all ps &amp;lt; 0.047). For female players, the CH group presented a shorter RT than the OH and CL groups did at 90° (all ps &amp;lt; 0.006). (4) No sex difference was found for paper and pencil MRTs, but a male advantage existed only in the CL group for computerized MRTs (p = 0.005).ConclusionThe motor skills associated with axial rotation could promote mental rotation performance and compensate for sex differences in mental rotation ability.

Prevalence and characteristics of the catecholamine induced QT prolongation syndrome

Abstract Background We have recently described large families of idiopathic ventricular fibrillation characterised by catecholamine-induced QT interval prolongation (CIQTP). The patient presented with a normal QT duration at rest but an abnormal QT prolongation during a mental stress test (MST). Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the role of this new syndrome in inherited arrhythmic diseases. Methods Consecutive patients and their relatives, identified after unexplained familial sudden cardiac death or sudden cardiac arrest, were enrolled in the study in the presence of: - no other diagnosis after cardiac ultrasound, stress test, pharmacological test with adrenaline and ajmaline. - positive MST defined by a prolongation of the QT interval (&amp;gt;-11ms) during MST (as previously published). Results 134 families with unexplained SCD were examined. CIQTP was diagnosed in 15 families, representing a prevalence of 11.2%. Family screening of these 15 families identified a total of 43 individuals. Seven (16%) had symptoms prior to diagnosis, including sudden cardiac arrest in one. At baseline, the QTc interval was measured at 440+/-23 ms. MST increased the QTc interval by 49+/-33 ms. The identification of QT interval prolongation was less important in the exercise test (delta QTc 17+/-52 ms at 4 minutes after exercise) and the epinephrine test (delta QTc 19+/-36 at 1 minute according to the Krahn protocol). Treatment with beta-blockers was initiated in 19 patients (44%) on the basis of symptoms and major prolongation of the QT interval during the MST. After a mean follow-up of 7+/-2 years, only one patient developed ventricular fibrillation. This episode occurred during a short period when he was no observant for the treatment. Since then, there has been no recurrence of the arrhythmia on beta-blocker therapy. All other patients, including those who were previously symptomatic remained symptom-free on treatment. Conclusion CIQTP may explain a significant part of sudden cardiac arrest or syncope in young patients. Conventional screening using ECG, exercise test and epinephrine challenge may not be able to unmask CIQTP. Then MST may be systematically proposed for the screening of patient and their family. In CIQTP patients beta blocker therapy appears to be highly efficient to prevent symptoms.

Phosphorylated tau protein serum levels increase over time in patients with chronic heart failure

Abstract Background/Introduction Amongst various potential biomarkers associated with cognitive deficits, phosphorylated Tau (pTau) appears to link brain and cardiac abnormalities through a systemic tauopathy pathway. Purpose A recent report on the potential importance of myocardial pTau in chronic heart failure (HF) prompted the here described longitudinal quantification of circulating pTau serum levels in patients with HF. We hypothesized that serum pTau accumulates in HF and is associated with markers of myocardial dysfunction. Methods Eligible patients within the prospective, investigator-initiated, monocentric follow-up study Cognition.Matters-HF were older than 18 years, suffered from stable chronic HF and were free from major neurological or psychiatric disorders. Beyond the cardiological assessment including transthoracic echocardiography and six minute walking distance (6-MWD), investigations at baseline, 1 year and 3 years comprised extensive, domain-specific psychological testing and volumetric brain magnetic resonance imaging. Serum pTau was measured using the pTau181 advantage kit. Results Serum samples were available from 78 patients. Mean age was 63±10 years and 87% were men. Serum pTau longitudinally increased from a median of 1.05 (quartiles 0.26, 1.21) pg/ml at baseline to 1.84 (1.36, 3.60) pg/ml after 3 years (p&amp;lt;0.001). During that time period, LVEF, NT-proBNP, 6-MWD and the hippocampal volume remained unaltered, whereas global brain volume and cortical thickness shrank age-appropriately. Cognitive testing revealed that domain-specific T-scores within 36 months remained stable for attentional intensity and executive functioning, and even improved for memory. When we entered baseline values of age and above-mentioned cardiac, brain-volumetric, and cognitive parameters into a multivariable regression model predicting log-transformed pTau, only age (β=0.34), NT-proBNP (β=0.24) and GBV (β=0.26) were independently associated with pTau serum levels (R2=0.18). Consistently, at 36 months, the same predictors were selected by the model (R2=0.29): age (β=0.41), NT-proBNP (β=0.43), and global brain volume (β=0.26). Moreover, higher baseline pTau (β=0.23) and lower 6-MWD (β=-0.39) independently predicted ΔpTau with an explained variance (R2) of 0.24. Conclusions We observed a prominent increase of serum pTau over time, which was predicted by prevalent myocardial dysfunction. Moreover, absolute NT-proBNP levels were independently associated with absolute pTau serum levels, along with age and global brain volume. Mechanistically, phosphorylation of cardiac tau is thought to destabilize its interaction with microtubules causing microtubule detyronisation and increased myocardial stiffness through enhancing the mechanical resistance of contracting cardiomyocytes. The etiological role of pTau in the development of HF and the potential of serum pTau as a novel biomarker of chronic HF warrants further studies.

Evaluation of a Visual Cognitive Style in Autism: A Cluster Analysis.

Cognitive style refers to how individuals perceive their environment and solve problems. Among various cognitive styles documented, verbal and visual styles, including object versus spatial cognition, have been widely studied. "Thinking in pictures" is often associated with autism and characterized by enhanced performance and autonomy of certain perceptual areas. This study aimed to characterize the cognitive style of autistic individuals, focusing on this visual "thinking in pictures" style. We assessed 43 autistic and 42 non-autistic adults using the Object Spatial Imagery Verbal Questionnaire to evaluate three dimensions of their cognitive style: visual object, visual spatial, and verbal. Using a cluster analysis, we identified cognitive style profiles. We then examined manifestations of cognitive style within these profiles, including mental imagery abilities (with the Mental Rotation Test), the vividness of mental images (with the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire), language abilities (with the Mill Hill vocabulary test), and synesthetic experiences. Our results revealed three distinct cognitive profiles: a visual profile characterized by significant mental imagery and vivid mental images, a visuo-spatial profile associated with strong abilities to manipulate mental images but lower vividness of mental images, and a verbal profile with lower spatial imagery and manipulation abilities. While all profiles were observed in autistic individuals, the visual cognitive profile was the most common. Additionally, we found synesthesia to be more prevalent in the autistic population compared to the non-autistic population. This study confirms that, while not exclusive, a visual cognitive style is prevalent among autistic individuals.

Comparison of the clinical efficacy on chronic abdominal wall pain between trigger-point electroacupuncture and transversus abdominis plane block

To compare the clinical efficacy between trigger-point (TrP) electroacupuncture and transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in treatment of chronic abdominal wall pain (CAWP). A total of 62 CAWP patients were randomly divided into a TrP electroacupuncture group (31 cases, 1 case dropped off) and a TAP block group (31 cases, 1 case dropped off). Electroacupuncture at trigger points was delivered in the TrP electroacupuncture group, and TAP block was administered under ultrasonic guidance in the TAP block group. Separately, the score of the numerical pain rating scale (NRS) was observed before treatment and in 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after treatment；the scores of the self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and the self-rating depressive scale (SDS) observed before treatment and in 1 week and 3 months after treatment；and the score of the short form 36 questionnaire (SF-36) was observed before treatment and in 3 months after treatment. The utilization rate of remedial drugs was recorded during follow-up visit. The clinical efficacy was compared. At each time point after treatment, NRS score decreased in comparison with that before treatment (P<0.05), the scores of SAS and SDS 1 week and 3 months after treatment were reduced (P<0.05) and the each item score of SF-36 increased (P<0.05) 3 months after treatment of each group. Compared with the outcomes in the TAP block group, NRS scores were reduced 1 month and 3 months after treatment respectively (P<0.05), the scores of SAS and SDS decreased (P<0.05) and SF-36 score was elevated (P<0.05) 3 months after treatment in the TrP electroacupuncture group. There was no significant difference in the utilization rate of remedial drugs between the two groups. The clinical efficacy of the TrP electroacupuncture group (96.7%) was superior to that of the TAP block group (83.3%, P<0.05). Both TrP electroacupuncture and TAP block can markedly relieve pain, attenuate the emotional symptoms of anxiety and depression and improve the quality of life in the patients with chronic abdominal wall pain. The clinical efficacy of TrP electroacupuncture is better than that of TAP block 3 months after treatment.

The correlated factors of anxiety and depression among Chinese hospital staff during the COVID-19 local outbreak.

Hospital staff in the COVID-19 local outbreak were facing different situations, their mental status and influencing factors were also different. The aim of this study is to investigate the anxiety and depression of hospital staff and its potential influence factors during the COVID-19 local outbreak. This was a cross-sectional survey based on a hospital with a local outbreak of COVID-19. We collected the demographic characteristics, COVID-19-related issues, self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), and self-rating depression scale (SDS) of participants through an anonymous questionnaire. Factors associated with anxiety and depression were explored through univariate and multivariate analyses. We also constructed nomograms and calibration curves to predict the probability of anxiety and depression. A total of 800 people completed the questionnaire. 239 (29.9%) of them were doctors, 249 (31.1%) of them were nurses and 312 (39.0%) of them were others. There were 173 (21.6%) cases had anxiety, including 36 (20.8%) doctors, 76 (43.9%) nurses and 61 (35.3%) from other occupations and 281 (35.1%) cases had depression, including 64 (22.8%) doctors, 101 (35.9%) nurses, and 116 (41.3%) from other occupations. Nurses had higher SAS and SDS score than doctors and others (F = 17.856, P < .001 and F = 14.376, P < .001). In addition, multivariate analysis found that occupation, education level, health condition, and reduced sleep were significant influences on anxiety and depression. At the same time, reduced income was also significantly associated with anxiety. During the local outbreak of COVID-19, hospital staff still had varying degrees anxiety and depression. Occupation, education level, health condition and reduced sleep were both significant influencing factors for anxiety and depression. The mental state of hospital staff, including nonmedical-related staff should still be taken seriously.

Effectiveness of the re-engineered discharge (RED) care model in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

This study aims to investigate whether the re-engineered discharge (RED) model can significantly improve the quality of life, enhance the health status, and reduce the levels of depression and anxiety in patients with rheumatoid arthritis during hospitalization. This study selected 108 rheumatoid arthritis patients treated at our facility between February 2023 and February 2024. Based on the different treatment methods, these patients were divided into a control group and an observation group, with 54 patients in each group. During hospitalization, both groups received standardized routine care provided by the hospital. After discharge, the control group continued with regular follow-up visits, while the observation group received a more comprehensive and multidimensional extended care based on the RED model. The intervention period for both groups was set to 3 months. The core observation indicators of this study focused on the emotional fluctuations, symptom improvement, and changes in self-care ability of the patients before and after the intervention. After the intervention, the scores of the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale and Self-Rating Depression Scale in both groups showed significant decreases, with the scores in the observation group being significantly lower than those in the control group, showing a highly significant statistical difference (P < .01). Additionally, the joint pain scores in both groups were alleviated, reflected by shorter morning stiffness times, reduced joint swelling, and increased grip strength. The observation group had lower joint pain scores, shorter morning stiffness times, fewer swollen joints, and stronger grip strength, all of which were statistically significant (P < .01). Furthermore, the distribution of self-care abilities in the observation group showed a significant difference compared to the control group (P < .05), with the observation group having a higher proportion of self-care abilities, which was also statistically significant (P < .05). For patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the implementation of the RED model nursing strategy can significantly alleviate negative emotions, reduce the distress caused by symptoms, and markedly improve their quality of life, providing a more comfortable and reassuring treatment experience.

The prevalence and risk of anxiety and depression in polycystic ovary syndrome: an overview of systematic reviews with meta-analysis.

To summarize the pooled prevalence rates of anxiety and depression in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. An overview of systematic reviews with meta-analysis was conducted. The CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, and PubMed databases were searched up to April 22, 2024. The methodological quality of systematic reviews was assessed using AMSTAR 2. The degree of overlap between reviews was analyzed by calculating the corrected covered area. Ten systematic reviews were selected. Regarding anxiety disorders, the pooled prevalence of panic disorder, social phobia, and anxiety disorders without specifying the type of disorder were 4%, 5%, and 16.9%, respectively. This prevalence was higher in depressive disorders, reaching 34.8%. Anxiety symptoms were very prevalent in women with PCOS, although the prevalence varied depending on the self-reported questionnaire used: the Hamilton Anxiety Scale 69.4%, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale 41.5%, and the Self-rating Anxiety Scale 32.4%. Additionally, the highest prevalence of depression symptoms was associated with the Beck Depression Inventory 46.0%, followed by the Self-rating Depression Scale 39.2%, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, which ranged from 31% to 33.8%. Meta-analyses found mainly anxiety and depression symptoms and disorders are prevalent in women with PCOS. Meta-analyses also showed women with PCOS had a higher risk of having anxiety disorders, and depression symptoms than women without PCOS. • Anxiety symptoms were prevalent, although the prevalence varied depending on the self-reported questionnaire. • The highest prevalence of depression symptoms was associated with the Beck Depression Inventory (46.0%). • The pooled prevalence of anxiety disorders without specifying the type of disorder was 16.9%.