Training Trials Research Articles

Advanced Driver Training’s Impact on Teen Driver Skills

Standard driver education in the United States focuses on basic skills and the knowledge needed to pass licensure examinations. Newly licensed teen drivers are at high risk of crashes and death. To date, few interventions have addressed advanced driving skills that are not taught in typical driver education programs. We investigated the effect of a single day advanced driver training course on crash-avoidance skills. We enrolled 785 teens in a controlled quasi-experimental trial of advanced driver training (ADT: “intervention group”) versus a waitlist comparison group. The ADT consisted of 2 h of classroom education and repeated execution, with instruction and feedback, of four driving skill drills on a controlled, closed course. The comparison group performed each drill once per assessment, with only basic instruction. We measured their ability to successfully execute the driving skill drills (i.e., slalom, wet braking and steering, emergency lane change, and spin avoidance) on the day of the ADT and 3 to 6 months after the baseline skills assessment. The intervention group improved more than the comparison group, particularly in the spin avoidance skills, including spin avoidance, keeping the car on the course, and maintaining an appropriate speed during the drill. Further exploration of the ADT concept as an improvement to driver education and safety is warranted.

Searching for biomarkers in the fluidity of mental ill-health.

Searching for biomarkers in the fluidity of mental ill-health.

Convolutional Neural Network-Based Deep Learning Approach for Automatic Flood Mapping Using NovaSAR-1 and Sentinel-1 Data

The accuracy of most SAR-based flood classification and segmentation derived from semi-automated algorithms is often limited due to complicated radar backscatter. However, deep learning techniques, now widely applied in image classifications, have demonstrated excellent potential for mapping complex scenes and improving flood mapping accuracy. Therefore, this study aims to compare the image classification accuracy of three convolutional neural network (CNN)-based encoder–decoders (i.e., U-Net, PSPNet and DeepLapV3) by leveraging the end-to-end ArcGIS Pro workflow. A specific objective of this method consists of labelling and training each CNN model separately on publicly available dual-polarised pre-flood data (i.e., Sentinel-1 and NovaSAR-1) based on the ResNet convolutional backbone via a transfer learning approach. The neural network results were evaluated using multiple model training trials, validation loss, training loss and confusion matrix from test datasets. During testing on the post-flood data, the results revealed that U-Net marginally outperformed the other models. In this study, the overall accuracy and F1-score reached 99% and 98% on the test data, respectively. Interestingly, the segmentation results showed less use of manual cleaning, thus encouraging the use of open-source image data for the rapid, accurate and continuous monitoring of floods using the CNN-based approach.

Effect of a Training Intervention Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior on the Pregnancy Intention in Women with One Child: A Training Trial

Background: Having an only child has positive and negative consequences for the health of the child, mother, and family. However, when one-child families become the norm, the risks of negative long-term impacts increase. In Iran, couples now prefer to have one child. This paper reports on an investigation into the effectiveness of training based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) on the pregnancy intention in women with one child. Methods: The trial was conducted in 2019 with 102 women with one child, who was supported by the Health Centers in Qom, Iran. They were randomly divided into two groups: TPB theory-based training (n=52) and control (routine healthcare training, n=50) groups. ANCOVA was used to compare the groups' post-training pregnancy intention and its theoretical antecedents. Results: Three months post-training, participants in the TPB group had higher pregnancy intention (η2 = .4, P<0.001), attitude to having a second child (η2 = .41, P<0.001), subjective (perceived) norm for having a second child (η2 = .08, P<0.004), and perceived control for having a second child (η2 = .35, P<0.001). The TPB-based training intervention increased women's awareness of the consequences of having an only child significantly more than routine training (P<0.001). Conclusion: Health center training can increase women's intention to have a second child. In this trial, theory-based training resulted in stronger pregnancy intention than participation in routine training. As health centers in Iran update their programs, this trial highlights the value of course design based on established theory.

Our Trial of Disaster Victim Identification Training in Chiba, Japan

Introduction:Internationally, Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) activities are conducted under the International Criminal Police Organization system for handling a large number of bodies during disasters. However, the police have taken the initiative and commissioned clinicians and dentists to estimate the cause of death and identify the deceased, under a unique system in Japan. In this presentation, we examine the problems in the current DVI activities in Japan through DVI training.Method:We held DVI training sessions three times in preparation for the occurrence of a large-scale disaster in Chiba Prefecture with Chiba Prefectural Police, Chiba Medical Association, Chiba Dental Association, local government staff in Chiba, and forensic staff in other institutions. We conducted desktop trainings using paper dolls, under a simulation of an aircraft disaster, and a natural disaster such as flooding and landslides caused by typhoon damage in the third session. After the training, participants reflected on their activities through a questionnaire.Results:In accordance with the conventional method, the police officers numbered the bodies, photographed and checked their personal belongings, followed by the estimation of the cause of death with a doctor, the preparation of documents. Subsequently, dentists collected postmortem findings and matched with antemortem data. On the other hand, police officers and local government staff interviewed the bereaved family members under simulations. In the post-survey, participants were generally satisfied with the training, but some said that it was difficult to understand the activities of other professions.Conclusion:In Japan, where there are no DVI teams, this training was a good opportunity for all the job categories involved in DVI activities to meet each other. While the activities conducted by each profession helped to improve skills, the collaboration among professions was poor. We would like to improve the quality of DVI activities by introducing a team system for collaboration among multiple professions.

Artificial Spray Modeling of Ships for Personnel Training and Its Case Study

Ship painting personnel usually employ physical, hands-on training to enhance their proficiency and improve the quality of their painting. However, this method poses environmental pollution problems and has high costs. Therefore, this paper develops a ship artificial spraying simulation training system based on a Virtual Reality (VR) environment. Firstly, a artificial spraying model for a ship for personnel training is established by the relationship between the gun parameters, gun position, spraying direction, and coating thickness. A method for calculating the coating thickness and coating loss by using a frame cycle in a VR environment is proposed. And the artificial spraying model is verified from these two perspectives by a spraying test. Finally, based on the artificial spraying model, a ship spraying simulation training system is developed by combining C# and Unity3D, and a corresponding scoring mechanism is established to evaluate the spraying results. By recruiting personnel with different spraying experiences to wear VR helmets for spraying training trials, the results show that the method of using VR for spraying training can effectively improve the spraying level of operators with different spraying experiences.

Enhancement of awareness through feedback does not lead to interlimb transfer of obstacle crossing in virtual reality

Locomotor skill transfer is an essential feature of motor adaptation and represents the generalization of learned skills. We previously showed that gait adaptation after crossing virtual obstacles did not transfer to the untrained limb and suggested it may be due to missing feedback of performance. This study investigated whether providing feedback and an explicit goal during training would lead to transfer of adaptive skills to the untrained limb. Thirteen young adults crossed 50 virtual obstacles with one (trained) leg. Subsequently, they performed 50 trials with their other (transfer) leg upon notice about the side change. Visual feedback about crossing performance (toe clearance) was provided using a color scale. In addition, joint angles of the ankle, knee, and hip were calculated for the crossing legs. Toe clearance decreased with repeated obstacle crossing from 7.8 ± 2.7 cm to 4.6 ± 1.7 cm for the trained leg and from 6.8 ± 3.0 cm to 4.4 ± 2.0 cm (p < 0.05) for the transfer leg with similar adaptation rates between limbs. Toe clearance was significantly higher for the first trials of the transfer leg compared to the last trials of the training leg (p < 0.05). Furthermore, statistical parametric mapping revealed similar joint kinematics for trained and transfer legs in the initial training trials but differed in knee and hip joints when comparing the last trials of the trained leg with the first trials of the transfer leg. We concluded that locomotor skills acquired during a virtual obstacle crossing task are limb-specific and that enhanced awareness does not seem to improve interlimb transfer.

Sex Differences in Olfactory Spatial Learning in Postnatal Day 13 Mice (P7-9.012)

<h3>Objective:</h3> Sex differences in the ability of C57BL6/J mice to complete OSL has not been reported. <h3>Background:</h3> Mouse models of early-life brain injury are useful for studying injury to the hippocampus. At postnatal day 13 (P13), there are few methods that assess hippocampal function. At this developmental time point, a mouse’s eyes are still closed and they use olfaction to navigate their environment. The Olfactory Spatial Learning (OSL) paradigm tests whether mouse pups can create an olfactory spatial map to reach a goal containing their littermates. <h3>Design/Methods:</h3> Male and female naive mice were tested on the OSL paradigm at P13, in either a Fixed or an Altered condition. Each corner of the OSL chamber had a cotton swab containing a different scent. Each mouse completed four Training Trials where they could navigate the chamber until they found the goal petri dish containing littermates, or a maximum of 150 seconds. The mouse then completed one Test Trial where the petri dish was removed and the mouse had to navigate to the goal location of the removed petri dish. <h3>Results:</h3> Data passed Shapiro-Wilk test for normality. Mixed-effect analysis revealed significant difference in latency to goal across Training Trials (p&lt;0.05), indicating that mice learn how to reach the goal faster across trials. On the Test Trial, male mice in the Fixed condition reached the goal location faster than male mice in the Altered condition (p&lt;0.05), but this difference was not observed in female mice. <h3>Conclusions:</h3> These data suggest that P13 male mice, but not female mice, exhibit olfactory-dependent spatial learning. This is the first demonstration of sex differences in hippocampal-dependent spatial learning at this young developmental timepoint. Future directions include using OSL to study sex differences in hippocampal function in mouse models of early life brain injury including perinatal hypoxia-ischemia. <b>Disclosure:</b> Miss Doebley has nothing to disclose. Ms. Nicolayevsky has nothing to disclose. Miss Sheyenne Gillis has nothing to disclose. Dr. Yun has nothing to disclose. The institution of Prof. Eisch has received research support from NIH . The institution of Prof. Eisch has received research support from NASA. Prof. Eisch has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving as a Study section member with NIH. Prof. Eisch has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving as a Grant reviewer with NASA. The institution of Dr. Barber has received research support from NIH.

Comparative efficacy of gait training for balance outcomes in patients with stroke: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Growing evidence suggests that gait training can improve stroke patients' balance outcomes. However, it remains unclear which type of gait training is more effective in improving certain types of balance outcomes in patients with stroke. Thus, this network meta-analysis (NMA) included six types of gait training (treadmill, body-weight-supported treadmill, virtual reality gait training, robotic-assisted gait training, overground walking training, and conventional gait training) and four types of balance outcomes (static steady-state balance, dynamic steady-state balance, proactive balance, and balance test batteries), aiming to compare the efficacy of different gait training on specific types of balance outcomes in stroke patients and determine the most effective gait training. We searched PubMed, Embase, Medline, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases from inception until 25 April 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of gait training for the treatment of balance outcomes after stroke were included. RoB2 was used to assess the risk of bias in the included studies. Frequentist random-effects network meta-analysis (NMA) was used to evaluate the effect of gait training on four categories of balance outcomes. A total of 61 RCTs from 2,551 citations, encompassing 2,328 stroke patients, were included in this study. Pooled results showed that body-weight-support treadmill (SMD = 0.30, 95% CI [0.01, 0.58]) and treadmill (SMD = 0.25, 95% CI [0.00, 0.49]) could improve the dynamic steady-state balance. Virtual reality gait training (SMD = 0.41, 95% CI [0.10, 0.71]) and body-weight-supported treadmill (SMD = 0.41, 95% CI [0.02, 0.80]) demonstrated better effects in improving balance test batteries. However, none of included gait training showed a significant effect on static steady-state balance and proactive balance. Gait training is an effective treatment for improving stroke patients' dynamic steady-state balance and balance test batteries. However, gait training had no significant effect on static steady-state balance and proactive balance. To achieve maximum efficacy, clinicians should consider this evidence when recommending rehabilitation training to stroke patients. Considering body-weight-supported treadmill is not common for chronic stroke patients in clinical practice, the treadmill is recommended for those who want to improve dynamic steady-state balance, and virtual reality gait training is recommended for those who want to improve balance test batteries. Missing evidence in relation to some types of gait training is supposed to be taken into consideration. Moreover, we fail to assess reactive balance in this NMA since few included trials reported this outcome. PROSPERO, identifier CRD42022349965.

A Network Investigation of Core Mindfulness Processes.

Mindfulness has been associated with improved psychological well-being and health, although outcomes from mindfulness-based interventions are mixed. One challenge is a limited understanding about which specific processes are core to mindfulness. Network analysis offers a method to characterize the core processes of mindfulness. This study used network analysis to identify which processes are central to mindfulness (have the strongest connectivity with other mindfulness processes) as measured by the Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire- Short Form, analyzed at the item-level. Data were obtained from baseline of a randomized clinical trial of smartphone app-based mindfulness training for smoking cessation. The most central processes in the mindfulness network included, "I think some of my emotions are bad or inappropriate and I shouldn't feel them," an aspect of Nonjudgment/acceptance; as well as "I can easily put my beliefs, opinions, and expectations into words," and "It's hard for me to find the words to describe what I'm thinking," aspects of Describing. Findings help to clarify which processes are to mindfulness, contributing to a better understanding of the definition of mindfulness, and suggest factors that may be promising to target in mindfulness-based interventions. Future research should examine if mindfulness-based interventions may be improved by targeting these core mindfulness processes.

Effects of resistance training on body weight and body composition in older adults: An inter-individual response difference meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Whether true inter-individual response differences (IIRD) occur as a result of resistance training on body weight and body composition in older adults with overweight and obesity is not known. To address this gap, data from a previous meta-analysis representing 587 men and women (333 resistance training, 254 control) ≥ 60 years of age nested in 15 randomized controlled trials of resistance training ≥ 8 weeks were included. Resistance training and control group change outcome standard deviations treated as point estimates for body weight and body composition (percent body fat, fat mass, body mass index in kg.m2, and lean body mass) were used to calculate true IIRD from each study. True IIRD as well as traditional pairwise comparisons were pooled using the inverse-variance (IVhet) model. Both 95% confidence intervals (CI) and prediction intervals (PI) were calculated. While statistically significant improvements were found for body weight and all body composition outcomes (p < 0.05 for all), no statistically significant IIRD was observed for any of the outcomes (p > 0.05 for all) and all 95% PIs overlapped. Conclusions: While resistance training is associated with improvements in body weight and body composition in older adults, the lack of true IIRD suggests that factors other than training response variation (random variation, physiological responses associated with behavioral changes that are not the result of resistance training) are responsible for the observed variation in body weight and body composition.

Autonomic response to early head-up tilt in patients with severe traumatic brain injury: Analysis from a randomized feasibility trial.

Patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) may have autonomic dysfunction, one manifestation of which is orthostatic intolerance. This potentially impairs physical rehabilitation. However, the exact mechanisms remain elusive. In 30 patients participating in a trial of early tilt training versus standard care and 15 healthy volunteers, 5-min electrocardiography was recorded in the supine position and during 70° head-up tilt. Heart rate variability was analyzed by the low- and high-frequency (LF and HF) power, the LF-HF ratio, the total power, the ratio of the standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN), the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), the detrended fluctuations, and sample entropy. In patients in the upright compared to the supine position, SDNN (p < 0.001), RMSSD (p < 0.001), and total power (p = 0.004) all decreased, while the remaining variables were unchanged; no long-term differences in heart rate variability in the supine position were found between early tilt training and standard care. In the healthy volunteers, all measures besides SDNN and total power changed significantly between supine and upright position. In patients with severe TBI compared to healthy volunteers, several measures of heart rate variability changed differentially during mobilization from the supine to the upright position.

358 Using autism symptom profiles at intervention baseline to predict social cognitive outcomes

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: 1) Investigate the utility of pragmatic communication profiles in a sample of children with autism at baseline to predict response to treatment in a randomized clinical trial (RCT) of oxytocin augmentation and social cognitive skills training at week 12. 2) Determine if levels of anxiety or hyperactivity moderate child outcome performance. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: 40 children (37M, 3F), aged 8-11(M=9.25, SD=1.10), with confirmed autism spectrum disorder (ASD), enrolled in an RCT(NCT02918864) were evaluated at baseline on: an assessment of ASD (Autism Diagnosis Observation Schedule, ADOS-2), a task of perspective taking, Theory of Mind ToM, (Reading the Mind from the Eyes Task), pragmatic communication (Pragmatic Rating Scale-School Aged; PRS-SA), IQ (WAIS_I, WISC-V) and anxiety and hyperactivity (Behavior Assessment Scales for Children-3; BASC-3). A Tobii T60 XL was used for eye-tracking visual patterns and attention during the RMET. The PRS-SA was coded by trained, reliable clinicians. Parent ratings indicated over half of the participants’ had At Risk levels or higher on anxiety and hyperactivity on the BASC-3. Week 12 measures included all but the PRS-SA and ADOS-2. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Baseline preliminary analysis indicated the participants spent more time looking at words (.41ms) than eye images on the RMET(.15ms, p DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Findings at baseline suggest pragmatic communication skills are more related to ToM than gaze and attention on the RMET. This relationship will be further investigated over the time of the trial. Mental health indicators need to be considered further in this population. Child profiles at baseline may inform appropriate triage and treatment targets.

Development of model-based and model-free reactive control scheme: considering copper loss and movable-floater-displacement constraint for a wave energy converter

The utilization of wave energy is expected since ocean wave energy has a high potential. The improvement of the feasibility of wave energy converters requires control that maximizes the electric output energy, including the copper loss under a displacement constraint. Several model-based and model-free reactive controls have been developed. Although model-based reactive control attains high performance, it struggles to deal with modeling errors and forecasting wave excitation forces. On the other hand, the model-free reactive control can adapt to dynamic modeling, including modeling errors; however, it requires a vast amount of learning data and considerable time and effort to consider the displacement constraint. Model-based and model-free reactive controls each have advantages and disadvantages. Combined model-based and model-free reactive controls are desirable to freely switch between the model-based and model-free reactive controls based on various ocean situations. In this study, two equivalent model-based and model-free reactive controls that can consider the copper loss and displacement constraints without forecasting the wave excitation forces were proposed. The model-free reactive control was compared with the model-based reactive control and a conventional control using numerical simulations in irregular waves. The results of the simulation show that the proposed model-based reactive control achieves superior performance compared to that of the conventional control. The proposed model-free reactive control achieved comparable performance to that of the proposed model-based reactive control under various wave conditions. Moreover, the proposed model-free reactive control decreased the required training trials. The development of the two equivalent control schemes will lead to the proposal of combined model-based and model-free reactive controls in the future.

Feasibility of a theoretically grounded, multicomponent, physiotherapy intervention aiming to promote autonomous motivation to adopt and maintain physical activity in patients with lower-limb osteoarthritis: protocol for a single-arm trial

BackgroundLower-limb osteoarthritis (OA) causes high levels of pain and disability in adults over 45 years of age. Adopting and maintaining appropriate levels of physical activity (PA) can help patients with lower-limb OA self-manage their symptoms and reduce the likelihood of developing secondary noncommunicable diseases. However, patients with lower-limb OA are less active than people without musculoskeletal pain. This single-arm feasibility trial seeks to determine the feasibility and acceptability of a complex multicomponent physiotherapy behaviour change intervention that aims to aid patients with lower-limb OA to adopt and maintain optimal levels of PA.MethodsThis trial will be conducted at one site in a National Health Service physiotherapy outpatient setting in the West Midlands of England. Up to thirty-five participants with lower-limb OA will be recruited to receive a physiotherapy intervention of six sessions that aims to optimise their PA levels during phases of behavioural change: adoption, routine formation and maintenance. The intervention is underpinned by self-determination theory (and other motivational frameworks) and seeks to foster a motivationally optimal (empowering) treatment environment and implement behaviour change techniques (BCTs) that target PA behaviours across the three phases of the intervention. Physiotherapists (n = 5–6) will receive training in the why and how of developing a more empowering motivational environment and the delivery of the intervention BCTs. Participants will complete patient-reported and performance-based outcome measures at baseline and 3-month (to reflect behavioural adoption) and 6-month (maintenance) post-baseline. Feasibility and acceptability will be primarily assessed through semi-structured interviews (purposively recruiting participants) and focus groups (inviting all physiotherapists and research staff). Further evaluation will include descriptive analysis of recruitment rates, loss of follow-up and intervention fidelity.DiscussionA novel complex, multicomponent theoretical physiotherapy behaviour change intervention that aims to create a more empowering motivational treatment environment to assist patients with lower-limb OA to adopt and maintain optimal PA levels has been developed. Testing the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and its associated physiotherapist training and related trial procedures is required to determine whether a full-scale parallel group (1:1) randomised controlled trial to evaluate the interventions effectiveness in clinical practice is indicated.Trial registrationTrial register: International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial identification number: ISRCTN12002764.Date of registration: 15 February 2022.

Situation-specific outcomes (Home Situations Questionnaire) in a randomized controlled trial of individual versus group parent training for children with Hyperkinetic Disorder/Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Assess (a) the variability of behaviour problems in children with Hyperkinetic Disorder/Attention-DeficitHyperactivity Disorder (HKD/ADHD) across a range of family situations and (b) the degree to which behaviour in each situation can be modified through a cognitive behavioural parent training (CBPT). Furthermore (c), compare the effectiveness of training in two different formats and (d) test the proposition that group treatment benefits behaviour in a wider range of situations than individual treatment. A registered multicentre randomized controlled trial comparing individual and group parent training to treatment-as-usual (TAU) for N=237 children with HKD/ADHD. A German version of the Home Situations Questionnaire (HSQ) was employed to examine behaviour problems across a range of family situations, treatment-related changes post-treatment and at 6-month follow-up, while controlling for medication status. Parents reported considerable variance in severity of behaviour problems across situations. All groups improved with time, but individual and group CBPT led to significantly greater improvement than TAU in many family situations. Results present situation-specific treatment trajectories and demonstrate somewhat greater impact of individual compared with group training in certain situations post-training and 6months later. CBPT clearly adds to TAU (with effect sizes in the small to moderate range depending on situation). Individual was somewhat more successful than group format (which did not succeed in a wider range of situations). HSQ situations reveal a differentiated picture of child behaviour and treatment results. Situation-specific assessment with an instrument like the HSQ offers promising perspectives that invite further development.

Untangling the temporal association between daily urges to die by suicide and to use substances

The current study examined the potential bi-directional associations between urges to die by suicide and to use alcohol or drugs as well as sadness and anger in relation to these urges. Forty individuals with suicidal thoughts, binge drinking behaviors, and emotion regulation difficulties, who were recruited for a clinical trial of internet-delivered Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills training, completed daily diaries on suicide and substance use urges and emotions over twenty-one days. Results indicated that higher daily peak substance use urges were associated with a greater likelihood of reporting suicide urges on the next day. Participants with higher and an increase in peak substance use urges (relative to their daily average) were both more likely to report suicide urges on the same day. Furthermore, both daily peak sadness and anger ratings predicted next-day suicide urges while accounting for substance use urges, though sadness may be a stronger predictor. These findings suggested a possible unidirectional pathway from urges to use substances to subsequent urges to die by suicide and a unique role of sadness.

Proof-of-concept trial of Goal Management Training+ to improve executive functions and treatment outcomes in methamphetamine use disorder

BackgroundDeficits in executive function are common in methamphetamine use disorder (MUD), likely contributing to difficulties in sustained treatment success. Cognitive remediation interventions are designed to treat such deficits but have not been adapted to the needs of people with MUD. This study presents a proof-of-concept trial to evaluate a new cognitive remediation program for MUD, Goal Management Training+ (GMT+). MethodsThis was a cluster-randomised crossover trial comparing GMT+ with a psychoeducation-based control (Brain Health Workshop; BHW). GMT+ is a therapist-administered group-based cognitive remediation for executive dysfunction comprising four 90-minute weekly sessions and daily journal activities. BHW is a lifestyle psychoeducation program matched to GMT+ for therapist involvement, format, and duration. Participants (n = 36; GMT n = 17; BHW n = 19) were recruited from therapeutic communities in Victoria, Australia. Primary outcomes included intervention acceptability, feasibility, and improvements in self-reported executive function. Secondary outcomes included cognitive tests of executive function, severity of methamphetamine dependence, craving, and quality of life. We performed mixed linear modelling and calculated Hedges’ g effect sizes. ResultsGMT+ participant ratings and program retention indicated high acceptability. There was no difference between GMT+ and BHW on self-reported executive function (g = 0.06). Cognitive tasks suggested benefits of GMT+ on information gathering (g = 0.88) and delay-discounting (g = 0.80). Severity of methamphetamine dependence decreased more in GMT+ (g = 1.47). ConclusionsGMT+ was well-accepted but did not improve self-reported executive functioning. Secondary outcomes suggested GMT+ was beneficial for objective cognitive performance and severity of dependence.

Effectiveness of a transdiagnostic emotion regulation training in an at-risk sample: a randomized-controlled trial of group-based training versus self-help bibliotherapy.

Subclinical psychotic, depression, and anxiety symptoms form a transdiagnostic 'at-risk state' for the development of mental disorders. Emotion regulation has been identified as a transdiagnostic factor relevant to the formation of these symptoms that can be successfully addressed in clinical interventions. Here, we tested whether a group-based emotion regulation training would be effective in reducing distress and at preventing the transition to mental disorders in an at-risk sample. Participants with distressing subclinical psychotic, depression, or anxiety symptoms (n=138) were randomly allocated to either the 8-week group-based affect regulation training (ART; Springer, New York) or an 8-week self-help bibliotherapy (BT). They underwent biweekly measurements during the intervention, as well as at a six- and 12-month follow-up. In an exploratory analysis, we tested whether the ART would be superior to BT in preventing the transition to any mental disorder at 12-month follow-up. We also tested for differences in trajectories of psychopathology and emotion regulation (via questionnaires) and emotion regulation in daily life (via the experience-sampling method). Participants in the ART condition showed a greater improvement of emotion regulation in daily life than those with BT, but the ART was not superior over BT in preventing the transition to mental disorders. There were significant longitudinal reductions from pre- to post-intervention for general psychopathology and symptoms but no superiority of the ART over BT. Despite its efficacy in improving emotion regulation skills, the ART does not produce effects on psychopathology that justify its recommendation over self-help approaches.

A randomized controlled trial of social cognition and interaction training for persons with first episode psychosis in Hong Kong.

Social cognitive impairment is a core limiting factor of functional recovery among persons with first episode psychosis (FEP). Social Cognition and Interaction Training (SCIT) is a group-based, manualized training with demonstrated evidence in improving social cognitive performance among people with schizophrenia. However, there are few studies on the effect of SCIT for people with FEP and for people in non-Western societies. This study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability and initial effectiveness of the locally-adapted SCIT in improving social cognitive functioning in Chinese people with FEP. The SCIT was delivered two sessions per week over a 10-weeks period, each session lasted for 60-90 min. A total of 72 subjects with FEP were recruited from an outpatient clinic and randomized to conventional rehabilitation ("Rehab") and experimental ("SCIT and Rehab") groups. Primary outcome measures included four social cognitive domains including emotion perception, theory-of-mind, attributional bias and jumping-to-conclusion, and secondary measures included neurocognition, social competence and quality of life. Participants were assessed at baseline, post-treatment, and 3-months post-treatment. Repeated measures ANCOVAs, with baseline scores as covariates, were used to compare the group differences in various outcomes across time. The results showed that the SCIT was well-accepted, with a satisfactory completion rate and subjective ratings of relevance in the experimental group. Moreover, treatment completers (n = 28) showed evidence of an advantage, over conventional group (n = 31), in reduced attributional bias and jumping-to-conclusions at treatment completion, lending initial support for the SCIT in Chinese people with FEP. Future research should address the limitations of this study, using more refined outcome measurements and higher treatment intensity of the SCIT.