Within-subject Effects Research Articles

A scoping review of psychosocial interventions to reduce internalised shame

Objective: Internalised shame has been linked to psychopathology and consistently identified as a predictor of poor treatment outcomes and premature therapy termination. We conducted a scoping review of therapist-delivered psychosocial interventions to reduce internalised shame to learn how to improve outcomes for individuals experiencing shame. Method: Six bibliographical databases were searched for studies measuring internalised shame pre- and post-treatment. We screened 6846 abstracts; 42 full-text manuscripts were retrieved, with 16 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Of these, 10 studies examined between- and within-subject effects, and 6 studies exclusively examined within-subject effects. Results: Twelve of the sixteen included studies reported small to moderate within-group reductions in internalised shame. Between group analyses showed that shame interventions may be more effective than no treatment or treatment as usual, but not more effective than an active comparator. Conclusion: Successful treatments often involved psychoeducation, experiential exercises, and techniques to increase social support and emotional expression; however, study quality was weak to moderate and the importance of each of these techniques for reducing internalised shame was not determined.

Enhancing Daily Affect in Youth Experiencing High-Conflict Parental Divorce: A Multiple Baseline Trial of an Online Prevention Program.

This study investigated the effects of a highly interactive, online cognitive-behavioral youth coping program: Children of Divorce-Coping with Divorce (CoD-CoD; Boring et al., 2015) on children exposed to high levels of interparental conflict (IPC). A multiple-baseline experimental design (N = 9) evaluated within-subject intervention effects on change in daily positive and negative affect before, during, and after the intervention (nobservations = 462). Participants were youth ages 11-16 who reported high exposure to IPC and whose parents had filed for divorce or parenting plan determinations in the prior year. A significant interaction effect indicated change in positive affect, but not negative affect, between the intervention and baseline phases. Positive affect linearly decreased during the baseline phase and flattened during the intervention phase. Results indicate that CoD-CoD was effective in interrupting a decline in youth-reported positive affect in a high-IPC sample, which may indicate a buffering effect against depression. Critical future directions include conducting large-scale randomized trials with children from high-IPC families to assess for whom the program is effective and assess long-term effects across a broad range of important outcomes.

MP35-16 IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC PELVIC AND GENITAL PAIN THROUGH AN INTERDISCIPLINARY PAIN REHABILITATION PROGRAM

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 May 2022MP35-16 IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC PELVIC AND GENITAL PAIN THROUGH AN INTERDISCIPLINARY PAIN REHABILITATION PROGRAM Kevin Hanna, Matthew Ziegelmann, Hannah Betcher, Sevann Helo, Elizabeth Kacel, and Wesley Gilliam Kevin HannaKevin Hanna More articles by this author , Matthew ZiegelmannMatthew Ziegelmann More articles by this author , Hannah BetcherHannah Betcher More articles by this author , Sevann HeloSevann Helo More articles by this author , Elizabeth KacelElizabeth Kacel More articles by this author , and Wesley GilliamWesley Gilliam More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000002589.16AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Chronic pelvic and/or genital pain is a disabling condition and commonly associated with poor quality of life, impaired sexual function, and decreased productivity. METHODS: A series of within-subject ANOVAs (corrected for multiple comparisons) were used to evaluate the effectiveness of an Interdisciplinary Pain Rehabilitation Program (IPRP) on self-reported (pain severity, interference, depressive symptoms, quality of life) and observer-rated outcomes (5-minute walk) among 15 patients receiving care at the Mayo Clinic IPRP between 2016–2018. Additionally, opioid use of participants was assessed throughout the program via total daily Morphine Milligram Equivalents (MME). RESULTS: Fifteen patients (5 male, 10 female) were identified. Mean age was 47.0 (range: 24–78) and primary diagnoses were pelvic pain (n=13) and penile pain (n=2). Significant within-subject effects were detected for all self-report outcomes and the 5-minute walk test (Table 1). Six patients were on opioid therapy (MME = 49 mg), and all but one successfully tapered off opioids. In the remaining patient, daily MME decreased from 150 mg to 30 mg (Figure 1). CONCLUSIONS: Intensive outpatient IPRP significantly improves quality of life for patients with treatment-refractory chronic pelvic and/or genital pain. These results support multi-disciplinary treatment paradigms for refractory urogenital pain. Source of Funding: None © 2022 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 207Issue Supplement 5May 2022Page: e593 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2022 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Kevin Hanna More articles by this author Matthew Ziegelmann More articles by this author Hannah Betcher More articles by this author Sevann Helo More articles by this author Elizabeth Kacel More articles by this author Wesley Gilliam More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF DownloadLoading ...

Efficacy of a blended learning programme in enhancing the communication skill competence and self-efficacy of nursing students in conducting clinical handovers: a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundA clinical handover is an essential nursing practice that ensures patient safety. However, most newly graduated nurses struggle to conduct clinical handovers as they lack sufficient communication skill competence and self-efficacy in this practice. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of a blended learning programme on the communication skill competence and self-efficacy of final-year nursing students in conducting clinical handovers.MethodsA randomised controlled design was used. A convenience sample of 96 final-year baccalaureate nursing students at a local university. Data were collected in 2020. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 50) that received a blended learning programme with face-to-face training and an online module on handover practice, or a waitlist control group (n = 46) that received only face-to-face handover training during the study period and an online module immediately after the completion of data collection. The primary outcome was the communication skill competence and the secondary outcome was the self-efficacy of the participants in conducting clinical handovers. An analysis of covariance was used to examine the between-subjects effects on self-efficacy and communication skill competence in conducting clinical handovers after controlling for the significantly correlated variables. A paired sample t-test was used to determine the within-subjects effects on self-efficacy.ResultsThe participants in the experimental group had significantly higher communication skill competence (p < 0.001) than those in the waitlist control group. Although both groups showed a significant improvement in self-efficacy, the mean scores of the experimental group were higher than those of the waitlist control group (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThis study demonstrated the efficacy of a blended learning approach in improving the communication skill competence and self-efficacy of final-year nursing students in conducting clinical handovers. Nurse educators should incorporate a blended learning approach into the nursing curriculum to optimise the content of training programmes for teaching nursing students in conducting clinical handovers.Trial registrationThe study protocol was registered in the Registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05150067; retrospective registration; date of registration 08/12/2021).

Within-subject effects of standardized prosthetic socket modifications on physical function and patient-reported outcomes

BackgroundAmong the challenges of living with lower limb loss is the increased risk of long-term health problems that can be either attributed directly to the amputation surgery and/or prosthetic rehabilitation or indirectly to a disability-induced sedentary lifestyle. These problems are exacerbated by poorly fit prosthetic sockets. There is a knowledge gap regarding how the socket design affects in-socket mechanics and how in-socket mechanics affect patient-reported comfort and function. The objectives of this study are (1) to gain a better understanding of how in-socket mechanics of the residual limb in transfemoral amputees are related to patient-reported comfort and function, (2) to identify clinical tests that can streamline the socket design process, and (3) to evaluate the efficacy and cost of a novel, quantitatively informed socket optimization process.MethodsUsers of transfemoral prostheses will be asked to walk on a treadmill wearing their current socket plus 8 different check sockets with designed changes in different structural measurements that are likely to induce changes in residual limb motion, skin strain, and pressure distribution within the socket. Dynamic biplane radiography and pressure sensors will be used to measure in-socket residual limb mechanics. Patient-reported outcomes will also be collected after wearing each socket. The effects of in-socket mechanics on both physical function and patient-reported outcomes (aim 1) will be assessed using a generalized linear model. Partial correlation analysis will be used to examine the association between research-grade measurements and readily available clinical measurements (aim 2). In order to compare the new quantitative design method to the standard of care, patient-reported outcomes and cost will be compared between the two methods, utilizing the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney non-parametric test (aim 3).DiscussionKnowledge on how prosthetic socket modifications affect residual bone and skin biomechanics itself can be applied to devise future socket designs, and the methodology can be used to investigate and improve such designs, past and present. Apart from saving time and costs, this may result in better prosthetic socket fit for a large patient population, thus increasing their mobility, participation, and overall health-related quality of life.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT05041998. Date of registration: Sept 13, 2021.

FV 7 Keeping the beat: stimulus-related neuronal oscillations relate to musical training and performance of polyrhythmic drumming

Introduction: When listening to music, one can effortlessly tap or clap along—and continue to do so even after the music stops. This ability is supported by neuronal ensembles in sensory cortices synchronizing their activity to the period of the repeating musical stimulus and sustaining this activity for a brief period despite the cessation of the stimulus. This process of neural entrainment facilitates the prediction of the future behaviour of rhythmic stimuli, even in case of multiple superposed rhythms (polyrhythms). This EEG study investigates the relationship between musical training, neural entrainment strength, and performance in a behavioral task using an auditory polyrhythmic paradigm. Methods: 32-multichannel EEG was recorded from 20 healthy subjects. In each of the 150 trials per subject, 3 bars of a polyrhythm were presented consisting of a simultaneously sounding “duple” (1.16 Hz) and “triple” (1.75 Hz) drumming rhythm. After an additional bar of silence, subjects were requested to complete one of the rhythms in the next bar by striking a drum. The selection of the rhythm was indicated after the bar of silence—requiring subjects to track both rhythms simultaneously during the silent break. EEG activity at the two target frequencies of the polyrhythm was extracted by Fourier transformation and Spatio-Spectral Decomposition (SSD). The resulting best two components for each frequency, together with a measure of individual musical training and experimental time (possibly capturing both fatigue and training effects) were regressed to performance using a random effects within-between (REWB) model. Results: Individual levels of musical training were shown to significantly correlate with the strength of neuronal entrainment as detected by SSD. Additionally, the REWB model showed that the average strength of a subject’s neural entrainment significantly correlated with the average performance of that subject for the duple rhythm but not for the triple rhythm. No significant within-subject effects were seen for either of the rhythms. Discussion and Significance: The study’s findings draw a connection between individual musicality, neuronal entrainment to auditory rhythms, and performance according to these rhythms. On a general scope, this suggests that neuronal oscillations relate to temporal precision and maintenance of rhythmic actions. The causal role of neuronal oscillations with respect to rhythmic behaviour, however, remains a target for future research, e.g., using non-invasive brain stimulation. Further, study of longitudinal effects could provide insight into whether the strength of entrainment represents an individual trait of musical people or a training effect.

Outcomes for Chronic Pelvic and Genital Pain Using Through an Interdisciplinary Pain Rehabilitation Program

ABSTRACT Introduction Chronic pelvic and/or genital pain is a disabling condition and commonly associated with poor quality of life, impaired sexual function and decreased productivity. Objective To examine treatment outcomes among a cohort of patients diagnosed with refractory pelvic and/or genital pain enrolled in a 3-week interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation program (IPRP). Methods A series of with-in subjects ANOVAs (corrected for multiple comparisons) were used to evaluate the effectiveness of IPRP on self-report (pain severity, interference, depressive symptoms, quality of life) and observer-rated outcome (5 minute walk) among 15 treated patients receiving care at the Mayo Clinic IPRP between 2016-2018. Results Fifteen patients (5 male, 10 female) were identified. Mean age was 47.0 (range: 24-78) and primary diagnoses were pelvic pain (n=13) and penile pain (n=2). Significant within-subject effects were detected for all self-report outcomes and the 5-minute walk test (see table 1). Six patients were on opioid therapy (MME = 49mg), and all but one successfully tapered off opioids. In the remaining patient, daily MME decreased from 150 mg to 30 mg. Conclusions Intensive outpatient IPRP significantly improves quality of life for patients with treatment-refractory chronic pelvic and/or genital pain. These results support multi-disciplinary treatment paradigms for refractory urogenital pain. Disclosure No

Which evidence-based teaching practices change over time? Results from a university-wide STEM faculty development program

BackgroundThere is overwhelming evidence that evidence-based teaching improves student performance; however, traditional lecture predominates in STEM courses. To provide support as faculty transform their lecture-based classrooms with evidence-based teaching practices, we created a faculty development program based on best practices, Consortium for the Advancement of Undergraduate STEM Education (CAUSE). CAUSE paired exploration of evidence-based teaching with support for classroom implementation over two years. Each year for three years, CAUSE recruited cohorts of faculty from seven STEM departments. Faculty met biweekly to discuss evidence-based teaching and receive feedback on their implementation. We used the PORTAAL observation tool to document evidence-based teaching practices (PORTAAL practices) across four randomly chosen class sessions each term. We investigated if the number of PORTAAL practices used or the amount of practices increased during the program.ResultsWe identified identical or equivalent course offerings taught at least twice by the same faculty member while in CAUSE (n = 42 course pairs). We used a one-way repeated measures within-subjects multivariate analysis to examine the changes in average use of 14 PORTAAL practices between the first and second timepoint. We created heat maps to visualize the difference in number of practices used and changes in level of implementation of each PORTAAL practice. Post-hoc within-subjects effects indicated that three PORTAAL practices were significantly higher and two were lower at timepoint two. Use of prompting prior knowledge and calling on volunteers to give answers decreased, while instructors doubled use of prompting students to explain their logic, and increased use of random call by almost 40% when seeking answers from students. Heat maps indicated increases came both from faculty’s adoption of these practices and increased use, depending on the practice. Overall, faculty used more practices more frequently, which contributed to a 17% increase in time that students were actively engaged in class.ConclusionsResults suggest that participation in a long-term faculty development program can support increased use of evidence-based teaching practices which have been shown to improve student exam performance. Our findings can help prioritize the efforts of future faculty development programs.

Pro-inflammatory markers in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and the effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure therapy.

ObjectivesTo evaluate the association of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen levels and to assess the effect of short-term therapy using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).Material and MethodsA prospective, open-label, controlled trial was conducted among clinically referred patients at risk for OSA undergoing diagnostic polysomnography (PSG). After PSG, the patients were divided into 3 groups: OSA treatment group (TG) (n=21), untreated OSA group (UOG) (n=19), and non-OSA healthy control group (HCG) (n=24). CRP and fibrinogen levels were measured at baseline and one month after treatment. Repeated-measures (RM) ANOVA and ANCOVA were used to compare changes in CRP and fibrinogen levels among the three groups by analyzing between-subject and within-subject effects as functions of time and adjusting for significant covariates.ResultsAt baseline, OSA subjects had significantly higher CRP [t(52.37)=-2.46, p=0.02)] and fibrinogen levels [t(57)=-2.00, p=0.05)] than HCG subjects. No significant differences in CRP levels [(F(2,58)=2.29, p=0.11)] or fibrinogen levels [(F(2, 58)=1.28, p=0.29)] emerged between TG and HCG subjects after adjusting for the pretest levels.ConclusionCPAP therapy for one month does not affect CRP and fibrinogen levels among moderate-to-severe OSA patients. However, OSA is associated with elevated levels of these inflammatory biomarkers.

Leucistic plumage as a result of progressive greying in a cryptic nocturnal bird

Leucism, broadly defined as the lack of melanin pigmentation, occurs in many animal species. Most studies on leucism and other colour aberrations are based on opportunistic observations or small cross-sectional samples, thus limiting our ability to produce reliable results and test theoretical predictions. This study combines cross-sectional and longitudinal data collected in 2016–2020 from a population of red-necked nightjars (Caprimulgus ruficollis). The goals of the study are (i) to investigate sex and age effects on partial leucism, (ii) to separate within-subject effects (progressive greying) from between-subject effects (selective disappearance), and (iii) to examine differences in body mass, structural size, and life span between leucistic and non-leucistic individuals. The probability of leucism in nightjars increased from juveniles to adults at similar rates in males and females. Our longitudinal analysis and life-span comparisons indicated a minor contribution of selective disappearance to age-related changes in leucism, but rather suggested that the loss of melanin from feathers can be attributed to progressive greying in ageing adults. Body mass and size were consistently smaller (5% and 1.5%, respectively) in leucistic than in non-leucistic nightjars, although the reason for this difference remains unclear. Our study sheds light on the sources and mechanisms of variation in leucism in natural populations and its relationship with important life-history traits, such as life span.

The dynamical association between physical activity and affect in the daily life of individuals with ADHD

Exercise interventions in mental disorders have evidenced a mood-enhancing effect. However, the association between physical activity and affect in everyday life has not been investigated in adult individuals with ADHD, despite being important features of this disorder. As physical activity and affect are dynamic processes in nature, assessing those in everyday life with e-diaries and wearables, has become the gold standard. Thus, we used an mHealth approach to prospectively assess physical activity and affect processes in individuals with ADHD and controls aged 14–45 years. Participants wore accelerometers across a four-day period and reported their affect via e-diaries twelve times daily. We used multilevel models to identify the within-subject effects of physical activity on positive and negative affect. We split our sample into three groups: 1. individuals with ADHD who were predominantly inattentive (n = 48), 2. individuals with ADHD having a combined presentation (i.e., being inattentive and hyperactive; n = 95), and 3. controls (n = 42). Our analyses revealed a significant cross-level interaction (F(2, 135.072)=5.733, p = 0.004) of physical activity and group on positive affect. In details, all groups showed a positive association between physical activity and positive affect. Individuals with a combined presentation significantly showed the steepest slope of physical activity on positive affect (slope_inattentive=0.005, p<0.001; slope_combined=0.009, p<0.001; slope_controls=0.004, p = 0.008). Our analyses on negative affect revealed a negative association only in the individuals with a combined presentation (slope=-0.003; p = 0.001). Whether this specifically pronounced association in individuals being more hyperactive might be a mechanism reinforcing hyperactivity needs to be empirically clarified in future studies.

The Effects of Helicobacter Pylori Eradication on Liver Function and Metabolic Profile in Non-diabetic Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis: A 5-year Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effects of Helicobacter pylori (HP) eradication on liver function tests (LFT) and fat content (LFC) in non-diabetic non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). METHODS: This randomized clinical trial included dyspeptic HP infected non-diabetic NASH participants. The intervention arm received HP eradication treatment, while the control arm did not get any HP treatment. In the meantime, the standard management of NASH was performed in both trial arms. Mean alterations in LFT were the primary outcome and the secondary outcomes included the mean changes in LFC and serum metabolic profile. The trial follow-up period was 5 years. RESULTS: 40 participants (female: 20), with a mean age of 41.58 (±12.31) years, were enrolled in the study. The HP eradication arm included 20 participants (female: 11) with a mean age of 40.25 (±10.59) years, and the control arm consisted of 20 individuals (female: 9) with a mean age of 42.90 (±13.97) years. The tests of within-subjects effects showed a significant decrease in mean serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT; P=0.007), triglyceride (TG; P=0.04), cholesterol (P=0.004), and fasting blood sugar (FBS; P<0.001), and an increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL; P=0.04) in both research groups during the study period. The tests of between-subjects effects demonstrated a more significant decrement of FBS in HP eradicated patients than the controls (P=0.02). The reduction in waist circumference, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), ALT, alkaline phosphatase, triglyceride, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, insulin, and LFC were more prominent in the intervention group than the controls; however, these differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Adding HP eradication treatment to standard NASH treatment showed more therapeutic effect thanthe standard NASH treatment protocol alone regarding the decrement of FBS in participants with dyspeptic non-diabetic NASH. Considering the non-statistically significant improvement in other metabolic indices and LFT in this trial, further studies are recommended.

Computer Based Body Exposure in Adolescents With Anorexia Nervosa: A Study Protocol.

Body dissatisfaction is a core feature of eating disorders (EDs) and plays an essential role in the development and maintenance of anorexia nervosa (AN). In the current study, a computer based body exposure intervention is conducted and evaluated regarding short-term effects on body dissatisfaction, psychopathology, viewing patterns, and stress reactivity. Within a randomized controlled trial (RCT) female adolescents and young women with AN are either receiving the intervention or treatment as usual (TAU). Furthermore, in a transdiagnostic approach, a highly body-dissatisfied group of clinical control participants obtaining the intervention will be surveyed to identify AN-specific processes. The standardized four-session body exposure intervention using photographs of the own body is adapted from a manualized body image treatment program for computer use. Psychopathology (body dissatisfaction, body image avoidance, body checking, depression, anxiety) is assessed via standardized questionnaires before and after the intervention. During each session, attentional biases regarding one's own body are measured via eye tracking, stress levels are measured via subjective ratings, heart rate variability, as well as salivary cortisol and alpha amylase. Between- and within-subject effects will be assessed. The pilot study aims to identify short-term effects of the intervention on body dissatisfaction and attentional bias, as well as to investigate the potential underlying mechanism of physiological habituation.

Effect of Trataka (Yogic Visual Concentration) on the Performance in the Corsi-Block Tapping Task: A Repeated Measures Study.

Background and Objective: Attention and memory are essential aspects of cognitive health. Yogasanas, pranayama, and meditation have shown to improve cognitive functions. There has been no assessment of Trataka (yogic visual concentration) on working or on spatial memory. The present study was planned to assess the immediate effects of Trataka and of eye exercise sessions on the Corsi-block tapping task (CBTT).Methods: A total of 41 healthy volunteers of both genders with age 23.21 ± 2.81 years were recruited. All participants underwent baseline assessment, followed by 2 weeks of training in Trataka (including eye exercise). Each training session lasted for 20 min/day for 6 days a week. After completion of the training period, a 1-week washout period was given. Each participant then was assessed in two sessions in Trataka and in eye exercise on two separate days, maintaining the same time of the day. Repeated measure analysis of variance with Holm’s adjustment was performed to check the difference between the sessions.Results: Significant within-subjects effects were observed for forward Corsi span andforward total score (p < 0.001), and also for backward Corsi span (p < 0.05) and backward total score (p < 0.05). Post hoc analyses revealed Trataka session to be better than eye exercises and baseline. The eye exercise session did not show any significant changes in the CBTT.Conclusion: The result suggests that Trataka session improves working memory, spatial memory, and spatial attention.

An Analysis of Playoff Performance Declines in Major League Baseball.

Conforti, CM, HBA, Crotin, RL, RSCC, C, and Oseguera, J. An analysis of playoff performance declines in Major League Baseball. J Strength Cond Res 35(12S): S36-S41, 2021-At present, it is unknown how athletes of varying talent in Major League Baseball (MLB) perform in the postseason as compared with the regular season. Anecdotal evidence from the authors' previous work experience in MLB established the hypothesis that players of higher caliber were expected to perform worse in the playoffs compared with lesser talented cohorts. Publicly available data on 1477 MLB players from 1994 to 2019 were used to separate athletes into excellent, above average, average, and below average pitching, hitting, and defensive groups with respect to Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP), Weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+), and Errors per Inning Out (EpIO), respectively. Mixed-model analyses of variance with Tukey's Honest Significant Difference post hoc testing was used to determine whether the change in performance was significant within groups at an a priori alpha level of p < 0.05. Within-subject effects' tests were statistically significant within regular season talent groups for FIP, wRC+, and EpIO in comparison with their playoff performance (p < 0.001). Excellent performers suffered most with more than half depreciating in playoff hitting (58%) and pitching performance (52%), yet nearly 80% of 908 fielders retained defensive ability, which was unexpected. Results indicate that teams should consider providing greater mental performance support, implement periodization strategies to taper or lower training workloads, offer team support networks, and anxiety desensitization for excellent MLB performers in approach of the playoffs, as certain aspects of pitching and hitting significantly suffer.

Dual goals of trunk restriction and stability are prioritized by individuals with chronic low back pain during a volitional movement.

Individuals with chronic low back pain demonstrate impaired responses to volitional and externally-generated postural perturbations that may impact stability whilst performing activities of daily living. Understanding how balance may be impaired by strategy selection is an important consideration during rehabilitation from low back pain to prevent future injurious balance loss. This cross-sectional study explored the influence of an active pain episode on volitional movement patterns and stability during a sit-to-stand task in individuals with chronic low back pain compared to those with no low back pain history. Thirteen participants with low back pain who were in an active flare-up and 13 without pain sat on a height-adjusted chair and performed 5 sit-to-stand movements. Sagittal plane kinematics, kinetics, and surface electromyography were used to compute neuromuscular variables across Acceleration, Transition and Deceleration phases. Stability was assessed using times to contact of body centers of mass and pressure to base of support boundaries. Independent samples t-tests were used to examine group effects, and repeated measures analyses of variance assessed within-subjects effects across movement phases. Individuals with low back pain tended to restrict proximal joint motions through heightened muscle activity while increasing distal joint movement and distal muscle contributions. Individuals with low back pain used a greater driving force, indicated by a longer time to contact of the center of pressure, to achieve comparable center of mass stability. Individuals with low back pain may prioritize trunk restriction and stability through the sit-to-stand movement, possibly related to fear of pain or movement. The tendency for individuals with active low back pain to restrict trunk movements may require additional effort to maintain stability. Further research should examine whether trunk restriction is related to pain-related fear of movement and whether additional cognitive resources are required to maintain movement stability.

Psychophysiological Reactivity, Postures and Movements among Academic Staff: A Comparison between Teleworking Days and Office Days.

The aim of this study was to determine if psychophysiological activity, postures and movements differ during telework (i.e., work performed at home) and work performed at the conventional office. We performed twenty-four-hour pulse recordings and accelerometry measurements on 23 academic teaching and research staff during five consecutive workdays, with at least one day of telework. Additionally, we conducted salivary sampling during one day of telework, and one day of office work. Heart rate and heart rate variability indices, postural exposure and cortisol concentration were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance with Workplace and Time (i.e., before, during and after workhours) as within-subject effects. We found a significant interaction effect of Workplace and Time in heart rate variability indices and in the number of transitions between seated and standing postures. This shows more parasympathetic activity among academic teleworkers during telework than office work, which may indicate more relaxation during telework. They had an overall sedentary behavior at both workplaces but switched between sitting and standing more often during telework, which may be beneficial for their health.

How does a systematic tuning protocol for ankle foot orthosis–footwear combinations affect gait in children in cerebral palsy?

Purpose To investigate the effects of a systematic tuning protocol for ankle foot orthosis footwear combinations (AFO-FC) using incrementing heel height on gait in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods Eighteen children with CP (10.8 ± 3 years, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) I–II) underwent 3D gait analysis on a treadmill, while the AFO heel surface was systematically incremented with wedges. Children were subdivided based on their gait pattern, i.e., knee hyperextension (EXT) and excessive knee flexion (FLEX). Outcome measures included sagittal hip and knee angles and moments, shank to vertical angle (SVA), foot to horizontal angle, and gait profile score (GPS). Results For both groups, incrementing heel height resulted in increased knee flexion, more inclined SVA, and increased knee extension moments. This resulted in gait improvements for some children of the EXT-group, but not in FLEX. High variation was found between individuals and within-subject effects were not always consistent for kinematic and kinetics. Conclusions A systematic AFO-FC tuning protocol using incremented heel height can be effective to improve gait in children with CP walking with EXT. The current results emphasise the importance of including kinematics as well as kinetics of multiple instances throughout the gait cycle for reliable interpretation of the effect of AFO tuning on gait. Implications for rehabilitation A systematic ankle foot orthosis footwear combinations (AFO-FC) tuning protocol using incremented heel height can improve gait in children walking with knee hyperextension. Tuning results in changes throughout the gait cycle. Little evidence is found for an optimal SVA of 10–12° at midstance. For clinical interpretation, both joint kinematic and kinetic parameters should be considered throughout the gait cycle and evaluation should not be based on SVA only.

Employees’ dissenting voices via testimonials and their impact on corporate hypocrisy perception and reputational damage via narrative transportation

ABSTRACT Rumors of a toxic workplace can create a negative organizational reputation among external stakeholders. Based on the theoretical framework of narrative transportation, the current study tests how exposure to employees’ dissenting testimonials of the workplace might increase hypocrisy perception and negatively influence organizational reputation via the experience of transportation. A classic experiment design with a control group tests the between-subjects and within-subject effects of employees’ dissenting voices on study variables. The results support the influences of employees’ dissenting testimonials on transportation, perception of organizational hypocrisy, and damage to organizational reputation on both moral/affective and ability dimensions. Additionally, this study finds that the level of transportation differently influenced assessments of organizational reputation, suggesting a spillover effect on the ability dimension by moral transgressions.

Effects of Physical Exercise Interventions on Stereotyped Motor Behaviours in Children with ASD: A Meta-Analysis.

Studies have reported that physical exercise reduces maladaptive stereotyped motor behaviours (SMB) in children with ASD, but these intervention studies vary in design and outcome. The present systematic review and meta-analysis included 22 studies, involving 274 children with ASD, to quantify the effect of exercise on SMB and its potential moderators. Multi-level modelling revealed a large overall effect, Hedges' g = 1.16, with significant heterogeneity across participant, treatment, and study levels. Further, a more appropriate model using between-case estimation for within-subject effects to improve comparability between single-case and group-design studies, yielded a smaller but still significant effect, g = 0.51. Lastly, higher exercise intensity, but not age, exercise duration or settings, reliably predicted treatment effectiveness. Implications for clinical practice and research are discussed.