bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Possibilities of the Improvement Language Competencies in Children with Dyslexia. The Evaluation of the Tomatis Therapy in Children Aged 6–10 years of Age
Authors: Mojs E. , Sudol A. , Samborski W. 
Published: June 2017

Audio psycho–phonological stimulation training is a method based on listening to various musical sounds by way of a special device called electronic ear. The goal of this therapy is to enhance damaged hearing and consequently facilitate greater stimulation of central nervous system and improve cognitive functions i.e. attention and learning abilities. The second goal was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Tomatis method in the treatment of cognitive functions in children with developmental dyslexia. Data were collected from forty children (age range 6–10 all of whom had various lexical impairments and diagnosed as dyslexia. All children IQ ranged 78–110. All subjects underwent therapy based on the Tomatis method. The relevance group constituted, by healthy ones. Further assessment included reaction time, over sensitivity of hearing sense, verbal fluency, attention, abilities of verbal learning and learning memory–immediate and long term. The effects of the therapy were measured after 9 months of stimulation. Statistically relevant improvement of most evaluated functioning parameters, including shorter time of adequate reaction to presented stimuli was observed. Not only did the patients have lower threshold of sensitivity of hearing sense, ability to localize sources of sound significantly improved (P 0.05) also. Subjects’ verbal fluency, attention and immediate verbal memory were enhanced. The phonological abilities improved. Tomatis training significantly improved subjects’ cognitive functioning. We could demonstrate its efficiency in relation to such parameters as reaction time, localization of sources of sound and over sensitivity to audio stimuli. The Tomatis method is a useful way of the speech treatment impediments.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Review of Physical Health Care in Patients with Chronic Psychiatric Conditions in a Rehabilitation Unit
Authors: Yetkil A. , Wisidagama S. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionAn important aspect to consider in chronic patients on psychotropic medication is their physical health status. Along with an aging population and the side effects of the medication it is key to identify complexities of their physical health that may be troubling the patient or can potentially effect the patient.ObjectivesUsing the standards for inpatient mental health rehabilitation services highlighted by AIMS Rehab.we will assess if the current method used to highlight any physical health concerns are being met for the new patients admitted in to the unit from January 2016 to September 2016.AimsEvaluate the quality of physical healthcare in Margaret Laurie House (Surrey and Borders NHS trust Rehabilitation unit).MethodsWe designed a spreadsheet to capture the standards as outlined in ‘physical healthcare’ section of the AIMs Rehab document.We obtained the relevant patient data using the System One electronic patient record. The system contains an embedded template where physical health parameters are entered so we were able to simply copy the data from these sections. We then translated this information into an Excel spreadsheet format.ResultsThe analysis of the data remains as work in progress at the current time. We anticipate low compliance with the 8 outlined standards (9.1.1–9.2.2). These were all considered type 1 standards; according to the AIMS rehab guidance the expectation is that the service must meet 100% of these standards. Upon re-audit we aim for 100% compliance.ConclusionWork in progress-to be updated.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Measuring Affective Attitudes towards Health Among Adolescents
Authors: Iosifyan M. , Arina G. , Korneev A. , Ryabova A. , Nikolaeva V. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionAffective attitudes play a significant role in health behaviors. However, comparing to cognitive attitudes, affective attitudes are much less investigated.ObjectivesTo study affective attitudes towards health among adolescents, we measured associations between words related to health and positive/negative emotions.AimsWe used the modified Etkind Color Test (Etkind, 1980) as a new measure of affective attitudes.MethodsSubjects (n = 79, Mage = 14.34 ± 1.21, 35 males) ranked 8 colors from Lüscher's color test (1971) from best to least associated with each of 13 words related to health (e.g. sport, risky behaviors) and 6 words related to positive and negative emotions. To calculate an association between an emotion and a health-related word we used a scoring algorithm, similar to Palmer's and colleagues MCA score (Palmer et al., 2013).ResultsMeans of associations between words and positive emotions were assessed: my body (0.74 ± 2.02), environment (1.17 ± 1.82), eating (1.23 ± 1.98), health (1.60 ± 1.78), risky behaviors (−1.14 ± 2.14), family (2.13 ± 2.00), sport (2.02 ± 1.86), sleep (0.74 ± 1.85), school stress (−0.95 ± 1.89), hygiene (0.91 ± 1.85), medicine (0.61 ± 1.95), psychological well-being (1.11 ± 2.24), illness (−0.43 ± 1.39). Positive emotions had inverse relation with risk behaviors, illness and school stress and direct relation with the rest 10 factors.All correlations between negative and positive attitudes towards health related words were significant and negative (−.223 < r < 559), except two (medicine and illness).ConclusionsThe modified Etkind Color Test describes semantic space of affective attitudes towards health. It showed that adolescents mostly did not have ambivalent attitudes towards health related factors.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Drug User's Self-Efficacy to Resist the Urge of Consuming these Substances: Cross-Cultural Adaptation Instrument
Authors: Vasconcelos S.C. , Frazão I.S. , Sougey E.B. , Souza S.L. , Turner N.E. , Silva A.O. , Pereira R.C. , Lima M.D.C. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionSelf-efficacy is the belief or personal confidence related to the own ability to perform a specific action necessary to obtain a certain result. Its use refers to the application of validated instruments.AimsDescribe the process of cross-cultural adaptation of the drug-taking confidence Questionnaire (DTCQ-8) drugs’ version and to verify its content validity and reliability.MethodsIt's a methodological study accomplished by nine experts to the process of adaptation and validation and had a sample of 40 drug users in treatment in the Center of Psycho-Social Attention for alcohol and other drugs, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.ResultsThe mean index semantics’ agreement (0.989; 0.989; 1.00), idiomatic (0.967), experiential (0.956), conceptual (0.978) and content validation on the clarity of language (0.972), practical relevance (0.958), the theoretical importance (0.958) and theoretical dimension (1.00) demonstrated a satisfactory process. The clinical validation showed that 57.5% of users were classified as moderate on the self-efficacy item to resist the urge to use drugs in high-risk situations, and the Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.889 for the complete instrument, ranging from 0.863 to 0.890 among its items.ConclusionsDTCQ-8 drugs proved to be easy to apply and understand. Its adaptation process was satisfactory for the application in the Brazilian context. The results showed that in this sample, this instrument was suitable to measure the Brazilian user's self-efficacy to resist the urge to consume these substances in high-risk situations.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Smoking Cessation and Soft Signs of Mental Disorders
Authors: Batra A. , Eck S. 
Published: June 2017

Smoking is associated with major depression, schizophrenia, anxiety and compulsive disorders, personality disorders, or substance abuse disorders [1,2]. More than that, smokers often report higher levels of novelty seeking, anxiety or depressive symptoms without fulfilling full diagnostic criteria for a psychiatric disorder.In a former study, Batra et al. [3] had shown that smokers reporting higher levels of novelty seeking/hyperactivity, depressivity, and nicotine dependence evince higher relapse rates after completion of a six-weeks behavioural treatment program than smokers reporting low scores on self-report psychological symptom measures.Another study [4] showed that a modified smoking cessation program matched to at-risk smokers’ needs with n = 268 adult smokers leads to higher long-term abstinence rates.All at-risk smokers had been randomly assigned to receive either a standard or modified treatment. Best results were shown for smokers with mild depressive symptoms. The talk reports results of former and recent studies and focuses on the German treatment guidelines for tobacco related disorders.These [5] recommend to assess tobacco use among patients with mental disorders and should be offered smoking cessation support under consideration of the acuteness and the particularities of the mental disorder using the same psychotherapeutic and pharmaceutical measures as for smokers without additional mental disorders.Disclosure of interestFinancial support by Pfizer, Parexel, SKB, Novartis for smoking cessation studies.
Pictorial Representation of Illness and Self-Measure as an Instrument for Diagnostic of Illness Representation in youth with Ultra-High risk for Psychosis
Authors: Kovyazina M. , Rasskazova E. , Varako N. , Enikolopov S. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionPictorial representation of illness and self-measure (PRISM) was developed as screening tool assessing implicit reaction to somatic illnesses. Conclusion is based on comparisons of the positions of illness-related (“Illness” and major symptoms) and unrelated (“Me”, “Family”, “Work/study”) objects on the list.ObjectivesDue to its easiness and implicitness PRISM could be promising addition to illness representation questionnaires in mental illnesses.Aim was to reveal validity of the PRISM in youth with ultra-high risk for psychosis.MethodsEighty-one male patients 16–25 years old meeting criteria of ultra-high risk for psychosis; preliminary diagnoses of mood disorders 34, personality disorders 26, schizotypal disorder 21 patients) filled PRISM, beck cognitive insight scale, symptom checklist 90-r, illness perception questionnaire, quality of life and enjoyment questionnaire and happiness scale.ResultsAccording to hierarchical regression, conditional “Self-Illness” distance (after control for mean distances on the list) was related to less psychopathological complaints, lower subjective illness severity and emotional representations, higher treatment control and better quality of life. “Self-symptoms” distance was related to better cognitive insight, lower emotional representations and consequences and moderated the relationship between “Self-Illness” distance and appraisals of illness length and dynamic.ConclusionsConditional “Self-Illness” distance in PRISM could reflect cognitive appraisal of illness based on symptoms and related to life satisfaction while “Self-Symptoms” distance reflects merely emotional reaction based on cognitive insight.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Development of A New Activity Measure: Activity Perception in Healthy Population and in People with Chronic Illness
Authors: Martin M. , Alexeeva I. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionSelf-reports provide rich information about the types of activities people engage in. Reviewing current activity measures two issues become evident. Firstly, they were developed and validated in healthy populations. Secondly, they are diverse in their applications and measured domains. Thus, to assess the construct of activity fully large numbers of measures need to be used.ObjectivesThe study aimed to explore different dimensions of activity (e.g. work, physical, mental, leisure, sedentary behaviours) using a new scale assessing multiple domains of daily activities.MethodsA new activity scale was used to investigate the types of activity and inactivity in people with chronic illness (asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)) and in a healthy group. The types of activities measured included; leisure and sport, home and outside, social activity, work and education, and mental activity. The scale also aimed to measure the construct of inactivity, represented by sedentary behaviours, such as staying in bed during the day.ResultsThe results showed a pattern of significant correlations between the new activity scale, specifically its two major domains of activity and inactivity, and other measures of functioning and activity in the illness groups, but not in the healthy group.ConclusionsThe lack of significant associations between the new activity scale and other measures of activity and functioning within the healthy group indicated the measure may be more suitable for assessing activity in people with chronic illness than in healthy people. Additionally, the results underscore the importance of measuring inactivity as a separate domain.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Approach in a mental health hospitalization unit
Authors: Rodríguez M. , Pérez V. , Linares D. , María S. Jose 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionThe mental health hospitalization unit of Torrecárdenas Hospital consist of a team of professional psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses and occupational therapists who perform different approaches to look after the hospitalized patient. The therapeutic Objective of this unit is the containment and implementation of intensive interventions in a crisis situation in which it has not been possible to achieve an improvement or control of the patient's symptoms in external resources.Material and methodsWe performed a descriptive cross-sectional study with patients hospitalized at the mental health hospitalization unit between September 22 and October 28, taking into account the age, sex, admitted, diagnoses, previous treatments, psychological approach and free hospital stay.Results(Fig. 1–3).ConclusionsThe results of this study indicate the most prevalent patient profile has a diagnosis of severe mental disorder. The 66.7% of patients had previous hospital admissions. The 81.5% of hospital admissions are involuntary. The normative psychopharmacological prescription is an atypical antipsychotic as main treatment in our study. We highlight the use of Olanzapine with an 18.52% being consolidated as the first therapeutic option. As adjunctive treatment we have a mood stabilizer such as Valproic Acid with 11.1%; or another antipsychotic such as Paliperidone with the same percentage (11.1%). Regarding hypnotic treatment, it should be pointed out the use of medium-life benzodiazepines (Lormetazepam) with a prevalence of 55.56%.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Family Burden in Caregivers of Schizophrenia Patients
Authors: Ahlem H. , Zgueb Y. , Ouali U. , Laajili Y. , Alaya S. Ben , Jomli R. , Nacef F. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionSchizophrenia is a disabling, chronic psychiatric disorder that has far-reaching consequences for both patients and their relatives. Management of schizophrenia involves family support and care. In this context, burden of care is a concept related to caregivers and family's members of patients assuming responsibility for these patients. This construct can be conceptualized as a syndrome of varying clustering affecting the general and mental health of caregivers.ObjectivesThis study aims to determine the frequency and clinical correlates of family burden in schizophrenia.MethodsWe performed a transversal study in department of psychiatry A at Razi hospital. Thirty principal caregivers of schizophrenia patients were interviewed. Caregiver's burden was assessed using the Zarit scale.ResultsThe mean age of caregivers was 48.7 ± 7.15 years. In our sample, 63.3% (n = 19) were parents, 23.33% (n = 7) were brothers or sisters and 13.33% (n = 4) were spouses. The mean score of Zarit was 58.75 ± 9.15. Caregivers had a severe burden in 56.66 of cases (n = 17). Levels of burden were significantly associated with history of aggressive acting out and poor treatment adherence.ConclusionCaregivers of schizophrenia patients experience enormous burden which is in part related to clinical features of disease. Further studies are necessary to establish the appropriate interventions in order to reduce and manage general and psychological impact of schizophrenic patients care giving.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Is it Feasible and Effective to Help Patients with Severe Mental Disorders to Quit Smoking?
Authors: Bobes J. 
Published: June 2017

Despite the proven association between smoking and high rates of medical morbidity and reduced life expectancy in people with severe mental disorders (SMD), their smoking rates do not decline as they do in the general population. We carried out a non-randomized, open-label, prospective, 9-month follow-up multicentre trial to investigate the clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability of a smoking cessation programme designed for the treatment of patients with SMD in the community under real-world clinical conditions. A total of 82 patients were enrolled. Short-term efficacy: The 12-week 7-day smoking cessation (self-reported cigarettes per day =0 and breath CO levels ≤9 ppm) prevalence was 49.3%, with no statistically significant differences between medications (transdermal nicotine patches 50.0% vs. varenicline 48.6%, chi-square =0.015, P = 1.000). Long-term efficacy: At weeks, 24 and 36, 41.3 and 37.3% of patients were abstinent, with no statistically significant differences between treatments. Safety and tolerability: No patients made suicide attempts or required hospitalization. There was no worsening of the scores on the psychometric scales. In both groups, patients significantly increased weight, without significant changes in vital signs or laboratory results, with the exception of significant decreases in ALP y LDL-cholesterol levels in the varenicline group. Patients under varenicline more frequently presented nausea/vomiting (P < 0.0005), patients under TNP experienced skin reactions more frequently (P = 0.002). Three patients under varenicline had elevated liver enzymes. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that in real-world clinical settings it is feasible and safe to help patients with stabilized severe mental disorders to quit smoking.Disclosure of interestThis work was partly supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (FIS PI10/01758) and Fondos Europeos de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER). The Health Services of the Principado de Asturias, Spain, donated part of the medication used in this study.
Normalization of mortality rate and life expectancy in schizophrenia: Challenges and options
Authors: Cohen D. 
Published: June 2017

Studies of mortality-rates and life expectancy in schizophrenia have consistently shown that the standardized mortality rate (SMR) are raised compared to the general population. In a meta-analysis (2007) of 38 studies with 22,296 deaths, all cause SMR was 2.98. SMR in a French cohort study (2009) in 3470 patients with schizophrenia, were 3.6 for men and 4.3 for women. A recent epidemiological study (2015) of a US-cohort of 1,138,853 individuals with schizophrenia, 4,807,121 million years of follow-up and 74,003 deaths, all cause SMR was 3.7 for the total population: 3.3 for men and 4.3 for women. Life expectancy, the other side of the coin of increased SMR, in this study was reduced with 28.5 years. Studies in life expectancy, the other side of the coin of increased SMR, show a substantial, if not alarming reduced life expectancy. Israel with 12.5 years and Denmark–15 years for women and 20 years for men – reported the lowest reduction in life expectancy, while Arizona reported the highest reduction of 32 years. Progress in such diverse fields as genetics, neuro-imaging, early diagnosis of (ultra) high-risk populations, CBT and rehabilitation treatment, has not improved schizophrenia SMR or life expectancy. On the contrary, in far a trend is visible, the situation tends to worsen, not to improve. After going through the barriers for optimal somatic care, both patient and health care related, we will discuss options for improvement of the level of somatic health care, at the preventive and therapeutic level.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.
Does Transcranial Electrical Stimulation Induce Changes in Peripheral Physiology?
Authors: Lehto S. 
Published: June 2017

Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) is a non-invasive brain stimulation method that has evoked increasing interest during the past years. The most common form of tES, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), is considered to modulate neuronal resting potentials. For example, anodal stimulation over motor cortex appears to lead to increased neuronal excitability under the stimulation electrodes. However, some recent findings suggest that the effects of tDCS extend beyond the cortical areas under the electrodes, to deeper brain structures such as the midbrain. The brain also actively regulates peripheral physiology. Thus, changes in brain activity following tES may lead to modulation of peripheral physiology. For example, tDCS targeting primary motor cortex has been observed to induce changes in peripheral glucose metabolism. Furthermore, stimulation of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex has been shown to lead to alterations in cortisol secretion and the activity of the autonomic nervous system. Unpublished findings from our group corroborate with the above observations. Nevertheless, the evidence regarding peripheral effects of tES remains limited. Investigating such possible effects may be relevant especially from the point of view of tES safety and potential therapeutic discoveries.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.
Validation of the Czech version of the community assessment of psychic experiences (CAPE)
Authors: Keřková B. , Martínková Z. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionIn the Czech Republic, research of the schizophrenia spectrum suffers from a lack of standardized measuring instruments. The community assessment of psychic experiences (CAPE) has been used internationally to quantify positive, negative and affective symptoms associated with the spectrum and to screen individuals who may be in risk of developing a spectrum disorder.Aims and objectivesThis study aimed to develop a Czech version of the CAPE and to examine its psychometric properties in a nonclinical population.MethodsAn author with an expertise in the field and a subject-naïve author translated the CAPE into the Czech language. After a professional back-translation, the instrument's most suitable version was agreed upon. Lie-scale items were added to allow for an online circulation. The CAPE was administered to a large sample of participants alongside the Beck depression inventory (BDI-II).ResultsInternal consistency was assessed using the Cronbach's alpha. Internal structure was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis and compared to the structure of the original. Criterion validity was examined through correlation analyses of the BDI-II scores and the total and subtotal CAPE scores.ConclusionsIt is determined whether the Czech version of the CAPE has sufficient reliability and validity to be recommended for research purposes. It is expected that further study of the CAPE as well as the introduction of additional tools will motivate the standardization of research, diagnosis and prevention of schizophrenia spectrum disorders in the Czech Republic.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.