The changing psychological type profile and psychological temperament of Church of England clergy

As part of the Church Growth Research Programme in 2013 Voas and Watt collected the psychological profiles of 1,164 clergymen and 307 clergywomen serving in stipendiary parochial ministry, using the Francis Psychological Type Scales. This paper sets these data alongside the profile of 626 clergymen and 237 clergywomen published in 2007. This comparison suggests a significant movement among both clergymen and clergywomen away from intuition and away from perceiving. This results in a significant increase in the SJ temperament among Anglican clergy (from 31% to 39% among clergymen and from 29% to 40% among clergywomen), suggesting a movement toward a more conserving and less adventurous approach to ministry. At the same time the gap has narrowed in the preference between thinking and feeling among clergymen and clergywomen, enhancing the feminine profile of clergymen and reducing the feminine profile of clergywomen

Christianity, personality and environmental concern among 13- to 15-year-old students in England and Wales

This study explores the connection between Christianity and environmental concern among a sample of 23,714 13- to 15-year-old students (who self-identify as Christian or self-identify as no religion) employing three scales of Attitude toward Christianity, Conservative Christian Belief, and Environmental Concern and Behaviour, together with measures of personality, church attendance, and personal prayer. The key findings are that: religious behaviours, church attendance and personal prayer, are significant predictors, with churchgoing and praying students holding higher levels of environmental concern and behaviour; religious affect is more significant than religious behaviours, with a positive attitude toward Christianity accounting for greater variance than churchgoing and prayer in predicting higher levels of environmental concern and behaviour; conservative Christian belief is associated with lower levels of environmental concern and behaviour (after taking into account religious practice and religious affect); and nominal Christian affiliation is associated with lower levels of environmental concern and behaviour

Acute Effects of Dry Needling on Myofascial Trigger Points in the Triceps Surae of Ballet Dancers: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

# Background There is convincing evidence that dancers suffer injuries to the triceps surae musculature. Research on the immediate effects of dry needling (DN) is limited, and it is important to understand the acute effects of this treatment prior to performance. # Purpose The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the immediate effects of DN on myofascial trigger points in terms of skin surface temperature, pain, active and passive range of motion, and torque production in the triceps surae of ballet dancers. # Study Design Randomized, double-blinded pilot study # Methods Professional ballet dancers that fit inclusion and exclusion criteria (n=11) were randomly assigned to an experimental or control group. The dancers had three pre-determined standard point (SP) measurement spots that were used as a baseline for surface temperature comparisons. The dancers were also palpated for trigger point (TP) spots. Both SP and TP spots were marked for future measurements. The experimental group received DN, while the control group received sham DN (SHAM) to their bilateral calves at the TP spots. Immediately prior to and following treatment, both DN and SHAM groups were tested for skin surface temperature, pain, range of motion, and plantar flexion torque by blinded assessors. Paired t-tests and independent t-tests were performed to examine for differences between groups. # Results The surface temperature for the TP was higher than the SP measurements prior to intervention (Right calf p= .014; Left calf p= .031). There were no significant changes in VAS scale reported pain and ROM. The plantar flexion torque measurements showed an increase in the DN group of the left calf at the angular velocity of 60 degrees/sec. # Conclusion This was a unique pilot study examining the acute effects of DN on professional ballet dancers. The results were limited due to low sample size. However, the methodology for this study and surface temperature results invites future research. # Level of evidence Level 1

Effectiveness of EvenupTM Shoe-lift use Among Individuals Prescribed a Walking Boot

BACKGROUND: Walking boots are prescribed after foot and ankle injuries, allowing immediate ambulation for patients. However, temporary limb-length inequality (LLI) may result, causing dysfunction and pain, including low back pain. The Evenup™ shoe-lift was designed to eliminate joint pathology, pain, and gait deviations resulting from walking-boot-induced LLI, yet no clinical trials have been reported on its effectiveness. METHODS: Thirty-four subjects undergoing unilateral lower-extremity orthopedic medical and rehabilitative care were recruited for this study. Seventeen subjects were assigned to an intervention group using a walking boot on the foot of their involved side and the Evenup™ on the other foot, while the control group used a walking boot only on the involved side. Outcome measures included the lower extremity functional scale (LEFS), modified Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire (OSW), numeric pain rating scale, ankle range of motion (ROM) and strength. RESULTS: All subjects, regardless of the intervention, demonstrated improved function, decreased pain, increased ROM, and increased strength. Additionally, a clinically relevant difference was found between the intervention and control groups for the OSW and LEFS. CONCLUSION: LEFS and OSW results suggest Evenup™ use added value in the form of improved patient function

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo in the Acute Hospital Setting: Review of a Novel Means for Examination and Intervention

Introduction: Dizziness is a common and nonspecific complaint leading to a growing number of emergency department visits and hospital admissions following trauma associated with a fall. Otovestibular conditions constitute a significant proportion of dizziness cases. Common treatable peripheral vestibular disorders, including benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), that may go unrecognized may be diagnosed using inexpensive bedside tests. Case Description: Two patients were consulted to have a vestibular rehabilitation therapy evaluation performed by physical therapy in the acute care department as both subjectively described BPPV. The first patient was treated using conventional techniques and application of evidence-based guidelines for BPPV intervention. However, orthopedic/pain limitations restricted traditional examination techniques for the second patient allowing consideration of a novel approach to carrying out the examination. Discussion: The first patient was treated successfully for BPPV remission using emerging clinical practice guidelines. The clinical evaluation of the second patient was nonsignificant; however, the presentation illustrates how traditional vestibular assessment techniques can be modified in a novel way in the acute care setting based on recent biophysical scientific evidence. Conclusion: This case study found that evidence-based practice guidelines as well as application of a biophysical scientific knowledge base can be applied into the acute care vestibular rehabilitation examination using primarily different configurations of a hospital bed only. Positive outcomes hold the unique potential of physical therapist consultation services throughout acute and inpatient environments, as well as setting a clinical precedent for future patients presenting with previously unrecognized BPPV

The turn toward extraversion: The changing psychological profile of Anglican clergy

Recent research has drawn attention to two features associated with extraversion in Anglican ministry. Extraverts are under-represented among Anglican clergy. Extravert leaders are associated with church growth. The present reanalysis of data collected within the Church Growth Research Programme from 1,372 stipendiary clergy serving in the Church of England who were aged 70 or under demonstrated that in recent decades there has been a slight tendency for the Church of England to ordain more extraverts, a feature that cannot simply be explained by the reduced numbers of Anglo-Catholics (who are more likely to be introverts) or growth in charismatic influence. This slight growth, however, has been insufficient to address what may be interpreted as covert discrimination against extraverts in selection for ordination. It is argued that a commitment to inclusivity in recruiting clergy might need to take account of psychological type characteristics of those presenting for selection as much as monitoring their ethnic background

Stress levels among Anglican clergy: The beneficial effects of feeling supported

The present study draws on data generated by the Church Growth Research Programme among 1,268 full-time stipendiary Church of England clergy aged 68 or under to test the extent to which the sense of feeling supported by professional advisers (positive affect) may offset the sense of feeling stressed (negative affect), after taking into account a range of personal, psychological, environmental and theological or ecclesial factors. The data found that the sense of feeling supported by professional advisers reduced the levels of self-reported stress after controlling for personal, psychological, environmental, and theological or ecclesial factors. The implications of these findings for the provision of formal support mechanisms within dioceses is discussed