Acceptance and commitment therapy delivered in a dyad after a severe traumatic brain injury: a feasibility study

Objective: There is a high prevalence of complex psychological distress after a traumatic brain injury but limited evidence of effective interventions. We examined the feasibility of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy after a severe traumatic brain injury using the criteria, investigating a therapeutic effect, and reviewing the acceptability of measures, treatment protocol, and delivery method (in a dyad of two clients and a therapist). Method: Two male outpatients with severe traumatic brain injury and associated psychological distress jointly engaged in a seven session treatment program based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy principles. Pre- and post-treatment measures of mood, psychological flexibility, and participation were taken in addition to weekly measures. Results: The intervention showed a therapeutic effect with one participant, and appeared to be acceptable for both participants with regard to program content, measures, and delivery mode by in a dyad. One participant showed both significant clinical and reliable change across several outcome measures including measures of mood and psychological flexibility. The second participant did not show a reduction in psychological inflexibility, but did show a significant drop in negative affect. Significant changes pre- to post-treatment for measures of participation were not indicated. Qualitatively, both participants engaged in committed action set in accordance with their values. Conclusions: This study suggests that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy may be feasible to be delivered in a dyad with individuals who have a severe traumatic brain injury. A further test of its potential efficacy in a phase II clinical trial is recommended

Can Acceptance and Commitment Therapy facilitate psychological adjustment after a severe traumatic brain injury? A pilot randomised controlled trial

This study i⁠nvestigated if an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention (ACT-Adjust) can facilitate psychological adjustment and reduce psychological distress following severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). The study design comprised a single centre, two-armed, Phase II pilot randomized controlled trial. Nineteen individuals with severe TBI (PTA ≥7 days) who met a clinical threshold for psychological distress (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21; DASS > 9) were randomly allocated to either ACT-Adjust (n = 10) or an active control, Befriending Therapy (n = 9), in conjunction with a holistic rehabilitation programme. Primary (psychological flexibility, rehabilitation participation) and secondary (depression, anxiety & stress) outcomes were measured at three-time points (pre, post and follow up). Significant decreases were found for DASS-depression (group by time interaction, F1,17 = 5.35, p = .03) and DASS-stress (group by time interaction, F1,17 = 5.69, p = .03) in comparison to the Befriending group, but not for the primary outcome measures. The reduction in stress post-treatment was classed as clinically significant, however interaction differences for stress and depression were not maintained at one month follow up. Preliminary investigations indicate potential for ACT in decreasing psychological distress for individuals with a severe TBI with further sessions required to maintain treatment gains. The pilot results suggest further investigation is warranted in a larger scale clinical trial

Perspectives on Initiating Community-Based Participatory Research Partnerships

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) involves partnerships between academics and communities to address community priorities through collaborative research. Undergraduate student engagement in CBPR as part of an academic course is uncommon and there is limited evidence on the lessons learned about partnership initiation from course-based partnerships. This paper shares lessons from Medford and Tufts Community Health (MATCH), a course-based CBPR initiative. At the end of this course, three students, the instructor, and two community partners identified a list of four key lessons learned about partnership initiation. First, undergraduates should understand and explicitly attend to the privileges they bring to CBPR as students. Second, internal “champions,” who serve in a dual role in the community and university can provide students with important historical context to support partnership initiation. Third, students should assess and communicate what they can offer to community partners. Fourth, instructors should facilitate relationship building within student research teams. These lessons are critical for undergraduate instructors teaching CBPR courses and looking to initiate community partnerships with students

Low-Cracking, High-Performance Concrete Bridge Decks: Case Studies over First 6 Years

David Darwin, JoAnn Browning, Will Lindquist, Heather A. K. McLeod, Jiqiu Yuan, Miriam Toledo, and Diane Reynolds, "Low-Cracking, High-Performance Concrete Bridge Decks: Case Studies over First 6 Years", Transportation Research Record (No. 2202) pp. 61-69. Copyright © 2010 AGE Publications. DOI: 10.3141/2202-08.Cracks in concrete bridge decks provide easy access for water and deicing chemicals that shorten the life of the deck, and field surveys show that the problem has become progressively more severe since at least the 1980s. A two-phase, 10-year Pooled Fund study to minimize cracking in bridge decks is now under way. Twenty bridge decks have been constructed in the program to date. Comparison with conventional decks shows that the techniques embodied in low-cracking, high-performance concrete (LC-HPC) bridge deck specifications have been highly successful in reducing cracking in bridge decks. The results also show that highslump high-strength concretes result in greater cracking in bridge decks than low-slump, moderate-strength concretes and that concrete temperature control and early application of curing counteract the negative effects of casting concrete under high-temperature conditions. Early owner and contractor buy-in is needed for successful LC-HPC bridge deck construction, and top performance requires the adherence to all aspects of the specifications

The Grizzly, September 19, 2000

Are E-mail Messages on Ursinus Accounts Private? • Lack of Communication the Culprit in Parking Ticket Woes • From Chess to Diving: New Clubs to Make Splash at UC • 942, 944 Main Street Leave Much to be Desired • Family Day Preview: Student Achievement Takes Center Stage • Henninger and Tigget: Profiles of UC Students • Letter to the Editor • Opinion: Fun of Living Like a Freshman; How do Students Stand on Abortion?; Sink or Swim: Students React to Future Fountain; Your Body is a Temple; Campaign 2000: National Missile Defense • On The Fringe for Family Day • Film Society Gets 2 Thumbs Up for Movie Buffs • Volleyball Struggles to Dig Out a Win • Men\u27s Soccer Suffers Upsets Despite Great Effort • Women\u27s Soccer Off to Best Start Ever • Field Hockey Comes Home With First Win • Athletes of the Week: Heidi Rhodes; Kevin Mallon • UC Undiplomatic in 41-7 Drubbing of F+Mhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1472/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, September 12, 2000

Student May Lose Squatting Rights, Residence Life Says • Students Peeved at Parking Problems • Freshman Class Elects Student Body Politic • UC Student Organizations Come Alive at Activities Fair • U.S. News Ranks UC High • Freshmen React: New Laptop Receives Praise, Criticism • A PANDA in Bear Country: Local Citizens Fight Against Plans for New Power Plant • In the Ad Campaign, Uber Rocks the Vote! • Letters to the Editor • Editorials: Cutting Education Short; Apathy Lay Dying • Are Freshmen Working Too Hard? • Opinion: Campaign 2000 Presidential Debates • Rugby Looks to Have Tons of Fun in Fifth Season • Field Hockey Still Looking for First Win • Men\u27s Soccer: Win Over Wesley, Shut Out vs. Scranton • Women\u27s Soccer Splits at Pepsi Cardinal Classic • Athletes of the Week: Scott Hussey; Nicole DiMascio • Bears Ground Flying Dutchmen in 39-6 Romp • XC off to Fast Starthttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1471/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, November 16, 2000

Presidential Election Still up in Air • NOVA rep Speaks out on Date Rape Prevention • Operation Christmas Child gets UC Into Holiday Spirit • National Survey Gives Ursinus High Marks • Wismer Committee Allows for Student Input on Dining • $15 Million Given to aid Arts Program • New Core Proposed for Year 2003 • Opinions: End E-mail Abuse; Waitlist Woes Strike Again with Spring Class Sign-ups; UC Greeks Give Back Through Volunteering; 2000 Election Sign of American Democracy\u27s Decline; D.C.\u27s Holocaust Museum a Memorable, Haunting Experience; Fire Marshal Responds to False Alarms; UC Dem\u27s Propaganda a Hypocritical Waste • Collegeville Squares Full of Prizes, fun • Gospel Choir Hits Right Note with Performance • Joyce on Philly: Weekend Trip one to Remember • Bears Bedevil Dickinson • Bears\u27 Swimming Squads Confident After Home Opener • E. Coli Outbreak Infects 34 at Local Farm • New Track Coach Hopes to Bring Team Together • Schepers Leads Gymnastics Team to new Heights • Men\u27s Basketball sets Sights on Successful Season • Wrestlers Improve at King\u27s; Will Host UC Challenge • All-Patriot League Team • Women\u27s Basketball Looks to Improve • XC Men Finish Season at Mid-east Regionalshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1479/thumbnail.jp