Minimal clinically important difference of the EORTC QLQ-CIPN20 for worsening peripheral neuropathy in patients receiving neurotoxic chemotherapy.

Context/objectivesThis is the first study to determine the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of the European Organisation of Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-CIPN twenty-item scale (EORTC QLQ-CIPN20), a validated instrument designed to elicit cancer patients' experience of symptoms and functional limitations related to chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.MethodsCancer patients receiving neurotoxic chemotherapy completed EORTC QLQ-CIPN20 and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group-Neurotoxicity [FACT/GOG-NTX] at baseline, second cycle of chemotherapy (T2, n = 287), and 12 months after chemotherapy (T3, n = 191). Anchor-based approach used the validated FACT/GOG-NTX neurotoxicity (Ntx) subscale to identify optimal MCID cutoff for deterioration. Distribution-based approach used one-third standard deviation (SD), half SD, and one standard error of measurement of the total EORTC QLQ-CIPN20 score.ResultsThere was a moderate correlation between the change scores of the Ntx subscale and sensory and motor subscales of QLQ-CIPN20 (T2: r = - 0.722, p < 0.001 and r = - 0.518, p < 0.001, respectively; T3: r = - 0.699; p < 0.001 and r = - 0.523, p < 0.001, respectively). The correlation between the change scores of the Ntx subscale and the QLQ-CIPN20 autonomic subscale was poor (T2: r = - 0.354, p < 0.001; T3: r = 0.286, p < 0.001). Based on the MCID derived using distribution-based method, the MCID for the QLQ-CIPN20 sensory subscale was 2.5-5.9 (6.9% to 16.4% of the subdomain score) and for motor subscale was 2.6-5.0 (8.1%-15.6% of the subdomain score).ConclusionThe MCID for the EORTC QLQ-CIPN20 established using distribution-based approaches was 2.5-5.9 for the sensory subscale and 2.6-5.0 for the motor subscale. When noted in assessments even with small change in scores, clinicians can be alerted for appropriate intervention

Fabricating subscale components for application to full-scale parts

Equipment requirements and fabrication methods required for manufacture of large cylindrical boron/epoxy shroud are based on subscale component production methods. Plywrap technique is well suited to fabrication of cylindrical shapes using composite materials. This method offers savings in time, labor, raw materials, and equipment costs

Measuring Perceived Social Support in Mexican American Youth: Psychometric Properties of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support

The utility of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) (Zimet, Dahlem, Zimet, & Farley, 1988) was investigated within a sample of 290 Mexican American adolescents. Results suggested that the three-subscale structure (Family, Friends, and Significant Other) of the MSPSS was confirmed, and adequate internal reliability for the three scales was demonstrated as well. Support for construct validity was found by evaluating correlations from a perceived family support subscale as well as a satisfaction with family measure. It appears that the MSPSS is a useful measure for assessing perceived social support in Latino youth and as such can be used to further our understanding about social support from different sources in Latino adolescents

Effects of Reminiscence Therapy Using Nostalgic SONGS on The Cognitive Function of The Elderly Living in The Community.

The study aimed to examine the effects of reminiscence therapy using nostalgic songs on the cognitive function of elderly people living in the community. The subjects were 34 people who had undergonea ssessment of their vital functions using a basic check list and stated that they had problems related to "withdrawal" or "cognitive functions". Their cognitive functions were assessed using the Hasegawa Dementia Scale-Revised (HDS-R) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) prior to and following the implementation of reminiscence intervention using nostalgic songs. The cognitive functions of the elderly were classified into three levels and assessed according to the judgment criteria of those scales. There were significant differences in the total HDS-R score and scores for the subscale items -"recital of numbers in reverse order" and "delayed recall"-received by all subjects. There were also significant differences in the total MMSE score and scores for the subscale items -"spatial orientation" and "delayed recall" -received by all subjects. Regarding cognitive function levels, there were significant differences in the total score and subscale score for "delayed recal" received by elderly people who had been determined as having "cognitive dysfunction" using the HDS-R and "mild cognitive dysfunction". That is, it is not possible to evaluate possible dementia, but there is a risk of transitioning to suspicion of dementia when it is left unattended, using the HDS-R and MMSE

Life Domain Research Report Series: Youth and Parent Health and Well Being (2010 UPDATE)

Children and youth who have participated in children’s mental health services often continue to live with a variety of emotional and behavioural challenges after service involvement has ended (Cameron, de Boer, Frensch, & Adams, 2003). A key consideration in understanding the long term community adaptation of these children and youth is the ongoing management of emotional and behavioural challenges and the impact these challenges have in the daily lives of youth and their families. Several standardized measures of mental health, physical health, stress, and quality of life were used to assess parental and youth functioning in the life domain of health and well being both prior to service involvement and at follow up. Data were collected about youth who had been involved with children’s mental health residential treatment (RT) or intensive family service programs (IFS), designed as an alternative to residential treatment. Data were gathered about youth functioning at program entry, discharge, 12 to 18 months after leaving the program (Time 1 Follow Up), and 36 to 48 months post discharge (Time 2 Follow Up). Parent-reported measures were used to assess youth functioning prior to service involvement and at follow up. Admission and discharge information was gathered from program records. Parents and guardians were asked a series of questions assessing youth behaviour and well being. For example, parents/guardians indicated how often youth experienced difficulty regulating behaviours, such as fidgeting, arguing, or following directions. Parents/guardians were also asked about how often youth displayed depressive behaviours such as showing little interest in usual activities or appearing unhappy, sad, or depressed. Most of the information about youth mental health was obtained from parents and guardians. Youth were purposefully not asked any direct questions about their mental health or any mental health treatment they received. Instead, youth were asked to indicate how happy or unhappy they felt about their general health and could speak freely about any details they wished to share in this area. Parents were also asked a series of questions about their own well being including physical and emotional health, quality of life, and daily functioning

Evaluation of a subscale internally insulated fiber-glass propellant tank for liquid hydrogen

Subscale internally insulated fiberglass reinforced plastics, propellant tank for liquid hydroge

Exploring differential item functioning in the SF-36 by demographic, clinical, psychological and social factors in an osteoarthritis population

The SF-36 is a very commonly used generic measure of health outcome in osteoarthritis (OA). An important, but frequently overlooked, aspect of validating health outcome measures is to establish if items work in the same way across subgroup of a population. That is, if respondents have the same 'true' level of outcome, does the item give the same score in different subgroups or is it biased towards one subgroup or another. Differential item functioning (DIF) can identify items that may be biased for one group or another and has been applied to measuring patient reported outcomes. Items may show DIF for different conditions and between cultures, however the SF-36 has not been specifically examined in an osteoarthritis population nor in a UK population. Hence, the aim of the study was to apply the DIF method to the SF-36 for a UK OA population. The sample comprised a community sample of 763 people with OA who participated in the Somerset and Avon Survey of Health. The SF-36 was explored for DIF with respect to demographic, social, clinical and psychological factors. Well developed ordinal regression models were used to identify DIF items. Results: DIF items were found by age (6 items), employment status (6 items), social class (2 items), mood (2 items), hip v knee (2 items), social deprivation (1 item) and body mass index (1 item). Although the impact of the DIF items rarely had a significant effect on the conclusions of group comparisons, in most cases there was a significant change in effect size. Overall, the SF-36 performed well with only a small number of DIF items identified, a reassuring finding in view of the frequent use of the SF-36 in OA. Nevertheless, where DIF items were identified it would be advisable to analyse data taking account of DIF items, especially when age effects are the focus of interest

Ugotavljanje povezav med cilji dosezkov, motivacijo in pricakovanji starsev studentov na Kosovu

This paper sheds light on the link between achievement goals, motivation, and parental expectations in a sample of 600 students attending higher education institutions in Kosovo. Aside from exploring the stipulated link between the constructs, the research aims to discover whether cultural differences mediate expected results. The results proved that the mastery of goals positively correlates to intrinsic motivation in addition to which curiosity as a subscale of intrinsic motivation positively predicted preferences for the mastery of goals. As expected, performance-approach and performance-avoidance goals, correlated to extrinsic motivation with extrinsic motivation, successfully predict preferences for both types of performance goals. The data proved that among students in Kosovo, all types of goals correlated to intrinsic motivation. Achievement goals were differentiated in extrinsic motivation with mastery goals correlating rather weakly to only one subscale of extrinsic motivation. (DIPF/Orig.

Resistance training and the elderly : an investigation into psychological wellbeing and life satisfaction : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University

This exploratory study examined the psychological benefits of high-intensity resistance training in an elderly age group. Participants in the sample (N=76) aged between 70-80, were randomly allocated to two groups (37 exercisers- 18 female and 19 male; 39 controls- 20 female and 19 male). Both groups completed five self-report questionnaires measuring psychological variables. The Purpose in Life Test (PIL), Profile of Mood States (POMS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Affectometer 2, Rosenbergs Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and a Dynamometer hand-grip strength test were administered pre-test, mid-test and post-test .The independent variable in this study was a 12 week high-intensity resistance training programme especially designed for this age group and supervised by qualified instructors at a commercial gymnasium. Repeated measures ANOVA produced results that indicated a high intensity resistance training programme provided strength gains, and improved some aspects of psychological wellbeing and life satisfaction components in older adults. There are positive indications from this study that this format of planned exercise can assist in the promotion of life quality enabling adaptation to changing situations often accompanying increasing age