Usefulness of the Model of Human Occupation in the Hong Kong Chinese Context

Questions have been raised about the applicability of Western theory in an Eastern context. Two case studies are used to illustrate how the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) is useful in problem identification and intervention planning in Hong Kong. The cases illustrate that MOHO provides useful insights to how Chinese culture influences participation of persons with disabilities.     

A Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Group Intervention for Hypersexual Disorder: A Feasibility Study

BackgroundThe proposed criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition for hypersexual disorder (HD) included symptoms reported by patients seeking help for excessive and out-of-control non-paraphilic sexual behavior, including sexual behaviors in response to dysphoric mood states, impulsivity, and risk taking. Although no prior studies of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for the treatment of HD have been performed, CBT has been found effective for dysphoric mood states and impulsivity.AimTo investigate the feasibility of a CBT manual developed for HD explored through symptom decrease, treatment attendance, and clients’ treatment satisfaction.MethodsTen men with a diagnosis of HD took part in the CBT group program. Measurements were taken before, during, and at the end of treatment and 3 and 6 months after treatment.OutcomesThe primary outcome was the Hypersexual Disorder: Current Assessment Scale (HD:CAS) score that measured the severity of problematic hypersexual symptoms and secondary outcomes were the Hypersexual Disorder Screening Inventory (HDSI) score, the proportion of attended sessions, and the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8) score.ResultsMain results were significant decreases of HD symptoms from before to after treatment on HD:CAS and HDSI scores and a decrease in the number of problematic sexual behaviors during the course of therapy. A high attendance rate of 93% and a high treatment satisfaction score on CSQ-8 also were found.Clinical ImplicationsThe CBT program seemed to ameliorate the symptoms of HD and therefore might be a feasible treatment option.Strengths and LimitationsThis study provides data from a CBT program for the treatment of the specific proposed criteria of HD. Because of the small sample and lack of a control group, the results can be considered only preliminary.ConclusionAlthough participants reported decreased HD symptoms after attending the CBT program, future studies should evaluate the treatment program with a larger sample and a randomized controlled procedure to ensure treatment effectiveness.Hallberg J, Kaldo V, Arver S, et al. A Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Group Intervention for Hypersexual Disorder: A Feasibility Study. J Sex Med 2017;14:950–958.     

Association of tobacco dependence and quit attempt duration with Rasch-modeled withdrawal sensitivity using retrospective measures

Aim   To examine whether Rasch modeling would yield a unidimensional withdrawal sensitivity measure correlating with factors associated with successful smoking cessation.
Design   The psychometric Rasch modeling approach was applied to estimate an underlying latent construct (withdrawal sensitivity) in retrospective responses from 1644 smokers who reported quitting for 3 or more months at least once.
Setting   Web-based, passcode-controlled self-administered computerized questionnaire.
Participants   Randomly selected convenience sample of 1644 adult members of an e-mail invitation-only web panel drawn from consumer databases.
Measurements   Lifetime Tobacco Use Questionnaire, assessing tobacco use across the life-span, including demographics and respondent ratings of the severity of withdrawal symptoms experienced in respondents' first and most recent quit attempts lasting 3 or more months.
Findings   Rasch-modeled withdrawal sensitivity was generally unidimensional and was associated with longer periods of smoking cessation. One latent variable accounted for 74% of the variability in symptom scores. Rasch modeling with a single latent factor fitted withdrawal symptoms well, except for increased appetite, for which the fit was marginal. Demographic variables of education, gender and ethnicity were not related to changes in sensitivity. Correlates of greater withdrawal sensitivity in cessation attempts of at least 3 months included younger age at first quit attempt and indicators of tobacco dependence.
Conclusion   The relationship between tobacco dependence symptoms and Rasch-model withdrawal sensitivity defines further the relationship between sensitivity and dependence. The findings demonstrate the utility of modeling to create an individual-specific sensitivity measure as a tool for exploring the relationships among sensitivity, dependence and cessation.     

高校生幽默感问卷编制及信效度检验

目的:编制一份适合我国高校生的幽默感问卷.方法:在查阅以往文献、开放式调查和参考已有的幽默感问卷的基础上,通过封闭式调查和探索因素分析形成正式幽默感问卷.结果:探索性因素分析表明该问卷由幽默欣赏、幽默学习、幽默娱乐、幽默应对、幽默沟通五个维度组成,可解释总变异的56.445%.Cronbach系数为0.823.相关系数矩阵和验证性因素分析均达到可接受水平,与幽默风格问卷具有高相关,与生活定向测验修订版、Rosenberg自尊量表呈显著正相关.结论:该问卷具有较好的信度和效度,可用于高校生幽默感的测试.     

Beliefs about hydroxyurea in youth with sickle cell disease

Background

Hydroxyurea reduces complications and improves health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients, however adherence remains suboptimal. Understanding patients’ views of hydroxyurea is critical to optimize adherence, particularly in adolescents and young adults (AYA). Study objectives were to assess beliefs about hydroxyurea using the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ), and to examine the relationship of patients’ beliefs to their hydroxyurea adherence and HRQOL.

Patient acceptable symptom state and minimal clinically important difference for patient-reported outcomes in systemic sclerosis: A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial comparing personalized physical therapy to usual care

Background

To estimate patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) and minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for patient-reported outcomes in systemic sclerosis (SSc).

The application of the Chinese version of the Body Image Disturbance Questionnaire in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

This study aimed to translate the Body Image Disturbance Questionnaire (BIDQ) into Chinese and evaluate its reliability and validity in a sample of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Following the translation and revision of the Chinese version of the BIDQ, 169 patients with SLE were chosen as respondents to test the questionnaire''s reliability and validity. We tested the content''s validity through expert group evaluation. It is structural validity was examined through exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, and reliability was evaluated using Cronbach''s α and test-retest reliability.The Chinese version of the BIDQ showed a content validity of .92. A two-factor structure was revealed by exploratory factor analysis, which explained 67.83% of the variance and proved by confirmatory factor analysis. Its overall Cronbach''s α was .82 (P < .001), and the Cronbach''s α for each item ranged from .76 to .83. The test-retest reliability was .82, with the Cronbach''s α for each item ranging from .76 to .84.Thus, adequate reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the BIDQ were demonstrated for use in patients with SLE.     

高职生久坐行为测量及其与抑郁水平关系

目的:高职生过长的久坐行为如电脑前看视频、玩游戏、坐着玩手机等已经成为高校学生工作不可忽视的课题。较可靠的测量工具是评估久坐行为水平及其对健康的危害的前提。方法:本研究主要采用开放式问卷测量、结构式问卷调查以及数据处理与分析等方法,初步考察了某一高职院校学生久坐行为自编问卷的信效度及其与抑郁及各因子的关联性。结果:开放式调查、久坐行为自编问卷与国际体力活动问卷久坐行为条目所测的平均时间分别为412.58分钟/天、549.92分钟/天和466.99分钟/天;同时,久坐行为与抑郁量表人际因子的简单相关系数有统计学意义(r=0.306,P0.05)。结论:高职生久坐行为自编问卷具有较好的可靠性,他们的久坐行为时间普遍过长并且提示久坐行为与抑郁水平存在一定的关联。     

Clinical Outcomes With Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair in Atrial Functional MR From the EXPAND Study

BackgroundAlthough transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) has been shown to improve clinical outcomes and improve quality of life in patients with symptomatic secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR) and left ventricular dysfunction, its effect in patients with atrial SMR (aSMR) has not been well described.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess the safety, echocardiographic outcomes, and clinical effectiveness of TEER for aSMR.MethodsPatients with aSMR in the prospective, observational, multicenter EXPAND (A Contemporary, Prospective, Multi-Center Study Evaluating Real-World Experience of Performance and Safety for the Next Generation of MitraClip Devices) study were identified by an echocardiography core laboratory. Follow-up occurred at discharge, 30 days, and 1 year. Key endpoints included mitral regurgitation (MR) severity, functional class, heart failure hospitalizations, mortality, and 30-day major adverse events.ResultsAmong 1,041 patients enrolled in EXPAND, 835 patients had evaluable echocardiograms at baseline. Of these, 53 patients had aSMR and 360 had ventricular SMR (vSMR). In the aSMR cohort, TEER resulted in a significant reduction in MR through 1 year (MR grade ≤2 in 100.0%), significantly increased 1-year Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire score (+26.6 ± 30.5 points; P < 0.0001), and improved functional class from baseline, similar to the effects among patients with vSMR (MR grade ≤2 in 99.5% at 1 year, 1-year increase in Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire score 21.23 ± 24.92 points). Major adverse events at 30 days and leaflet adverse events at 1 year were infrequent in both groups.ConclusionsIn a prospective, real-world, global registry, TEER for aSMR was associated with significant MR reduction and improvement in quality of life and functional class, similar to patients with vSMR. This suggests that TEER may provide clinical benefit in patients with atrial fibrillation with SMR in the setting of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. (The MitraClip® EXPAND Study of the Next Generation of MitraClip® Devices; NCT03502811)