Development of an essential tremor embarrassment assessment

IntroductionEmbarrassment is commonly reported in essential tremor (ET) patients yet there is no formal tool to assess embarrassment in ET. Our aim was to develop such a tool and to assess its clinimetric properties. A quantitative measure of embarrassment could be used to assess response to treatment in clinical practice and clinical trials.MethodsBased on surveys of international tremor experts and ET patients, we constructed the Essential Tremor Embarrassment Assessment (ETEA), a brief, easily administered, 14-item self-assessment scale. The ETEA was assessed for validity, reliability and other clinimetric properties in 75 ET patients.ResultsForty-seven tremor experts from eight countries were surveyed. On average, they estimated that 75% of their patients experienced embarrassment, yet there was very little agreement (range = 10–95%). Among ET patients, three-quarters (77.3%) reported at least occasional embarrassment due to their tremor and one-third (36.4%) reported daily embarrassment. ETEA scores correlated with a tremor disability questionnaire score (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01) and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale scores (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001). Test-retest reliability was high (p < 0.001). Factor analysis identified four factors, explaining 62.4% of the variance. For the major factors (I and II), high internal consistency was found (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.85 and 0.74).ConclusionEmbarrassment is commonly experienced by ET patients. The ETEA is a reliable and valid tool to measure embarrassment in patients with this disease.     

Reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Modified Checklist for autism in toddlers (M-CHAT)

Early detection and intervention is essential for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Therefore, we examined the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Modified Checklist for autism in toddlers (M-CHAT), a 23-item, yes–no questionnaire regarding early autistic symptoms completed by parents of children at 18–24 months of age. Herein, the reliability of the M-CHAT was investigated for children 4–20 months of age. The M-CHAT score (the number of failed items) was found to be significantly correlated among 24 mother–father pairs (Pearson's r = .933), representing good inter-rater reliability. The test–retest reliability was satisfactory, with 22 mothers providing almost equal M-CHAT scores on two different occasions (r = .990). Significant correlations were observed between the M-CHAT score and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale-Tokyo version score in 25 two-year-old children (r = .581), indicating good concurrent validity. The M-CHAT score was significantly higher in 20 children later diagnosed with ASD compared with reference children (n = 1167), revealing sufficient discriminant validity. A short version of the M-CHAT using 9 items was proposed and effectively differentiated children with ASD from reference children. The efficacy of the Japanese version of the M-CHAT was demonstrated for first-level screening in the general population.     

The relation between abnormal behaviors and REM sleep microstructure in patients with REM sleep behavior disorder

ObjectiveTo investigate the temporal relation between rapid eye movement (REM) sleep microstructure (REMs, EMG activity) and motor events in REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD).MethodsPolysomnographic records of eight patients with RBD were analyzed and compared with those of eight sex- and age-matched controls. We examined sleep microstructure for REM sleep with and without REMs and phasic chin EMG activity and their temporal relation to motor events on video.ResultsAll types of motor events were either more frequent in RBD patients than in controls (P ? 0.007) or present solely in RBD patients. In RBD, major motor events were significantly more frequent during REM sleep with REMs than during REM sleep without REMs (violent, 84.0% vs. 16.0%, P < 0.001; complex/scenic behavior, 78.1% vs. 23.2%, P < 0.001; major jerks, 77.5% vs. 20.3%, P < 0.001), whereas minor motor activity was evenly distributed (54.1% vs. 45.9%, P = 0.889). Controls showed predominantly minor motor activity with rare myoclonic body jerks. The distribution of motor events did not differ between REM sleep with and without REMs (40.9% vs. 59.1%, P = 0.262).ConclusionsIn RBD, major motor activity is closely associated with REM sleep with REMs, whereas minor jerks occur throughout REM sleep. This finding further supports the concept of a dual nature of REM sleep with REMs and REM sleep without REMs and implies a potential gate control mechanism of REM sleep with REMs for the manifestation of elaborate or violent behaviors in RBD.     

Validation of the sleep related items of the Non-motor Symptoms Questionnaire for Parkinson's disease (NMSQuest)

BackgroundThe Non-motor Symptoms Questionnaire (NMSQuest) is a recently developed questionnaire for the evaluation of non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, which includes sleep disorders evaluation. The clinical validity of the questionnaire has not been explored.ObjectiveTo assess the performance of the sleep/fatigue domain of the NMSQuest against other sleep measures.MethodsSeventy PD patients were instructed to wear an actigraph and to fill in a sleep log over seven consecutive days in addition to the Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale (PDSS) and the NMSQuest.ResultsPD patients who reported daytime sleepiness on NMSQuest obtained a significantly worse score on the PDSS sleepiness domain than PD patients who did not (12.0 ± 4.7 vs. 14.7 ± 3.4, p < 0.009). Patients reporting difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep at night, showed lower scores on PDSS sleep quality domain than those without difficulties (15.8 ± 5.4 vs. 22.3 ± 4.6, p < 0.001). The presence of vivid dreams, acting out dreams and restlessness on NMSQuest correlated with PDSS and sleep log scores. Increased nocturnal activity was noted in subjects reporting acting out dreams. Furthermore, the number of positive answers to the sleep-fatigue questions of the NMSQuest correlated significantly with PDSS total score, sleep log total score and nocturnal activity measured by actigraphy.ConclusionNMSQuest sleep-fatigue domain identified appropriately sleep disturbances indicating its usefulness as a screening tool for sleep disorders in PD patients.     

Psychometric properties of an omnibus sleep problems questionnaire for school-aged children

ObjectiveThere is a paucity of sleep questionnaires that have been psychometrically validated for use in school-aged children. Due to the limitation regarding the psychometric properties and the great variety in question design, there remains a need for a robust omnibus questionnaire that assesses sleep problems in community populations. This study aimed to develop such a questionnaire for school-aged children by assessing the construct validity and reliability of a questionnaire based on a combination of children’s sleep domains from two frequently used and validated questionnaires (Habits Questionnaire and Sleep Disorders Scale for Children) and author devised questions.Patients/methodsParents of 1904 children aged 5–10 years (mean 7.7 ± 1.7 years) from 32 elementary schools in Adelaide, South Australia, completed the questionnaire.ResultsPrincipal axis factoring revealed six unique sub-scales – Sleep Routine, Bedtime Anxiety, Morning Tiredness, Night Arousals, Sleep Disordered Breathing, and Restless Sleep – containing a total of 26 items. Internal consistency for sub-scales were moderate to strong (range α = 0.6–0.8) and test–retest reliability was adequate (>0.4). T-score cut-offs were devised for age and sex.ConclusionThe new questionnaire provides a robust set of sleep problem sub-scales which can be used for assessment of sleep concerns in a community sample as well as provide for optimal analysis of associations with other measures of childhood daytime functioning such as neurocognition and behaviour.     

Validation of a new REM sleep behavior disorder questionnaire (RBDQ-HK)

ObjectivesThere are limited screening instruments for diagnosis of REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) and none for quantifying the severity of disease. We aimed to validate a 13-item self-reported RBD questionnaire (RBDQ-HK) for diagnostic and monitoring purposes.MethodsBased on ICSD-II and our previous clinical and empirical work, the RBDQ-HK questionnaire was designed and administered in patients attending university-affiliated sleep clinic and psychiatric out-patient clinic, and subjects from the general population. ROC curve and exploratory factor analysis were employed to evaluate the scale, which had a score ranging from 0 to 100.ResultsOne hundred and seven RBD patients [mean age 62.6 (15.5) years; male 70.1%] and 107 control subjects [mean age 55.3 (9.0) years, male 57.9%] completed the questionnaire. The diagnoses of all the study subjects were independently ascertained by clinical interview and PSG. RBD patients had a significantly higher total RBDQ-HK score [mean (s.d.): 32.1 (16.1), range 3–71] than the control group [9.5 (10.2), range 0–55] (p < 0.005). The RBDQ-HK demonstrated robust psychometric properties with moderate sensitivity (82.2%), specificity (86.9%), positive predictive value (PPV; 86.3%), and negative predictive value (NPV; 83.0%), high internal consistency and test–retest reliability. Exploratory factor analysis revealed two components (dream-related and behavioral factors) that corresponded to the essential clinical features of RBD. The best cut-off for total score (range 0–100) was at 18/19 and the best cut-off for factor 2 (behavioral factors including sleep talking, shouting, limb movements and sleep-related injuries, range 0–70) was at 7/8.ConclusionsThe RBDQ-HK has satisfactory validity and reliability as a measure of clinical RBD symptoms and severity. It may serve as an effective tool for diagnosis and evaluation of the disease course to facilitate future clinical and research studies.     

Validación y fiabilidad de la versión española de la escala autoadministrada de Evaluación de Signos y Síntomas Neuropáticos de Leeds (S-LANSS)

Introduction

The self-administered Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS) scale is a tool designed to identify patients with pain with neuropathic features.

Comparison of severity of obstructive sleep apnea and degree of accumulation of cardiac 123I-MIBG radioactivity as a diagnostic marker for idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder

ObjectiveWe investigated cardiac ¹²³I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphic assessment as a supportive diagnostic indicator for idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) complicated by moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).Methods¹²³I-MIBG was intravenously injected in 23 idiopathic RBD patients with AHI < 5/h, 9 idiopathic RBD patients with 5 ? AHI < 15/h, 15 idiopathic RBD patients complicated with moderate to severe OSA with AHI ? 15/h, and 16 moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patients without RBD by polysomnography.ResultsCardiac MIBG uptake based on H/M was significantly decreased in RBD patients with or without OSA compared with patients with moderate to severe OSAS without RBD. ROC analysis revealed that a delayed H/M cut-off value of 1.97 was useful for differentiating idiopathic RBD complicated by moderate to severe OSA from moderate to severe OSAS without RBD.Conclusions¹²³I-MIBG cardiac scintigraphy has the potential to distinguish true RBD from pseudo-RBD associated with OSA. These results are noteworthy because treatment options and follow-up protocols are determined based on evaluation of moderate to severe OSA complicated with RBD, such as overlapping primary sleep disorders.     

Modeling caffeine concentrations with the Stanford Caffeine Questionnaire: preliminary evidence for an interaction of chronotype with the effects of caffeine on sleep

ObjectiveTo examine the validity of a novel caffeine intake questionnaire and to examine the effects of caffeine on sleep in college students.MethodsOne-week, ad libitum behavior of 50 university students (28 female, 22 male; aged 20.9 ± 1.78 years) was examined with sleep logs, wrist actigraphy, and a novel daily questionnaire assessing caffeine intake at different times of day. Saliva samples were collected for caffeine assessment (questionnaire validation) and DNA extraction, and for analysis of a single nucleotide polymorphism in the adenosine receptor 2A (ADORA2A) gene.ResultsThe caffeine questionnaire was able to accurately predict salivary concentrations of caffeine (R² = 0.41, P < 0.001). Estimations of integrated salivary caffeine concentration during sleep were correlated with wake after sleep onset (WASO) most strongly in morning-type individuals (R² = 0.49; P < 0.001, ANOVA), less so in intermediate chronotypes (R² = 0.16; P < 0.001, ANOVA), and not significantly in evening-types (R² = 0.00098; P = 0.13, ANOVA). Using multivariate modeling methods we found that the ADORA2A genotype did not moderate the effects of caffeine on WASO, but did independently alter WASO such that those with the CC genotype had nearly three-times as much WASO as those with CT or TT.ConclusionsOur questionnaire was able to accurately predict salivary caffeine concentrations and helped to describe a novel relationship between the effects of caffeine on sleep and genotype and chronotype.     

Validation of the Arabic version of the MADRS scale among Lebanese patients with depression

AimTo use the Arabic version of the MADRS in Lebanese depressed patients, check its validity and reproducibility compared to other versions of the questionnaire and assess risk factors affecting the total MADRS score.MethodsThis case-control study, performed between September 2016 and January 2017, included 200 patients (100 patients, 100 controls). The questionnaire included two parts, the first one concerning the socio-demographic characteristics another one that included the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) questions, which was translated from English to Arabic through an initial translation and back translation process.ResultsThe MADRS scale items converged over a solution of one factor that had an Eigenvalue over 1, explaining a total of 83.90% of the variance. A Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling adequacy of 0.953 was found, with a significant Bartlett's test of sphericity (P < 0.001). A stepwise linear regression, using the total MADRS score as continuous variable, showed that a university level of education would significantly decrease the total MADRS score by 20 points (beta = −20.02, CI: from −26.337 to −13.709, P < 0.001). Unemployment was significantly more associated with an increase in the total MADRS score level by 10.23 points (beta = 10.23, CI: 3.944–16.526, P = 0.002).ConclusionThis study shows that the Arabic version of the MADRS has promising psychometric properties, and thus it is a good tool to use for the diagnosis of patients with depression. Based on this study, health care professionals and researchers can readily use the MADRS questionnaire to estimate the overall severity of depression among psychiatric patients in Lebanon.     

Anhedonia and cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease: Italian validation of the Snaith–Hamilton Pleasure Scale and its application in the clinical routine practice during the PRIAMO study

ObjectiveTo assess the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Snaith–Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) and to study the relationship between anhedonia, depression and cognitive impairment in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).MethodsThe SHAPS (14 items) was translated into Italian and pre-tested in a pilot study. Two items evaluating physical anhedonia related to sexual issues were added. The Italian version of SHAPS was validated in 274 consecutive PD patients, divided into patients with major depression according to DSM-IV criteria (dPD) and patients without depression (nPD), and in healthy subjects. To test the feasibility of the instrument and to determine whether clinical data affect anhedonia, we also administered SHAPS to 1307 patients with different types of parkinsonism.ResultsThe Italian SHAPS proved to be easy to understand as regards the question and answer modes. Intraclass coefficient for test–retest reliability was 0.65 for the total score. KR index was 0.61. ANOVA of the SHAPS total score revealed that scores were higher in dPD patients than in healthy controls and nPD (p < 0.05). In the 1307 patients with various types of parkinsonism, the SHAPS data showed that anhedonia was related to age, type of parkinsonism, apathy, depression and cognitive impairment. Anhedonia was correlated with frontal dysfunctions in supranuclear palsy and PD patients (r = -0.682 and ?0.264 respectively, p < 0.05).ConclusionThe Italian version of the SHAPS is a reliable tool with which to assess anhedonia in patients with PD and other forms of parkinsonism.     

REM and NREM sleep enactment behaviors in Parkinson's disease, Parkinson's disease dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies

Background/objectiveNocturnal sleep enactment behaviors (SEBs) are common in patients affected by Parkinson’s disease (PD), dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease (PDD), and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). We investigated the occurrence and neurobiological significance of abnormal SEBs in the context of PD without cognitive decline compared to PDD/DLB patients.MethodsWe evaluated a sample of 139 patients with PD, PDD, or DLB in a cross-sectional survey. One hundred and seventeen patients showing either no cognitive impairment (PD group) or meeting the diagnostic requirements for dementia (PDD/DLB group) underwent video-polysomnography. Seventy subjects (42 males) in whom a clear-cut diagnosis of abnormal sleep-related motor-behavioral episodes was possible were included in the final analysis.ResultsSEBs consisting of RBD or occurring on arousal from NREM or REM sleep were globally more frequent in the dementia group (PDD/DLB) than in the PD group (p = 0.001), the difference being statistically significant for arousal-related episodes (p = 0.002), while a trend emerged for RBD (p = 0.07). Male sex, daytime sleepiness, higher motor impairment, and lower mini-mental score were significantly more frequent with the occurrence of abnormal sleep-related motor-behavioral episodes.ConclusionSEBs in PD, PDD, and DLB may consist of RBD episodes or of arousal-related NREM and REM episodes. These latter are more frequent in patients with PDD/DLB and seem to be mainly related to more advanced stages of disease with a higher degree of cognitive decline.     

Clinical manifestations of Parkinson disease and the onset of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder

ObjectiveTo identify whether the presence and/or timing of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) onset were associated with differences in clinical features and sleep parameters of Parkinson disease (PD).MethodsIn all, 112 PD patients were enrolled and all underwent extensive clinical evaluations and video-polysomnography (PSG). Clinical features and PSG parameters were compared in PD patients with (PD + RBD) or without (PD − RBD) RBD, RBD preceding (RBD > PD), or not (PD ⩾ RBD) PD onset.ResultsSixty-three of the 112 PD patients were affected by RBD. Adjusted for age, gender, education, body mass index (BMI), levodopa equivalent daily dose (LED) and PD duration, PD + RBD patients had higher Hoehn & Yahr stage, higher scores for UPDRS parts I, II and III, more dyskinesia, higher ratio of axial/limb manifestations, and more hallucinations. Their cognitive and quality-of-life status was significantly lower (all P < 0.05). For PSG, PD + RBD patients exhibited higher percentages of phasic and tonic EMG activities, lower apnea hypopnea (AHI) and oxygen desaturation index (ODI), and less time in arterial oxygen saturation (SaO₂) <90% during REM sleep (all P < 0.05). PD ⩾ RBD (n = 22) patients did not significantly differ from RBD > PD (n = 41) patients in clinical manifestations, whereas the PD ⩾ RBD subgroup had significantly higher UPDRS part I score, lower PDQ score and lower AHI during REM than the PD − RBD group (all P < 0.05), but not RBD > PD subgroup. Correlation analysis showed that worse cognition was associated with shorter interval of RBD preceding PD onset (r = 0.297, P = 0.018), but not RBD duration (P = 0.202).ConclusionsClinical manifestations of PD may vary depending on the presence and timing of RBD onset. These findings are compatible with the hypothesis that RBD may be a marker of complex subtypes of PD.     

Low self-awareness of ADHD in adults using a self-report screening questionnaire

IntroductionAwareness of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults has been growing over the last decade. One of the most interesting issues related to this topic is these adults’ self-awareness of their ADHD symptoms and their estimation of their own impairments. Our hypothesis while studying young adult ADHD populations was that there would be a significant difference between their self-report and their clinical assessment.MethodOne hundred and three students volunteered for this study. In order to validate our ADHD screening questionnaire (ADHD-SQ), and to assess the level of awareness they have of their own symptoms, participants underwent a complete clinical assessment for ADHD. They were divided into a control group (n = 24), and an ADHD study group (n = 79), which in turn was composed of two sub-groups, one comprising 24 ADHD predominantly inattentive (ADHD-I) and the other 55 ADHD combined type (ADHD-C).ResultsFactor analysis yielded two factors explaining 41% of the variance. The Inattention (IA) subscale score tended to be higher in both ADHD sub-groups as compared to the control group (6.5 ± 2.1 vs. 2.34 ± 2.3 with P < 0.001), with no significant difference between the two ADHD sub-groups. Hyperactivity Impulsivity (HI) subscale was significantly higher for the ADHD-C sub-group than in the ADHD-I sub-group, whose score was similar to that of the control group (control: 1.6 ± 2.1; ADHD-I: 1.55 ± 1.0; ADHD-C: 4.5 ± 2.6, P < 0.0001). Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) analysis showed similar results. The area under the curve (AUC) of IA subscale score was 0.90 (95% confidence: 0.83–0.96) and for HI subscale score was 0.75, (95% confidence: 0.63–0.86). Classification into groups used a cut-off point of 3+ items out of nine, in the SQ and 6+ items out of nine in the clinical assessment. These two classifications showed 68% agreement (46% sensitivity and 95% specificity). In both ADHD sub-groups, the self-reported average number of positive symptoms per student was relatively low for both clusters; this phenomenon was pronounced in the specific subtypes. The self-rated HI cluster score was considerably low in the ADHD-C sub-group (4.5 ± 2.6), and the IA one was particularly low in the ADHD-IADHD-I sub-group (5.9 ± 1.9).ConclusionThis study's results indicate that ADHD symptoms are under-reported for both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive clusters, indicating that adults with ADHD tend to under-estimate their own ADHD-related impairments. We suggest that this questionnaire may be used both in research and academic settings to help counsellors and students to obtain early indication of ADHD and to refer students suspected of having ADHD to full clinical assessment.     

Development of traditional Chinese version of World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 36 – item (WHODAS 2.0) in Taiwan: Validity and reliability analyses

BackgroundWorld Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) provided a standardized method for measuring the health and disability and the traditional Chinese version has not been developed.AimsTo describe the process of developing the traditional Chinese version of the WHODAS 2.0 36-item version and to evaluate the concurrent validity and test–retest reliability of this instrument.MethodsThe study was conducted in two phases. Phase I was the process of translation of WHODAS 2.0 36-item version. Phase II was a cross-sectional study. The participants were 307 adults who were tested the validity and reliability of draft traditional Chinese version.ResultsThe reliability of Cronbach's α and ICC in the WHODAS 2.0 traditional Chinese version were 0.73–0.99 and 0.8–089, respectively. The content validity was good (r = 0.7–0.76), and the concurrent validity was excellent in comparison with the WHOQOL-BREF (p < 0.5). The construct validity, the model was explained total variance was 67.26% by the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) illustrated the traditional Chinese version was good to assess disability. There was a valid and reliable measurement scales for evaluating functioning and disability status.ConclusionFor disability eligibility system of Taiwan government to measure the disability, the traditional Chinese version of the WHODAS 2.0 provided valuable evidence to design the assessment instrument.     

Validation of the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children and prevalence of parent-reported sleep disorder symptoms in Chinese children

ObjectiveTo translate and validate the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC), a promising questionnaire for use among children in epidemiological studies, in Chinese children.MethodsIn total, 3525 children aged 5–16 years were randomly selected from five primary schools in Shenyang. Internal consistency, reliability and factor analyses were undertaken to assess the construct validity of the SDSC.ResultsInternal consistency indicated adequate reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.81). Factor analytic results indicated a six-factor solution (ie, six types of sleep disorder) based on parent-reported sleep disorder symptoms. The mean total score of the SDSC was 39.28 ± 7.83 and 156 (4.43%) children were identified as suffering from parent-reported sleep disorder. The prevalence for each sleep type disorder ranged from 3.46% to 6.30% with the highest for sleep hyperhidrosis (SHY) and the lowest for disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep. Significant differences were found between boys and girls in the prevalence of sleep breathing disorders (6.51% vs 3.72%), SHY (8.62% vs 4.00%) and parent-reported sleep disorders (5.19% vs 3.67%).ConclusionsThe SDSC is reliable and useful in screening for parent-reported sleep disorders in Chinese children. Compared with other countries, parent-reported sleep disorders among Chinese elementary school children were at a relatively low level of prevalence.     

Extended retention intervals can help to bridge the gap between subjective and objective memory impairment

PurposeDespite their excellent clinical validity, objective measures of memory often do not reflect self-perceived memory impairment. This discordance has mostly been attributed to depressed mood. Alternatively, a lack of ecological validity due to the rather short standard retention intervals of 20–60 min may be responsible for this discordance. Therefore, we explored the value of extended retention intervals in regard to subjective memory deficits.MethodsOur prospective study was based on 73 patients with epilepsy. In addition to the standard 30-min retention interval of a verbal learning and memory test (VLMT) patients were randomized to either a free delayed recall after 1 week or after 4 weeks. Mood was assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).ResultsForty-four patients (60%) reported self-perceived memory deficits, whereas objective verbal memory impairment was present in 26 patients (36%). Concordance between subjective and objective memory performance was observed in 53% of the patients. Multivariate analyses identified memory performance after 4 weeks and self-rated mood as determinants of subjective memory impairment. Self-perceived memory impairment correlated with the number of remembered words after 4 weeks (r = ?0.361, p = 0.030) and the BDI total score (r = 0.332, p = 0.004) but neither with recall performance after 30 min nor after 1 week.ConclusionSubjective memory appears to follow a different time scale than routine memory testing. Thus, the introduction of longer retention intervals may enhance the ecological validity of standard memory tests. Furthermore, the findings again underscore that controlling for mood is mandatory when dealing with subjective memory complaints.     

Validity and reliability of the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Health Survey version 2 (SF-12v2) among adults with autism

BackgroundThe purpose of the study was to assess the validity and reliability of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-12 version 2 (SF-12v2) instrument among adults with autism.MethodsStudy data was collected using a cross-sectional online survey of adults with autism enrolled with the Interactive Autism Network (N = 291). Factorial validity was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis technique. Item–scale correlations were examined for convergent validity. Known-groups validity was assessed by examining the variation in Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores by autism severity. Cronbach's alpha was determined for internal consistency reliability. Floor and ceiling effects were also assessed.ResultsA two-factor model with correlated error terms was found to have a good fit. The PCS scale strongly correlated with the underlying items representing the scale. The MCS scale had strong to moderate correlation with its underlying items. For known-groups validity, the MCS score varied as expected with lower score observed among adults with high severity as compared to low severity; however, PCS score varied inversely. Internal consistent reliability of the SF-12v2 was good, and there were no floor and ceiling effects.ConclusionsExcept for known-groups validity, all other psychometric indicators performed well for the SF-12v2.     

Development and validation of the Intrinsic Religiousness Inventory (IRI)

ObjectiveThe role of religious involvement in mental health has been increasingly investigated in psychiatric research; however, there is a shortage of scales on religiousness in Portuguese. The present study aimed to develop and validate a brief instrument to assess intrinsic religiosity (Intrinsic Religiousness Inventory - IRI) in two Brazilian samples.MethodThe initial version was based on literature review and experts' suggestions. University students (sample 1; n = 323) and psychiatric patients (sample 2; n = 102) completed the Duke Religiosity Index (DUREL), the IRI, an instrument of spirituality measurement (WHOQOL-SRPB), as well as measurements of anxiety and depressive symptoms.ResultsThe IRI showed adequate internal consistence reliability in sample 1 (Cronbach's α = 0.96; 95% CI; 0.95–0.97) and sample 2 (α = 0.96; 95% CI; 0.95–0.97). The IRI main component analyses indicated a single factor, which explained 73.7% and 74.9% of variance in samples 1 and 2, respectively. Strong correlations between IRI and intrinsic subscale of the DUREL were observed (Spearman's r ranging from 0.87 to 0.73 in samples 1 and 2, respectively, p < 0.001). The IRI showed good test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients > 0.70).ConclusionThese data indicate that the IRI is a valid instrument and may contribute to study intrinsic religiosity in Brazilian samples.     

Standardization of the Japanese version of the Glasgow Sensory Questionnaire (GSQ)

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often have sensory processing abnormalities. However, limited measures that assess these problems in adults with ASD have been developed till date, particularly in Japan. Robertson and Simmons (2012) developed a self-rating scale to investigate sensory sensitivity: the Glasgow Sensory Questionnaire (GSQ). In the present study, we developed a Japanese version of GSQ and investigated sensory abnormalities in adults with ASD. We compared results of the Japanese version of GSQ in adults between an ASD group (n = 64) and a control group (n = 70). In addition, we also administered these individuals with the autism spectrum quotient (AQ), which is a questionnaire for assessing autistic traits. The Japanese version of GSQ scores was significantly higher in the ASD group than that in the control group. The total GSQ score and each sensory subscale showed a positive correlation with AQ in the total study sample. These results indicate that individuals with pronounced autistic traits have more frequent and extreme sensory processing problems compared with that in individuals with less pronounced autistic traits. We also assessed validity of the new test. Cronbach's α of the questionnaire was calculated, and its high value indicates that the Japanese version of GSQ has high reliability.