Emotion dysregulation across the spectrum of pathological eating: Comparisons among women with binge eating,overeating, and loss of control eating

ABSTRACT

Emotion regulation difficulties influence the etiology and maintenance of binge eating and eating disorders, but differential associations between emotion dysregulation and objective binge eating (OBE) components have not been examined. We compared emotion dysregulation dimensions in women with OBEs (n = 27), overeating only (n = 25), loss of control (LOC) only (n = 32), or no pathological eating (n = 137). Women with OBEs had significantly more difficulty with overall emotion dysregulation, access to strategies, and impulse control when upset than other groups. Women with OBEs and women with overeating did not differ on poor emotional clarity, whereas women with OBEs and women with LOC did not differ on non-acceptance of emotions. The combination of overeating and LOC eating is associated with the greatest emotion dysregulation, but certain emotion regulation facets may differentially relate to overeating and LOC. Identifying emotion-related treatment targets for core eating disorder symptoms is important.     

Dementia Rating Scale-2 normative data for middle-and older-aged Castilian speaking Spaniards

Abstract

Objectives: The Dementia Rating Scale-2 (DRS-2) is frequently used as a dementia screening tool in clinical and research settings in Spain. The present study describes DRS-2 Total and subscale scores in community-dwelling Spaniards, aged 50–71, and provides normative data for its use in Castilian Spanish-speaking individuals. Methods: The sample consisted of 798 individuals who participated in an observational study on essential hypertension. Mean age was 62.8 years (SD = 5.4), mean education was 8.6 years (SD = 3.4) with 47.9% females. Almost all of them were receiving blood pressure-lowering drugs (93%) and most of them had fairly well-managed blood pressure control (M systolic/diastolic blood pressure = 142.3/77.0 ± 16.0/9.2 mm Hg). We applied a previously described method of data normalization from the Mayo’s Older Americans Normative Studies to obtain the Castilian Spanish DRS-2 norms. Results: Worse performance on Total and subscale scores was associated with older age (p < .05) and fewer years of education (p < .001). Women obtained lower raw Total scores than men (131.68 ± 7.2 vs. 133.10 ± 6.90, p < .005), but had fewer years of education (7.96 ± 3.33 vs. 9.17 ± 3.45, p < .001). This gender difference disappeared after correcting for age and years of education. Total and subscale scores are presented adjusted by age, and normative data are shown for Total scores adjusted by age and years of education. Conclusions: These norms are useful for studying cognitive status and cognitive decline in research and clinical settings in Castilian Spanish-speaking populations.     

Sleep-related cognitive processes,arousal, and emotion dysregulation in insomnia disorder: the role of insomnia-specific rumination

ObjectiveInsomnia-specific rumination has presented in subjects with insomnia. Research has identified hyperarousal as a key factor, with both trait and state components. It has been shown that emotion dysregulation also plays a role in insomnia. Hence, the aim was to investigate how insomnia rumination is associated with both trait- and state-dependent arousal and emotion dysregulation in insomnia.MethodsSixty-eight subjects with insomnia disorder (DSM-5) and 36 good sleepers were evaluated using: Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Daytime Insomnia Symptom Response Scale (DISRS), Arousal Predisposition Scale (APS), Pre-sleep Arousal Scale (PSAS), and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Univariate and multivariate regression analyses and mediation analyses were performed.ResultsSubjects with insomnia (F 41, mean age 50.2 ± 10) presented higher scores than good sleepers (F 22, mean age 49.7 ± 14) in all the scales (ISI, DISRS, APS, PSAS, DERS; p < 0.0001). Insomnia rumination was directly correlated with trait (APS, B = 0.22, p < 0.0001) pre-sleep state arousal (PSAS cognitive B = 0.22, p < 0.0001, PSAS somatic B = 0.24, p < 0.0001) and emotion dysregulation (B = 0.5, p = 0.03). It mediated the association between trait and pre-sleep state hyperarousal (Z = 3.3, p = 0.0008), the bidirectional association between cognitive and somatic arousal (p = 0.02), and the association between trait hyperarousal and emotion dysregulation (Z = 2.3, p = 0.04).ConclusionsIn insomnia, specific rumination is related to both trait predisposition to arousal and to state-dependent arousal. It is also related to emotion dyregulation. Insomnia-specific ruminative response style may modulate the complex association between trait- and state-dependent arousal factors and arousal and emotion regulation in insomnia. In this framework, a broad range of cognitive processes may be considered when dealing with subjects with insomnia: the use of rumination-oriented psychological strategies could be important.     

Family-based treatment for transition age youth: the role of expressed emotion and general family functioning

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in family functioning and parental expressed emotion (EE) in parents and transition age youth (18 to 25 years old) with Anorexia Nervosa participating in Family-Based Treatment for Transition Age Youth (FBT-TAY). Further, we examined whether perceived family functioning and EE were associated with changes in eating disorder behaviour and weight in participants at end-of-treatment and three months post-treatment. Generalized estimating equations revealed that changes in family functioning significantly improved from baseline to end-of-treatment (p = .0001), and baseline to three months post-treatment (p = .0001) in parents; and from baseline to end-of-treatment (p = .011), and baseline to three months post-treatment (p = .0001) in transition age youth. The level of parental EE did not differ significantly from baseline to end-of-treatment (p = .379), or baseline to three months post-treatment (p = .185). A series of Ordinary Least Square regression models demonstrated that changes in perceived family functioning and EE were not significantly associated with changes in eating disorder behaviour and weight restoration of transition age youth at end-of-treatment and three months post-treatment. Overall, perceptions of family functioning improved during the course of FBT-TAY, but EE did not.     

Efficacy of elaborated semantic features analysis in Aphasia: a quasi-randomised controlled trial

ABSTRACT

Background: Word finding difficulty is one of the most common features of aphasia. Semantic Features Analysis (SFA) directly aims to improve word finding in people with aphasia. Evidence from systematic reviews suggests that SFA leads to positive outcomes, yet the evidence comprises single case studies and case series. There is a need to evaluate the efficacy of SFA in controlled group studies/trials.

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of Elaborated Semantic Feature Analysis (ESFA) for word finding in people with aphasia. We investigated: (a) the efficacy of ESFA versus a delayed therapy/control, (b) the efficacy of two therapy approaches – individual versus a combination of individual and group therapy.

Methods and procedures: We ran a multi-centre, quasi-randomised controlled trial, nested in a larger study (Thales-Aphasia). Participants were recruited from community settings. They had to be people with aphasia due to stroke at least four months post-onset. Participants were randomized to individual vs combination vs delayed therapy/control groups. Both therapy groups had 3 h of ESFA per week for 12 weeks. Delayed therapy/control group had no intervention for 12 weeks and were then randomized to either individual or combination therapy. The primary outcome was confrontation naming. Secondary outcomes were the Boston Naming Test, Discourse, the Functional Assessment of Communication Skills for adults (ASHA–FACS), the Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life scale (SAQOL-39g), the General Health Questionnaire-12 item, and the EQ-5D.

Outcomes and Results: Of the 72 participants of the Thales-Aphasia project, 58 met eligibility criteria for speech-language therapy and 39 were allocated to ESFA. The critical p-value was adjusted for multiple comparisons (.005). For the therapy versus control comparison, there was a significant main effect of time on the primary outcome (p < .001, η²_p = .42) and a significant interaction effect (p = .003, η²_p = .21). An interaction effect for the SAQOL-39g (p = .015, η²_p = .11) and its psychosocial domain (p = .013, η²_p = .12) did not remain significant after Bonferroni adjustment. For the individual versus combination ESFA comparison, there were significant main effects of time on the primary outcome (p < .001, η²_p = .49), the BNT (p < .001, η²_p = .29) and the ASHA-FACS (p = .001, η²_p = .18). Interaction and group effects were not significant.

Conclusion: Though underpowered, this study provides evidence on the efficacy of ESFA to improve word finding in aphasia, with gains similar in the two therapy approaches.     

Dry eye in chronic stroke patients with hemiplegia: A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

Objective: Dry eye is reported to be associated with several neurological diseases. The aim of this study is to evaluate the patients with hemiplegia after stroke for dry eye and compare their results with a control group.

Materials and methods: Forty-five patients with hemiplegia and 45 individuals as the control group were included in the study. Tear function tests (Schirmer and tear breakup time) and a dry eye questionnaire for dry eye symptoms (ocular surface disease index) were performed and the results of the two groups were compared.

Results: Schirmer test results were significantly lower in the post-stroke hemiplegia group compared to the control group (11.3 ± 8.2 mm and 20.6 ± 11.6 mm, respectively, p < .001). Tear breakup time results were significantly lower in the post-stroke hemiplegia group compared to the control group (7.9 ± 3.1 s and 12.1 ± 4.3 s, respectively, p < .001). Ocular surface disease index scores were not significantly different between hemiplegia and control groups (21.6 ± 20.0 and 19.8 ± 13.9, respectively, p = .635). Schirmer scores lower than 10 mm (60% and 30%, p < .001) and tear breakup time results lower than 10 s (65.6% and 28.9%, p < .001) were also higher in the hemiplegia group compared to control group.

Conclusion: We found lower Schirmer test and tear breakup time results and similar OSDI scores in hemiplegia patients compared to controls. Hemiplegia patients may have dry eye without typical symptoms. This should be taken into consideration in the follow-up and rehabilitation of post-stroke hemiplegia patients.     

The reinforcing effect of exercise in anorexia nervosa: Clinical correlates and relationship to outcome

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the current study was to examine the relative reinforcing effect of exercise compared to a non-monetary alternative reinforcer (leisure activity), and to money, before and after weight restoration in an inpatient population with anorexia nervosa (AN). Sixty-two inpatients with AN completed a progressive ratio (PR) task to earn exercise, leisure activities, or cash at low weight and after weight restoration. Measures of pathology and motivation to exercise were completed and post-treatment discharge weights were collected. Patients worked harder for exercise at low weight than after weight restoration (df = 46, t = 5.50, p < .001). PR task performance was weakly associated with a measure of commitment to exercise (low weight: r = 0.31, weight restored: r = 0.36, p < .05), but not with other clinical measures or follow-up weights. Contrary to prior suggestions, measurement of the reinforcing value of exercise among individuals with AN via a PR task does not appear valuable in assessing clinical severity or outcome. Other, simpler, self-report measures of commitment to exercise may have greater value in assessing these outcomes.     

Examining the associations between emotion regulation difficulties,anxiety, and eating disorder severity among inpatients with anorexia nervosa

ObjectiveThere is growing interest in the role of emotion regulation in anorexia nervosa (AN). Although anxiety is also hypothesized to impact symptoms of AN, little is known about how emotion regulation, anxiety, and eating disorder symptoms interact in AN. In this study, we examined the associations between emotion regulation, anxiety, and eating disorder symptom severity in AN.MethodsQuestionnaires and interviews assessing emotion regulation difficulties, anxiety, eating disorder symptoms, and eating disorder-related clinical impairment were collected from group of underweight individuals with AN (n = 59) at admission to inpatient treatment. Hierarchical linear regressions were used to examine the associations of emotion regulation difficulties, anxiety, and the interaction of these constructs with eating disorder symptoms and eating disorder-related clinical impairment.ResultsEmotion regulation difficulties were significantly positively associated with eating disorder symptoms and related clinical impairment only when anxiety levels were low and anxiety was significantly positively associated with eating disorder symptoms and related clinical impairment only when emotion regulation problems were not elevated.ConclusionsThis study adds to a growing literature suggesting that emotion regulation deficits are associated with eating disorder symptoms in AN. Certain individuals with AN may especially benefit from a focus on developing emotion regulation skills in the acute stages of illness.     

Performance of Hispanics and Non-Hispanic Whites on the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery: the roles of ethnicity and language backgrounds

Objective: This study examined the influence of Hispanic ethnicity and language/cultural background on performance on the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB). Method: Participants included healthy, primarily English-speaking Hispanic (n = 93; Hispanic-English), primarily Spanish-speaking Hispanic (n = 93; Hispanic-Spanish), and English speaking Non-Hispanic white (n = 93; NH white) adults matched on age, sex, and education levels. All participants were in the NIH Toolbox national norming project and completed the Fluid and Crystallized components of the NIHTB-CB. T-scores (demographically-unadjusted) were developed based on the current sample and were used in analyses. Results: Spanish-speaking Hispanics performed worse than English-speaking Hispanics and NH whites on demographically unadjusted NIHTB-CB Fluid Composite scores (ps < .01). Results on individual measures comprising the Fluid Composite showed significant group differences on tests of executive inhibitory control (p = .001), processing speed (p = .003), and working memory (p < .001), but not on tests of cognitive flexibility or episodic memory. Test performances were associated with language/cultural backgrounds in the Hispanic-Spanish group: better vocabularies and reading were predicted by being born outside the U.S., having Spanish as a first language, attending school outside the U.S., and speaking more Spanish at home. However, many of these same background factors were associated with worse Fluid Composites within the Hispanic-Spanish group. Conclusions: On tests of Fluid cognition, the Hispanic-Spanish group performed the poorest of all groups. Socio-demographic and linguistic factors were associated with those differences. These findings highlight the importance of considering language/cultural backgrounds when interpreting neuropsychological test performances. Importantly, after applying previously published NIHTB-CB norms with demographic corrections, these language/ethnic group differences are eliminated.     

Short-burst interval treadmill training walking capacity and performance in cerebral palsy: a pilot study

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To examine the effect of short-burst interval locomotor treadmill training (SBLTT) on walking capacity and performance in cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: Twelve children with spastic diplegic CP (average 8.6 years) across Gross Motor Function Classification System levels II (8) and III (4) were randomized to 20 SBLTT sessions over 4 or 10 weeks. SBLTT consisted of alternating 30 seconds of slow and fast walking for 30 minutes/session. Outcomes included the 10 m walk test, one-minute walk test (1MWT), and timed-up-and go (TUG) (capacity) and StepWatch (performance) collected at baseline, post, and 6 weeks post. Results: Fast speed (+.11, p = .04; +.11 m/s, p = .006), 1MWT (+11.2; +11.7 m, p = .006) and TUG (?1.7; ?1.9 seconds, p = .006) improved post SBLTT and 6 weeks, respectively. Walking performance increased: average strides/day (+948; +1712, p < .001) and percent time in high strides rates (+0.4, p = 0.07; +0.2, p = .008). Conclusions: Pilot study suggests SBLTT may improve short-term walking capacity and performance.     

Cross-cultural Adaptation,Reliability, and Validity of the BICAMS in Brazil

Objective: To investigate the reliability and validity of a Brazilian-Portuguese adaptation of the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS). Method: A Brazilian sample of 58 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and 58 healthy controls (HC) were administered the Brazilian-Portuguese BICAMS test battery, comprising the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), California Verbal Learning Test Second Edition (CVLT2), and the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test Revised (BVMTR). Mean differences between groups on BICAMS tests were assessed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), controlling for age, gender, education, anxiety, and depression. Test–retest data were obtained from 49 of the MS patients, two weeks after the initial assessment. Results: The MS patient group scored significantly lower on all BICAMS tests (CVLT2 F_1,110 = 28.99, p < .001; BVMTR F_1,110 = 7.77, p < .01; SDMT F_1,110 = 21.09, p < .001). Mixed-factor ANCOVAs tested differences in learning curves across trials for CVLT2 and BVMTR. HCs had significantly steeper learning curves on both CVLT2 (F_1,111 = 10.82, p < .01) and BVMTR (F_1,110 = 7.816, p < .01). These findings support diagnostic validity of the Brazilian-Portuguese adaptation. Test–retest reliability was satisfactory for SDMT, CVLT2, and BVMTR (.86, .84, and .77, respectively). Conclusion: The results suggest that this Brazilian version of the BICAMS will be a valid and reliable measure once complete normative data become available.     

Interpreting facial expression and communication competence following severe traumatic brain injury

Background: Facial expression is generally understood as playing a crucial role in communication, conveying both information and emotion. This study explored the nexus between the ability to interpret facial expression and communication competence for individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Aims: Three research questions were addressed. The first two questions involved a comparison of TBI and control participants on perceived communication competence, and ability to interpret facial expression. The third research question addressed whether a relationship exists between ability to interpret facial expression and perceived communication competence, in individuals with TBI.

Methods & Procedures: Participants included 12 individuals with severe TBI (PTA>7 days), and a group of matched controls. A measure of perceived communication competence (the La Trobe Communication Questionnaire, LCQ) and a measure related to the interpretation of facial expression (the Emotion Evaluation Test) were administered to TBI and control participants All participants nominated a “close‐other” who completed the close‐other form of the LCQ.

Outcomes & Results: Results revealed that TBI participants were perceived to have significantly more difficulties with communication than control participants (p = .002). Similarly, results also revealed that TBI participants had significantly more difficulty interpreting facial expression than control participants (p<.001). Pearson's Correlation Coefficient (r) calculations demonstrated a significant relationship between ability to interpret facial expression and close‐other perception of communication competence (r = .532).

Conclusions: Results are consistent with previous research, and suggest that ability to interpret facial expression is closely related to perceived communication competence, in individuals with TBI. This understanding has implications for rehabilitation and may inform the development of treatment strategies specifically targeting impairment in the ability to read facial expression.     

Relationship Between Alcohol Use,Spirituality, and Coping

Authors investigated a relationship between the frequency of alcohol consumption, spirituality, and coping with everyday life events in a cross-sectional, community-based sample of 320 adults in Ukraine, the country with one of the highest alcohol consumption levels in the world. Face-to-face interviews with participants took place in rural and urban locations across Eastern, Southern, and Central Ukraine. Results of the ordinary least-squares regression suggest that a higher frequency of alcohol consumption was related with the lower use of positive reappraisal (β = ?.27, p < .001), higher use of escape-avoidance (β = .23, p < .01) and confrontive (β = .15, p < .05) coping strategies, lower spirituality (β = ?.20, p < .001), and younger age (β = ?.11, p < .05). On the whole, current findings suggest that specific coping behaviors, younger age, and lower spirituality are involved in higher frequency of alcohol consumption among Ukrainian adults.     

Subjective cognitive complaints and neuropsychological performance in former smokers with and without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objective: This study examined the association of perceived cognitive difficulties with objective cognitive performance in former smokers. We hypothesized that greater perceived cognitive difficulties would be associated with poorer performance on objective executive and memory tasks.

Method: Participants were 95 former smokers recruited from the COPDGene study. They completed questionnaires (including the Cognitive Difficulties Scale [CDS] and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]), neuropsychological assessment, and pulmonary function testing. Pearson correlations and t-tests were conducted to examine the bivariate association of the CDS (total score and subscales for attention/concentration, praxis, delayed recall, orientation for persons, temporal orientation, and prospective memory) with each domain of objective cognitive functioning (memory recall, executive functioning/processing speed, visuospatial processing, and language). Simultaneous multiple linear regression was used to further examine all statistically significant bivariate associations. The following covariates were included in all regression models: age, sex, pack-years, premorbid functioning (WRAT-IV Reading), HADS total score, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) status (yes/no based on GOLD criteria).

Results: In regression models, greater perceived cognitive difficulties overall (using CDS total score) were associated with poorer performance on executive functioning/processing speed tasks (b = ?0.07, SE = 0.03, p = .037). Greater perceived cognitive difficulties on the CDS praxis subscale were associated with poorer performance on executive functioning/processing speed tasks (b = ?3.65, SE = 1.25, p = .005), memory recall tasks (b = ?4.60, SE = 1.75, p = .010), and language tasks (b = ?3.89, SE = 1.39, p = .006).

Conclusions: Clinicians should be aware that cognitive complaints may be indicative of problems with the executive functioning/processing speed and memory of former smokers with and without COPD.     

Effects of group versus individual therapy for patients with memory disorder after an acquired brain injury: A randomized,controlled study

Introduction: This randomized, controlled, single-blind study compared the efficacy of group versus individual memory rehabilitation therapy for patients with acquired brain injury (ABI). Subjects (N = 65) were assigned to individual (IT), group (GT), or no (NT) therapy during the three-week rehabilitation program. A neuropsychological assessment was conducted before treatment, immediately after completing treatment, and 4 months after completing treatment. Three levels of functioning were assessed: participation, disability, and impairment. The primary outcome measure was the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT). The results of the cognitive measures in the three groups at subsequent assessments were compared, and the effect sizes were calculated to investigate the magnitude of improvement.

Results: There were no significant changes in self-reported patient memory problems for the participation-level measures. However, relatives of participants in the GT group reported a decreased frequency of memory failures (p = .026). According to the ability-level measure (RBMT), both therapeutic groups had similar significant improvements (p < .001), and the effect sizes were large in both groups. Although the NT group also improved (p = .015), the effect size was small. The differences between the three groups were not significant according to analysis of variance (ANOVA). However, after therapy was completed, only the GT group continued to improve (p = .013). For the impairment-level measures, the IT group showed significant improvement post treatment in three out of four measures (p < .05). This group had medium effect sizes, while the other groups showed a small or marginal effect.

Conclusions: Cognitive rehabilitation – either in a group or individually – led to equally enhanced memory functioning in ABI patients, but the effects were not significantly different from those for patients in the NT group. GT and IT had specific effects on different levels of functioning.     

The 5:36 Express from Paddington Station

ABSTRACT

A pre-post design including 22 females was used to evaluate the effectiveness of neurofeedback in the treatment of adolescent anorexia nervosa. Resting EEG measures and a psychological test-battery assessing eating behavior traits, clinical symptoms, emotionality, and mood were obtained. While both the experimental (n = 10) and control group (n = 12) received their usual maintenance treatment, the experimental group received 10 sessions of individual alpha frequency training over a period of 5 weeks as additional treatment. Significant training effects were shown in eating behavior traits, emotion regulation, and in relative theta power in the eyes closed condition. Although the results are limited due to the small sample size, these are the first empirical data demonstrating the benefits of neurofeedback as a treatment adjunct in individuals with anorexia nervosa.     

Multicomponent analysis of a digital Trail Making Test

Objective: The purpose of the current study was to use a newly developed digital tablet-based variant of the TMT to isolate component cognitive processes underlying TMT performance.Method: Similar to the paper-based trail making test, this digital variant consists of two conditions, Part A and Part B. However, this digital version automatically collects additional data to create component subtest scores to isolate cognitive abilities. Specifically, in addition to the total time to completion and number of errors, the digital Trail Making Test (dTMT) records several unique components including the number of pauses, pause duration, lifts, lift duration, time inside each circle, and time between circles. Participants were community-dwelling older adults who completed a neuropsychological evaluation including measures of processing speed, inhibitory control, visual working memory/sequencing, and set-switching. The abilities underlying TMT performance were assessed through regression analyses of component scores from the dTMT with traditional neuropsychological measures.Results: Results revealed significant correlations between paper and digital variants of Part A (r_s = .541, p < .001) and paper and digital versions of Part B (r_s = .799, p < .001). Regression analyses with traditional neuropsychological measures revealed that Part A components were best predicted by speeded processing, while inhibitory control and visual/spatial sequencing were predictors of specific components of Part B. Exploratory analyses revealed that specific dTMT-B components were associated with a performance-based medication management task.Conclusions: Taken together, these results elucidate specific cognitive abilities underlying TMT performance, as well as the utility of isolating digital components.     

Clinical outcomes in older surgical patients with mild cognitive impairment

Introduction

Older adults, including those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), are increasingly undergoing surgery.

National Association of Psychometrists: 2015 professional practices and salary survey of U.S. and Canadian psychometrists

Objective: The National Association of Psychometrists (NAP) conducted a salary survey to collect data regarding common practices and income of individuals employed as psychometrists. Methods: An email with a survey link was sent to NAP members and posted on the NAP website. There were 118 responses; most from the United States. Results: Canadian data was excluded from compensation analysis due to imprecision in the survey/exchange rates. Most respondents reported full time employment. Respondents’ educations were equally split between bachelor’s and master’s degrees. More than half reported hourly compensation. Most psychometrists see one patient a day and the most frequent age range was adults between 17–59 years old. Administration times ranged from 3-5 h, except in young pediatric populations. Two hours was the most commonly reported amount of time needed to score a test battery. The average hourly wage was $23.00 ± 4.96. Certified psychometrists reported higher average hourly wages (M = 24.57, SD = 4.73) compared to those who are not certified (M = 21.53, SD = 4.76). This difference was statistically significant (p < .001) with a medium effect size (d = .64). Results of the survey also showed a significant increase in income based on years of experience as a psychometrist. Conclusions: The current survey may be used as a baseline for further study of the income and practices of psychometrists in the United States and Canada.     

The feasibility and effectiveness of using prism adaptation to treat motor and spatial dysfunction in stroke survivors with multiple incidents of stroke

Background Strokes resulting in cognitive and motor problems can be debilitating and prolong recovery. Risk of a second stroke occurs for 40% of all first-time stroke survivors within five years. Prism adaptation treatment (PAT) may simultaneously improve functions of both spatial and motor systems. This has not been studied with a cohort comprised of multiple strokes nor measured change using specific motor outcomes.

Objectives To determine the feasibility and effectiveness of using PAT to improve spatial and motor functions in stroke survivors with multiple strokes.

Method A prospective intervention with retrospective comparison. Thirteen participants from an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) comprised the treatment group; 13 others who only received standard care comprised the comparison group. Treatment group tested on: 4 motor and 3 spatial outcome measures before and after the 10 PAT sessions. The comparison group tested on: 1 motor and 3 spatial measures before and after standard care.

Results Thirteen participants successfully completed the PAT. Both groups improved on measures of spatial neglect over time (p < .001), but the treatment group showed greater improvement on two subtests of spatial function (Behavior inattention test) (p = .001 &; p = .002). Similarly, both groups improved in motor function (Functional independence measure) (p < .001), although the treatment group’s improvement was not statistically significant against the comparison group (p = .853).

Conclusion PAT is a feasible treatment for stroke survivors with multiple strokes. PAT did improve spatial neglect function more than standard care, only at one level of analysis of standard paper and pencil measures. Further research is necessary.