Perceived threat in compliance and adherence research

Within the broader agenda of adherence research, health beliefs have been identified as being significant predictors of adherence. Specifically, perceived threat as a health belief has received considerable attention in compliance and adherence research from multiple perspectives in multiple patient populations. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the concept of perceived threat as it relates to treatment adherence through a series of perspectives: conceptual, methodological, and empirical. Analysis of the literature reveals that there is lack of consistency in operationalization of perceived threat as it relates to treatment adherence. Perceived threat is most commonly cited in studies that focus on health beliefs or utilize a stress and coping paradigm. Instruments have been developed with items that measure perceived threat. Measures of threat occur primarily through uni-dimensional measures that do not reflect the inter-relatedness of the threat experience to personal and contextual factors. Future research examining perceived threat from a cognitive appraisal perspective, where both primary and secondary appraisals can be examined, may provide additional insight into factors affecting treatment adherence.     

The role of therapist adherence,therapist competence,and alliance in predicting outcome of individual drug counseling: Results from the National Institute Drug Abuse Collaborative Cocaine Treatment Study

Abstract

This study tested hypotheses related to linear and curvilinear relations among adherence, competence, and outcome and interactions of these effects with the quality of the therapeutic alliance among patients (N=95) who received individual drug counseling as part of the National Institute on Drug Abuse Collaborative Cocaine Treatment Study. Results support a hypothesized curvilinear relation between adherence and outcome as well as an interaction between this curvilinear effect and alliance early in treatment. For patients with a strong therapeutic alliance, counselor adherence to the treatment model was essentially irrelevant to treatment outcome. When the alliance was weaker, by contrast, a moderate (vs. high or low) level of counselor adherence was associated with the best outcome. The current results suggest that studies of the relation between therapist's adherence to models of treatment and outcome may need to take into account the complex moderating effect of therapeutic alliance.

Diese Studie testete Hypothesen bezüglich linearer und kurvilinearer Beziehungen zwischen vorgabegetreuem Vorgehen, Kompetenz und Erfolg, sowie der Interaktion zwischen diesen Variablen und der Qualität der therapeutischen Allianz bei Patienten (n?=?95), die individuelle Drogenberatung im Rahmen der gemeinsamen Drogenabhängigkeits-Behandlungs-Studie des Nationalen Instituts zur Kokain-Abhängigkeit erhielten. Die Ergebnisse unterstützten die vorhergesagte kurvilineare Beziehung zwischen vorgabegetreuem Vorgehen und dem Ergebnis, sowie einer Interaktion dieses kurvilinearen Effekts und der Allianz zu einem frühen Zeitpunkt der Behandlung. Für Patienten mit einer starken therapeutischen Allianz war das vorgabengetreue Vorgehen des Beraters zum Behandlungsmodell für das Behandlungsergebnis ohne Einfluss. Dagegen zeigte ein moderat vorgabengetreues Vorgehen des Beraters (im Vergleich zu einem hohen oder niedrigen Festhalten an den Vorgaben) den besten Erfolg, wenn die Allianz schwächer war. Die vorliegenden Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass Studien zur Beziehung zwischen einem Vorgehen des Therapeuten konform zu den Behandlungsrichtlinien und dem Ergebnis den komplexen Moderatoreffekt der therapeutischen Allianz berücksichtigen müssen.

Cette étude a testé des hypothèses au sujet de relations linéaires et curvilinéaires entre adhérence, compétence et résultat, et des interactions de ces effets avec la qualité de l'alliance thérapeutique chez des patients (N?=?95) qui avaient reçu du counseling individuel pour abus de drogues dans le cadre de l'Etude en Collaboration de l'Institut National pour l'Abus de Drogues sur le Traitement de la Cocaïne. Les résultats apportent du soutien à l'hypothèse d'une relation curvilinéaire entre adhérence et résultat ainsi que d'une interaction entre cet effet curvilinéaire et l'alliance en phase précoce du traitement. Pour les patients avec une alliance thérapeutique forte, l'adhérence du conseiller au modèle de traitement ne jouait pas de rôle essentiel pour le résultat du traitement. En cas d'alliance plus faible, par contre, un niveau modéré (versus haut ou bas) d'adhérence du conseiller était associé avec le meilleur résultat. Ces résultats suggèrent que des études de la relation entre l'adhérence du thérapeute à un modèle de traitement et le résultat devraient tenir compte l'effet de modération complexe de l'alliance thérapeutique.

Este estudio testeó hipótesis vinculadas con las relaciones lineales y curvilíneas entre adherencia, competencia y resultado así también como interacciones de estos efectos con la calidad de la alianza terapéutica entre pacientes (n?=?95) que recibieron Cunseling individual por drogas como parte del Estudio Colaborativo del tratamiento por cocaína del Instituto Nacional para el Abuso de Drogas. Los resultados apoyaron la hipótesis de la relación curvilineal entre adherencia y resultado, así también como la interacción entre este efecto curvilineal y la alianza temprana. Para los pacientes con una fuerte alianza terapéutica, la adherencia del consejero al modelo de tratamiento fue totalmente irrelevante al resultado. En los casos en los que la alianza fue más débil, en cambio, un nivel de adherencia del consejero (ni alta ni baja) estuvo asociada con el resultado mejor. Estos resultados sugieren que los estudios de la relación entre la adherencia del terapeuta a los modelos de tratamiento y resultado han de tener en cuenta el efecto moderador de la alianza terapéutica.

Let me know pls if this is all. Best, Beatriz

Il ruolo dell'adesione e della competenza del terapeuta ed il ruolo dell'alleanza nella previsione dell'esito del counseling individuale per le droghe: i risultati dall'Istituto Nazionale sull'abuso di droghe in equipe con lo Studio di trattamento della cocaina. Questo studio ha valutato le ipotesi collegate alle relazioni lineari e curvilinee tra adesione, competenza ed esito e le interazioni tra questi effetti con la qualità dell'alleanza terapeutica in pazienti (N: 95) che hanno ricevuto un counseling individuale sulle droghe come parte dello Studio di trattamento della cocaina in collaborazione con l'Istituto Nazionale di abuso di droghe.

I risultati supportano un'ipotizzata relazione curvilinea tra adesione ed esito, così come un'interazione tra questo effetto curvilineo e l'alleanza all'inizio del trattamento.

Per i pazienti con una forte alleanza terapeutica, l'adesione del counselor al modello di trattamento è stata essenzialmente irrilevante rispetto all'esito del trattamento. Quando l'alleanza era pi[ugrave] debole, al contrario, un moderato (verso l'alto o il basso) livello di adesione del counselor è stato associato con un miglior esito.

I risultati attuali suggeriscono che gli studi sulla relazione tra l'adesione del terapeuta ai modelli di trattamento e l'esito potrebbero aver bisogno di considerare il complesso effetto moderatore dell'alleanza terapeutica.

Este estudo estudou as hipóteses de relação linear e curvilínea entre adesão, competência e resultado e as interacç[otilde]es destes efeitos com a qualidade da aliança terapêutica em pacientes (N=95) que receberam aconselhamento individual para toxicodependência como parte do Estudo Colaborativo do Tratamento da Dependência da Cocaína do Instituto Nacional para o Abuso de Drogas. Os resultados apoiaram a relação curvilínea entre adesão e resultado, bem como uma interacção entre este efeito curvilíneo e aliança inicial. Para pacientes com uma forte aliança terapêutica, a adesão do terapeuta ao modelo terapêutico era, essencialmente, irrelevante para os resultados do tratamento. Quando a aliança era mais fraca, em contrate, um nível moderado (vs. baixo ou elevado) de adesão do terapeuta estava associado a melhores resultados. Estes resultados sugerem que estudos da relação entre adesão do terapeuta a modelos de tratamento e resultados terapêuticos podem necessitar de ter em consideração o efeito moderador complexo da aliança terapêutica.

     

Evaluation of acetylcholinesterase in an animal model of mania induced by d-amphetamine

The present study aims to investigate the effects of mood stabilizers, lithium (Li) and valproate (VPA), on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the brains of rats subjected to an animal model of mania induced by d-amphetamine (d-AMPH). In the reversal treatment, Wistar rats were first given d-AMPH or saline (Sal) for 14 days. Between days 8 and 14, the rats were treated with Li, VPA, or Sal. In the prevention treatment, rats were pretreated with Li, VPA, or Sal. AChE activity was measured in the brain structures (prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum). Li, alone in reversion and prevention treatments, increased AChE activity in the brains of rats. VPA, alone in prevention treatment, increased AChE activity in all brain regions evaluated; in the reversion, only in the prefrontal. However, d-AMPH decreased activity of AChE in the striatum of rats in both the reversion and prevention treatments. VPA was able to revert and prevent this AChE activity alteration in the rat striatum. Our findings further support the notion that the mechanisms of mood stabilizers also involve changes in AChE activity, thus reinforcing the need for more studies to better characterize the role of acetylcholine in bipolar disorder.     

SARS-CoV-2 Monitoring in Wastewater Reveals Novel Variants and Biomarkers of Infection

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is a popular tool for the early indication of community spread of infectious diseases. WBE emerged as an effective tool during the COVID-19 pandemic and has provided meaningful information to minimize the spread of infection. Here, we present a combination of analyses using the correlation of viral gene copies with clinical cases, sequencing of wastewater-derived RNA for the viral mutants, and correlative analyses of the viral gene copies with the bacterial biomarkers. Our study provides a unique platform for potentially using the WBE-derived results to predict the spread of COVID-19 and the emergence of new variants of concern. Further, we observed a strong correlation between the presence of SARS-CoV-2 and changes in the microbial community of wastewater, particularly the significant changes in bacterial genera belonging to the families of Lachnospiraceae and Actinomycetaceae. Our study shows that microbial biomarkers could be utilized as prediction tools for future infectious disease surveillance and outbreak responses. Overall, our comprehensive analyses of viral spread, variants, and novel bacterial biomarkers will add significantly to the growing body of literature on WBE and COVID-19.     

Digitalization of routine health information systems: Bangladesh,Indonesia, Pakistan

ObjectiveTo describe a systematic process of transforming paper registers into a digital system optimized to enhance service provision and fulfil reporting requirements.MethodsWe designed a formative study around primary health workers providing reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health services in three countries in Bangladesh, Indonesia and Pakistan. The study ran from November 2014 to June 2018. We developed a prototype digital application after conducting a needs assessment of health workers’ responsibilities, workflows, routine data requirements and service delivery needs. Methods included desk reviews, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews; data mapping of paper registers; observations of health workers; co-design workshops with health workers; and usability testing. Finally, we conducted an observational feasibility assessment to monitor uptake of the application.FindingsResearchers reviewed a total of 17 paper registers across the sites, which we transformed into seven modules within a digital application running on mobile devices. Modules corresponded to the services provided, including household enumeration, antenatal care, family planning, immunization, nutrition and child health. A total of 65 health workers used the modules during the feasibility assessment, and average weekly form submissions ranged from 8 to 234, depending on the health worker and their responsibilities. We also observed variability in the use of modules, requiring consistent monitoring support for health workers.ConclusionLessons learnt from this study shaped key global initiatives and resulted in a software global good. The deployment of digital systems requires well-designed applications, change management and strengthening human resources to realize and sustain health system gains.     

Sirolimus for progressive neurofibromatosis type 1–associated plexiform neurofibromas: a Neurofibromatosis Clinical Trials Consortium phase II study

BackgroundPlexiform neurofibromas (PNs) are benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors that arise in one-third of individuals with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). They may cause significant disfigurement, compression of vital structures, neurologic dysfunction, and/or pain. Currently, the only effective management strategy is surgical resection. Converging evidence has demonstrated that the NF1 tumor suppressor protein, neurofibromin, negatively regulates activity in the mammalian Target of Rapamycin pathway.MethodsWe employed a 2-strata clinical trial design. Stratum 1 included subjects with inoperable, NF1-associated progressive PN and sought to determine whether sirolimus safely and tolerably increases time to progression (TTP). Volumetric MRI analysis conducted at regular intervals was used to determine TTP relative to baseline imaging.ResultsThe estimated median TTP of subjects receiving sirolimus was 15.4 months (95% CI:14.3–23.7 mo), which was significantly longer than 11.9 months (P < .001), the median TTP of the placebo arm of a previous PN clinical trial with similar eligibility criteria.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that sirolimus prolongs TTP by almost 4 months in patients with NF1-associated progressive PN. Although the improvement in TTP is modest, given the lack of significant or frequent toxicity and the availability of few other treatment options, the use of sirolimus to slow the growth of progressive PN could be considered in select patients.