Moving on the spectrum: Dance/movement therapy as a potential early intervention tool for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

The rising number of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnoses, in addition to the ability to recognize the disorder early, has led to much interest in early intervention tools. This theoretical work examines how dance/movement therapy (DMT) might be applied to address the early developmental connections between social and communication challenges and early motor maturation in young children diagnosed with ASDs. As a foundation for this discussion, literature pertaining to the early relationship of motor challenges and social/communication deficits is reviewed. A theoretical framework is proposed that promotes the integration and early development of these two realms based on DMT interventions and principles in children at high risk for or diagnosed with an ASD.     

Effectiveness of nurse-led brief alcohol intervention: a cluster randomized controlled trial

AIM: This paper reports an evaluation of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of nurse-led screening and brief intervention in reducing excessive alcohol consumption among patients in primary health care. BACKGROUND: Excessive alcohol consumption is a major source of social, economic and health problems. However, such consumption is responsive to brief alcohol intervention. To date, brief intervention research in primary health care has focused on general practitioner-led interventions, and there is only circumstantial evidence of effectiveness in nurse-led interventions. However, nurses are increasingly taking a lead in health promotion work in primary care. METHODS: A pragmatic cluster-randomized controlled trial was carried out between August 2000 and June 2003 to evaluate the effects of a brief intervention compared with standard advice (control condition). A total of 40 general practice clusters (intervention = 21 and control = 19) recruited 127 patients (intervention = 67 and control = 60) to the trial. Excessive consumption was identified opportunistically via the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. After baseline assessment, patients received either a 5-10 minutes brief intervention using the 'Drink-Less' protocol or standard advice (control condition). Follow-up occurred at 6 and 12 months postintervention. RESULTS: Analysis of variance weighted for cluster size revealed no statistically significant differences between intervention and control patients at follow up. A majority of patients in both conditions reduced their alcohol consumption between assessment and subsequent measurement. Economic analysis suggested that the brief intervention led to no statistically significant changes in subsequent health service resource use relative to standard treatment. CONCLUSION: The brief intervention evaluated in this trial had no effect over standard advice delivered by nurses in primary health care. However, there was a reduction in excessive drinking across both arms of the trial over time. Due to nurse drop-out, this trial was significantly underpowered. Future research should explore barriers to nurses' involvement in research trials, particularly with an alcohol focus. A larger trial is required to evaluate the effectiveness of nurse-led screening and brief alcohol intervention in primary care.     

Speech and language development in 2-year-old children with cerebral palsy

Objective: We examined early speech and language development in children who had cerebral palsy. Questions addressed whether children could be classified into early profile groups on the basis of speech and language skills and whether there were differences on selected speech and language measures among groups.

Methods: Speech and language assessments were completed on 27 children with CP who were between the ages of 24 and 30 months (mean age 27.1 months; SD 1.8). We examined several measures of expressive and receptive language, along with speech intelligibility.

Results: Two-step cluster analysis was used to identify homogeneous groups of children based on their performance on the seven dependent variables characterizing speech and language performance. Three groups of children identified were those not yet talking (44% of the sample); those whose talking abilities appeared to be emerging (41% of the sample); and those who were established talkers (15% of the sample). Group differences were evident on all variables except receptive language skills.

Conclusion: 85% of 2-year-old children with CP in this study had clinical speech and/or language delays relative to age expectations. Findings suggest that children with CP should receive speech and language assessment and treatment at or before 2 years of age.     

Arts-based social skills interventions for adolescents with acquired brain injuries: Five case reports

Objective: Previous research has demonstrated the value of arts-based programs for adolescents with childhood brain disorder to facilitate social skills and participation. The current study extends this work by examining the feasibility and effectiveness of an arts-based intervention for youth with acquired brain injuries (ABI).

Methods: A case study approach was used with four adolescent participants and one case control. A battery of quantitative measures were administered four and one week pre-intervention, one week post-intervention, as well six to eight month post-intervention.

Results: Improvements in pragmatic communication skills and social and participation goals were observed across intervention participants. Similar improvements were not seen with the case control participant.

Conclusion: Results support the use of an arts-based intervention for youth with ABI to facilitate social skills and participation. Findings also highlight the need for more sensitive measures of these skills for these youth. Suggested guidelines for program implementation are provided.     

脑卒中后遗症病人社区康复和预防的研究现状

从转变康复观念、矫正不良行为、调整影响因素、提供康复服务方面，综述了脑卒中后遗症病人社区康复的现状，并对脑卒中的预防进行了分析。     

严重脑外伤患者术后废用综合征的护理干预

目的探讨护理干预对严重脑外伤患者术后废用综合征的影响。方法选取严重脑外伤患者60例,按随机数字法分为观察组与对照组,对照组采用常规护理方法,观察组在对照组基础上另予一系列系统、专业的护理指导,对比2组患者护理干预前及干预1个月和3个月时的日常生活活动能力(ADL)评分以及废用综合征发生率。结果护理前,2组患者ADL评分差异无统计学意义(P0.05);护理干预1个月及3个月时,观察组的ADL评分及废用综合征发生率均优于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论在严重脑外伤患者术后实施护理干预,可降低废用综合征的发生率,提高患者生活质量,促进患者早日回归社会,值得临床推广应用。     

�����Ԥ����������������������ЧӰ���о�

??Abstract??Objective To explore the influence of psychological intervention on juvenile patients in psychology and orthodontic treatment. Methods A total of 62 juvenile patients receiving orthodontic treatment were divided equally into two groups. Patients in control group only received routine orthodontic treatment and were told something to be noted??while patients in experimental group received psychological intervention and orthodontic treatment. A comparative study was carried out according to the Self-rating Anxiety Scale??SAS??and Self-rating Depression Scale??SDS??. Results There were higher prevalence of anxiety and depression in juvenile patients before receiving orthodontic treatment??and there was no significant difference between two groups. The psychological intervention patients in experimental group had lower scores than the control group in both SAS and SDS??P??0.05????and there was significant difference between two groups. After nearly 2 years of treatment??there was also significant difference between two groups in the treatment effect. Conclusion Psychological intervention can reduce the anxiety and depression of patients receiving orthodontic treatment and has greatly improved the curative effect of orthodontic treatment.     

心理干预对胃癌患者心理健康状况的影响

目的探讨心理干预对胃癌患者心理状况的影响。方法对32例胃癌患者进行心理状况调查。根据每个患者的测评结果实施有针对性的心理与行为方式干预措施，比较干预前后患者心理健康状况。结果心理干预前后。除偏执症状外，患者的强迫、人际关系敏感、抑郁、敌对、惊恐、精神病性等维度评分均存在统计学差异（均P〈0．05）。结论心理干预对胃癌患者负性心理状况有明显改善作用。