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Physiological Assessment (physiological + assessment)
Selected AbstractsDetection of Malingered PTSD: An Overview of Clinical, Psychometric, and Physiological Assessment: Where Do We Stand?JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, Issue 3 2007Ryan C. W. Hall M.D. ABSTRACT: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that can be easily malingered for secondary gain. For this reason, it is important for physicians to understand the phenomenology of true PTSD and indicators that suggest an individual is malingering. This paper reviews the prevalence of PTSD for both the general population and for specific events, such as rape and terrorism, to familiarize evaluators with the frequency of its occurrence. The diagnostic criteria for PTSD, as well as potential ambiguities in the criteria, such as what constitutes an exposure to a traumatic event, are reviewed. Identified risk factors are reviewed as a potential way to help differentiate true cases of PTSD from malingered cases. The question of symptom overreporting as a feature of the disease versus a sign of malingering is discussed. We then examine how the clinician can use the clinical interview (e.g., SIRS, CAPS), psychometric testing, and the patient's physiological responses to detect malingering. Particular attention is paid to research on the MMPI and the subscales of infrequency (F), infrequency-psychopathology (Fp), and infrequency-posttraumatic stress disorder (Fptsd). Research and questions regarding the accuracy of self-report questionnaires, specifically the Mississippi Scale (MSS) and the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI), are examined. Validity, usability, and cutoff values for other psychometric tests, checklists, and physiological tests are discussed. The review includes a case, which shows how an individual used symptom checklist information to malinger PTSD and the inconsistencies in his story that the evaluator detected. We conclude with a discussion regarding future diagnostic criteria and suggestions for research, including a systematic multifaceted approach to identify malingering. [source] Physiological assessment of muscle strength in vitro after direct injection of doxorubicin into rabbit sternocleidomastoid muscleMOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 4 2001Jon H. Falkenberg MS Abstract Doxorubicin chemomyectomy is a potent method for the permanent removal of a muscle or group of muscles after direct local injection, and has been used successfully to treat blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm patients. The efficacy of doxorubicin chemomyectomy on reducing muscle strength after direct injection of doxorubicin into rabbit sternocleidomastoid muscle was tested. One- and 6-month postinjection force assessment was performed in vitro to measure alterations in peak twitch and tetanic force generation, as well as fatigue responses for the treated muscles compared to control. There were significant reductions of both twitch and tetanic peak amplitudes in the doxorubicin-treated muscles. One month after treatment, the decreases in force were greater after 2 mg doxorubicin injections than after 1 mg doxorubicin. While there was a significant reduction in force generation after doxorubicin treatment, fatigue resistances for the doxorubicin-treated muscles were increased compared to the controls. There were significant reductions in muscle mass after doxorubicin treatment, and by 6 months, the myosin heavy chain isoform distribution was similar to normal sternocleidomastoid, except for an increase in slow myosin-positive fibers. Doxorubicin chemomyectomy resulted in a significant reduction in functional force generation in the treated sternocleidomastoid muscles. These findings suggest a potential clinical use of doxorubicin chemomyectomy to treat cervical dystonia patients. © 2001 Movement Disorder Society. [source] Cognitive-behavioral treatment for chronic nightmares in trauma-exposed persons: assessing physiological reactions to nightmare-related fearJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 4 2010Jamie L. Rhudy Abstract Cognitive-behavioral treatments (CBTs) that target nightmares are efficacious for ameliorating self-reported sleep problems and psychological distress. However, it is important to determine whether these treatments influence objective markers of nightmare-related fear, because fear and concomitant physiological responses could promote nightmare chronicity and sleep disturbance. This randomized, controlled study (N=40) assessed physiological (skin conductance, heart rate, facial electromyogram) and subjective (displeasure, fear, anger, sadness, arousal) reactions to personally relevant nightmare imagery intended to evoke nightmare-related fear. Physiological assessments were conducted at pretreatment as well as 1-week, 3-months, and 6-months posttreatment. Results of mixed effects analysis of variance models suggested treatment reduced physiological and subjective reactions to nightmare imagery, gains that were generally maintained at the 6-month follow-up. Potential implications are discussed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 66: 1,18, 2010. [source] Physiological monitoring in acute stroke: a literature reviewJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 6 2007Stephanie P. Jones Abstract Title.,Physiological monitoring in acute stroke: a literature review Aim., This paper is a report of a review of the literature that considers how physiological parameters may affect outcome after stroke and the implications of this evidence for monitoring. Background., Throughout the world, the incidence of first-ever stroke is approximately 200 per 100,000 people per year [Sudlow et al. (1997)Stroke28, 491]. Stroke is the third most common cause of mortality [Sarti et al. (2000) Stroke31, 1588] and causes 5·54 million deaths worldwide [Murray & Lopez (1997) Lancet349, 268]. Physiological monitoring is considered a fundamental component of acute stroke care. Currently, the strength of evidence to support its use and identify its components is unclear. Nurse-led physiological assessment and subsequent interventions in acute stroke may have the potential to improve survival and reduce disability. Data sources., Online bibliographic databases from 1966 to 2007, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED, Cochrane and ZETOC, were searched systematically. We identified 475 published papers relating to blood pressure, oxygen saturation and positioning, blood glucose and body temperature. Review methods., Titles and abstracts were reviewed independently by two reviewers and 61 relevant studies were read in full. The quality of included studies was assessed and proformas were used to record detailed data. A narrative synthesis described how the evidence from the papers could inform our understanding of physiological parameters and their association with outcome. Results., Current evidence suggests that patient outcome is worse when physiological parameters deviate from ,normal' in the acute phase of stroke. Conclusions., The evidence supports the need for monitoring and recording of blood pressure, oxygen saturation (including consideration of positioning), blood glucose and body temperature in the acute phase of stroke. This review has reinforced the importance of monitoring physiological parameters in the acute phase of stroke and adds support to the recommendation that monitoring should play a key role within nursing care. [source] Phenotypic degeneration occurs during sector formation in Metarhizium anisopliaeJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2002M.J. Ryan Aims: ,The formation of sectors was observed during subculturing of an isolate of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae, a fungus used for biological control of insect pests. The aim of the investigation was to establish whether sector formation was accompanied by changes in physiological characters. Methods and Results: ,Four degenerative morphological states, with reduced sporulation capacity, were characterized. Subcultures were taken from each sector and four new culture lines established. The new lines were further subcultured every 21 d. A physiological assessment of each line was undertaken after 42 d using TLC of secondary metabolites and fluorogenic enzyme tests. Full sporulation capacity was not regained on subculture, although some cultures recovered partially. Changes in secondary metabolite profiles and the loss in detection of activity of specific enzymes were observed. Conclusions: ,Sector formation was frequently accompanied by changes in the ability to produce secondary metabolites and enzymes. Significance and Impact of Study: ,The results illustrate the importance of maintaining the stability of important cultures during routine subculture. The consequences could have significant implications if degenerate cultures are used as inocula for liquid fermentation cultures or industrial scale production. [source] Mouse isolated perfused heart: Characteristics and cautionsCLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 11 2003Fiona J Sutherland Summary 1.,Owing to the considerable potential for manipulating the murine genome and, as a consequence, the increasing availability of genetically modified models of cardiovascular diseases, the mouse is fast becoming a cornerstone of animal research. However, progress in the use of various murine preparations is hampered by the lack of facilities and skills for the adequate physiological assessment of genetically modified mice. 2.,We have attempted to address this problem by refining and characterizing a mouse isolated heart preparation that was originally developed for use with larger hearts. 3.,We used the isolated buffer-perfused Langendorff preparation (perfused at constant flow or constant pressure) to characterize: (i) the frequency,response characteristics; (ii) heart isolation conditions; (iii) perfusion chamber conditions; (iv) temperature,function relationships; (v) stability over extended periods of perfusion; (vi) perfusate calcium,function relationships; (vii) pressure,volume relationships; (viii) pressure,rate relationships; and (ix) flow,function relationships. [source] The Inhibitory Effects of Nicotine on Physiological Sexual Arousal in Nonsmoking Women: Results from a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Cross-Over TrialTHE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2008Christopher B. Harte BA ABSTRACT Introduction., Extensive research suggests that long-term cigarette smoking is an independent risk factor for the introduction of sexual dysfunction in men. However, results of limited data investigating this relationship in women are mixed. No studies have examined the acute effects of tobacco or nicotine on physiological sexual response in women. Controlled experimental studies examining acute effects of isolated nicotine intake on female physiological sexual responses are necessary in order to help elucidate tobacco's potential role in the development and/or maintenance of sexual impairment in women. Aim., To examine whether isolated nicotine intake acutely affects sexual arousal responses in nonsmoking women. Methods., Twenty-five sexually functional women (mean age = 20 years) each with less than 100 direct exposures to nicotine completed two counterbalanced conditions in which they were randomized to received either nicotine gum (6 mg) or placebo gum, both administered double-blind and matched for appearance, taste, and consistency, approximately 40 minutes prior to viewing an erotic film. Main Outcome Measures., Physiological (changes in vaginal pulse amplitude via vaginal photoplethysmography) and subjective (continuous self-report) sexual responses to erotic stimuli were examined, as well as changes in mood. Results., Nicotine significantly reduced genital responses to the erotic films (P = 0.05), corresponding to a 30% attenuation in physiological sexual arousal. This occurred in 11 of 18 women with valid physiological assessments. Nicotine had no significant effect on continuous self-report ratings of sexual arousal (P = 0.45), or on mood (all Ps > 0.05). Conclusions., Acute nicotine intake significantly attenuates physiological sexual arousal in healthy nonsmoking women. Our findings provide support to the hypothesis that nicotine may be the primary pharmacological agent responsible for genital hemodynamic disruption, thereby facilitating a cascade of biochemical and vascular events which may impair normal sexual arousal responses. Harte CB, and Meston CM. The inhibitory effects of nicotine on physiological sexual arousal in nonsmoking women: Results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial. J Sex Med 2008;5:1184,1197. [source] | ||||||||||