Fluency

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Medical Sciences

Kinds of Fluency

  • reading fluency
  • semantic fluency
  • verbal fluency

  • Terms modified by Fluency

  • fluency task
  • fluency test

  • Selected Abstracts


    Grade-Level Invariance of a Theoretical Causal Structure Predicting Reading Comprehension With Vocabulary and Oral Reading Fluency

    EDUCATIONAL MEASUREMENT: ISSUES AND PRACTICE, Issue 3 2005
    Paul Yovanoff
    This research investigates the relative importance of vocabulary and oral reading fluency as measurement dimensions of reading comprehension as the student passes from elementary to high school. Invariance of this model over grades 4 through 8 is tested using two independent student samples reading grade-level appropriate passages. Results from structural equation modeling indicate that the model is not invariant across grade levels. Vocabulary knowledge is a significant and constant predictor of overall reading comprehension irrespective of grade level. While significant, fluency effects diminish over grades, especially in the later grades. Lack of grade level invariance was obtained with both samples. Results are discussed in light of vertically linked reading assessments, adequate yearly progress, and instruction. [source]


    To Assign a Topic or Not: Observing Fluency and Complexity in Intermediate Foreign Language Writing

    FOREIGN LANGUAGE ANNALS, Issue 4 2008
    Joshua D. Bonzo Assistant ProfessorArticle first published online: 19 MAR 200
    Abstract: The present study examines the written products of third-semester German students' written productions during a timed, in-class writing activity. Topic selection control was modulated from instructor to student during eight 10-minute sessions. To account for order of treatment, two of the four groups were counterbalanced with the other two. Each written product was textually analyzed and categorized into a general fluency index and an overall grammatical complexity score, both of which were correlated and statistically analyzed (ANOVA). ANOVA results indicate that topic control did influence participants' written fluency but not grammatical complexity (though mean scores for complexity were higher during self-selected topic writing). Participants' overall level of fluency was significantly higher when they selected their own topics. [source]


    The Effects of a Fluency Intervention Program on the Fluency and Comprehension Outcomes of Middle-School Students with Severe Reading Deficits

    LEARNING DISABILITIES RESEARCH & PRACTICE, Issue 2 2010
    Sally A. Spencer
    Despite advances in the science of teaching reading, there still exists a small percentage of students who fail to make the expected progress in reading-related skills, notwithstanding attempts at intervention. Even if these struggling readers learn to decode adequately, fluency remains a problem for many, and little is known about the effectiveness of fluency interventions for older students with severe reading deficits. This study used a randomized experimental design to test the efficacy of a fluency intervention program on the word-identification and reading-comprehension outcomes of 60 middle-school students with severe reading delays. Results showed that students in the experimental group made more progress on standardized tests of reading fluency than students in the control group. No gains were seen in reading comprehension. [source]


    How Can We Improve the Accuracy of Screening Instruments?

    LEARNING DISABILITIES RESEARCH & PRACTICE, Issue 4 2009
    Evelyn S. Johnson
    Screening for early reading problems is a critical step in early intervention and prevention of later reading difficulties. Evaluative frameworks for determining the utility of a screening process are presented in the literature but have not been applied to many screening measures currently in use in numerous schools across the nation. In this study, the accuracy of several Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) subtests in predicting which students were at risk for reading failure in first grade was examined in a sample of 12,055 students in Florida. Findings indicate that the DIBELS Nonsense Word Fluency, Initial Sound Fluency, and Phoneme Segmentation Fluency measures show poor diagnostic utility in predicting end of Grade 1 reading performance. DIBELS Oral Reading Fluency in fall of Grade 1 had higher classification accuracy than other DIBELS measures, but when compared to the classification accuracy obtained by assuming that no student had a disability, suggests the need to reevaluate the use of classification accuracy as a way to evaluate screening measures without discussion of base rates. Additionally, when cut scores on the screening tools were set to capture 90 percent of all students at risk for reading problems, a high number of false positives were identified. Finally, different cut scores were needed for different subgroups, such as English Language Learners. Implications for research and practice are discussed. [source]


    Accuracy and Fluency in List and Context Reading of Skilled and RD Groups: Absolute and Relative Performance Levels

    LEARNING DISABILITIES RESEARCH & PRACTICE, Issue 4 2003
    Joseph R. Jenkins
    The purpose of this study was to examine (1) the performance levels and the magnitude of performance difference between students with reading disabilities (RD) and skilled readers when reading a typical classroom text; (2) the hypothesis that students with RD have specific difficulty using context in such a way that reading fluency is affected; and (3) whether RD subtypes may be differentiated according to performance on contextual and context-free reading tasks. Two groups of fourth graders (85 skilled readers and 24 students with RD) completed a standardized test of reading comprehension, read aloud a folktale, and read aloud the folktale's words in a randomly sequenced list. Performance was scored as correct rate and percentage correct. Based on the number of words per idea unit in the passage, we also estimated the rate at which reader groups encountered and processed text ideas. Compared to the RD group, skilled readers read three times more correct words per minute in context, and showed higher accuracy and rates on all measures. Both context and isolated word-reading rates were highly sensitive to impairment. We found no evidence for RD subtypes based on these measures. Results illustrate differences in reading levels between the two groups, the temporal advantage skilled readers have in linking text ideas, how word reading differs as a function of task format and performance dimension, and how limited word-identification skills (not comprehension) produce contextual reading difficulties for students with RD. [source]


    The effect of fluency training on math and reading skills in neuropsychiatric diagnosis children: a multiple baseline design

    BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS, Issue 1 2005
    Stephanie L. Hartnedy
    Fluency (fast and accurate responding) has been found to facilitate the retention, maintenance, endurance, and application of learned skills. Fluency training has been employed effectively in academic, vocational, industrial, and rehabilitative settings. Using a multiple baseline design, this study expanded previous applications by targeting academic deficits of children with neurological and psychiatric diagnoses in a residential treatment facility. Total response rates were measured in 60 second timed probes. Academic tool skills increased and error rates decreased for all participants after implementation of fluency training. Implications for improving attention to task and targeting minimum competency skills are discussed, as is determining the role that practice plays in increasing fluency rate. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Neuropsychological symptom dimensions in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia

    BIPOLAR DISORDERS, Issue 1-2 2007
    Pál Czobor
    Background:, While neurocognitive (NC) impairments have been well documented in schizophrenia (SZ), there is limited data as to whether similar impairments are present in other persistent mental illnesses. Recent data indicate that NC impairments may be manifested in bipolar disorder (BPD) and that they persist across disease states, including euthymia. An important question is whether a comparable structure of NC impairments is present in the 2 diagnostic groups. Objective:, In a previous factor analytic study, we identified 6 factors to describe the basic underlying structure of neuropsychological (NP) functioning in SZ: Attention, Working Memory, Learning, Verbal Knowledge, Non-Verbal Functions, Ideational Fluency. The goal of this study was to investigate whether this factor structure is generalizable for BPD. Methods:, The BPD sample included patients (n = 155) from an ongoing longitudinal study evaluating BPD at the time of hospitalization for relapse and at multiple time points over the following 2 years. The SZ sample included patients (n = 250) from a 3-year study. For the current examination the baseline NP evaluations were selected for both samples. Results:, Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses in the BPD sample yielded factors similar to those identified in the SZ sample. The coefficients of congruence ranged between 0.66,0.90 for the individual factors, indicating a good overall correspondence between the factor structures in the 2 diagnostic groups. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) analysis with education level, full scale-IQ, gender and ethnicity as covariates indicated that SZ patients had markedly worse performance on the Attention and Non-Verbal Functioning factors compared to the BPD patients. Conclusions:, Together, these data suggest that while the same underlying factor structure describes NP functioning in both groups, the profile of impairments appears to vary with the diagnosis. [source]


    Neurocognitive test performance predicts functional recovery from acute exacerbation leading to hospitalization in bipolar disorder

    BIPOLAR DISORDERS, Issue 1-2 2007
    Judith Jaeger
    Objective:, Bipolar disorder (BPD) is associated with significant functional morbidity at a rate which is particularly elevated among patients discharged from hospital. The aim of this study was to examine the degree to which neurocognitive test performance, measured following hospitalization for an acute affective episode, is predictive of functional recovery 1 year later. Methods:, Seventy-eight Zucker Hillside Hospital patients aged 18,59 years and having Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV diagnosis of bipolar I disorder (BPD I), bipolar II disorder (BPD II) or BPD not otherwise specified (NOS) confirmed through a rigorous diagnosis consensus procedure, underwent a comprehensive neurocognitive test battery after initial stabilization (baseline) and were followed for at least 12 months (follow-up). Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) and Clinician-Administered Rating Scale for Mania (CARS-M) ratings were made at baseline and follow-up. At follow-up, functionality was assessed using the Multidimensional Scale for Independent Functioning (MSIF). Logistic regression was used to examine the predictive value of each of six validated neurocognitive domains for determining functionality (MSIF) at follow-up. Baseline and follow-up HAM-D and CARS-M were entered as covariates as was number of days between baseline and follow-up. Results:, Attention and Ideational Fluency were significantly predictive of functional recovery 12 months later. Residual mania but not depression was associated with 12-month MSIF rating. Lithium and benzodiazepine treatment at the time of neurocognitive testing did not affect the results. Conclusions:, This is the first study examining the predictive value of neurocognitive deficits, independent of residual mania or depression, for long-term functional recovery following hospitalization. Selective neurocognitive deficits are predictive of long-term functional recovery and, as such, should be candidate targets in treatment and rehabilitation programs. [source]


    Comparing two programs of cognitive training in Alzheimer's disease: a pilot study

    ACTA NEUROLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 5 2002
    E. Farina
    Objectives ,,To evaluate the efficacy of two different procedures of individual cognitive training in mild to moderate Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Material and methods ,,Twenty-two AD patients entered the study. We compared stimulation of procedural memory (group 1) with training of partially spared cognitive functions (group 2). Assessment included: neuropsychological tests, scales, and the Functional Living Skills Assessment (FLSA), a standardized battery built to directly evaluate patients' performance in everyday life. Results ,,We observed a significant improvement for both groups after training in FLSA total score (P=0.005) and subscales. For group 1, we also found a slightly improved performance in two tests: Attentional Matrices (P=0.041), and Verbal Fluency for Letters (P=0.059). After 3 months, patients' results showed a tendency to regress to the pre-training level. Conclusion ,,Both AD groups showed a substantial improvement after training in a direct performance measure of everyday functioning. However, results at neuropsychological tests suggest that training activities of daily living (supported by procedural memory) may be more effective than stimulating `residual' cognitive functions. [source]


    99mTc-ethyl cysteinate dimer brain SPECT findings in early stage of dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's disease patients: a correlation with neuropsychological tests

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 1 2008
    C.-C. Chang
    We examined clinical presentations, neuropsychological findings, and perfusion patterns of 99mTc-ethyl cysteinate dimer (ECD) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in patients with early stage dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) (n = 17) and Parkinson's disease (PD) (n = 16), with age-matched healthy controls (n = 10). Seven paired regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn manually including inferior frontal, temporal, parietal, occipital, parieto-occipital junction, striatum and thalamus for semiquantitative measurement. Neuropsychological tests were applied for clinical correlation. The SPECT results showed significant hypoperfusion in DLB group in frontal, parietal, thalamus, temporal ROIs compared with controls (P < 0.01) whilst signals in temporal areas was significantly reduced compared with PD group (P < 0.05). Neuropsychological tests showed that DLB patients had deficits in mental manipulation, short-term memory, abstract thinking, drawing and semantic verbal fluencies (P < 0.05, compared with control). In addition, DLB group had lower scores than those with PD in mental manipulation, drawing and semantic verbal fluency (P < 0.05). Our study showed that even in early stages of DLB, neuropsychological and perfusion patterns were evident and may be different from PD group, despite they shared certain similarities both in neuropsychological and image findings compared with age-matched controls. [source]


    Visible light-induced killing of bacteria as a function of wavelength: Implication for wound healing

    LASERS IN SURGERY AND MEDICINE, Issue 6 2010
    Anat Lipovsky MSc
    Abstract Background and objective Visible light (400,800,nm) at high intensity was previously found to kill bacteria that are frequently found in infected wounds, while low-power white light enhances bacterial proliferation. The phototoxic effect was found to involve induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by the bacteria. The aim of the present study was to identify the most effective wavelengths in the visible range for inducing a bactericidal effect. Experimental ROS production in Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli as a function of wavelengths in the visible range (400,500, 500,800, 415, and 455,nm) was studied using the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spin trapping technique. The phototoxicity of 415 and 455,nm light at different fluencies on the survival of S. aureus and E. coli was assessed by colony count of the bacteria following irradiation. Results ROS production following blue (400,500,nm) light illumination was found to be higher than that of red (500,800,nm). Within the blue range, light of 415,nm induced more ROS than 455,nm, which correlated with results obtained for the reduction in colony count of S. aureus and E. coli following illumination using equal intensities of these two wavelengths. At low fluencies, both 415 and 455,nm enhanced proliferation of S. aureus but reduced viability of E. coli. Conclusion Intense blue light, preferably at 415,nm, could be used for bacterial eradication. However, it should be noted that low intensity of visible light can be dangerous since it may promote proliferation of the microorganisms. Lasers Surg. Med. 42:467,472, 2010. © 2010 Wiley,Liss, Inc. [source]


    Pulpal effects of enamel ablation with a microsecond pulsed ,,=,9.3-µm CO2 laser

    LASERS IN SURGERY AND MEDICINE, Issue 4 2009
    Michal Staninec DDS
    Abstract Background and Objectives In vitro studies have shown that CO2 lasers operating at the highly absorbed 9.3 and 9.6-µm wavelengths with a pulse duration in the range of 10,20-microsecond are well suited for the efficient ablation of enamel and dentin with minimal peripheral thermal damage. Even though these CO2 lasers are highly promising, they have yet to receive FDA approval. Clinical studies are necessary to determine if excessive heat deposition in the tooth may have any detrimental pulpal effects, particularly at higher ablative fluencies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pulpal safety of laser irradiation of tooth occlusal surfaces under the conditions required for small conservative preparations confined to enamel. Study Design/Materials and Methods Test subjects requiring removal of third molar teeth were recruited and teeth scheduled for extraction were irradiated using a pulsed CO2 laser at a wavelength of 9.3 µm operating at 25 or 50 Hz using a incident fluence of 20 J/cm2 for a total of 3,000 laser pulses (36 J) for both rates with water cooling. Two control groups were used, one with no treatment and one with a small cut made with a conventional high-speed hand-piece. No anesthetic was used for any of the procedures and tooth vitality was evaluated prior to treatment by heat, cold and electrical testing. Short term effects were observed on teeth extracted within 72 hours after treatment and long term effects were observed on teeth extracted 90 days after treatment. The pulps of the teeth were fixed with formalin immediately after extraction and subjected to histological examination. Additionally, micro-thermocouple measurements were used to estimate the potential temperature rise in the pulp chamber of extracted teeth employing the same irradiation conditions used in vivo. Results Pulpal thermocouple measurements showed the internal temperature rise in the tooth was within safe limits, 3.3±1.4°C without water cooling versus 1.7±1.6°C with water-cooling, n,=,25, P<0.05. None of the control or treatment groups showed any deleterious effects on pulpal tissues and none of the 29 test-subjects felt pain or discomfort after the procedure. Only two test-subjects felt discomfort from "cold sensitivity" during the procedure caused by the water-spray. Conclusion It appears that this CO2 laser can ablate enamel safely without harming the pulp under the rate of energy deposition employed in this study. Lasers Surg. Med. 41:256,263, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


    In vitro study examining the effect of sub-lethal QS 755 nm lasers on the expression of p16INK4a on melanoma cell lines

    LASERS IN SURGERY AND MEDICINE, Issue 2 2003
    Henry H.L. Chan
    Abstract Background and Objectives Q-switched lasers had been used in the treatment of lentigo maligna but their role remains controversial. While previous studies have addressed the change in adhesion molecule expression after sub-lethal laser damage, no study has addressed the impact of sub-lethal laser damage at a molecular level. The p16 gene has been proposed as the candidate gene for melanoma. Our objective is to examine the effect of sub-lethal laser damage on p16 expression in melanoma cell lines. Study Design/Materials and Methods Three human melanoma cell lines,HTB 66, Sk-mel-24 (HTB 71), and G361,were irradiated by a Q-switched 755 nm Alexandrite laser at fluencies that ranged from 0.85 to 2.0 J/cm2. HTB 66 was the only cell line with significant expression of p16INK4a while the other two cells lines were p16INK4a negative and served as negative control. Protein and mRNA expression for p16 were assessed by flow cytometry and RT-PCR, respectively. Results The level of p16INK4a protein in cell line HTB 66 increased significantly after laser irradiation as compared with non-irradiated cells. The level of p16INK4a protein did not change in p16INK4a-negative cell lines (Sk-mel-24 and G361). However, there was only a slight increase in the percentage of G0/G1 phase cells. Conclusions Sub-lethal laser damage could increase DNA damage leading to an increase in p16 expression, and such effect would be particularly undesirable for patients with p16 mutation. Further studies are warranted to examine the role of sub-lethal laser damage in inducing p16 mutation. Lasers Surg. Med. 32:88,93, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


    FePt thin film irradiated with high energy ions

    PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (A) APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE, Issue 6 2007
    M. Jaafar
    Abstract The changes in structural and magnetic properties of FePt thin films due to the irradiation with high energy ions (Br7+ and Cl2+) were studied. From the hysteresis loops dominating in-plane anisotropy is derived, however, the samples present a minor out-of-plane component. The structure and the magnetic properties of the films can be tuned by selecting the appropriate irradiation parameters (different ions, energies and fluencies). For the irradiation parameters used in this study an in-plane anisotropy is favoured. Irradiation with Br7+ seems to induce minor changes in the structural ordering of the thin films, whereas the Cl2+ ions promote the amorphization of the surface of the films. In addition, a magnetic thin film patterned at the micrometer scale was obtained after irradiation through a micrometric mask. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]


    The effect of low intensity ultraviolet-C light on monoclonal antibodies

    BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 2 2009
    Christopher M. Lorenz
    Abstract As part of an investigation to identify potential new viral reduction strategies, ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light was examined. Although this technology has been known for decades to possess excellent virus inactivation capabilities, UV-C light can also introduce significant unwanted damage to proteins. To study the effect on monoclonal antibodies, three different antibodies were subjected to varying levels of UV-C light using a novel dosing device from Bayer Technology Services GmbH. The range of fluencies (or doses) covered was between 0 and 300 J/m2 at a wavelength of 254 nm. Product quality data generated from the processed pools showed only minimal damage done to the antibodies. Aggregate formation was low for two of the three antibodies tested. Acidic and basic variants increased for all three antibodies, with the basic species increasing more than the acidic species. Peptide maps made for the three sets of pools showed no damage to two of the three antibody backbones, whereas the third antibody had very low levels of methionine oxidation evident. Samples held at 2,8°C for 33 days showed no increase in aggregates or charge variants, indicating that the proteins did not degrade and were not damaged further by reactive or catalytic species that may have been created on exposure to UV-C light. Overall, UV-C light was shown to induce very little damage to monoclonal antibodies at lower fluencies and appears to be a viable option for viral inactivation in biotechnology applications. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2009 [source]


    Neurocognitive functions in euthymic bipolar patients

    ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 5 2009
    K. Jamrozinski
    Objective:, Meta-analytic findings support the hypothesis of specific neurocognitive deficits for bipolar patients in the domains of attention, processing speed, memory and executive functions. This study aims to show neurocognitive impairment in euthymic patients with bipolar I disorder compared with healthy controls while detailing the impact of medication side-effects or illness characteristics on neuropsychological test performance. Method:, Forty euthymic patients with bipolar I disorder were compared with 40 healthy controls in a cross-sectional design. Clinical features and neuropsychological measures of IQ, psychomotor speed, verbal fluency, learning and memory, executive functions and attention were assessed. Results:, Patients without antipsychotic drug use did not differ significantly from healthy controls in any neuropsychological measure. Yet patients treated with antipsychotics showed significant underperformance in the domains of semantic fluency, verbal learning and recognition memory as well as executive functions related to planning abilities, even when clinical features were controlled for. Conclusion:, The impact of antipsychotic medication needs to be further clarified for euthymic bipolar patients and should be considered when neuropsychological test performance is interpreted. [source]


    Memory and prefrontal functions in earthquake survivors: differences between current and past post-traumatic stress disorder patients

    ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 1 2009
    E. Eren-Koçak
    Objective:, Many studies reported deficits in cognitive functions in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Most were, however, conducted on man-made trauma survivors. The high comorbidity of alcohol use and depression with PTSD in these studies further complicated the interpretation of their results. We compared prefrontal lobe functions and memory in three earthquake survivor groups: current PTSD, past PTSD and no PTSD. We hypothesized that prefrontal performances of the current and past PTSD groups would be worse than that of control group. Method:, Survivors of the 1999 earthquakes in Turkey were evaluated for current and lifetime PTSD. Memory and prefrontal functions were assessed by a neuropsychological test battery. Results:, Current PTSD patients performed worse on attention, verbal memory, verbal fluency, and psychomotor speed. Past PTSD group was similar to the controls on most cognitive measures, except for their vulnerability to proactive interference and low performance in verbal fluency for animal names. Conclusion:, Our findings indicate that the prefrontal organization and monitorization of verbally processed information are defective in earthquake-related PTSD patients, more so in the current PTSD group. [source]


    Do healthy preterm children need neuropsychological follow-up?

    DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & CHILD NEUROLOGY, Issue 10 2010
    Preschool outcomes compared with term peers
    Aim, The aim of this study was to determine neuropsychological performance (possibly predictive of academic difficulties) and its relationship with cognitive development and maternal education in healthy preterm children of preschool age and age-matched comparison children born at term. Method, A total of 35 infants who were born at less than 33 weeks' gestational age and who were free from major neurosensory disability (16 males, 19 females; mean gestational age 29.4wk, SD 2.2wk; mean birthweight 1257g, SD 327g) and 50 term-born comparison children (25 males, 25 females; mean birthweight 3459g, SD 585g) were assessed at 4 years of age. Cognition was measured using the Griffiths Mental Development scales while neuropsychological abilities (language, short-term memory, visual,motor and constructive spatial abilities, and visual processing) were assessed using standardized tests. Multivariable regression analysis was used to explore the effects of preterm birth and sociodemographic factors on cognition, and to adjust neuropsychological scores for cognitive level and maternal education. Results, The mean total Griffiths score was significantly lower in preterm than in term children (97.4 vs 103.4; p<0.001). Factors associated with higher Griffiths score were maternal university education (,=6.2; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.7,11.7) and having older siblings or a twin (,=4.0; 95% CI 0.5,7.6). At neuropsychological assessment, preterm children scored significantly lower than term comparison children in all tests except lexical production (Boston Naming Test) and visual-processing accuracy. After adjustment for cognitive level and maternal education, differences remained statistically significant for verbal fluency (p<0.05) and comprehension, short-term memory, and spatial abilities (p<0.01). Interpretation, Neuropsychological follow-up is also recommended for healthy very preterm children to identify strengths and challenges before school entry, and to plan interventions aimed at maximizing academic success. [source]


    Donepezil in schizophrenia , is it helpful?

    ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 6 2001
    An experimental design case study
    Objective:,To assess the clinical and cognitive effects of adding donepezil, a reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, to the risperidone treatment of a high functioning stable out-patient with schizophrenia. Method:,Case study using an experimental ABAB design. Assessments were completed objectively by standardized neuropsychological tests and clinical rating scales and subjectively with visual analogue scales. Results:,Strong improvements attributable to donepezil were found for verbal fluency and the patient's subjective response. No adverse changes were noted in psychiatric symptoms or side effects. Conclusion:,Cholinergic enhancement as an adjunctive treatment in schizophrenia should be explored in larger controlled trials. [source]


    Fluency remediation in dyslexic children: does age make a difference?

    DYSLEXIA, Issue 2 2008
    Patrizio E. Tressoldi
    Abstract This study tested the hypothesis whether older dyslexic children may obtain fewer gains on fluency and accuracy with respect to their younger peers after specific remediation. Changes in accuracy and fluency of a group of children with a diagnosis of dyslexia attending third and fourth grades were compared with those obtained by a group of children attending the sixth, seventh or eighth grade in two different treatments, one based on the Balance model (Bakker) and the second based on the automatization of syllable recognition (sublexical). Among all comparisons between the gains in accuracy and fluency obtained by the two groups, only the younger group in the sublexical treatment obtained a statistically significant gain with respect to their older peers' accuracy in reading words. These outcomes suggest that, at least for the chronological ages and types of treatments considered in this study, older children with dyslexia may obtain comparable gains to their younger peers, suggesting that ,it is never too late' to remediate reading fluency and accuracy. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Follow-up of an exercise-based treatment for children with reading difficulties

    DYSLEXIA, Issue 2 2007
    David Reynolds
    Abstract This study reports the results of a long-term follow-up of an exercise-based approach to dyslexia-related disorders (Reynolds, Nicolson, & Hambly, Dyslexia, 2003; 9(1): 48,71). In the initial study, children at risk of dyslexia were identified in 3 years of a junior school. One half then undertook a 6 month, home-based exercise programme. Evaluation after 6 months indicated that the exercise group improved significantly more than the controls on a range of cognitive and motor skills. Critics had suggested that the improvement might be attributable to artifactual issues including Hawthorne effects; an initial literacy imbalance between the groups; and inclusion of non-dyslexic participants. The present study evaluated the issue of whether the gains were maintained over the following 18 months, and whether they were in some sense artifactual as postulated by critics of the original study. Comparison of (age-adjusted) initial and follow-up performance indicated significant gains in motor skill, speech/language fluency, phonology, and working memory. Both dyslexic and non-dyslexic low achieving children benefited. There was also a highly significant reduction in the incidence of symptoms of inattention. Interestingly there were no significant changes in speeded tests of reading and spelling, but there was a significant improvement in (age-adjusted) reading (NFER). It is concluded that the gains were indeed long-lasting, and that the alternative hypotheses based on potential artifacts were untenable, and that the exercise treatment therefore achieved its applied purpose. Further research is needed to determine the underlying reasons for the benefits. Possible (and potentially synergistic) explanations include: improved cerebellar function (neural level); improved learning ability and/or attentional ability (cognitive level); improved self-esteem and self-efficacy (affective level); and improved parental/familial support (social level). Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Auditory and speech processing and reading development in Chinese school children: behavioural and ERP evidence

    DYSLEXIA, Issue 4 2005
    Xiangzhi Meng
    Abstract By measuring behavioural performance and event-related potentials (ERPs) this study investigated the extent to which Chinese school children's reading development is influenced by their skills in auditory, speech, and temporal processing. In Experiment 1, 102 normal school children's performance in pure tone temporal order judgment, tone frequency discrimination, temporal interval discrimination and composite tone pattern discrimination was measured. Results showed that children's auditory processing skills correlated significantly with their reading fluency, phonological awareness, word naming latency, and the number of Chinese characters learned. Regression analyses found that tone temporal order judgment, temporal interval discrimination and composite tone pattern discrimination could account for 32% of variance in phonological awareness. Controlling for the effect of phonological awareness, auditory processing measures still contributed significantly to variance in reading fluency and character naming. In Experiment 2, mismatch negativities (MMN) in event-related brain potentials were recorded from dyslexic children and the matched normal children, while these children listened passively to Chinese syllables and auditory stimuli composed of pure tones. The two groups of children did not differ in MMN to stimuli deviated in pure tone frequency and Chinese lexical tones. But dyslexic children showed smaller MMN to stimuli deviated in initial consonants or vowels of Chinese syllables and to stimuli deviated in temporal information of composite tone patterns. These results suggested that Chinese dyslexic children have deficits in auditory temporal processing as well as in linguistic processing and that auditory and temporal processing is possibly as important to reading development of children in a logographic writing system as in an alphabetic system. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    An evaluation of a visual biofeedback intervention in dyslexic adults

    DYSLEXIA, Issue 1 2005
    Elizabeth Liddle
    Abstract A prototype of a biofeedback system designed to treat dyslexia by improving heart-rate variability was evaluated in a single blind study of dyslexic adults. Treatment consisted of four 15 minute exposures to a visual display synchronized with either the participant's own cardiac cycle (intervention condition), or of a synthesized cardiac cycle (placebo condition). Repeated measures were made of picture naming speed, single word reading speed and accuracy, copying speed, heart-rate variability and performance on a lateralized visual temporal order judgement task. Small but significant improvements were found in reading and naming speed in the treatment group relative to the placebo group. No significant improvements were found in unspeeded reading measures. Results from heart-rate measures indicated that treatment had effected a shift in the ratio between parameters reflecting the influence of the sympathetic and parasympathetic autonomic nervous systems (ANS), respectively, in favour of the parasympathetic. In the temporal order judgement task, participants who received treatment showed a reduced level of overall improvement relative to that seen in those who received placebo, coupled with evidence of a shift in visual attention from left to right hemifield in their pattern of performance. The results are interpreted as indicating that the treatment induces a shift in autonomic balance in favour of the parasympathetic ANS, and that this shift is also reflected in increased efficiency of left cerebral hemisphere circuits implicated in the perceptual-motor processes required for naming and reading fluency. Conversely, it is also reflected in lower spatial awareness of peripheral visual stimuli, particularly those presented to left hemifield. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    The early identification of dyslexia: Children with English as an additional language

    DYSLEXIA, Issue 3 2004
    Jane M. Hutchinson
    Abstract It is generally accepted that dyslexia should be identified early for interventions to have maximum effect. However, when children speak English as an additional language (EAL), diagnosis is more complex and there is concern that these children tend to be under-identified. This paper reports a longitudinal study following the development of phonological awareness skills in relation to progress in learning to read with a cohort of British Asian children learning EAL and their monolingual peers. It also sought to determine the usefulness of a measure of phonological skills for the identification of dyslexic-type difficulties in children learning EAL. Analysis revealed that both cohorts achieved similar levels of reading accuracy in school Years 2, 4 and 6, with higher levels of reading comprehension for the monolingual children and faster reading fluency for children learning EAL in each school year. There was a similar pattern of relationships between the reading measures and measures of phonological awareness for both groups of children. However, monolingual children achieved higher levels of rhyme detection and alliteration fluency whilst the children learning EAL achieved faster number naming times. Overall, a phonological assessment battery was useful in identifying reading accuracy related difficulties in both groups of children. However, concerns are raised about the sensitivity of such measures following the introduction of the Literacy Hour. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Grade-Level Invariance of a Theoretical Causal Structure Predicting Reading Comprehension With Vocabulary and Oral Reading Fluency

    EDUCATIONAL MEASUREMENT: ISSUES AND PRACTICE, Issue 3 2005
    Paul Yovanoff
    This research investigates the relative importance of vocabulary and oral reading fluency as measurement dimensions of reading comprehension as the student passes from elementary to high school. Invariance of this model over grades 4 through 8 is tested using two independent student samples reading grade-level appropriate passages. Results from structural equation modeling indicate that the model is not invariant across grade levels. Vocabulary knowledge is a significant and constant predictor of overall reading comprehension irrespective of grade level. While significant, fluency effects diminish over grades, especially in the later grades. Lack of grade level invariance was obtained with both samples. Results are discussed in light of vertically linked reading assessments, adequate yearly progress, and instruction. [source]


    Concept Acquisition within the Context of an AS Media Studies Course

    ENGLISH IN EDUCATION, Issue 2 2003
    Vivien Whelpton
    Abstract This article explores the means by which students' concept formation can be promoted and outlines findings from an action research project undertaken with a class of 17-year-old AS Media Studies students as a submission for the British Film Institute's MA Certificate in Media Education in 2001. It argues that academic concepts can neither be allowed to develop spontaneously nor be directly taught, but that indirect methods of teacher intervention can be found. It also examines the relationship between thought and language and argues that, while contact with academic discourse can be alienating, its features include a fluency which the handling of complex and abstract ideas requires, particularly in the written mode. The writer suggests that, while this discourse cannot be explicitly taught or learned, modelling techniques may offer a useful approach. [source]


    Ketamine use, cognition and psychological wellbeing: a comparison of frequent, infrequent and ex-users with polydrug and non-using controls

    ADDICTION, Issue 1 2009
    Celia J. A. Morgan
    ABSTRACT Introduction Preliminary research has indicated that recreational ketamine use may be associated with marked cognitive impairments and elevated psychopathological symptoms, although no study to date has determined how these are affected by differing frequencies of use or whether they are reversible on cessation of use. In this study we aimed to determine how variations in ketamine use and abstention from prior use affect neurocognitive function and psychological wellbeing. Method We assessed a total of 150 individuals: 30 frequent ketamine users, 30 infrequent ketamine users, 30 ex-ketamine users, 30 polydrug users and 30 controls who did not use illicit drugs. Cognitive tasks included spatial working memory, pattern recognition memory, the Stockings of Cambridge (a variant of the Tower of London task), simple vigilance and verbal and category fluency. Standardized questionnaires were used to assess psychological wellbeing. Hair analysis was used to verify group membership. Results Frequent ketamine users were impaired on spatial working memory, pattern recognition memory, Stockings of Cambridge and category fluency but exhibited preserved verbal fluency and prose recall. There were no differences in the performance of the infrequent ketamine users or ex-users compared to the other groups. Frequent users showed increased delusional, dissociative and schizotypal symptoms which were also evident to a lesser extent in infrequent and ex-users. Delusional symptoms correlated positively with the amount of ketamine used currently by the frequent users. Conclusions Frequent ketamine use is associated with impairments in working memory, episodic memory and aspects of executive function as well as reduced psychological wellbeing. ,Recreational' ketamine use does not appear to be associated with distinct cognitive impairments although increased levels of delusional and dissociative symptoms were observed. As no performance decrements were observed in the ex-ketamine users, it is possible that the cognitive impairments observed in the frequent ketamine group are reversible upon cessation of ketamine use, although delusional symptoms persist. [source]


    The Effects of Adjunctive Topiramate on Cognitive Function in Patients with Epilepsy

    EPILEPSIA, Issue 3 2003
    Suzee Lee
    Summary: ,Purpose: We investigated possible cognitive effects of topiramate (TPM) in polypharmacy on patients with intractable epilepsy. Methods: Study 1 evaluated 22 consecutively admitted patients whose antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) on admission to the Montreal Neurological Hospital included TPM. Performance on neuropsychological tests administered on and subsequently off TPM was analyzed. Four patients also were tested before taking TPM, allowing comparisons off, then on, and then off the drug again. Measures included intellectual function, verbal and nonverbal memory, language, word and design fluency, somatosensory sensitivity, and motor skills. In Study 2, 16 patients at the Minnesota Epilepsy Group were tested first off, then on TPM with nine cognitive tasks that measured concentration, verbal fluency, language, and psychomotor speed. Results: In Study 1, significant (p , 0.01) improvements were observed off TPM on 13 measures including verbal and nonverbal fluency and certain verbal and perceptual tasks. Notably, verbal learning and memory were unaffected; a limited effect was observed on nonverbal memory. Patients tested 3 times scored better in both tests off TPM compared with on this drug. In Study 2, declines on TPM were observed on all measures, significantly (p , 0.05) for tests of fluency, sustained concentration, and visual motor processing speed. Conclusions: TPM was associated with declines in fluency, attention/concentration, processing speed, language skills, and perception; working memory but not retention was affected. As the two studies used an opposite order of testing on versus off TPM, our results clearly show a performance decrement while patients are taking TPM, without respect to which condition is tested first. [source]


    Frontal-lobe mediated behavioral dysfunction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 1 2010
    M. Witgert
    Background:, Cognitive impairment secondary to frontal lobe atrophy exists in 40,60% of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) cases. We aimed to determine the prevalence of frontal-lobe mediated behavioral impairment in (ALS) and to ascertain its relationship to cognitive impairment. Methods:, Two-hundred and twenty five patients diagnosed with sporadic ALS were evaluated for behavioral dysfunction using the Frontal Systems Behavior Scale (FrSBe), a validated measure used to examine frontal-lobe mediated behaviors, specifically apathy, executive dysfunction and disinhibition; a total behavior score is also provided. Additionally, a subset of patients also underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation. Results:, Changes in the total FrSBe scores were observed in 24.4% of the patients and 39.6% of the patients had impairment in at least one behavioral domain with symptoms of Apathy being the most common (31.1%). Cognitively impaired ALS patients had worse total (P = 0.05) and apathy scores (P < 0.01); however, behavioral dysfunction was also present in 16% of the cognitively intact patients. Half of the behaviorally intact patients exhibited cognitive impairment. Significant correlations were observed for performance on certain neuropsychological tests (Animal fluency, Block Design, Logical Memory I and Verbal Series Attention Test) and severity of behavioral dysfunction on certain FrSBe sub scores. Conclusions:, Frontal-lobe mediated behavioral dysfunction appears to be common in ALS. Cognitively impaired ALS patients had greater behavioral dysfunction. Recognition of behavioral and cognitive dysfunction may assist health-care providers and care-givers recognize changes in decision-making capacity and treatment compliance of patients with ALS. [source]


    99mTc-ethyl cysteinate dimer brain SPECT findings in early stage of dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's disease patients: a correlation with neuropsychological tests

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 1 2008
    C.-C. Chang
    We examined clinical presentations, neuropsychological findings, and perfusion patterns of 99mTc-ethyl cysteinate dimer (ECD) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in patients with early stage dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) (n = 17) and Parkinson's disease (PD) (n = 16), with age-matched healthy controls (n = 10). Seven paired regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn manually including inferior frontal, temporal, parietal, occipital, parieto-occipital junction, striatum and thalamus for semiquantitative measurement. Neuropsychological tests were applied for clinical correlation. The SPECT results showed significant hypoperfusion in DLB group in frontal, parietal, thalamus, temporal ROIs compared with controls (P < 0.01) whilst signals in temporal areas was significantly reduced compared with PD group (P < 0.05). Neuropsychological tests showed that DLB patients had deficits in mental manipulation, short-term memory, abstract thinking, drawing and semantic verbal fluencies (P < 0.05, compared with control). In addition, DLB group had lower scores than those with PD in mental manipulation, drawing and semantic verbal fluency (P < 0.05). Our study showed that even in early stages of DLB, neuropsychological and perfusion patterns were evident and may be different from PD group, despite they shared certain similarities both in neuropsychological and image findings compared with age-matched controls. [source]