Improvement in patient compliance with long-term oxygen therapy following formal assessment with training

In the Department of Respiratory Medicine, North Staffordshire Hospital, patients fulfilling the Department of Health criteria for long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) attend a practical teaching session on the use of their oxygen concentrator before commencing therapy. In the present study, we have audited the prescribing of LTOT in all patients in three health districts in the North West Midlands reviewed between June 1992 and July 1994. They were split into two groups. The first had the assessment and training programme in the department. Patients in the control group had been prescribed LTOT from outside the department without any formal training. In both groups of patients information was collated 6 months after starting LTOT by means of a questionnaire assessing patients', understanding of both their need for oxygen and their disease process, the dangers of oxygen therapy and present smoking habit. Objective information about the usage of each concentrator was obtained from engineer reports. Thirty-six patients (eight from the trained group and 28 controls) died before evaluation at 6 months. Forty-five patients (29 male, mean age 71 years) received training and 41 control patients (24 male, mean age 72 years) were evaluated. Thirty-seven (82%) patients who had received formal training were using their concentrator for greater than 15 h compared with only 18 (44%) of the controls (P = 0.0002). Forty-two (93%) patients who had received training understood why they were using LTOT compared with only 17 (41%) in the control group (P = 0.00001). Although both groups had a similar understanding of the dangers of smoking while on oxygen therapy, six (15%) of the control group were smoking as compared to only one (2%) of the trained group (P = 0.038). One of the control patients had received significant facial burns as a direct result of smoking while on oxygen. Further efforts are required to ensure that all patients prescribed LTOT should have a formal respiratory assessment as well as training to improve compliance and to obtain maximal benefits from such therapy.     

Evaluation of a supervisory training program with How Supervise?

"A group of supervisors were tested before and after a training program with alternate forms of How Supervise? The group was subdivided by educational level. Although all groups improved significantly, the greatest gains were made by supervisors who had gone to college. Lower ranking subjects who had had previous training showed more improvement than the lower ranking subjects who had not had previous training, although the mean scores of the two groups were the same. It was suggested that the instrument is useful for assessing the effectiveness of a supervisory training program but that more work must be done on the readability of the test and on the meaning of score changes following a training program." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Training industrial executives in reading: A methodology study.

A controlled-method study of gains achieved and retained by industrial executives as a result of reading improvement training. 4 groups consisting of 56 executives were equated on reading-ability score and related criteria. 1 group served as a control, while 3 experimental groups were trained with different methods. Each group received 16 hours of training. Progress and permanence were evaluated by equated forms of a reading test. Results were analyzed by t tests between and within groups. No significant differences were found between methods. Very significant progress and retention was found within all groups. Industrial executives can be trained to read more efficiently, and do retain that efficiency. Mechanical aids are not required for reading training of executives. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Road safety improvement in large companies. An experimental comparison of different measures

Road accidents among professional drivers are a major problem in many companies. There are several traditional measures for improving safety, but knowledge about what measures are most effective is rather limited. The aim of the study is to compare four different measures for reducing accident involvement through changed driver behaviour. The measures are driver training, group discussions, campaigns and bonuses for accident free driving. Five groups of approximately 900 drivers each employed by the Swedish telephone company "Televerket" have been used in the experiment. Four of the groups were test groups, where each took part in one of the measures. The fifth group was a control group. The effect on accident risk (accidents in relation to mileage) and accident costs have been calculated for a period of 2 years after the measures were applied. The results show that group discussions and driver training with the rather unusual design used in the experiment succeeded in improving the accident risk compared to the control group. Accident costs were reduced in all four test groups, but not in the control group.     

Effect of systematic physical fitness training combined with counseling on the self-concept of college students.

Three groups of 40 college students were each given different treatments in an experiment designed to investigate the effect of systematic physical fitness training combined with counseling on measured self-concept. One experimental group received a fitness program consisting of flexibility training and systematic distance running; a 2nd group received the same physical training plus 1 hr/wk of group counseling designed to reinforce progress made in the fitness program; and a 3rd group (control) received no physical fitness training or counseling. After a 10-wk program, the group receiving fitness training and running made a significant gain in self-concept as measured by the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale. The Ss were divided into low and high self-concept groups for statistical analysis. It was found that the students who received fitness training and counseling and had low self-concepts on the pretest measure made significant positive changes in self-concept. (31 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effect of adaptive behavior training on rehabilitation of children with congenital heart disease

The adaptation behaviors of 102 children with congenital heart disease were assessed by Children's Adaptation Behaviors Scale. The result indicated that behavior training should be given according to their adaptive behaviors before operation. 106 children with congenital heart disease were divided into two groups. 67 were in behavior training group and 39 were in control group. The result showed that self-care abilities and compliance of therapeutic regimen of the training group were much better than that of the control group. The length of stay in the hospital of the training group was 3.01 days shorter than that of the control group.     

Approaches to empathy training: Programmed methods versus individual supervision and professional versus peer supervisors.

Examined the effects of training method (programmed vs individual supervision) and supervisor experience (peer vs professional) on the learning of empathy. Eight supervisors (4 professional and 4 peer) were assigned 3 Ss in each of 3 groups: individually supervised, programmed, and control. Ss listened to 3 sets of recorded client statements and responded as counselors. The 2 experimental groups received training after the 1st and 2nd sets. The control group received no training. An analysis of recorded responses indicated that the individually supervised Ss achieved a significantly higher level of empathy than the controls. Ss receiving programmed training were intermediate in learning between individually supervised and control Ss. Supervisor experience was not found to be a significant factor as no posttraining differences were noted between professional and peer-trained groups. This result supports the use of peers in such interpersonal skills training. (22 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Biofeedback/relaxation training and exercise interventions for fibromyalgia: a prospective trial

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of biofeedback/relaxation, exercise, and a combined program for the treatment of fibromyalgia. METHODS: Subjects (n = 119) were randomly assigned to one of 4 groups: 1) biofeedback/relaxation training, 2) exercise training, 3) a combination treatment, or 4) an educational/attention control program. RESULTS: All 3 treatment groups produced improvements in self-efficacy for function relative to the control condition. In addition, all treatment groups were significantly different from the control group on tender point index scores, reflecting a modest deterioration by the attention control group rather than improvements by the treatment groups. The exercise and combination groups also resulted in modest improvements on a physical activity measure. The combination group best maintained benefits across the 2-year period. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that these 3 treatment interventions result in improved self-efficacy for physical function which was best maintained by the combination group.     

A comparison of progressive relaxation and autogenic training as treatments for insomnia.

Evaluated 2 relaxation techniques, progressive relaxation and autogenic training, as treatments for insomnia. No-treatment, a baseline control group, and a self-relaxation group designed to control for nonspecific therapeutic elements were employed. Ss were 30 adult insomniacs who had chronic and severe difficulties in falling asleep. As indicated by global measures of improvement and by reduction in time to fall asleep, progressive relaxation and autogenic training were equally effective as treatments and superior to both control groups. At a 6-mo follow-up, treatment gains had been maintained in time to fall asleep but not in self-reported global improvement, while control Ss showed no spontaneous improvement on either of the measures. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Acquisition and transfer of empathy by the parents of early adolescents through structured learning training.

Measured the effectiveness of A. P. Goldstein's (1973) structured learning training (modeling, role playing, and social reinforcement) in teaching parents of adolescents to respond empathically to their children; also measured was the extent to which transfer of training occurs when adolescents participate in training with their parents. 37 mothers of 6th-8th graders volunteered to attend a minicourse on communication. The mothers were divided into 4 groups, including the control group. All groups except the control group received structured learning training in empathy; in 1 group the children did not participate, in a 2nd group the children participated separately, and in the 3rd group they participated with their parents. After 3 wks (6 hrs) of training, the treatment groups showed significantly more empathy. The closeness of the mean empathy scores on the behavioral measure to the scores on the written measure suggested that all 3 treatment groups transferred the skill they had learned. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effect of training upon accuracy and variability in interpersonal perception.

The relationship between accuracy and variability in estimations and the effects of a training program in interpersonal relations upon interpersonal perception were investigated in 72 senior medical students divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group received training in physician-patient relationships and the control did not receive such training. "Contrary to expectation, the experimental group tended to become less accurate than the control group… . These results, which agree with a hypothesis advanced by Cronbach, suggest that training programs devoted to increasing accuracy of interpersonal perception run the risk of decreasing accuracy when they increase the trainee's responsiveness to individual differences." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Early active training after lumbar discectomy. A prospective, randomized, and controlled study

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, and controlled study was conducted. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate two training programs, both of which started immediately after lumbar discectomy. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: In previous studies, patients began physiotherapy between 4 weeks and 60 months after surgery. No studies have been conducted to evaluate a physiotherapy program that begins immediately after surgery. METHOD: Twenty-six patients were treated according to an early active training program. Twenty-six patients were treated with a traditional, less active training program (control group). All patients were examined immediately before and after surgery and 3, 6, 12, and 52 weeks after surgery by an unbiased observer. Two years after surgery, patients completed a questionnaire. Range of motion of the lumbar spine and straight leg raising were measured. pain intensity and location was measured by a visual analog scale. The duration of sick leave was documented. RESULTS: Six and 12 weeks after surgery, patients with dominating residual leg pain had significantly less intense pain in the early active training group than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Twelve weeks after surgery, range of motion of the lumbar spine was significantly more increased in the early active training group (P < 0.01). One year after surgery, there was no significant difference between the groups regarding the duration of sick leave, results in a positive straight leg raising, or pain intensity. Twenty-two (88%) patients in the early active training group and 16 (67%) in the control group were satisfied with the treatment outcome 2 years after surgery (P < 0.10). CONCLUSIONS: Patients rehabilitated according to the early active training program had a better short-term outcome of objective values. At 2 years' follow-up, more patients were satisfied with the result of the operation. The early active treatment program is recommended.     

Lay mental health counseling: The effects of lay group counseling.

8 therapeutic groups of 10 hospitalized mental patients each were seen twice a wk. for a total of 24 sessions by 5 trained lay hospital personnel. 70 patients served as controls. The lay personnel, primarily attendants, had been trained by an approach integrating the didactic approach which emphasizes the shaping of therapist behavior with the experiential approach which focuses upon therapist development and "growth." Heavy training emphasis was placed upon research scales assessing process variables, which had been predictive of positive patient outcome, rather than any particular theoretical orientation. At the end of the 3-mo period, significant improvement was noted in the ward behavior of the treatment group when compared to the control group. (19 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Hairdressers and helping: Influencing the behavior of informal caregivers.

Six 30–55 yr old hairdressers who participated in a 10-wk group mental health consultation and training program were compared with 7 control hairdressers on pre- and posttests of an inventory designed to assess helping strategies. Although on the pretest both groups heavily used the strategies of advice giving and presenting alternatives, only program participants showed an increase in the "reflection of feelings" on the posttest. The consultation program included goals such as (a) maximizing helping effectiveness through modeling and (b) education about referrals within the local mental health network. It is suggested that training in interpersonal help giving be offered to other groups of informal caregivers. (9 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Interdimensional transfer of an ordinal solution strategy.

Asked 6-yr-olds to find non-end members of 4-stimulus ordinal sets. Ss receiving training were trained using either the height or brightness dimension and were tested on the alternate dimension. One group received training with a "point-to-end-member-first" correction procedure. A 2nd group received feedback without that correction procedure. A control group was given the transfer task only. Training with the correction procedure produced transfer scores superior to those of the other treatment groups. Interdimensional transfer of an ordinal solution strategy was shown. The findings suggest that the ability to deal with ordinal relations is available to 6-yr-old Ss and needs only appropriate elicitation conditions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A verbal response model of assertiveness.

Investigated the effect of a verbal response model of assertiveness with 25 nonassertive female nursing students (mean age, 26 yrs). The model is composed of 3 verbal components presented in a systematic training program. Ss were randomly assigned to 3 groups: the assertive training group, the attention control group, and the no-treatment control group. The assertive training group learned and practiced the model. All groups were posttested on the College Self-Expression Scale, on responses to written situations, and on 2 scores of a videotape role-playing situation. Significant differences were found between the assertive training group and the attention control group and between the assertive training group and the no-treatment control group, but not between the attention control and the no-treatment control groups. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A cognitive-social learning approach to social skill training with low-status preschool children.

Changes in the behavior and peer acceptance of low-status preschool children as a result of social skill training were examined. Children who had low sociometric status and were also low in classroom use of social skills were randomly assigned to a skill training group (n?=?18) or to an attention control group (n?=?15). Children in the training group were coached in 4 skills: leading peers, asking questions of peers, making comments to peers, and supporting peers. Trained children showed a significant increase in their use of the trained skills comments and leads from pretest to posttest, whereas control-group children showed no change. Neither control nor skill-trained children changed significantly on sociometric measures from pretest to posttest. Increases in skill use in the classroom with peers was correlated with improvements in children's knowledge of friendly social strategies from pre- to posttest. Results are interpreted as evidence of a social skill basis for peer acceptance and of the need to develop procedures to assess the mechanisms of change during social skills training. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The role of experience in judgments of complexity of random shapes.

Examined the role of experience in the estimation of number of turns in random shapes using 2 types of training procedures with 54 3rd graders, 54 6th graders, and 54 college Ss. Systematic training groups practiced discriminating similar levels of complexity; random training groups practiced discriminating widely varying levels of complexity. Both training experiences resulted in significant improvements in the performance of college Ss when compared with a control group. The improvement in processing ability occurred primarily at the lower levels of complexity. 3rd- and 6th-grade training groups showed no significant improvement in performance. College Ss also showed a significant tendency to underestimate the information in random shapes as a result of the training, a finding which may account for previously reported preference shifts. (French summary) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Tension neck and evaluation of a physical training course among office workers in a bank corporation

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a physical training course in a group of patients (n = 74) suffering from chronic tension neck. All participants in the course were employed by a bank corporation in Helsinki, Finland. A comparable control group (n = 77) consisted of office workers with tension neck from the same bank corporation who did not attend any training course. The outcome was analysed 6 months after the course. Pain and disability in the neck and shoulder region did not vary significantly between the group which participated in the training course and the control group. The experimental group had increased the amount of physical workout compared to the control group (83.7% vs 69.0%, P = 0.0448). Also, regarding the frequency of relaxation and stretching exercises the two groups differed significantly: the experimental group had continued to perform exercises more often (P = 0.0434). The frequency of sick leave days did not significantly differ between the groups, but the office workers in the experimental group had more periods of extended sick leave (> 10 days) and the controls had more frequent short sick leaves. The experimental group did increase their physical workout significantly compared with the controls, but no differences were detected regarding pain and disability. In order to gain more benefit more attention should be paid to the educational part of the training courses in order to enhance the patients' self-care abilities. Also, strategies to alleviate psychosocial problems and organized relaxation exercises could decrease muscle tension in the neck in office workers.