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Barbara Caracciolo

Publications and source records attributed to Barbara Caracciolo.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Rehabilitation of attention in two patients with traumatic brain injury by means of 'attention process training'.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: This case study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Solhberg and Mateer's Attention Process Training (APT) using a comprehensive evaluation of various attentional processes. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Two patients with severe traumatic brain injury were given the APT in a chronic phase. Attentional processes were evaluated at various stages before, during and after treatment, using the Testbatterie zur Aufmerksamkeitsprufung and the Test of everyday attention. MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Both patients showed some degree of recovery, particularly in attentional tasks with a selective component. Lesser improvement was present in the case of tasks mapping on the intensity dimension of attention (alertness, vigilance). Training achievements were confirmed by the use of a functional scale evaluating attention, pointing to the generality of improvements. CONCLUSION: The results indicate selective training effects of APT on the attentional disturbances of TBI patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

[Variability of epidemiological measures in mild cognitive impairment and dementia].

Variability in occurrence estimates is one of the basic features of the epidemiology of dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This review will cover two levels of variability that affect epidemiological research on dementia and MCI: the conceptual and the operational level. More specifically, it is highlighted how the lack of a precise definition of MCI leads to a greater variability in the occurrence estimates of this condition, when compared to dementia. Variability will decrease only when more precise criteria and aims of the concept "MCI" will be specified.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Criterion validity of the center for epidemiological studies depression (CES-D) scale in a sample of rehabilitation inpatients.

The criterion validity of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) scale was evaluated among 101 orthopaedic and 50 neurological inpatients of a rehabilitation centre. The structured clinical interview for the DSM-IV (SCID-I) was used as criterion. Sensitivity of the CES-D to current major depressive disorder was 100% in both groups, while specificity was 57% (95% confidence interval = 48-67, likelihood ratio = +2.34) in orthopaedic patients and 36% (95% confidence interval = 23-49, likelihood ratio = +1.56) in neurological patients. Positive predictive value of the CES-D for current major depressive disorder was 24% (95% confidence interval = 10-32, likelihood ratio = +2.34) in orthopaedic patients and 31% in neurological patients (95% confidence interval = 18-43, likelihood ratio = +1.56), while negative predictive value was 100% in both groups. When a broader range of depressive disorders was considered, sensitivity dropped to 89% (95% confidence interval = 83-95, likelihood ratio = +3.52) and 96% (95% confidence interval = 91-100, likelihood ratio = +2.21) while specificity increased to 75% (95% confidence interval = 66-83, likelihood ratio = +3.52) and 57% (95% confidence interval = 43-70, likelihood ratio = +2.21), respectively.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Italian validation of the Royal Free Interview for Religious and Spiritual Beliefs.

Interest in the relevance of religion and spirituality to medicine is growing and concerns the possible association between religiousness, spirituality and well-being. In the rehabilitation field these factors may affect outcome. We translated the "Royal Free Interview for Religious and Spiritual Beliefs" into Italian and validated the Italian language version. The translation the Royal Free Interview was accomplished in several steps. Certain adaptations were necessary in order to take into account certain peculiarities of the Italian language and of the Italian-speaking world. The Italian translation presented in this study shows internal consistency: Cronbach's alpha coefficient 0.82 (spiritual scale) and 0.80 (philosophical scale) in the 53 healthy volunteers; alpha coefficient 0.79 (spiritual scale) and 0.64 (philosophical scale) in the stroke patients. Test-retest reliability, evaluated by means of the intraclass correlation coefficient, was 0.83 (spiritual scale) and 0.99 (philosophical scale). There are two main reasons why an Italian translation of a religious coping scale was deemed necessary: i) there is a growing awareness of the possible impact of faith on stress and on the outcome of many disabling diseases; ii) Italy has a large and aging population and thus a high prevalence of disabled patients.

Adaptation, Psychological↗