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Biomedical subjects

C A Hartman

Publications and source records attributed to C A Hartman.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

DSM-IV internal construct validity: when a taxonomy meets data.

The use of DSM-IV based questionnaires in child psychopathology is on the increase. The internal construct validity of a DSM-IV based model of ADHD, CD, ODD, Generalised Anxiety, and Depression was investigated in 11 samples by confirmatory factor analysis. The factorial structure of these syndrome dimensions was supported by the data. However, the model did not meet absolute standards of good model fit. Two sources of error are discussed in detail: multidimensionality of syndrome scales, and the presence of many symptoms that are diagnostically ambiguous with regard to the targeted syndrome dimension. It is argued that measurement precision may be increased by more careful operationalisation of the symptoms in the questionnaire. Additional approaches towards improved conceptualisation of DSM-IV are briefly discussed. A sharper DSM-IV model may improve the accuracy of inferences based on scale scores and provide more precise research findings with regard to relations with variables external to the taxonomy.

Adolescent↗

Girls in detention: what are their characteristics? A project to explore and document the character of this target group and the significant ways in which it differs from one consisting of boys.

In this article, the differences between male and female juvenile delinquency are discussed, from a behavioural and psychiatric perspective. At first the existence and nature of female juvenile delinquency is described. Further a, mostly literature-based, analysis of gender-related differences in juvenile delinquency and psychopathology is presented. Finally the results are given of a dossier research project into the behavioural aspects of female juvenile delinquency. Girls commit fewer and less serious offences. Girls in a detention centre are younger than boys in the same centre. Few Turkish and Moroccan girls are seen. The majority of girls are placed in a detention centre by a Civil Court Order. A relatively high percentage of retarded girls was found. Multiple sexual contacts from an early age, substance abuse, running away from home and truancy are risk behaviours in the development of female juvenile delinquency. In the majority of cases there was no record of previous contacts with the law. It seems as if there are gender-related factors according to the development of female juvenile delinquency. Answers on age-differences, early sexual development, the relation between behaviour and psychiatric diagnosis, the role of the risk behaviours in the development of the girls, intelligence and the reasons for placing girls in a detention centre should throw light on the development process of female juvenile delinquents.

Adolescent↗

Effects of T'ai Chi training on function and quality of life indicators in older adults with osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of T'ai Chi training on arthritis self-efficacy, quality of life indicators, and lower extremity functional mobility in older adults with osteoarthritis. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Intervention length was 12 weeks, with outcomes measured before and after intervention using blinded testers. Group (T'ai Chi vs Control) x time (2 x 2) mixed factorial ANOVA. SETTING: Allied Health Sciences Center at Springfield College, Springfield, MA PARTICIPANTS: A total of 33 community-dwelling participants (mean age 68) diagnosed with lower extremity osteoarthritis and having no prior T'ai Chi training longer than 2 weeks. INTERVENTION: T'ai Chi training included two 1-hour T'ai Chi classes per week for 12 weeks. MEASUREMENTS: Arthritis self-efficacy (Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale), quality of life indicators (Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale), functional outcomes (one-leg standing balance, 50-foot walking speed, time to rise from a chair). RESULTS: T'ai Chi participants experienced significant (P < .05) improvements in self-efficacy for arthritis symptoms, total arthritis self-efficacy, level of tension, and satisfaction with general health status. CONCLUSIONS: A moderate T'ai Chi intervention can enhance arthritis self-efficacy, quality of life, and functional mobility among older adults with osteoarthritis. T'ai Chi training is a safe and effective complementary therapy in the medical management of lower extremity osteoarthritis.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Syndrome dimensions of the child behavior checklist and the teacher report form: a critical empirical evaluation.

The construct representation of the cross-informant model of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the Teacher Report Form (TRF) was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis. Samples were collected in seven different countries. The results are based on 13,226 parent ratings and 8893 teacher ratings. The adequacy of fit for the cross-informant model was established on the basis of three approaches: conventional rules of fit, simulation, and comparison with other models. The results indicated that the cross-informant model fits these data poorly. These results were consistent across countries, informants, and both clinical and population samples. Since inadequate empirical support for the cross-informant syndromes and their differentiation was found, the construct validity of these syndrome dimensions is questioned.

Child↗

Robustness of the Photo Anxiety Questionnaire: changing the sequence of stimuli and photographs.

In a split-ballot experiment (N=458) we tested, first, to what extent the logical presentation of the Photo Anxiety Questionnaire forces respondents into the usual response pattern, that is, a higher reported anxiety on items mentioning a time closer to dental treatment. Secondly, we tested whether subjects use the nonverbal response scale or merely use the position of the photographs on the scale when answering the questions. The original questionnaire had the highest reliability and was least influenced by response bias. Changing the order of the photographs on the response scale did not alter the response pattern, implying that subjects do react to the intensity displayed in the photographs and not just to the position of the photograph on the scale. Because changing the order of the items altered the response pattern only marginally, the response pattern usually found does not seem to be the direct consequence of the logical presentation of the Photo Anxiety Questionnaire.

Adult↗

Strength training effects on rearfoot motion in running.

The investigation examined isokinetic (IK) and nonisokinetic (NIK) strength training programs for the inversion (INV) and eversion (EV) muscles on pronation during running. Seventy-seven volunteers were videotaped running on a treadmill at 3.8 m.s-1 and total pronation (delta beta PRO) was computed. Eighteen heel-strike runners with the largest values of delta beta PRO (X = 16.7 degrees) were selected as subjects. During the pre- and posttests, isokinetic muscle strength at 20 and 180 degrees.s-1 was determined for the concentric (CON) and eccentric (ECC) actions of the INV and EV muscle groups. The subjects also were videotaped running on a treadmill (3.8 m.s-1). The IK training group performed three sets of eight CON and ECC repetitions at 20, 90, and 180 degrees.s-1 for both muscle groups; and the NIK subjects did exercises commonly used in ankle rehabilitation. Each group trained three times weekly for 8 wk. The IK group showed significantly (P < or = 0.05) CON and ECC strength increases for all INV test conditions and three of the four EV conditions (20 degrees.s-1 CON and ECC, and 180 degrees.s-1 CON). They also demonstrated significant decreases in the rearfoot (2.2 degrees) and pronation/supination (2.9 degrees) angles at heel strike and in delta beta PRO (-2.2 degrees).l The NIK group exhibited no change in rearfoot motion and only increased INV strength at the 180 degrees.s-1 ECC test condition. The findings suggest that pronation can be decreased by an isokinetic strength training program for the INV and EV muscles.

Adolescent↗

Development of a Dutch version of the Dental Visit Satisfaction Scale.

A Dutch version of the Dental Visit Satisfaction Scale has been developed. The DVSS consists of 10 items, measuring three aspects of patient satisfaction with the dentist. Item and scale characteristics of the Dutch version and the English version compared rather well. Likewise, the factor structure of the Dutch and the English version of the DVSS was very similar. A suggestion for modification of the DVSS was made.

Adult↗

Determination of azelastine and desmethylazelastine in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography.

A manual-injection liquid chromatographic method using fluorescence detection permitted determination of a new antiasthmatic drug, azelastine, and its desmethyl metabolite extracted from human plasma. Reliable quantitation was achieved to at least 0.3 ng/ml for each analyte. No interference was seen in co-chromatography of sixteen other substances, which were potential co-medications (or their metabolites) as used in standard asthma or allergy treatment.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗