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Biomedical subjects

J McComas

Publications and source records attributed to J McComas.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Benefits of activity and virtual reality based balance exercise programmes for adults with traumatic brain injury: perceptions of participants and their caregivers.

OBJECTIVE: To explore multi-dimensional benefits of exercise participation perceived by adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their caregivers. METHODS: Adults (n=27, aged 18-66) with moderate or severe TBI 6 months or more earlier participated in focus groups following 6 weeks of an activity-based (ABE) or a virtual reality (VR) delivered balance exercise programme. Family members and care providers participated in separate focus groups. Perceptions related to programme participation as well as balance confidence and lower extremity function were extracted from focus group verbatim and quantitative scales, respectively. OUTCOMES: Benefits in three domains, psychosocial, physical and programme, were identified from transcription and analyses of focus group verbatim. Improvements were noted in balance confidence and function in both groups. Substantially greater enthusiasm and knowledge was expressed by participants in the VR group and their caregivers. CONCLUSIONS: Both exercise programmes offered benefits in addition to improved balance. The VR participants had greater improvements on quantitative measures and provided more comments expressing enjoyment and improved confidence. Applications in terms of community reintegration and quality of life are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

The effects of presession exposure to attention on the results of assessments of attention as a reinforcer.

The effects of presession exposure to attention on responding during subsequent assessments of attention as a reinforcer were evaluated across three behavioral assessments. In Experiment 1, a contingent attention assessment condition was preceded by either a noncontingent attention condition (free play) or a contingent escape condition. In Experiment 2, a diverted attention with extinction condition was preceded by either an alone or a free-play condition. In Experiment 3, a two-choice preference assessment was preceded by either 10 min of free play or 10 min of playing alone. In each experiment, the participant responded differentially within the test condition according to the presence or absence of dense schedules of attention immediately prior to that condition. The results of this study show that events occurring immediately prior to an assessment condition can influence behavior within the assessment.

Attention↗
PubMed2000

Escape behavior during academic tasks: a preliminary analysis of idiosyncratic establishing operations.

The presence or absence of idiosyncratic stimuli has been demonstrated to predictably alter the occurrence of problem behavior. By specifying stimuli related to negatively reinforced behavior during academic tasks, it may be possible to identify methods of instruction that decrease the occurrence of problem behavior. The current study used a four-step procedure that involved a functional analysis, descriptive assessment, establishing operations (EO) analysis, and follow-up evaluation (a) to identify the operant function of destructive behavior and (b) to evaluate the effects of idiosyncratic features of academic task demands and related methods of instruction on the occurrence of negatively reinforced destructive behavior of 3 boys with developmental disabilities and autism in a classroom setting. The data suggest that the four-step procedure was effective in identifying methods of instruction that decreased the likelihood of destructive behavior without disrupting the maintaining contingencies for destructive behavior. Results are discussed in terms of establishing operations for negatively reinforced destructive behavior during academic tasks and related methods of instruction in classroom settings.

Child↗
PubMed1998

Current uses of virtual reality for children with disabilities.

Technological advances, including the use of virtual reality, have contributed enormously to improving the treatment, training, and quality of life of children with disabilities. This paper describes the advantages of VR for children with disabilities, how VR can minimize the effects of a disability, the role of VR in training and skills enhancement, and how social participation and the child's quality of life may be improved through the use of VR. Examples from published literature and Internet sites are given of current and completed projects which focus on improving the lives of children with disabilities. The research describing the efficacy of knowledge and skills transfer from a virtual environment to the real world are examined in relation to children with disabilities. Finally, the current limitations and future directions of VR for children with disabilities are considered.

Child↗
PubMed1997

Children's Memory for Locations Visited: Importance of Movement and Choice.

In 2 experiments, the effect of active or passive mobility and active or passive choice experiences on children's memory for locations visited while retrieving puzzle pieces hidden in a large room were examined. In the first experiment, fifty-two 6- and 7-year-old children were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 training conditions: active choice-active movement, active choice-passive movement, passive choice-active movement, and passive choice-passive movement. After 3 training trials, all children were tested in the active choice-active movement condition. A 2 (movement) x 2 (choice) factorial multivariate analysis of variance revealed a significant main effect for movement. Children who had moved actively to find the puzzle pieces in the training trials had (a) a greater percentage correct, (b) more correct visits between errors, and (c) a later visit of first error than children who had been passively pushed in a wheelchair. Making active choices in training did not significantly affect performance. A second experiment used identical procedures but tested 32 children with mobility difficulties who regularly used a wheelchair because of either cerebral palsy or spina bifida. Children from this group who moved actively during training to retrieve the puzzle pieces also performed better on testing. Implications of the results for children with disabilities and for developmental theory are discussed.

children↗
PubMed1995

Inappropriate patient sexual behaviour in physiotherapy practice: a qualitative analysis of questionnaire comments.

It has been reported that over 80% of physiotherapists and physiotherapy students have experienced inappropriate patient sexual behaviour (IPSB). This paper reports the results of a qualitative analysis of written comments respondents made to four open-ended questions that were part of a survey on IPSB. Quantitative analyses of the responses to the remainder of the questions have been reported previously. The objectives of this study were to determine the content required for educational programs and to explore the strategies and suggestions respondents have made relevant to IPSB. A questionnaire was sent to 118 physiotherapists and 87 physiotherapy students. Completed questionnaires were returned by over 70% in each group. The questions asking for comments on how respondents have learned to deal with IPSB and what information about IPSB is important for in-service and undergraduate education were coded into themes to characterize the responses. Respondents described their experiences with IPSB, identified the knowledge areas that they consider to be important, emphasized the importance of prevention, getting and giving support, the specific ways that they have learned to cope, and the skills to handle IPSB. This emphasized the importance of a comprehensive educational strategy to respond to IPSB.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Experiences of student and practicing physical therapists with inappropriate patient sexual behavior.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The objectives of this study were (1) to describe the extent to which practicing physical therapists and physical therapy students have reported experiencing inappropriate patient sexual behavior (IPSB), (2) to document the consequences of IPSB, and (3) to identify the strategies the subjects have used to manage IPSB. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A survey questionnaire was sent to 118 physical therapists and 87 physical therapy students. Completed questionnaires were returned by 74.1% of the subjects (over 70% in each group). RESULTS: The majority of respondents (80.9%) reported having encountered some level of IPSB. Although almost half of the physical therapists and one third of the third- and fourth-year students reported experiencing severe IPSB, including forceful sexual touching and deliberate sexual exposure, only 20% of the respondents perceived that they had been "sexually barassed." Most of the respondents were satisfied with the way in which they handled the IPSB; however, almost 90% considered that in-service and undergraduate education would be desirable. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: It is concluded that this problem should be addressed by further study with a broader sample and by inclusion of these issues in education programs for students and physical therapists.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

A brief component analysis of potential treatment packages in an outpatient clinic setting with young children.

The purpose of this study was to develop outpatient clinic assessments that allowed us to assess multiple treatment variables, produce relatively quick effects, and isolate active treatment components. Assessment began by evaluating a treatment package consisting of antecedent and consequence variables followed by a component analysis to determine the separate effects of the treatment variables. Three examples of the findings are presented.

Ambulatory Care↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Acceptance of an injury-prevention program in rural communities: a preliminary study.

INTRODUCTION: Considerable attention is being addressed to injury prevention. This study addresses the acceptance of a home injury-prevention survey as an injury-prevention tool in rural communities. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate public acceptance of a home injury-prevention survey as a tool to educate and enlighten the public about home injuries. METHODS: All patients with home injuries who came to Wetzel County Hospital Emergency Department were asked if they would participate in a home injury-prevention survey. The study was conducted from 01 May to 01 July 1995. Paramedics were used as interviewers because of the closeness they enjoy with the community. RESULTS: During the study period, 2,104 patients came to the emergency department of Wetzel County Hospital. Of these, 386 sought care because of an injury sustained in their homes. From this group, 23 (5.9%) patients agreed to participate in a home injury-prevention study; 363 (94.1%) refused. CONCLUSION: A home injury-prevention survey alone does not seem to be an effective tool to aid in the reduction of home injuries, because it is not embraced by the general public.

Accidents, Home↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Conditional use of a request for assistance.

PURPOSE: To establish the conditional use of requests for assistance as an alternative to escape maintained challenging behaviour. METHOD: The study involved a 12-year-old boy with a behaviour disorder. Experiment 1 involved the implementation of a reversal design comparing the learner's performance during "easy" and "difficult" addition problems. Experiment 2 involved the implementation of a quasi-experimental design to establish the conditional use of requests for assistance. RESULTS: Conditional use of requests for assistance successfully competed with escape maintained challenging behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that for a newly acquired response to be displayed conditionally, two events must occur. First, the individual must learn the skill that has been associated with requests for assistance. Secondly, the contingencies must be such that reinforcement value is greater for an independent response than for a response that involves a request for assistance.

Behavior Therapy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Client-centered approach to develop a seating clinic satisfaction questionnaire: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to develop a program evaluation tool through a client-centered approach. Client satisfaction questionnaires previously developed for service recipients of a pediatric seating clinic have reflected the professionals' views on what should be asked. METHOD: Seven parents and caregivers of recent service recipients of the seating clinic participated in tape-recorded semistructured interviews. They were asked their views on the seating clinic, how the service could be improved, and the quality of the seat received through the clinic. RESULTS: Data were coded into nine themes related to the process and the product. Using these themes and the vocabulary used by the participants, we developed a satisfaction questionnaire. The validity of the questionnaire was evaluated by requesting feedback on clarity, content, and design from all participants and from a panel of five health professionals. CONCLUSION: A client-centered approach can be used to develop a client satisfaction tool that reflects the needs of the users. Future work will involve testing the tool in the clinical setting.

Ambulatory Care↗