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Biomedical subjects

J S Webster

Publications and source records attributed to J S Webster.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

A scoring method for logical memory that is sensitive to right-hemispheric dysfunction.

We developed a relationally processing-based scoring system (RPSS) for the Wechsler Memory Scale's (WMS) Logical Memory subtest. Information from the stories was classified as either essential to the plot (Essential proposition) or nonessential to the plot (Detail proposition). The subjects' responses were also scored for intrusion errors (Self-Generated propositions). The normal control group's performance was compared with the performance of a right cerebrovascular accident group (R-CVA), and a left cerebrovascular accident group (L-CVA), each consisting of 20 right-handed subjects. ANOVAs revealed that the R-CVA group recalled significantly fewer Detail propositions and produced significantly more Self-Generated propositions than did the Normal Control group. In contrast, these groups recalled approximately the same number of Essential propositions. The L-CVA group recalled fewer Essential propositions than did any other group, but also produced the fewest intrusion errors.

Arousal↗
PubMed1991

Case report: salmonellosis complicated by leukocytoclastic vasculitis.

We report the case of a healthy young Hispanic man with Salmonella typhimurium bacteremia and leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Leukocytoclastic vasculitis has not been previously reported as a complication of salmonella gastroenteritis and bacteremia. Salmonella gastroenteritis is rarely associated with bacteremia in healthy young adults.

Humans↗
PubMed1989

Wheelchair obstacle course performance in right cerebral vascular accident victims.

The initial experiment of this paper investigated the role of hemispatial neglect in wheelchair-related accidents of right-hemisphere stroke victims. Twelve subjects with and 12 subjects without neglect of left space drove their wheelchairs through an obstacle course. Two types of obstacle course errors were evaluated: direct hits and sideswipes. The neglecting group made significantly more direct hits but there were no significant differences between groups in sideswipe errors. In Experiment 2, the nonneglecting group's data were compared with a left-hemisphere stroke group without neglect and three motor control groups to investigate if their errors resulted from motor deficits. The right-hemisphere stroke group made significantly more left-sided errors and errors in contralateral space than any other group. In Experiment 3, 13 subjects with neglect were taught to scan to the left which resulted in significant decreases in direct hits but not in sideswipes on the obstacle course. These results suggest that obstacle course performance is sensitive to more than hemispatial neglect.

Accident Proneness↗
PubMed1988

Behavioral assessment and treatment of the brain-injured patient.

From the literature on compensatory training it is clear that brain injured patients can learn to perform tasks they were incapable of soon after their brain injury. At present, little more can be said about the efficacy of cognitive retraining for several reasons. First, the bulk of our studies do not permit prediction to real-life recovery because they have focused on improvements on psychometric tests or experimental procedures with little social validity. Second, most studies have failed to assess the patient's ability to self-initiate the acquired skills and even they have, few studies have shown that patients can use the skill effectively to solve problems on their own. Third, the majority of studies have used only a few subjects and do not allow an evaluation of the power of a given technique for a given neuropsychological problem. In studies using multiple single cases, many researchers typically have had to modify the techniques to the unique psychological and neuropsychological strengths and weaknesses of their subjects. Hence, even very similar procedures at the outset often have been so radically changed during the course of therapy that they share few characteristics across subjects by the end of training. Finally, most important to the future of cognitive retraining is the continuation of research and development. Although the initial results of cognitive retraining efforts have been encouraging, clinical retraining techniques may be more popular than the extant treatment outcome data warrant. Promising the public a technology that has not been adequately developed is bound to produce negative repercussions for both patients and agencies willing to fund such treatment.

Aphasia↗
PubMed1984

The assessment of subjective tension levels among several muscle groups: the tension mannequin.

The present paper introduces the Tension Mannequin, a self-report questionnaire on which tension levels of various muscle groups are rated. In Experiment 1 this instrument was administered to 44 normal adults preceding and following relaxation training. Questionnaire results revealed that subjects used three tension level ratings across muscles. Only 14% of the sample rated all muscle groups identically. Pre-training correlations between the individual muscle ratings and a general rating of tension suggested that the general rating was made by averaging tension in various muscle sites. The questionnaire appeared to be sensitive to the effects of relaxation training since pre- and post-comparisons of all muscle groups were significantly different. Experiment 2 investigated whether the questionnaire would differentiate subjects suffering at least three tension headaches per week from those reporting less than three. Results revealed that the frequent headache group had greater subjective tension in the forehead and neck. A case example illustrates how the Tension Mannequin revealed the importance of back discomfort to a patient's experience of tension headaches and general tension.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Analysis of nurses' knowledge of behavioral methods applied to chronic and acute pain patients.

Thirty-seven nurses with no formal training in behavioral methods were assessed on their knowledge of basic behavioral principles and terminology, the application of behavioral methods with chronic and acute pain patients to decrease negative and increase positive behaviors, and when and with which patients such methods should be applied. Results showed that nurses failed to exhibit adequate understanding of behavioral methods except for their application to decrease negative behavior. Findings are discussed in terms of documenting the need for formal training in behavioral methods as part of nurses' academic curriculum and targeting specific areas that should be emphasized as part of such training.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1979

Assessment of smoking behavior.

The nature of smoking risk is first reviewed and a classification of procedures for assessing smoking behavior is presented. Areas requiring assessment include not only the traditionally measured smoking rate, but also the substance used and topography of consumption. Each of these areas may be assessed through a variety of self-report, observational, or indirect techniques. These techniques as well as some of their advantages and disadvantages are presented. Recently published (1975 to mid-1978) data-based smoking research appearing in four journals (Addictive Behaviors, Behavior Therapy, Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, and Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology) is then reviewed with respect to measurement reliability and the use of multiple measures. Results show a strong tendency to assess only the risk area of smoking rate and a low frequency of appropriate measurement reliability checks, especially during baseline and treatment phases. Some of the implications of these results are discussed.

Humans↗
PubMed1975

Instructional, pacing, and feedback control of respiratory behavior.

Procedures designed to affect respiration rate and amplitude were assessed for 4 groups of 8 subjects each. The groups were exposed to combinations of procedures providing feedback for decreasing respiration amplitude, pacing respiration rate, and instructions on rate and amplitude of breathing. After an initial baseline, effects were examined during both treatment and self-management phases for respiratory activity and concurrent heart-rate and electromyogram activity. Reliable effects of pacing on respiration rate, and a slight, but non-significant effect on amplitude were observed. No effects were observed for any heart-rate or electromyogram measures.

Auditory Perception↗