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Biomedical subjects

L W Buckalew

Publications and source records attributed to L W Buckalew.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Survey of the nature and prevalence of patients' noncompliance and implications for intervention.

The problem of patients' noncompliance is discussed, noting possible biases in estimates of prevalence (18 to 82%) which may overestimate compliance rates and frequent failure to define conditions constituting compliance. This survey obtained information on the nature and incidence of noncompliance from a "healthy," Census-based, sample (n = 148), age 20 to 79 years. Data were examined to identify relationships among variables in compliance and demographic characteristics. The typical household had 3.9 prescribed drugs, 46% of respondents chose generic products, 54% preferred tablets or pills, and 69% cited physicians as their primary information source on medications. Rates were identified for obtaining and using all prescribed drugs and following frequency and dose instructions for prescriptions. Full compliance was reported by 25%, and seriousness of illness was the most important factor cited as an influence.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Patients' compliance: the problem and directions for psychological research.

The problem of patients' noncompliance with prescribed medications is discussed, to include prevalence and suspected variables of influence. This article seeks to sensitize psychological researchers to the problem, cites research on nonspecific drug factors which could affect noncompliance, and suggests directions for needed research efforts. Variables suggested for study include perceptual qualities of medications and associated expectations and preferences. It is suggested that a psychological research perspective could broaden understanding of noncompliance and possibly lead to "engineering" of medications which could enhance compliance.

Humans↗
PubMed1989

Note on color preference and color vision test performance.

The incidence of color deficient vision was investigated using the Pseudo-Isochromatic Plates on a relatively large and representative group. In the sample of 112 adults aged 20 to 80 yr. and comprised of 53% women and 12% minorities, 8% of men and 3% of women were color deficient. Over-all performance indicated no effects for sex or race. Nearly half of the plates were nondiscriminating among sex, minority/majority, and "normal" and "defective" color vision groups. Named color preferences within the "normal" group strongly favored blues and reflected no sex differences.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Patient compliance and medication perception.

The problem of patient/client noncompliance with regimens of prescribed medication is addressed, with attention to the incidence and illogical nature of this behavior. The psychological theory of cognitive dissonance is suggested as appropriate to an understanding of some aspects of noncompliance because medicinal preparations represent stimuli that are not necessarily neutral. A medication's perceptual properties may have important and specific meanings for patients or clients that may support or detract from compliance. Recent research and empirical evidence that reflects on this concept are reviewed. With further efforts, it may be possible to enhance compliance through perceptual engineering.

Cognitive Dissonance↗
PubMed1984

Antecedent and attendant stimuli in smoking: implications for behavioral maintenance and modification.

Considerable research exists on biological and psychological explanations for smoking and evaluations of interventions. This research, which supports a psychological model of smoking maintenance, identified situations commonly associated with smoking and noted implications for intervention. College student (N = 34) and general public (N = 48) men and women smokers were questioned about the frequency, onset age, and daily situations associated with their habit. No sex differences were found in either sample for responses, and correlations between smoking rate and onset age or years of smoking were not significant. Chi-square analysis indicated significant differences between samples in frequency with which common situational stimuli were associated with smoking. This behavior may be maintained as functionally autonomous, and effective intervention must sensitize smokers to elicitive situational stimuli as well as the smoking response.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Relation of capsule color and perceived potency.

Perceptual properties of medications can elicit specific expectancies and may have implications for patients' compliance. To explore the relationship between capsules' color and perceived potency, 20 participants rank-ordered seven capsules of saturated hue. 10 men showed more agreement than 10 women in ranking strength; red and black capsules were ranked as 'strongest' and white as 'weakest.'

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Negative air ion effects on human performance and physiological condition.

Beneficial effects of exposure to negative air ions have been suggested, to include improved performance, mood, attention, and physiological condition. Existing support is clouded by methodological problems of control and standardization in treatment and equipment. This study investigated effects of negative ions produced by a commercially marketed air purification device on grip magnitude, coding, motor dexterity, reaction time, tracking, pulse, blood pressure, and temperature. Two groups of 12 males were exposed to 6 continuous h of either negative or "normal" ion environments under a double blind condition. Repeated measures (0,3,6 h) on each variable were obtained. MANOVA applied to change scores revealed no differences between groups, and 0 vs. 3 and 0 vs. 6-h group differences showed no significant alteration in any measure. Negative ions generated by an air purification device were concluded to produce no general or specific alteration of cognitive or psychomotor performance or physiological condition.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Drug expectations associated with perceptual characteristics: ethnic factors.

For drugs, perceptual characteristics of size, form, and color have been associated with specific expectancies. Generally, capsules are perceived as stronger than tablets, larger capsules are seen as stronger than smaller ones, and some capsule colors have specifically ascribed expectations of drug action. This study replicated previous work with black subjects to assess perceptual constancies in drug expectancy between ethnic groups. 50 black subjects classified 12 colored capsules into 5 categories of drug action, rank-ordered 6 capsule sizes for relative strength, and compared a tablet and capsule for strength. Appreciable differences between white and black samples were noted for size-strength relationships and drug action expectancy associated with capsule colors. Results suggest ethnic implications for drug efficacy and compliance, with blacks less influenced by perceptual characteristics of drugs.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

An investigation of drug expectancy as a function of capsule color and size and preparation form.

Much of a drug response is related to nonspecific factors. Perceptual characteristics of drug preparations likely play a major role in expectancy and response. This study focused on perceptual characteristics of a preparation related to anticipated effect: capsule color, capsule size, and preparation form (capsule versus tablet). College students ranked capsules for perceived strength based on capsule size, categorized capsules in terms of anticipated pharmacological effect based on color, and evaluated strength based on preparation form. Data showed nonchance distributions for nine capsule colors in anticipated action, with specific effects for four colors. A significant difference between capsule and tablet for perceived strength was found, as was a trend relating capsule size to perceived drug strength. Discussion centered on awareness and consideration of drug perceptual characteristics in support of drug efficacy.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Subjective response to negative air ion exposure.

This study investigated specific subjective or psychological effects of relatively long exposure to negative ions generated by a conventional air purification device. Subjects--24 males matched for age, education, physical condition, and smoking habits--were divided into a control (N = 12) and an ion exposure group (N = 12). The groups were subjected to 6 h normal and negatively charged atmospheres, respectively. The tests used were the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale (TMAS) and a self-report mood index. The analysis of TMAS change scores clearly showed no effect of negative ion exposure on anxiety. Analysis of mood index data showed significant changes in the subjective perception of both physiological state (relaxation increased) and psychological state (irritability, depression, and tenseness decreased while calmness and stimulation increased.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Alcohol: a description and comparison of recent scientific vs. public knowledge.

Sought to survey alcohol research since the "rediscovery" of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and to compare recent scientific knowledge with that of the general public. Research was found to concentrate on searching for explanations of alcohol use and/or abuse and on several areas of biological morphogenesis. Significant documentation exists for FAS and validates both physiological and developmental attributes. As an index of public knowledge, an alcohol questionnaire was administered to 190 high-school, college, and graduate students. True-false items represented statements relative to the nature, etiology, effects, variables, and consequences of alcohol use/abuse. The composite mean of less than 60% correct suggested significant misinformation and misconceptions about alcohol. A summary of the most dramatic informational deficits was presented. There was a positive, though minimal, relationship between alcohol knowledge and education, and both sex and race differences were noted.

Adolescent↗