SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Random forests”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 433 records · Page 24Linked to original sources

PubMed1989

Seroepidemiological survey of HTLV-I infection among randomized populations of western central African countries.

Between 1987 and 1988, a survey to determine the distribution of HTLV-I infection was conducted in a representative population of adults, living in southern Chad, Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea. Populations studied were selected by the cluster sampling technique. Sera were tested for IgG antibodies to HTLV-I by ELISA. ELISA-positive sera were retested by Western blot. The study comprised 2,301 adults, all apparently healthy. Crude prevalence rates range from 0.5 to 11.8%. We found three clearly different areas of HTLV-I seroprevalence rates. An area of low seropositivity in southern Chad and northern Cameroon (0.5-2.0%), an area of moderate seropositivity in the savannah region of Ngaoundere, Cameroon (4.2%) and in Bata, Equatorial Guinea (6.5%), and lastly an area of high seropositivity (8.6-11.8%) in the equatorial forest area of Equatorial Guinea and southern Cameroon. HTLV-I seroprevalence rates increased with age up to 12.6% after 40 years old in the areas of high seropositivity. There was no difference between male and female age-adjusted prevalence rates in all of the areas studied.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Independent effects of fragmentation on forest songbirds: an organism-based approach.

The degree to which spatial patterns influence the dynamics and distribution of populations is a central question in ecology. This question is even more pressing in the context of rapid habitat loss and fragmentation, which threaten global biodiversity. However, the relative influence of habitat loss and landscape fragmentation, the spatial patterning of remaining habitat, remains unclear. If landscape pattern affects population size, managers may be able to design landscapes that mitigate habitat loss. We present the results of a mensurative experiment designed to test four habitat loss vs. fragmentation hypotheses. Unlike previous studies, we measured landscape structure using quantitative, spatially explicit habitat distribution models previously developed for two species: Blackburnian Warbler (Dendroica fusca) and Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla). We used a stratified sampling design that reduced the confounding of habitat amount and fragmentation variables. Occurrence and reoccurrence of both species were strongly influenced by characteristics at scales greater than the individual territory, indicating little support for the random-sample hypothesis. However, the type and spatial extent of landscape influence differed. Both occurrence and reoccurrence of Blackburnian Warblers were influenced by the amount of poor-quality matrix at 300- and 2000-m spatial extents. The occurrence and reoccurrence of Ovenbirds depended on a landscape pattern variable, patch size, but only in cases when patches were isolated. These results support the hypothesis that landscape pattern is important for some species only when the amount of suitable habitat is low. Although theoretical models have predicted such an interaction between landscape fragmentation and composition, to our knowledge this is the first study to report empirical evidence of such nonlinear fragmentation effects. Defining landscapes quantitatively from an organism-based perspective may increase power to detect fragmentation effects, particularly in forest mosaics where boundaries between patches and matrix are ambiguous. Our results indicate that manipulating landscape pattern may reduce negative impacts of habitat loss for Ovenbird, but not Blackburnian Warbler. We emphasize that most variance in the occurrence of both species was explained by local scale or landscape composition variables rather than variables reflecting landscape pattern.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Post-operative pain, nausea, vomiting and optic nerve sheath diameter following total intravenous versus inhalational anesthesia for adults undergoing robotic transabdominal surgery - a systematic review and meta- analysis.

BACKGROUND: The introduction of robotic-assisted abdominal surgery is aimed at reducing the primary and secondary adverse outcomes. Anesthesia in robotic surgery varies from anesthesia for open or laparoscopic surgical procedures. The choice of anesthesia influences the perioperative control of pain, nausea, vomiting, and Optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD). The purpose of this systematic review was to assess outcome variation in patients undergoing transabdominal robot-assisted surgery done under total intravenous anesthesia or inhalational anesthesia. METHODOLOGY: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, and Google Scholar (January, 2017 to June, 2024). Search terms included "Anesthesia", "Robotics", "prostatectomy", hysterectomy", "nephrectomy", "cholecystectomy" and "cystectomy" with the Boolean operators "AND" and "OR". We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including adults of both genders aged 18 years and above, who underwent transabdominal robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery and targeting the consequences related to TIVA or inhalational anesthesia. We reviewed titles and abstracts and proceeded to full-text articles of the eligible studies relevant to inclusion criteria. Mean and standard deviations with 95% CI were calculated. Forest plots were used to present data visually. RESULTS: Six studies (340 patients) were included. We found only one study in which post-operative pain was assessed and results favored intravenous anesthesia in robotic transabdominal surgery. Only two studies reported post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Both studies stated that PONV is reported in few patients in the inhalation anesthesia group. We found evidence suggesting that change in ONSD measurements at 10 min after induction (MD 0.04,95% CI -0.02 to 0.11 p = 0.19) and 40-60 min after Trendelenburg position (MD -0.26, 95% CI -0.34 to 0.17, p = 0.16) are much less in intravenous anesthesia group than in inhalation anesthesia group. Total intravenous anesthesia maintains the ONSD and hence the ICP better than inhalational anesthesia in robotic transabdominal surgery with CO2 pneumoperitoneum in Trendelenburg positioning requirements. It would be a safer choice than inhalational anesthesia due to fewer adverse events. CONCLUSION: This review concludes that TIVA is a better choice than inhalational anesthesia for transabdominal robotic-assisted surgery in urology, gynecology, and gastroenterology in both male and female patients.

Humans↗

PubMed1999

Improved control of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a practical education/behavior modification program in a primary care clinic.

BACKGROUND: This study was done to determine the efficacy and ease of administration of education/behavior modification classes, provided by a nurse and a dietitian in a primary care clinic for improving control of type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Patients were divided randomly into two groups. Eighteen patients completed 6 months of structured, office-based classes, and 20 similar patients served as control subjects. All were patients of the same group practice and had their usual office visits. Glycemic control, lipid levels, body weight, knowledge about diabetes, medication requirements, and symptoms were monitored during the 6 months, with follow-up at 12 months. RESULTS: At the end of 6 months, the intervention group had significant reductions in mean fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) values. Their mean body weight was significantly reduced at 12 months, and their knowledge of diabetes was improved. Control patients had significant improvement only in glycosylated hemoglobin and body weight at 6 months. Minimal physician time was required. CONCLUSION: The education/behavior modification program was clinically worthwhile, and it was easy to administer.

Aged↗

PubMed2026

Nature-based meaning-focused photography intervention enhances subjective well-being: A three-arm randomized controlled study.

Gaining meaning from nature contact can promote subjective well-being. However, few studies have validated the effectiveness of nature-based meaning interventions in enhancing subjective well-being. This study consisted of a 7-day online intervention to examine the effects of nature-based meaning-focused photography on well-being by comparing a photo-only group, a photo + writing group, and a waiting list control group and how meaning in life mediates the relationship between nature contact and well-being. A pre-registered three-arm randomized controlled trial (groups: photo + writing group vs. photo-only group vs. control group) * (time: pre-test vs. post-test vs. 1-month follow-up) was conducted with 219 college students. In the photo + writing group, participants captured nature scenes and wrote 100-word reflections. The photo-only group only took nature photos. The primary outcomes were meaning in life and well-being, and the secondary outcome was life satisfaction. A conservative Bayesian causal forest analysis based on machine learning was used to detect both treatment and heterogeneous intervention effects. Compared with the control group, the photo + writing group showed positive effects on meaning in life, subjective well-being, and life satisfaction, with average treatment effects of 0.36, 0.27, and 0.66 standard deviations (SD), respectively. The photo-only group also showed generally positive effects on these outcomes, with average treatment effects of 0.27, 0.24, and 0.54 SD, respectively. However, these effects were not sustained after 1 month. The intervention was especially beneficial for participants from lower subjective socioeconomic status, with limited prior nature exposure, or lower baseline psychological well-being. Importantly, enhanced meaning in life helped explain how the intervention improved well-being and life satisfaction. This study also demonstrated that combining nature-based photography and reflective writing can improve well-being.

Humans↗

PubMed2003

Geography and niche occupancy as determinants of yeast biodiversity: the yeast-insect-morning glory ecosystem of Kīpuka Puaulu, Hawai'i.

Biodiversity theory proposes two types of hypotheses to account for the species composition of a given community. The first encompasses geographic and historical factors. For example, local species richness is thought to be affected by area, proximity to large landmasses, dispersal mechanisms, and climatic history, collectively known as biogeography. The second type, termed niche occupancy rules, deals with the intrinsic properties of the species as they affect their interaction with the habitat and with other members of the community. The yeast-insect-morning glory ecosystem is a good model to explore biodiversity theory in ascomycetous yeasts. Here we focus on beetles that breed or feed in morning glories and a group of ascomycetous yeasts that are associated exclusively with them. Specifically, we analyse the community found in the vicinity of Kīpuka Puaulu, a small patch of disturbed but mature forest situated amidst lava flows on the island of Hawai'i. Major members of the yeast community include Metschnikowia hawaiiensis, Metschnikowia lochheadii, and the related asexual species Candida ipomoeae and Candida kipukae. These species are nearly indistinguishable from one another in terms of nutritional requirements and abilities, although their phylogenetic range is enormous. Their distribution, both global and local, is far from random. As Kīpuka Puaulu is an island within an island, the principles of island biogeography may be invoked to explain some aspects of its yeast species composition. M. lochheadii, C. ipomoeae, and the rare species Candida hawaiiana are recent introductions from the American continent and therefore exotic, whereas M. hawaiiensis and C. kipukae might be regarded as endemic, as they are yet to be isolated elsewhere. Vectoring by certain nitidulid beetles explains the long-range dispersal of these species. However, niche occupancy rules may account in part for the local spatial distribution of the yeasts within the island of Hawai'i and within the kīpuka itself. We have identified the maximum growth temperature as a potentially critical property of the fundamental niche of these yeasts.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Phenology, sex ratio, and spatial distribution among dioecious species of Trichilia (Meliaceae).

The flowering, sex ratio, and spatial distribution of four dioecious species of Trichilia (Meliaceae) were studied in a semi-deciduous forest in southeastern Brazil. All reproductive trees (T. clausseni, T. pallida and T. catigua) with dbh > or = 5 cm within a 1-ha plot were collected, sexed, mapped and, for individuals of each species, the distances to the nearest neighbour of the same and opposite sex were measured. For the shrub species T. elegans (dbh < 5 cm), all reproductive individuals were sampled randomly in 10 samples of 10 x 10 m. The reproductive phenology was observed at weekly to monthly intervals from May 1988 to January 1990. The species are strictly dioecious, did not present any sex-mixed trees or sex switching during the study, and sex ratio did not differ significantly from 1 : 1. The size distributions and the relative size variation were not significantly different between sexes. There was no significant segregation or clumping between individuals of either sex and no fruit production without pollination. Onset of flowering and flowering peak were synchronous between male and female plants for all species studied. Flower synchrony was related to outcrossing and pollinator attraction rather than climatic factors.

Flowers↗

PubMed2005

Effects of soil temperature on shoot and root growth and nutrient uptake of 5-year-old Norway spruce seedlings.

Soil temperature is a main factor limiting root growth in the boreal forest. To simulate the possible soil-warming effect of future climate change, 5-year-old Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seedlings were subjected to three simulated growing seasons in controlled environment rooms. The seedlings were acclimated to a soil temperature of 16 degrees C during the first (GS I) and third growing seasons (GS III), but were assigned to random soil-temperature treatments of 9, 13, 18 and 21 degrees C during the second growing season (GS II). In GS II, shoot diameter growth was lowest in the 21 degrees C treatment and root growth was lowest in the 9 degrees C treatment. In GS III, shoot height and root length growth improved in seedlings that had been kept at 9 degrees C during GS II, indicating compensatory growth in response to increased soil temperature. The temporary decrease in soil temperature had no long-lasting significant effect on seedling biomass or total nutrient uptake. At the end of GS III, fine roots of seedlings exposed to a soil temperature of 21 degrees C in GS II were distributed more evenly between the organic and mineral soil layers than roots of seedlings in the other treatments. During GS II and GS III, root growth started earlier than shoot growth, decreased during the rapid shoot elongation phase and increased again as shoot growth decreased.

Picea↗

PubMed1991

Ecological distribution of Chikungunya haemagglutination inhibition antibodies in human and domestic animals in Nigeria.

A serological survey to detect presence of antibodies to Chikungunya virus in 477 human sera randomly sampled from four ecological zones of Nigeria was carried out employing a haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test. Similarly 220 animal sera collected mostly from the northern parts of Nigeria were screened for HI antibody to Chikungunya virus. Of the 477 human sera tested a total of 68 or 14.3% were found to possess Chikungunya HI antibodies made up of 10% in swampy forest, 20% in the rain forest, 14% in the derived savannah and 6.7% in the guinea savannah. Such sera positive for Chikungunya HI antibodies were further screened against other circulating alphaviruses of which 17 or 25% were positive to Igbo-Ora virus, 6 or 38.1% to Semliki forest virus and 36 or 52.6% were positive to Sindbis virus. Five or 2.3% of the 220 animal sera screened were found to possess Chikungunya HI antibodies.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Three-dimensional structure of endosomes in BHK-21 cells.

The organization of the endosome compartment in BHK-21 cells was studied by using horseradish peroxidase as a fluid-phase marker and Semliki Forest virus as an adsorptive marker. Stereo pairs of semithin sections (0.2-0.5 micron) and computer-aided reconstruction and tracing of serial thin sections (CARTOS) were used to obtain three-dimensional images of the labeled compartments. Two types of labeled organelles could be observed: small vesicles and tubules (approximately equal to 50 nm in diameter) and large complex structures consisting of central vesicular elements (with diameters up to 0.5 micron) and associated systems of radiating tubules. The large endosomes were located either in the peripheral cytoplasm or in the perinuclear region, and, importantly, they existed as independent organelles and not as an interconnected reticulum. Each endosomal vacuole had two to seven tubules oriented in random directions from the central vesicle. The tubules were 60-100 nm in diameter and up to 4 micron in length. Morphometric estimates indicated that 60-70% of the endosomal membrane was in the tubules, in contrast to 30-40% of the volume. No structural continuity between endosomes and Golgi cisternae was observed, although elements of the two systems were frequently found in close proximity.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Valdecoxib is more efficacious than rofecoxib in relieving pain associated with oral surgery.

Inhibition of the cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 enzyme has been shown previously to reduce pain and inflammation. Valdecoxib is a new highly selective COX-2 inhibitor with a rapid onset of action and significant analgesic properties. This study compared the analgesic efficacy of valdecoxib and rofecoxib in treating postoperative pain in patients undergoing oral surgery. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study compared the efficacy of 40 mg valdecoxib with that of 50 mg rofecoxib and placebo. Efficacy was assessed by the onset of analgesia, pain intensity levels, and pain relief over 24 hours, time-weighted sum of total pain, sum of pain intensity difference, the percentage of patients requiring rescue medication and experiencing regimen failure, and patients' global evaluation. Patients receiving valdecoxib experienced a significantly quicker onset of analgesia, significantly improved pain relief, and lower pain intensity compared with patients receiving rofecoxib and greater satisfaction with their study medication after a single dose. Valdecoxib also demonstrated efficacy that was superior to that of rofecoxib with respect to the percentage of patients requiring rescue medication or experiencing regimen failure (p < or =.05). Valdecoxib, rofecoxib, and placebo were equally well tolerated. This study demonstrates that valdecoxib provides significantly greater analgesic efficacy than rofecoxib in the management of pain after oral surgery.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Vitamin A deficiency is prevalent in children less than 5 y of age in Nigeria.

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a serious and widespread public health problem in developing countries. We conducted a nationwide food consumption and nutrition survey in Nigeria to help fomulate strategies to address VAD, among other deficiencies. One objectives was to assess the vitamin A status of children <5 y old. A total of 6480 households with a mother and child <5 y old were randomly sampled. Blood samples were collected by venipuncture and processed to obtain serum for measurement of retinol concentration by HPLC. Nationwide, 29.5% of children <5 y old were vitamin A deficient (serum retinol <0.70 micromol/L). The proportions of children with VAD differed among the agroecological zones; incidences were 31.3% in the dry savanna, 24.0% in the moist savanna, and 29.9% in the humid forest (P < 0.001). More children (P < 0.05) with severe deficiency (serum retinol < 0.35 micromol/L) lived in the humid forest (7.1%) than in the dry (3.1%) or moist savanna (2.4%). The distribution of VA in children <5 y old was 25.6% in the rural sector, 32.6% in the medium, and 25.9% in the urban sector (P < 0.05). In conclusion, VAD is a severe public health problem in Nigeria. Although the proportion of children with low serum vitamin A levels varies agroecologically and across sectors, it is an important public health problem in all zones and sectors.

Child, Preschool↗

PubMed2000

Foraging behavior of bee pollinators on the tropical weed Triumfetta semitriloba: flight distance and directionality.

We studied flight distance and directionality of bee pollinators on the tropical shrub weed Triumfetta semitriloba Jacq. (Tiliaceae), addressing (1) within- and between-plant movement pattern; (2) distances flown between plants; (3) flight directionality. Flowering plants were distributed in well-delimited clumps, in each of two pasture areas (A1 and A2) and one area of forest gap (A3), in Viçosa, southeastern Brazil. Five solitary bee species, Augochlorella michaelis, Augochloropsis cupreola, Pseudocentron paulistana, Ceratinula sp., Melissodes sexcincta, and two social bee, Plebeia droryana, P. cf. nigriceps were observed. All species moved mainly to the nearest flower on the same individual plant and, in between-plant movements, to the first or second nearest neighbor. All species moved non-randomly, presenting a flight directionality in departures (maintenance of flight direction), but with a high frequency of turn angles. It is suggested that this foraging behavior pattern occurred because of the resource quantity and quality (pollen or nectar), and environmental characteristics such as flower density and resource distribution.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Ivermectin distribution and the cultural context of forest onchocerciasis in South Province, Cameroon.

This investigation examined the cultural context of forest onchocerciasis in several communities in the Dja-Lobo Division of southern Cameroon. The study sought to elucidate behaviors that would enhance or diminish health status relative to forest onchocerciasis and other filarial infections, and to make culturally sensitive and appropriate recommendations regarding the development of health education materials and the long-term sustainability of the ivermectin distribution program in Dja-Lobo. The study consisted of two sequential components; the first was a qualitative study of a few severely affected villages and the second was a quantitative study of 212 randomly selected heads of households from eight villages. The Boulou and Baka peoples in these communities defined general filariasis (minak) as small worms under the skin, identified flies as important transmitters of the illness, and indicated that blindness and other skin and ocular problems were a consequence of the illness. Illness of the Dja (referring to an illness found near the Dja River) was another illness that was closely linked to onchocerciasis; local people indicated it was transmitted by the black flies found near the Dja River, resulting in severe itching and leopard skin. These and other cultural-behavioral data on filariasis were used to implement a health education and distribution program.

Antinematodal Agents↗

PubMed2003

Spatial grain and the causes of regional diversity gradients in ants.

Gradients of species richness (S; the number of species of a given taxon in a given area and time) are ubiquitous. A key goal in ecology is to understand whether and how the many processes that generate these gradients act at different spatial scales. Here we evaluate six hypotheses for diversity gradients with 49 New World ant communities, from tundra to rain forest. We contrast their performance at three spatial grains from S(plot), the average number of ant species nesting in a m2 plot, through Fisher's alpha, an index that treats our 30 1-m2 plots as subsamples of a locality's diversity. At the smallest grain, S(plot), was tightly correlated (r2 = 0.99) with colony abundance in a fashion indistinguishable from the packing of randomly selected individuals into a fixed space. As spatial grain increased, the coaction of two factors linked to high net rates of diversification--warm temperatures and large areas of uniform climate--accounted for 75% of the variation in Fisher's alpha. However, the mechanisms underlying these correlations (i.e., precisely how temperature and area shape the balance of speciation to extinction) remain elusive.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Disease management programs for depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Substantial deficits in the care of depression make the provision of new evidence-based care models a matter of increasing importance. So far, disease management programs (DMPs) have not been systematically assessed. OBJECTIVE: This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials investigating the effectiveness of DMP for depression as compared with usual primary care. METHODS: Criteria for study selection were depression as main diagnosis in adults, the intervention DMP (evidence-based guidelines, patient/provider education, collaborative care, reminder systems, and monitoring), and trial quality A/B (Cochrane Collaboration guidelines) rated by 2 observers. Measurement instruments had to be published in peer-reviewed journals and filled out by the participants, their relations, or independent raters. Meta-analyses were conducted by using dichotomous outcomes within forest plots. Tests of heterogeneity, sensitivity analyses, and funnel plots were performed. Economic evaluations were descriptively summarized. RESULTS: DMP had a significant effect on depression severity, with a relative risk of 0.75 (95% confidence interval 0.70-0.81) in a homogeneous dataset of 10 high-quality trials. It was robust in all sensitivity analyses (evidence level 1A). Funnel plot symmetry indicated a low probability of publication bias. Patient satisfaction and adherence to the treatment regimen improved significantly, but only in heterogeneous models. The costs per quality adjusted life year ranged between US 9,051 dollars and US 49,500 dollars. CONCLUSION: DMP significantly enhance the quality of care for depression. Costs are within the range of other widely accepted public health improvements. Future research should focus on the effect of long-term interventions, and the compatibility with health care systems other than managed-care driven ones.

Antidepressive Agents↗

PubMed2004

Spatial structure and genetic diversity of two tropical tree species with contrasting breeding systems and different ploidy levels.

Analyses of the spatial distribution pattern, spatial genetic structure and of genetic diversity were carried out in two tropical tree species with contrasting breeding systems and different ploidy levels using a 50-ha demographic plot in a lowland dipterocarp forest in Peninsular Malaysia. Shorea leprosula is a diploid and predominantly outcrossed species, whereas S. ovalis ssp. sericea is an autotetraploid species with apomictic mode of reproduction. Genetic diversity parameters estimated for S. leprosula using microsatellite were consistently higher than using allozyme. In comparisons with S. leprosula and other tropical tree species, S. ovalis ssp. sericea also displayed relatively high levels of genetic diversity. This might be explained by the lower pressure of genetic drift due to tetrasomic inheritance, and for autotetraploids each locus can accommodate up to four different alleles and this allows maintenance of more alleles at individual loci. The observed high levels of genetic diversity in S. ovalis ssp. sericea can also be due to a random retention of more heterogeneous individuals in the past, and the apomictic mode of reproduction might be an evolutionary strategy, which allows the species to maintain high levels of genetic diversity. The spatial distribution pattern analyses of both species showed significant levels of aggregation at small and medium but random distribution at the big diameter-class. The decrease in magnitude of spatial aggregation from small- to large-diameter classes might be due to compensatory mortality during recruitment and survival under competitive thinning process. Spatial genetic structure analyses for both species revealed significant spatial genetic structure for short distances in all the three diameter-classes. The magnitude of spatial genetic structure in both species was observed to be decreasing from smaller- to larger-diameter classes. The high spatial genetic structuring observed in S. ovalis ssp. sericea at the small-diameter class is due primarily to limited seed dispersal and apomictic mode of reproduction. The similar observation in S. leprosula, however, can be explained by limited seed and pollen dispersal, which supports further the fact that the species is pollinated by weak fliers, mainly of Thrips and Megalurothrips in the lowland dipterocarp forest.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1993

Group psychotherapy during radiotherapy: effects on emotional and physical distress.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether group psychotherapy during radiotherapy for cancer significantly decreases patients' emotional and physical distress. METHOD: Twenty-four patients receiving radiotherapy were randomly selected for group psychotherapy (six patients per group, 90-minute weekly sessions for 10 weeks). Another 24 patients served as control subjects. Each patient was given the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (SADS) at the onset of radiotherapy, midway through radiotherapy, at the end of radiotherapy, and 4 and 8 weeks after radiotherapy ended. RESULTS: The combined SADS items for depression, pessimism and hopelessness, somatic preoccupation and worry, social isolation and withdrawal, insomnia, and anxiety and agitation were used as a measure of emotional distress. The combined SADS items for anorexia, nausea and vomiting, and fatigue were used as a measure of physical distress. By 4 weeks after the end of radiotherapy, the patients who received group psychotherapy showed significant decreases in both emotional and physical symptoms, and the decreases were greater than those for the control patients. The subjects who initially seemed unaware of their cancer diagnoses had the lowest baseline levels of emotional and physical distress, but 4 weeks after the end of radiotherapy they had high distress levels. CONCLUSIONS: Group therapy may enhance quality of life for cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy by reducing their emotional and physical distress. The degree to which patients acknowledge the diagnosis of malignancy may be a factor in their initial distress level and their response to radiotherapy and group therapy.

Adult↗