Catalogue Search | MBRL
Are you sure you want to remove the book from the shelf?
{{itemTitle}}
294
result(s) for
"Blind Interviews."
Sort by:
The role of blinded interviews in the assessment of surgical residency candidates
Background: Interview assessments of surgical residency candidates may be biased by prior knowledge of objective data.
Methods: Each candidate (site 1: n = 88; site 2: n = 44) underwent two interviews, one by faculty members informed only of a candidate’s medical school, the second with prior knowledge of the complete application. Interviewers (site 1: n = 28; site 2: n = 14) independently rated candidates overall and on nine qualitative characteristics.
Results: At site 1 only, overall ratings were significantly more favorable for unblinded than blinded interviews (23.0 ± 17.7 versus 32.6 ± 23.1,
P < 0.01). Blinded and unblinded overall ratings correlated −0.01 (
P = 0.90) and 0.31 (
P = 0.05) at sites 1 and 2, respectively. At site 1 only, overall ratings correlated significantly with USMLE scores, but in opposite directions for blinded (
r = 0.32,
P = 0.003) versus unblinded interviews (
r = −0.32,
P = 0.003).
Conclusion: Interview assessments may be influenced by objective data, and faculty and program variables. The value of blinded interviewing may vary as a function of individual program characteristics.
Journal Article
Virtual Reality Job Interview Training in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder
The feasibility and efficacy of virtual reality job interview training (VR-JIT) was assessed in a single-blinded randomized controlled trial. Adults with autism spectrum disorder were randomized to VR-JIT (
n
= 16) or treatment-as-usual (TAU) (
n
= 10) groups. VR-JIT consisted of simulated job interviews with a virtual character and didactic training. Participants attended 90 % of laboratory-based training sessions, found VR-JIT easy to use and enjoyable, and they felt prepared for future interviews. VR-JIT participants had greater improvement during live standardized job interview role-play performances than TAU participants (
p
= 0.046). A similar pattern was observed for self-reported self-confidence at a trend level (
p
= 0.060). VR-JIT simulation performance scores increased over time (
R
2
= 0.83). Results indicate preliminary support for the feasibility and efficacy of VR-JIT, which can be administered using computer software or via the internet.
Journal Article
Mindfulness-based intervention improves residual negative symptoms and cognitive impairment in schizophrenia: a randomized controlled follow-up study
Residual negative symptoms and cognitive impairment are common for chronic schizophrenia patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) on negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia patients with residual negative symptoms.
In this 6-week, randomized, single-blind, controlled study, a total of 100 schizophrenia patients with residual negative symptoms were randomly assigned to the MBI or control group. The 6-week MBI group and the control group with general rehabilitation programs maintained their original antipsychotic treatments. The scores for the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), and the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) were recorded at baseline and week 6 to assess psychotic symptoms, cognitive performance, and emotional state, respectively.
Compared with general rehabilitation programs, MBI alleviated the PANSS-negative subscore, general psychopathology subscore, and PANSS total score in schizophrenia patients with residual negative symptoms (
= 33.77,
< 0.001;
= 42.01,
< 0.001;
= 52.41,
< 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, MBI improved RBANS total score and immediate memory subscore (
= 8.80,
= 0.024;
= 11.37,
= 0.006), as well as SCL-90 total score in schizophrenia patients with residual negative symptoms (
= 18.39,
< 0.001).
Our results demonstrate that MBI helps schizophrenia patients with residual negative symptoms improve clinical symptoms including negative symptom, general psychopathology symptom, and cognitive impairment.
ChiCTR2100043803.
Journal Article
Effect of Daily Ingestion of Quercetin-Rich Onion Powder for 12 Weeks on Visceral Fat: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Study
Quercetin, which is frequently found in vegetables such as onion, is widely found to have biological activities such as visceral fat reduction. Therefore, we performed this randomised double-blind placebo-controlled parallel-group study and analysed the effects of daily intake of quercetin-rich onion on visceral fat for 12 weeks. Seventy healthy Japanese subjects whose body mass index (BMI) was ≥23 and <30 were recruited and randomly assigned to either the quercetin-rich onion group or placebo group. The subjects ingested 9 g of onion powder per day for 12 weeks. We conducted medical interviews, hematological and biological tests; measured body composition and vital signs; and analysed the Food Frequency Questionnaire weeks 0, 4, 8, and 12. Abdominal fat area was measured using computed tomography scanning at weeks 0 and 12. No significant differences in visceral fat area (VFA) were observed between the two groups. However, in subjects whose high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was lower, VFA was significantly lower in the quercetin-rich onion group. In addition, alanine aminotransferase was significantly lower in the quercetin-rich onion group than in the placebo group. Thus, the results suggest that quercetin-rich onion may be beneficial for preventing obesity and improving liver function.
Journal Article
Simvastatin as a neuroprotective treatment for Parkinson’s disease (PD STAT): protocol for a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled futility study
IntroductionParkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition affecting approximately 185,000 people in the UK. No drug has been proven to slow disease progression. Epidemiological and pre-clinical data support simvastatin, a widely used cholesterol-lowering drug with a well-established safety profile, having neuroprotective properties. The aim of this study (Simvastatin as a neuroprotective treatment for PD (PD STAT)) is to determine whether simvastatin has the potential to slow PD progression. The study is part of the International Linked Clinical Trials initiative coordinated by The Cure Parkinson’s Trust. This paper describes the protocol for the PD STAT study.Methods and analysisPD STAT is a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, multi-centre, parallel group, futility trial in patients with PD of mild–moderate severity. 235 participants have been recruited and randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to receive either oral simvastatin or matched placebo. Treatment involves a 1-month low-dose phase (40 mg daily), followed by a 23-month high-dose phase (80 mg daily) and ends with a 2-month washout period. Participants are reviewed at clinic visits at 1 month, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 26 months post-baseline, with interim telephone follow-up to monitor for adverse events.The primary outcome is the change in the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale part III motor subscale score in the practically defined OFF medication state (OFF state) between baseline and 24 months. Primary analysis will be on a modified intention to treat basis and will include only those participants who progress to the high-dose phase of the study.Ethics and disseminationThe protocol has been approved by the North East–Newcastle and North Tyneside 2 Research Ethics Committee. The results will be disseminated via research articles in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at local, national and international scientific meetings, as well as disseminated via patient groups, websites and networks. A summary of the study findings will be posted to participants at the end of the study.Trial Registration ISRCTN16108482 (prospectively registered); EudraCT 2015-000148-40; ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02787590; Pre-results.
Journal Article
Mapping the phenomenology of intranasal 5-MeO-DMT in psychedelic-naïve healthy adults
5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) is a naturally occurring psychedelic tryptamine. Plants containing 5-MeO-DMT have been used throughout history, and in recent years both synthetic and toad-derived 5-MeO-DMT use is being increasingly reported in naturalistic settings as well as clinical research. However, its subjective effects are not well characterised, and no qualitative research studies have been published to date. In this study, 32 psychedelic-naïve healthy participants from a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 1 trial of the escalating doses of a proprietary formulation of intranasal 5-MeO-DMT (BPL-003) were interviewed using the microphenomenology method shortly after dosing sessions. Microphenomenology is a qualitative research method well-suited to elucidating how subjective effects of this short-acting psychedelic unfold over time. Detailed qualitative and quantitative analysis of interview transcripts revealed a generic time-course of subjective effects, with rapid onset peaking at 8–15 min and gradual return to baseline over 45–60 min. The overall intensity of effects increased with dose and the doses tested were generally well tolerated. 5-MeO-DMT has a distinctive profile of subjective effects relative to published reports of other psychedelics, with a short duration of action, relative lack of visual effects, strong emotional or bodily experiences and the potential to elicit therapeutically relevant content, such as emotional breakthroughs and personal insights. These findings inform therapeutic applications, participant preparation, and future research on 5-MeO-DMT.
Journal Article
A resilience group training program for people with multiple sclerosis: Results of a pilot single-blind randomized controlled trial and nested qualitative study
An Australian case series study demonstrated the effectiveness of the REsilience and Activities for every DaY for people with multiple sclerosis (READY for MS), a resilience group training program based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, in improving quality of life in people with MS. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the Italian READY for MS program, and to preliminary assess its efficacy when compared to an active control intervention (group relaxation).
Single-blind phase II randomized controlled trial (RCT) and nested qualitative study (ISRCTN registration number: 38971970). Health-related quality of life (primary study outcome), mood, resilience, psychological flexibility and its protective factors were measured at baseline, after seven, 12 and 24 weeks. READY participants completed the purpose-built satisfaction questionnaire after 12 weeks. After trial completion, the control group also received READY. One-to-one participant interviews were conducted within three months of finishing the READY groups.
Four intervention groups were conducted with 39 participants (20 READY, 19 relaxation). Two patients (READY) withdrew before beginning the intervention due to unexpected work commitments. Feasibility and acceptability of READY were good, with high participant engagement and satisfaction. No statistical effects of READY were detected vs relaxation. Thirty participants were interviewed (18 READY; 12 relaxation + READY). Content data analysis revealed seven overarching themes: \"Attitudes towards participation\"; \"Perceptions of program composition\"; \"Program impacts on life domains\"; \"Program active elements\"; \"Program improvement trajectories\"; \"Program differences and similarities\"; \"Suggested READY improvements\".
READY was well accepted by MS patients with varied socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. Qualitative (but not quantitative) data provided evidence in favour of READY. Our findings will inform methodological and intervention refinements for the multi-centre RCT that will follow.
Journal Article
Voices of Orientation and Mobility Instructors Who Are Visually Impaired: Results of a Focus Group
Four orientation and mobility instructors who are visually impaired participated in an online focus group. The themes that emerged included monitoring, instructor position, equipment/technology, accommodations, skills needed to become an O&M instructor, and what motivated the participants to become O&M instructors. The participants entered the O&M field to assist individuals with visual impairment for altruistic reasons. This study added to the past research focused on nonvisual teaching strategies and accommodations of O&M instructors who were visually impaired. Future research in this area should include a larger sample size, interviewing instructors with visual impairment, and observing them during their O&M lessons.
Journal Article