Psychotherapie®

Psychotherapy has not escaped the societal changes of the last decades, which are labelled by sociologists as “reflexive modernization”. Nevertheless, psychotherapists occasionally are supposed to avoid a discussion of issues related to modern societies. This article discusses economization, connected with reflexive modernization, in relation to psychotherapy focussing on the question if psychotherapy has already become a “product” (or is imminent to that). This question is discussed in connection with three specific issues: parallels between psychotherapy and industrial production related to terms such as quality assurance and quality management, the question of a monopoly within psychotherapy, similar to monopolies of industrial companies, and, finally, some phenomena connected with a boom of specific psychotherapies of the recent years that indicate the product-character of psychotherapy.     

Efficacy of stimulants for fatigue management: the effects of Provigil® and Dexedrine® on sleep-deprived aviators

The present report details the results of a quasi-experimental comparison between the alerting effects of modafinil (Provigil^®) and those of dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine^®) in sleep-deprived pilots. Data from two separate placebo-controlled studies (one on Dexedrine^® and one on Provigil^®) were merged and analyzed to determine whether one compound produced greater effects than the other relative to placebo. The results indicated there were differences between the two stimulants on only two of the 14 dependent measures. In one case (a flight performance measure), modafinil was more effective than dextroamphetamine, and in the other case (subjective fatigue ratings), dextroamphetamine was better than modafinil. The remaining measures indicated no statistically-significant differences between the two stimulants. However, in the majority of cases, it was clear that performance, subjective mood ratings, and physiological indices of alertness were substantially better under both drugs than under placebo. Thus, with the exception that modafinil produced more spontaneous reports of side effects than dextroamphetamine, the overall results indicated equivalent efficacy with the two compounds. Limitations of this study were that the two compounds were tested on different samples at different points in time, and there was no systematic measurement of side effects (instead, spontaneous reports were recorded). Future work should validate the present results in a controlled side-by-side comparison of dextroamphetamine and modafinil under conditions similar to the ones reported here.     

Systems-centered® group psychotherapy: putting theory into practice

Systems-centered therapy (SCT) is derived from a theory of living human systems and practiced in individual and group therapy. Excerpts from an inpatient group illustrate how SCT norms, particularly functional subgrouping and the hierarchy of defense modification, are introduced within the first few minutes of an SCT group. The importance of modifying roles is also discussed, as is the significance of system hierarchy, isomorphy, and energy as applied in the practice of SCT.     

Listenmee® and Listenmee® smartphone application: Synchronizing walking to rhythmic auditory cues to improve gait in Parkinson’s disease

Evidence supports the use of rhythmic external auditory signals to improve gait in PD patients (Arias & Cudeiro, 2008; Kenyon & Thaut, 2000; McIntosh, Rice & Thaut, 1994; McIntosh et al., 1997; Morris, Iansek, & Matyas, 1994; Thaut, McIntosh, & Rice, 1997; Suteerawattananon, Morris, Etnyre, Jankovic, & Protas , 2004; Willems, Nieuwboer, Chavert, & Desloovere, 2006). However, few prototypes are available for daily use, and to our knowledge, none utilize a smartphone application allowing individualized sounds and cadence. Therefore, we analyzed the effects on gait of Listenmee®, an intelligent glasses system with a portable auditory device, and present its smartphone application, the Listenmee app®, offering over 100 different sounds and an adjustable metronome to individualize the cueing rate as well as its smartwatch with accelerometer to detect magnitude and direction of the proper acceleration, track calorie count, sleep patterns, steps count and daily distances. The present study included patients with idiopathic PD presented gait disturbances including freezing. Auditory rhythmic cues were delivered through Listenmee®. Performance was analyzed in a motion and gait analysis laboratory. The results revealed significant improvements in gait performance over three major dependent variables: walking speed in 38.1%, cadence in 28.1% and stride length in 44.5%. Our findings suggest that auditory cueing through Listenmee® may significantly enhance gait performance. Further studies are needed to elucidate the potential role and maximize the benefits of these portable devices.     

Increasing parenting self-efficacy: The Fussy Baby Network® intervention

High levels of infant crying place families at risk for disrupted relationships, parenting stress, and even for child maltreatment. We conducted an evaluation of the Fussy Baby Network^® (FBN), a program supporting families struggling with infant crying and related concerns. The study contrasted 29 families who sought help from FBN with 27 families with excessively crying infants who did not seek services. Researchers measured parenting self-efficacy, depression, and stress in each group before and after the intervention. Results from hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated greater improvements over time in parenting self-efficacy for parents receiving FBN services. Furthermore, the greater improvements in parenting self-efficacy in the intervention group were not directly attributable to reductions in infant crying. These findings provide preliminary evidence that the FBN approach may be effective at boosting the confidence of parents struggling with caring for their infants. Future research with larger samples with baseline equivalence and stronger research designs should explore this intervention further. This study also suggests that interventions for families with excessively crying infants should move beyond the focus of reducing infant crying to a broader strategy of supporting parents and strengthening relationships between parents and their infants to build parenting capacity.     

Smart Recovery®: Addiction Recovery Support from a Cognitive-Behavioral Perspective

Self Management And Recovery Training (SMART®), a free self-help discussion group that is largely a cognitive-behavioral extrapolation of research findings on treatment of addictive disorders, is described. Information regarding its organization and operation is provided, and predictions are made about its future development.     

Prospective conceptual model of Tomatis® method effects on students’ self-regulation

This study aimed to develop a preliminary conceptual model that explains the perceived effect of the Tomatis® method on university students’ self-regulation for study course learning. Seven beginning graduate students (6 female; 3 black, 4 white) with a large South African university completed a Tomatis® method programme student learning support intervention. The students participated in focus group discussion and brief survey on their Tomatis® method programme student learning support experiences. Thematic analysis identified five themes that define Tomatis® method programme self-regulation effects on students: i) being self-aware and enhanced environmental sensitivity; ii) improved study concentration per time frame; iii) perspective taking, willingness, and ability to listen to others’ opinions; iv) self-reflection or enhanced inward learning experience; and v) boldness, creativity and open-mindedness. Findings support a conceptual working model of the Tomatis® method for the promotion of learner self-regulation and behavioural change in a university setting.     

A simple BASIC language laboratory control system for microcomputers patterned after SKED®

Microcomputers such as the TRS-80, when equipped with a simple digital input-output interface, become capable of completely controlling laboratory experiments. BASIC language software has been developed that allows simplified programming of experiments using the “state” concepts of the SKED system.     

Immediate effects of snoezelen® treatment on adult psychiatric patients and community controls

The effectiveness of Snoezelen® multi-sensory stimulation treatment was evaluated with 50 psychiatric patients (25 men, 25 women) and 50 hospital employees (25 men, 25 women). Pre and post-treatment physiological responses (galvanic skin conductance response, heart rate, and percentage blood oxygen) were compared and participants were evaluated post-treatment for perceived psychological benefits with a nine-item questionnaire. Results indicate that participation in a single 20-minute Snoezelen® session had significant and positive physiological effects on both the patient and staff groups. Also, post-treatment participants in both groups did not perceive any change on the dimension reserved-outgoing but felt more sleepy, passive, relaxed, cheerful, focused, optimistic, calm, and comfortable. Consequently, beneficial physiological and psychological Snoezelen® treatment effects were apparent for both patients and controls.     

Constructing Difference: Lego® Set Narratives Promote Stereotypic Gender Roles and Play

LEGO® construction sets are a staple in many children’s lives. Given worldwide distribution, generations of children have grown up playing with these brightly colored, interlocking plastic bricks. Historically marketed to all children, the LEGO® Group has begun targeting male and female consumers differentially with the introduction of product lines such as LEGO® City and LEGO® Friends. Although the packaging, marketing, brick colors, and characters have changed, little is known about whether these product series encourage differences in the way boys and girls play. This content analysis compared the play narratives of sets marketed to boys (LEGO® City) and girls (LEGO® Friends). Our analysis found distinct gendered messages that encourage boys to enact various skilled professions, heroism, and expertise, whereas girls are encouraged to focus on having hobbies, being domestic, caring for others, socializing, being amateurs, and appreciating and striving for beauty. Although LEGO® City and Friends sets offer opportunities for construction, they also promote stereotyped gender roles for enacting femininity and masculinity in play. Parents, educators, and practitioners often focus on the educational affordances of LEGO® construction. We recommend that they also consider the other lessons, both explicit and implicit, being taught through gender-specific LEGO® sets.     

An open letter to institutional review boards considering Northfield Laboratories' PolyHeme® trial

At the time of this writing, a widely publicized, waived-consent trial is underway. Sponsored by Northfield Laboratories, Inc. (Evanston, IL) the trial is intended to evaluate the emergency use of PolyHeme?, an oxygen-carrying resuscitative fluid that might prevent deaths from uncontrolled bleeding. The protocol allows patients in hemorrhagic shock to be randomized between PolyHeme? and saline in the field and, still without consent, randomized between PolyHeme? and blood after arrival at an emergency department. The Federal regulations that govern the waiver of consent restrict its applicability to circumstances where proven, satisfactory treatments are unavailable. Blood-the standard treatment for hemorrhagic shock-is not available in ambulances but is available in hospitals. The authors argue that the in-hospital stage of the study fails to meet ethical and regulatory standards.     

Antecedents and Outcomes of Older Adults’ Motivations to Volunteer With Experience Corps®

This study examined factors associated with motivations to volunteer among older adults and how these motivations related to the subsequent volunteer experience. Focusing on one large national program, Experience Corps (EC), the authors interviewed 510 volunteers at the time they first volunteered for EC and again after one year of service. Eighty-seven percent were females, with ages ranging from 50 to 93 years. Volunteers were asked why they volunteered for this program; open-ended responses were coded into four types of motivations. Results showed that 33% reported altruistic motives; another 36% reported a mixture of altruistic and self-oriented motives, followed by self-oriented motives (16%) and practical features of the program (15%). Motivational type was regressed on demographic antecedents as well as volunteer history and receiving a stipend. Findings showed that African Americans and males were more likely to be motivated by altruism, whereas non-African Americans were more likely to report volunteering because of practical features of the program. Women were more likely than men to report being motivated by altruistic and self-benefit motives. Thus, recruitment messages regarding the altruistic nature of the volunteer work could be targeted toward older African Americans. Further, appealing to the possibility of doing good for others while doing good for oneself may appeal to older women. In regards to outcomes, motivation type did not affect the volunteer experience, suggesting that retaining volunteers may require different programmatic efforts than recruiting, such as providing supervision and recognizing volunteers’ contributions.     

Leadership Style and Sales Performance: A Test of the Situational Leadership® Model

This paper presents an empirical examination of the Situational Leadership® Model (SLM), which is used extensively in management training programs by major corporations and government agencies. Data from 675 salespersons and 41 branch managers in the insurance industry did not support the hypothesis that leadership styles prescribed by the SLM were associated with superior sales performance. The four styles described by the SLM were also tested, with an exploratory regression, in terms of their relative effects on sales performance. Agents working for managers who preferred the high-task, low-relationship style performed better than did agents working for managers who preferred other styles. Some implications for future research and practice are discussed.     

Measuring How Systems-Centered® Members Connect with Group Dynamics: FSQ-2 Construct Validity

Understanding and intervening at the connection between group dynamics and member behavior has been a long-standing challenge. Functional subgrouping (FS) is the core Systems-centered training and therapy (SCT) method and is hypothesized to solve vexing member/group dynamic problems such as scapegoating. The self-report Functional Subgrouping Questionnaire-2 (FSQ-2) was developed to measure the amount of functional subgrouping in a group. The current FSQ-2 construct validity study aims to determine whether: 1) FSQ-2 scores change across sessions; 2) level of SCT experience is related to scores; and 3) SCT experience moderates change in FSQ-2 scores over SCT training. Results from groups at various SCT training events showed higher FSQ-2 responses for those with greater SCT experience, and increased scores over time. However, change over time on most FSQ-2 items did not depend on SCT experience level. Findings provide further support for the construct validity of the FSQ-2, and thus also for the SCT model. Suggestions for future SCT/FSQ-2 research are made.     

Accidental Communities: Race,Emergency Medicine,and the Problem of PolyHeme®

This article focuses on emergency medical care in black urban populations, suggesting that the classification of a “community” within clinical trial language is problematic. The article references a cultural history of black Americans with pre-hospital emergency medical treatment as relevant to contemporary emergency medicine paradigms. Part I explores a relationship between “autonomy” and “community.” The idea of community emerges as a displacement for the ethical principle of autonomy precisely at the moment that institutionalized medicine focuses on diversity. Part II examines a clinical trial for the blood substitute PolyHeme^® (Northfield Laboratories, Inc., Evanston, IL). It illustrates the ways in which bias in research paradigms and Institutional Review Board decisions attach to the notion and utility of the language of “community.” The conclusion's contemporary anecdote makes apparent the vitality of the issues of prehospital emergency medical care and the ways in which decisions and practices fall too easily into a narrative of culturally biased treatment.     

Tomatis® Method comparative efficacy in promoting self-regulation in tertiary students: A systematic review

This systematic review sought to determine the evidence on how the Tomatis® Method, a sound stimulation intervention for improving listening, compares to other self-regulation interventions with tertiary students. We searched studies from the following data bases ‘Academic FileOne, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Communication & Mass Media Complete, eBook (EBSCOHost), HeinOnline, OAPEN Library, PsychARTICLES, PsychINFO, SocINDEX, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar; and the North-West University repository’ and for the period spanning 2003 to 2013. Studies included for the analysis met these criteria: Published between 2003 and 2013; published and written in English, student participant samples from tertiary institutions such as a universities or colleges; programmes or interventions developed and implemented with a positive effect on well-being or self-regulation; application of the Tomatis® Method in a student population, irrespective of an experimental design. A total of 35 articles met the inclusion criteria. The evidence was thematically analysed using narrative analysis. Findings suggest the Tomatis® Method to be superior to alternative self-regulation approaches in decreasing psychosocial and emotional stressors, as well as enhancing well-being of students. The Tomatis® Method was as effective as alternative approaches in promoting self-awareness and self-monitoring. Alternative methods were more effective than the Tomatis® Method in aspects of critical thinking. The Tomatis® Method appears to compare well with other interventions for the promotion of self-regulation among tertiary students.     

Reliability and acceptability of web-based administration of Spanish ages and stages questionnaires third edition®

to analyse the reliability of 6 age intervals of Spanish web-based Ages and Stages Questionnaires Third Edition (WB-ASQ-3) and parents' acceptability, in a clinical practice context, during COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown in Chile. Cross-sectional study with a longitudinal component. Internal consistency was analysed by Cronbach's alpha and Pearson product–moment correlation, Pearson's correlations between intervals questionnaires were analysed. Acceptability was determined using a parental satisfaction survey. 1061 children completed 2318 validated questionnaires. Scores were compared with normative sample, except for Gross motor at 8 and 12 months, and Communication at 12, 18 and 24 months, without differences to the previous Chileans sample. In domain analysis, Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.36 to 0.80 and reached 0.74 to 0.81 for the overall test. Strong positive correlation between the domain and overall score was obtained. Correlation between most questionnaires at different ages was positive and significant. Parental surveys show high satisfaction; parents were thankful for being able to monitor children's development. WB-ASQ-3 is a reliable and feasible screening system, particularly when the test is taken as a whole, rather than by domains. It is remarkably high acceptability among parents, especially in complex times such as the lockdown and the COVID-19 pandemic.