Temporal contiguity in electric aversion therapy for cigarette smoking

Seventy dependent heavy smokers (32 cigarettes per day) were randomly assigned to one of five treatment and control procedures: (1) electric aversion therapy, involving ten 20-trial sessions of shocks contiguous with the smoking act. (2) simulated electric aversion. with non-contiguous shocks, (3) non-shock smoking sessions, to control for stimulus satiation and negative practice effects. (4) simple support and attention from therapist, (5) no-treatment. Before treatment, simple ‘self-monitoring’ and ‘self-control’ reduced cigarette consumption by an average of 12% (p < 0.001) and 26% (p < 0.001) respectively. Thirty-four of the 56 treated subjects (61%) were able to stop smoking compared with two out of fourteen (14%) of the no-treatment controls (p < 0.005). Treatment was highly effective at reducing and stopping smoking during the 4-week course and for 2 weeks afterwards (p < 0.005). Its effect was rapid, but not immediate. Outcome was virtually decided after 1 week (five sessions); subjects who had not stopped or almost stopped at this stage were most unlikely to respond later on (p < 0.001). All four treatments were equally effective, regular attendance for 15 min of simple support being as effective as the treatments involving additional 45-min sessions with a second therapist. The effects of contiguous vs non-contiguous shocks did not differ. A motor response was conditioned in 19 of the 28 subjects who received shocks but this was therapeutically irrelevant. The clinical outcome depended on the kind of subject rather than the kind of treatment. Those who were depressed, with poor psychiatric adjustment and a high Eysenck-Scale P score tended to do badly, while those who initially expressed high confidence in the outcome were more likely to succeed (p < 0.001). It is concluded that traditional conditioning processes do not contribute significantly to the clinical response of human subjects to electric aversion therapy for cigarette smoking.     

Evaluation of ego strength based on certain Rorschach variables.

Despite the importance of the assessment of ego strength for appropriate assignment of clients for psychotherapy and/or rehabilitation, existing techniques have not fulfilled expectations. A method for assessing ego strength through the Rorschach Test independent of clinical criterion is proposed. In addition to certain variables of Klopfer's RPRS (M+, FM+, FC+ plus CF+), sharply preceived space responses are included. They constitute a highly intercorrelated global measure of ego strength and are also highly correlated to a relatively independent Rorschach variable of global ego efficiency, i.e. integrated whole responses. In accordance with prediction, non-controlled color responses as well as accuracy of form perception did not correlate in a non-clinical sample with either measure of ego strength.     

Employment of epileptic patients abroad and their fitness for travel

On the basis of relevant literature and from personal experience, the paper discusses problems of the fitness of epileptics to travel by air and to work and holiday abroad. As an aid to consultation, tentative recommendations are made.     

Computerized tomography and infusion test as a simultaneous study method in post-traumatic hydrocephalus

The cerebral compression of a patient with posttraumatic hydrocephalus was measured intraventricularly, and an intrathecas infusion test was made simultaneously with computed tomography. Substractive computed tomography pictures show that continuously increasing volume does not imply uniform enlargement of the ventricular system, the cornua of the lateral ventricles in particular exhibiting a frontal increase in size.