Effects of Neuro-Linguistic Psychotherapy on psychological difficulties and perceived quality of life

Aims: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Neuro-Linguistic Psychotherapy on psychological difficulties and perceived quality of life of clients who came for psychotherapy during free practice. Method: A total of 106 psychotherapy clients were randomly assigned to a therapy group or a control group. The outcome was assessed by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Personality Disorders (SCID II) with respect to clinical symptoms and by the Croatian Scale of Quality of Life (KVZ) with respect to Quality of Life. The therapy group received the measures at pre-, post- and five-months follow-up occasions, whereas the control group received them initially and after a period of three months. Results: In the therapy group, as compared to the control group, there was a significant decrease of clinical symptoms and increase in the quality of life. With respect to clinical symptoms, effect sizes were 0.65 at post-measurement and 1.09 at follow-up, indicating a substantial reduction of symptom strain, which is comparable to the well established effects of Cognitive Behavior Therapy. We also found a significant increase in perceived quality of life after therapy, as compared to the wait-list control group, with effect sizes between 0.51 and 0.73. Therapeutic improvements were still present five months after the end of therapy, showing further development in the same direction. Conclusions: Neuro-linguistic psychotherapy is an efficient intervention, which is on a par with other, well-established psychotherapeutic techniques.     

Sensitivity analysis in connectionist modeling

The application of sensitivity analysis methodology to connectionist modeling is discussed. Sensitivity analysis examines the functional relationship of parameters in dynamic systems to specify the interactions of parameters and the boundary conditions of dynamic system models. Sensitivity analysis is contrasted with parameter estimation. Reasons to favor sensitivity analysis in connectionist modeling are discussed. Six steps for sensitivity analysis are detailed with examples from the modeling of short- and long-term memory retrieval.     

Studying Help-Seeking for Symptoms: The Challenges of Methods and Models

Although the detection and experience of symptoms often stimulates an appropriate decision as to whether to visit to a healthcare professional (HCP), there are many occasions when it does not. Sometimes, people seek help for minor, transient conditions which would have resolved without the attention of a HCP, whereas at other times help is not sought for signs of life-threatening disease. Help-seeking behaviour concerns not only the decision of whether to seek help or not, but also the timing of that decision. The timing of consultations with HCPs has implications for our health, quality of life, treatment options and for the cost of healthcare services. This article discusses research and theory on help-seeking behaviour, with attention to the challenges of methods and models used in this area of research. One particular model, the ‘General Model of Total Patient Delay’, is outlined and critiqued to demonstrate the complex processes involved and highlight areas in need of further research and development.