Cumulative integrated electromyographic activity of selected speech-related muscle groups of nonstutterers during massed oral readings

The electromyographic (EMG) integrated amplitude of masseter and laryngeal muscle groups were analyzed during five massed oral readings of 16 nonstuttering adult subjects. Reduction in dysfluencies were observed over the five trials as was a reduction in reading time across trials. Significant decreases in EMG activity across trials were found for the laryngeal, but not the masseter, EMG activity. This suggests that changes in vocal behavior thought to accompany adaptation are reflected in decreases in EMG activity of select speech-related muscle groups.     

A critical review of a recent decade of stuttering research

The purpose of the present investigation was to catalogue and evaluate portions of the literature on stuttering from 1967 to 1977. Of particular interest was the identification of the research literature. Of 287 articles located and evaluated, 181 were research reports. These reports were categorized according to topics, subject selection, subjects' characteristics, type of research designs and use of randomization, reliability, and statistical methods. Unhappily, many of the faults identified in reviews ten to twenty years earlier tended to persist, and many of the deficiencies recently cited by authorities in the field were found to characterize this literature.     

Spectral versus temporal features in dichotic listening

Ear advantage for the processing of dichotic speech sounds can be separated into two components. One of these components is an ear advantage for those phonetic features that are based on spectral acoustic cues. This ear advantage follows the direction of a given individual's ear dominance for the processing of spectral information in dichotic sounds, whether speech or nonspeech. The other factor represents a right-ear advantage for the processing of temporal information in dichotic sounds, whether speech or nonspeech. The present experiments were successful in dissociating these two factors. Since the results clearly show that ear advantage for speech is influenced by ear dominance for spectral information, a full understanding of the asymmetry in the perceptual salience of speech sounds in any individual will not be possible without knowing his ear dominance.     

Vocal control therapy for stutterers: A trial program

A problem-solving approach to the treatment of stuttering, called vocal control therapy, has been shaped over a 4-year period. The program includes behavioral desensitization techniques as well as retraining vocal, respiratory, and other speech functions for fluency. Data from pre- and posttherapy video tapes of 12 out of 34 cases are given. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.     

Effects of varied response modes upon dichotic consonant-vowel identification latency

Reaction times for two right-handed subjects who received 6000 trials of dichotic stop-vowels were obtained under response conditions involving the left hand, right hand, and neck muscles. Results indicated latencies were shorter (150+ msec) when targets were presented to the right rather than the left ear. Large and stable differences in latencies remained invariant with the mode of response. Reaction times did not vary as a function of the target's place or manner of articulation. The relationship between obtained measures of latency and percentage correct ruled out speed-accuracy trade-offs as a source of the obtained differences in latencies.     

The “lag effect” in dichoptic viewing

Ten subjects were asked to report both of two different consonant-vowels (CVs) presented to the same foveal area, but in different eyes (“dichoptically”). Stimuli were presented at stimulus-onset asynchronies (SOAs) ranging from 0 to 150 msec in 25-msec steps. Correct identifications were significantly depressed for the eye receiving the leading stimulus at SOAs of 25 to 75 msec. Monoptic data from three subjects indicated no significant reductions in correct identification as a function of SOA. The dichoptic results can be understood in terms of current theories of visual backward masking and are similar to the “lag effect” observed with dichotic listening to speech stimuli. Similarity of results for the two modalities suggests a similar “two-process” explanation may underlie both phenomena.     

Are the inhibitory and faciliatory effects during retrieval of semantically related items present in amnestic mild cognitive impairment?

Prefrontal functions subserve inhibition control for retrieval of semantically related items inducing forgetting 19 a-MCI patients and 29 controls underwent neuropsychological evaluation and retrieval-practice paradigm (RPP) to estimate baseline remember (BR), retrieval-induced facilitation (FAC) and retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF). A-MCI patients underwent also 3 T-MRI to assess relationship between regional grey matter (rGM) volumes and RPP indexes Behaviourally, RIF and FAC were both observed controls, while RIF only was observed in a-MCI patients. In patients but not in controls, RIF was associated with cognitive efficiency and FAC with memory performance. Patients showed also associations between BR and rGM volumes in the precuneus, no association was found between rGM volumes and RIF and FAC. A-MCI patients did not benefit from repeated practice during retrieval of studied items, which is likely due to their memory disorder. In contrast, patient cognitive efficiency would drive retrieval suppression of interfering stimuli.     

THE FAILURE OF FEEDBACK ON ALCOHOL IMPAIRMENT TO REDUCE IMPAIRED DRIVING

We examined the effects of rules to govern drinking, individual feedback on blood alcohol concentration (BAC), and public posting of group data on impaired driving on the incidence of impaired driving. Level of impairment was determined from breath samples taken from tavern patrons. Following baseline, an intervention package consisting of (a) cards to guide patrons in pacing their drinking to stay under the legal limit, (b) individual feedback on BAC, and (c) posted group feedback on the percentage of patrons driving while impaired the preceding week was introduced in two taverns. Results indicated that the intervention package did not reduce the percentage of impaired drivers departing either tavern. The addition of a brief intensive police enforcement program directed at impaired driving produced a short-term reduction in impaired driving.     

Emotional support and counselling for people with visual impairment: Quantitative findings from a mixed methods pilot study

Aims: This paper reports on mainly quantitative findings from a mixed methods evaluation of a new model of emotional support and counselling for people with moderate visual impairment. Method: The CORE Outcome Measure was completed with service users at baseline and post‐intervention to assess the impact of the new service on psychological wellbeing and social functioning. Their perceived needs and expectations of the service were also explored. Results: Of the 35 individuals providing data at each assessment time, mean item scores on the CORE fell significantly (p<.001), taking the sample from within a clinical population before therapy, to a mean score below this following therapy. A more positive outlook accompanied this improvement in functioning. Discussion: Findings from the study augment the growing evidence that emotional support and counselling services can play an important role alongside and within related vision services. Implications for practice: The study indicates that therapeutic input for the visually impaired client group may need to target both wellbeing (feelings about oneself and the future) and problems (depression, anxiety, physical health, and trauma). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that a dual model of emotional support and counselling offers considerable benefit for people with visual impairment.     

活动参与在认知损害中的延缓作用

认知损害有关的病理机制、危险因素研究由来已久,但尚未找到有效治疗认知损害的途径,认知损害的保护性因素研究进而成为研究者们关注的热点。前人的研究显示活动参与对认知损害具有积极的影响,可能是认知损害的重要保护性因素,但活动参与对认知损害的影响机制以及各活动之间存在的交互作用仍不明确。未来的研究可着重探讨不同活动类型及其交互作用同认知损害的关系,并分析活动参与对认知损害起保护作用的公共因子。