Diagnosis and clinical management of headaches

In this article, we will first present an overview of the epidemiology and classification of headaches, distinguishing between primary headaches (in which the headache itself is the primary disorder) and secondary headaches (ie, headaches due to an underlying condition, such as a neoplastic and/or space-occupying lesion, a cerebrovascular accident, or other type of structural brain lesion). We will use the current classification system of the International Headache Society, focusing on primary headache disorders (migraine, tension-type headache, cluster headache), which we will discuss from the practical clinical perspectives of diagnosis and clinical management. Throughout this article, we will emphasize the chronicity and periodicity of headaches as a type of chronic pain syndrome.     

A generalized least squares regression approach for computing effect sizes in single-case research: application examples

A new method for deriving effect sizes from single-case designs is proposed. The strategy is applicable to small-sample time-series data with autoregressive errors. The method uses Generalized Least Squares (GLS) to model the autocorrelation of the data and estimate regression parameters to produce an effect size that represents the magnitude of treatment effect from baseline to treatment phases in standard deviation units. In this paper, the method is applied to two published examples using common single case designs (i.e., withdrawal and multiple-baseline). The results from these studies are described, and the method is compared to ten desirable criteria for single-case effect sizes. Based on the results of this application, we conclude with observations about the use of GLS as a support to visual analysis, provide recommendations for future research, and describe implications for practice.     

Generalizability theory: A practical guide to study design,implementation, and interpretation

Generalizability Theory (GT) offers increased utility for assessment research given the ability to concurrently examine multiple sources of variance, inform both relative and absolute decision making, and determine both the consistency and generalizability of results. Despite these strengths, assessment researchers within the fields of education and psychology have been slow to adopt and utilize a GT approach. This underutilization may be due to an incomplete understanding of the conceptual underpinnings of GT, the actual steps involved in designing and implementing generalizability studies, or some combination of both issues. The goal of the current article is therefore two-fold: (a) to provide readers with the conceptual background and terminology related to the use of GT and (b) to facilitate understanding of the range of issues that need to be considered in the design, implementation, and interpretation of generalizability and dependability studies. Given the relevance of this analytic approach to applied assessment contexts, there exists a need to ensure that GT is both accessible to, and understood by, researchers in education and psychology. Important methodological and analytical considerations are presented and implications for applied use are described.     

An effect size measure and Bayesian analysis of single-case designs

This article describes a linear modeling approach for the analysis of single-case designs (SCDs). Effect size measures in SCDs have been defined and studied for the situation where there is a level change without a time trend. However, when there are level and trend changes, effect size measures are either defined in terms of changes in R² or defined separately for changes in slopes and intercept coefficients. We propose an alternate effect size measure that takes into account changes in slopes and intercepts in the presence of serial dependence and provides an integrated procedure for the analysis of SCDs through estimation and inference based directly on the effect size measure. A Bayesian procedure is described to analyze the data and draw inferences in SCDs. A multilevel model that is appropriate when several subjects are available is integrated into the Bayesian procedure to provide a standardized effect size measure comparable to effect size measures in a between-subjects design. The applicability of the Bayesian approach for the analysis of SCDs is demonstrated through an example.     

Perceived Social Support and Type of Cardiac Procedures as Modifiers of Hospital Anxiety and Depression

This study examined the effect of cardiac procedure and perceived social support on anxiety and depression among cardiac patients. The sample included 100 cardiac patients consisting of equal number of patients referred for coronary angiogram and coronary artery bypass surgery. They completed measures of perceived social support, hospital anxiety and depression. The results revealed a significant effect of cardiac procedure on perceived social support, anxiety, and depression. Perceived social support yielded significant negative impact on anxiety and depression.     

Music Training and Second-Language English Comprehension and Vocabulary Skills in Indian Children

This study examined the second-language (L2) English abilities of musically trained and untrained primary school children. Participants were tested on the verbal subscales of the Malin’s Intelligence Scale for Indian Children (MISIC) and an English word-reading test. The musically trained participants performed significantly better on the tests of comprehension and vocabulary. This result is in line with the view that music and language share processing resources, as a result of which transfer of learning takes place. When the scores of participants with Indian Classical music training were compared with the scores of the untrained group, the comprehension and vocabulary advantage persisted, indicating that the L2 advantage was not simply an artefact of increased language familiarity that is likely to arise from Western music training.     

Correlates of relationship, psychological, and sexual behavioral factors for HIV risk among Indian women

The rate of HIV/AIDS among women in India is expected to rise yet few studies have examined factors related to HIV risk among Indian women. The objective of this prospective, cross-sectional study was to characterize similarities and differences in the relationships, psychological well-being, and sexual behaviors among Indian women (N=459). Both HIV positive (N=216) and negative (N=243) women from urban and rural areas in India were included in this study. Chi-square, analysis of variance, and logistic regression analyses revealed that in both geographic groups, HIV-positive women were significantly more likely to report marital dissatisfaction, a history of forced sex, domestic violence, depressive symptoms and husband's extra marital sex when compared to the HIV-negative women. Findings also indicate that specific factors related to the quality of the marital relationship such as domestic violence, martial dysfunction, and depressive symptoms may be related to HIV-related risks for women. Implications for future research and culturally relevant interventions are discussed.     

Remote effects of highlights on gloss perception

The perception of a glossy surface in a static monochromatic image can occur when a bright highlight is embedded in a compatible context of shading and a bounding contour. Some images naturally give rise to the impression that a surface has a uniform reflectance, characteristic of a shiny object, even though the highlight may only cover a small portion of the surface. Nonetheless, an observer's impression of gloss may be partial and nonuniform at image regions outside of a highlight. A rating scale and small probe points indicating image locations were used to investigate the differential perception of gloss within a single object. Gloss ratings given by observers were not uniform across a surface, but decreased as a function of distance from a highlight. When, by design, the distance from a highlight was uncoupled from the luminance value at corresponding probe points, the decrease in rated gloss correlated more with distance than with luminance change. Experiments also indicated that gloss ratings may change as a function of estimated surface distance, rather than as a function of image distance. Surface continuity affected gloss ratings, suggesting that surface and gloss processing are closely related.     

Bayesian estimation in the two-parameter logistic model

A Bayesian procedure is developed for the estimation of parameters in the two-parameter logistic item response model. Joint modal estimates of the parameters are obtained and procedures for the specification of prior information are described. Through simulation studies it is shown that Bayesian estimates of the parameters are superior to maximum likelihood estimates in the sense that they are (a) more meaningful since they do not drift out of range, and (b) more accurate in that they result in smaller mean squared differences between estimates and true values.The research reported here was performed pursuant to Grant No. N0014-79-C-0039 with the Office of Naval Research.