-
Alcohol, Clinical & Experimental... Jun 2024Language is a fundamental aspect of human social behavior that is linked to many rewarding social experiences, such as social bonding. Potential effects of alcohol on... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Language is a fundamental aspect of human social behavior that is linked to many rewarding social experiences, such as social bonding. Potential effects of alcohol on affiliative language may therefore be an essential feature of alcohol reward and may elucidate pathways through which alcohol is linked to social facilitation. Examinations of alcohol's impact on language content, however, are sparse. Accordingly, this investigation represents the first systematic review and meta-analysis of alcohol's effects on affiliative language. We test the hypothesis that alcohol increases affiliative verbal approach behaviors and discuss future research directions.
METHODS
PsycInfo and Web of Science were systematically searched in March 2023 according to our preregistered plan. Eligible studies included social alcohol administration experiments in which affiliative verbal language was assessed. We present a random-effects meta-analysis that examines the effect of alcohol compared to control on measures of affiliative verbal behavior.
RESULTS
Our search identified 16 distinct investigations (comprising 961 participants) that examined the effect of alcohol on affiliative verbal behavior. Studies varied greatly in methods and measures. Meta-analytic results demonstrated that alcohol is modestly associated with increases in affiliative verbal behavior (Hedges' g = 0.164, 95% CI [0.027, 0.301], p = 0.019). Study quality was rated using an adapted version of the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies and did not significantly moderate alcohol's effects.
CONCLUSIONS
This study provides preliminary evidence that alcohol can increase affiliative verbal behaviors. This effect may be an important feature of alcohol reward. Given heterogeneity in study features, low study quality ratings, and limited reporting of effect size data, results simultaneously highlight the promise of this research area and the need for more work. Advances in language processing methodologies that could allow future work to systematically expand upon this finding are discussed.
PubMed: 38740542
DOI: 10.1111/acer.15312 -
Clinical Psychology Review Jul 2023The vast majority of research on, and clinical assessment of, cognitions related to suicide and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) has focused on verbal thoughts. And yet,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
The vast majority of research on, and clinical assessment of, cognitions related to suicide and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) has focused on verbal thoughts. And yet, mental imagery is more realistic and emotionally arousing than verbal thoughts.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis documenting the prevalence of suicidal and NSSI mental imagery and describing the content and characteristics of suicidal and NSSI mental imagery, links between suicidal and NSSI mental imagery and suicidal and NSSI behavior, and how to intervene on suicidal and NSSI mental imagery. Studies published through December 17, 2022 were identified through a systematic search of MEDLINE and PsycINFO.
RESULTS
Twenty-three articles were included. Prevalence rates of suicidal (73.56%) and NSSI (84.33%) mental imagery were high among clinical samples. Self-harm mental imagery commonly depicts engagement in self-harm behavior and is experienced as vivid, realistic, and preoccupying. When experimentally induced, self-harm mental imagery reduces physiological and affective arousal. Preliminary evidence suggests that suicidal mental imagery is associated with suicidal behavior.
CONCLUSIONS
Suicidal and NSSI mental imagery are highly prevalent and may be associated with heightened risk for self-harm behavior. Assessments and interventions for self-harm should consider incorporating and addressing suicidal and NSSI mental imagery to mitigate risk.
Topics: Humans; Suicide, Attempted; Self-Injurious Behavior; Suicide; Suicidal Ideation; Cognition; Risk Factors
PubMed: 37329877
DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2023.102302 -
Perspectives on Behavior Science Dec 2023Although the term is used colloquially in the English language, it refers to a specific instance of verbal behavior within behavior analysis. Since Horne and Lowe's... (Review)
Review
Although the term is used colloquially in the English language, it refers to a specific instance of verbal behavior within behavior analysis. Since Horne and Lowe's (Horne & Lowe, 1996) seminal account on naming, the concept continues to generate clinical and research interest to-date. We conducted a systematic search of the behavior analytic studies on naming to highlight the methods that were used to test naming, the terminology that have been adopted, the conceptual underpinnings, and the methods used to train naming if it was found to be absent. Forty-six studies met inclusion criteria and we conducted a descriptive analysis of these studies. We found that most studies either used the terms naming or bidirectional naming. We found wide variation in the methods used to test and train naming. Nearly one third of these studies attempted to offer evidence that naming facilitated some other type of behavior, and the remaining studies attempted to train naming in individuals when the behavior was found to be absent. Overall, our review highlighted that there exists a rich empirical dataset on testing and training naming within behavior analysis, and we discussed specific areas for future research.
PubMed: 38144546
DOI: 10.1007/s40614-023-00374-1 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Nov 2023Sleep disorders, such as REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) and excessive daytime sleepiness, are among the most common non-motor symptoms in subjects with Parkinson's... (Review)
Review
Sleep disorders, such as REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) and excessive daytime sleepiness, are among the most common non-motor symptoms in subjects with Parkinson's disease (PD). Sleep disorders have a major negative impact on the quality of life of patients and their caregivers. In addition, REM sleep behavior disorder is an important risk factor for cognitive impairment in PD. This systematic review was conducted on studies investigating the influence of RBD on cognitive performance in PD subjects. We searched the PubMed and Scopus databases, screened the references of the studies included, and reviewed articles for additional citations. From the first 244 publications, we included only 11 studies that met the search criteria. The results showed that sleep disorders in PD were associated with impaired executive functions, visual-constructive abilities, reduced attention, and episodic verbal memory, and could predict the possible risk of developing dementia.
PubMed: 38068449
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12237397 -
Journal of Clinical Nursing Oct 2023To systematically locate, evaluate and synthesize evidence regarding effectiveness of interprofessional tracheostomy teams in increasing speaking valve use and... (Review)
Review
AIM(S)
To systematically locate, evaluate and synthesize evidence regarding effectiveness of interprofessional tracheostomy teams in increasing speaking valve use and decreasing time to speech and decannulation, adverse events, lengths of stay (intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital) and mortality. In addition, to evaluate facilitators and barriers to implementing an interprofessional tracheostomy team in hospital settings.
DESIGN
Systematic review using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice Model's guidance.
METHODS
Our clinical question: Do interprofessional tracheostomy teams increase speaking valve use and decrease time to speech and decannulation, adverse events, lengths of stay and mortality? Primary studies involving adult patients with a tracheostomy were included. Eligible studies were systematically reviewed by two reviewers and verified by another two reviewers.
DATA SOURCES
MEDLINE, CINAHL and EMBASE.
RESULTS
Fourteen studies met eligibility criteria; primarily pre-post intervention cohort studies. Percent increase in speaking valve use ranged 14%-275%; percent reduction in median days to speech ranged 33%-73% and median days to decannulation ranged 26%-32%; percent reduction in rate of adverse events ranged 32%-88%; percent reduction in median hospital length of stay days ranged 18-40 days; no significant change in overall ICU length of stay and mortality rates. Facilitators include team education, coverage, rounds, standardization, communication, lead personnel and automation, patient tracking; barrier is financial.
CONCLUSION
Patients with tracheostomy who received care from a dedicated interprofessional team showed improvements in several clinical outcomes.
IMPLICATIONS FOR PATIENT CARE
Additional high-quality evidence from rigorous, well-controlled and adequately powered studies are necessary, as are implementation strategies to promote broader adoption of interprofessional tracheostomy team strategies. Interprofessional tracheostomy teams are associated with improved safety and quality of care.
IMPACT
Evidence from review provides rationale for broader implementation of interprofessional tracheostomy teams.
REPORTING METHOD
PRISMA and Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM).
PATIENT/PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION
None.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Tracheostomy; Patient Care Team; Intensive Care Units; Speech
PubMed: 37395139
DOI: 10.1111/jocn.16815 -
Neuropsychology Review Dec 2023Verbal fluency tests are easy and quick to use in neuropsychological assessments, so they have been counted among the most classical tools in this context. To date,... (Review)
Review
Verbal fluency tests are easy and quick to use in neuropsychological assessments, so they have been counted among the most classical tools in this context. To date, several normative data for verbal fluency tests have been provided in different languages and countries. A systematic review was carried out with studies that provide normative data for verbal fluency tests. Studies were collected from Scopus, PubMed and Web of Science. 183 studies were retrieved from the database search, of which 73 finally met the inclusion criteria. An analysis of the risk of bias regarding samples selection/characterization and procedure/results reports is conducted for each article. Finally, a full description of the normative data characteristics, considering country and language, verbal fluency task characteristics (type of task) and sample characteristics (number of subjects, gender, age, education) is included. The current systematic review provides an overview and analysis of internationally published normative data that might help clinicians in their search for valid and useful norms on verbal fluency tasks, as well as updated information about qualitative aspects of the different options currently available.
Topics: Humans; Verbal Behavior; Language; Neuropsychological Tests; Educational Status
PubMed: 36098929
DOI: 10.1007/s11065-022-09549-0 -
Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Aug 2023Subtle abnormalities in children's intelligence, motor skills, and psychology from various assisted reproductive treatments (ARTs) might be underdiagnosed. Understanding... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Subtle abnormalities in children's intelligence, motor skills, and psychology from various assisted reproductive treatments (ARTs) might be underdiagnosed. Understanding the prognosis of intelligence, motor skills, and psychology in children from ART would provide parents with reasonable expectations and enable them to plan relevant support to achieve the optimum potential in ART children.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Ovid, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases until April 13, 2021, to identify relevant studies. Thirty-four studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The meta-analysis employed a standardized mean difference model. The outcome of this study is to compare intelligence quotient (IQ), motoric ability, and behavioral problems between all ARTs, in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to naturally conceived (NC) children. Subdomains of intelligence based on the Cattell, Horn, and Carroll Model (CHC Model) of cognitive architecture, including fluid reasoning, short-term and working memory, processing speed, visual-spatial ability, long-term memory retrieval, and crystalized intelligence (knowledge), were evaluated and summarized in details. Motor skill was stratified into two domains: gross motoric and fine motoric. Behavioral problem was categorized as externalizing and internalizing behavior.
RESULTS
Meta-analysis showed that verbal intelligence score in IVF toddlers is significantly lower than NC toddlers (p = 0.02); conversely, ICSI toddlers scored significantly higher verbal intelligence score compared to NC toddlers (p = 0.005). Toddlers born after ART had significantly lower non-verbal intelligence score (p = 0.047). IVF toddlers scored significantly lower fine motor score (p = 0.01) compared to naturally conceived toddlers. Based on parent's CBCL, NC toddlers had higher total (p = 0.01) and externalizing behavior (p = 0.001) scores compared to ART toddlers. Evaluation of full scale IQ and all domains of intelligence in preschool and primary school children revealed that no significant differences exist between ART and NC children. Based on preschool and primary school parents' CBCL, IVF children had significantly lower externalizing behavior score compared to NC children (p = 0.04). Meta-analyses of studies on young adolescents revealed that ART young adolescents scored higher academically than their NC counterparts, including on mathematics (p < 0.00001) and reading or language (p < 0.00001).
CONCLUSIONS
Despite differences in certain aspects, this finding suggests that ART is unlikely to cause negative impacts on children's neurodevelopment.
Topics: Adolescent; Humans; Male; Child, Preschool; Child; Semen; Intelligence; Problem Behavior; Language; Memory, Short-Term
PubMed: 37608302
DOI: 10.1186/s11689-023-09490-0 -
International Journal of Language &... 2023Echolalia, the repetition of others' speech, is a common observation in autistic people. Research has established that echolalia is functional and meaningful for many;... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Echolalia, the repetition of others' speech, is a common observation in autistic people. Research has established that echolalia is functional and meaningful for many; however, some clinicians and researchers continue to characterise it as pathological and in need of reduction. The aim of this systematic review was to understand the range and impact of interventions for echolalia in autistic children.
METHOD
A systematic search was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 15 studies met predetermined inclusion criteria. Screening, data extraction and quality rating using the Scientific Merit Rating Scale (SMRS) were performed in duplicate.
RESULTS
Ten interventions across 15 papers were found. Results indicated that interventions generally decreased levels of echolalia. However, there were considerable inconsistencies in the definitions and conceptualisations of echolalia, administration, generalisation techniques and the measures used. The quality of the studies was very low.
CONCLUSION
Interventions for echolalia vary widely in terms of administration and measurement. There is limited consensus on the definition of echolalia among the reviewed studies, and no evidence that echolalia is recognised as functional or meaningful to the autistic children. Further, the lack of methodological rigour makes it difficult to draw clinical conclusions about the interventions.
WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS
What is already known Echolalia is the immediate or delayed repetition of others' speech and is a common observation in autistic children and in some older autistic people. While research and practice has established that echolalia is a functional and meaningful form of communication, particularly for those first developing spoken communication, some clinicians and researchers continue to characterise it as problematic and suggest that echolalia should be reduced or eliminated. What this study adds We systematically searched the literature about echolalia interventions to try to find out about the types of interventions that aim to reduce or eliminate echolalia. We found 15 studies on this topic. The way they defined echolalia was varied, and there was a range of interventions researched. None of the research papers recognised echolalia as functional or meaningful and the quality of the research was very low. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? Clinicians, families and researchers should think carefully and critically about suggesting any programs or supports that aim to reduce echolalia as no recommendations can be drawn from the research we studied. Echolalia should be considered functional, and efforts made to understand the meaning and purpose of echolalic speech.
Topics: Humans; Child; Echolalia; Autistic Disorder; Communication; Speech; Generalization, Psychological
PubMed: 37462136
DOI: 10.1111/1460-6984.12931 -
Journal of Medical Internet Research Jan 2024Embodied conversational agents (ECAs) are computer-generated animated humanlike characters that interact with users through verbal and nonverbal behavioral cues. They... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Embodied conversational agents (ECAs) are computer-generated animated humanlike characters that interact with users through verbal and nonverbal behavioral cues. They are increasingly used in a range of fields, including health care.
OBJECTIVE
This scoping review aims to identify the current practice in the development and evaluation of ECAs for chronic diseases.
METHODS
We applied a methodological framework in this review. A total of 6 databases (ie, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, ACM Digital Library, IEEE Xplore Digital Library, and Web of Science) were searched using a combination of terms related to ECAs and health in October 2023. Two independent reviewers selected the studies and extracted the data. This review followed the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) statement.
RESULTS
The literature search found 6332 papers, of which 36 (0.57%) met the inclusion criteria. Among the 36 studies, 27 (75%) originated from the United States, and 28 (78%) were published from 2020 onward. The reported ECAs covered a wide range of chronic diseases, with a focus on cancers, atrial fibrillation, and type 2 diabetes, primarily to promote screening and self-management. Most ECAs were depicted as middle-aged women based on screenshots and communicated with users through voice and nonverbal behavior. The most frequently reported evaluation outcomes were acceptability and effectiveness.
CONCLUSIONS
This scoping review provides valuable insights for technology developers and health care professionals regarding the development and implementation of ECAs. It emphasizes the importance of technological advances in the embodiment, personalized strategy, and communication modality and requires in-depth knowledge of user preferences regarding appearance, animation, and intervention content. Future studies should incorporate measures of cost, efficiency, and productivity to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the benefits of using ECAs in health care.
Topics: Middle Aged; Humans; Female; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Communication; Chronic Disease; Voice; Atrial Fibrillation
PubMed: 38194260
DOI: 10.2196/47134 -
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Nov 2023Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit atypical speech-in-noise (SiN) perception, but the scope of these impairments has not been clearly defined. We... (Review)
Review
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit atypical speech-in-noise (SiN) perception, but the scope of these impairments has not been clearly defined. We conducted a systematic review of the behavioural research on SiN perception in ASD, using a comprehensive search strategy across databases (Embase, Pubmed, Web of Science, APA PsycArticles, LLBA, clinicaltrials.gov and PsyArXiv). We withheld 20 studies that generally revealed intact speech perception in stationary noise, while impairments in speech discrimination were found in temporally modulated noise, concurrent speech, and audiovisual speech perception. An association with auditory temporal processing deficits, exacerbated by suboptimal language skills, is shown. Speech-in-speech perception might be further impaired due to deficient top-down processing of speech. Further research is needed to address remaining challenges and gaps in our understanding of these impairments, including the developmental aspects of SiN processing in ASD, and the impact of gender and social attentional orienting on this ability. Our findings have important implications for improving communication in ASD, both in daily interactions and in clinical and educational settings.
Topics: Humans; Speech Perception; Autistic Disorder; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Speech; Auditory Perception
PubMed: 37797728
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105406