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Children with a significant cognitive and motor developmental delay (SDD) are vulnerable for the development of (future) behavioral and mental health problems. To support children within this target group, knowledge on their social-emotional development is necessary. Therefore, in this paper, an explorative assessment of the changes in the social-emotional functioning of children with SDD over a two-year period was done. Yearly semi-structured interviews with one or more primary caregiver(s) of 25 children were conducted and analyzed on 13 domains of social-emotional functioning, according to an adapted version of the Scale for Emotional Development - Revised (SED-R). This study showed a lot of variation in individual and group patterns of change across the two-year period. Charting the social-emotional development in this target group is challenging and requires further in-depth analysis of individual trajectories as well as more fine-grained and long-term data collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital media initiated a paradigm shift of the doctor-patient relationship in which prospective patients "shop" for physicians as they do other goods and services: using search engines' results, aggregated review websites, and star ratings as cues. These are processed centrally or peripherally in accordance with the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM). Electronic word of mouth (EWOM) in conjunction with a pediatrician's digital brand management strategy impacts practice revenue through patient recruitment and retention. This exploratory study found that a pediatrician's placement on a review website and overall digital brand image leads to increased or decreased trust in expertise, competence, and likability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a general lack of information about how insufficient physical activity impacts blood pressure and physical fitness in Latin-American ethnic minorities. To describe the interactions between insufficient physical activity, blood pressure, and physical fitness outcomes in Latin-American schoolchildren of different ethnicity. This was a prospective, international, multi-center, and cross-sectional study of three Latin-American countries involving schoolchildren from seven ethnic groups of Colombia (Tikuna, Nasa, Embera), Brazil (African, Mulato), and Chile (Mapuche), and also European schoolchildren from Brazil and Chile. Data were categorized based on whether participants were physically active (PA) or insufficient physical activity (iPA) using the WHO physical activity recommendations. The main outcomes were systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP), and mean arterial (MAP) blood pressure, and scores for physical and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF, by estimated V ˙ O2max), handgrip muscle strength (HGS), and standing long jump (SLJ). Secondary outcomes were anthropometric measures (weight, height, body mass index [BMI], waist circumference [WC], waist-to-height ratio), and body fat percentage (BF%, limited data by country). Primary and secondary outcomes were ranked. For both PA and iPA categories, significant interactions between ethnic groups were found concerning SBP/DBP (F(37.7), ES 0.08; F(51.5), ES 0.08), V ˙ O2max (F(37.7), ES 0.08; F(51.5), ES 0.08), HGS (F(33.8), ES 0.07; F(5.03), ES 0.04), and SLJ (F(64.3), ES 0.14; F(64.3), 0.14). In the iPA category, Mapuche schoolchildren were classified 1st (119.5; 81.5) with highest SBP/DBP and highest MAP (94.6 mmHg); Embera schoolchildren were classified 1st with lowest V ˙ O2max (33.7 mL/kg/min); and European schoolchildren were classified 1st (19.9 kg) with lowest HGS and SLJ (121.4 m) physical fitness. Under conditions of insufficient physical activity conditions, Mapuche schoolchildren had the most detrimental blood pressure, whereas Embera, Tikuna, and European schoolchildren had the lowest levels of physical fitness. These results serve to highlight the need for the early and appropriate promotion of physical activity based on ethnic differences in Latin-American schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the diagnostic validity of the Primary Care PTSD screen (PC-PTSD) in a generalizable college sample and to examine potential differences in its predictive efficacy according to sex and racial/ethnic identity. An exploratory aim was to determine whether PC-PTSD symptom items differentially predicted PTSD diagnostic status. Participants: Data from 475 undergraduates were analyzed. Methods: Logistic regressions were conducted to examine the relationship between different PC-PTSD endorsement thresholds and probable PTSD among various subsamples. Follow-up tests of diagnostic accuracy were performed. Results: Results of this study indicated that the PC-PTSD identified PTSD among college students with poor accuracy. Furthermore, the PC-PTSD did not demonstrate equal predictive validity across neither sex nor racial/ethnic identity. Endorsement of reexperiencing symptoms appeared to be the strongest predictor of PTSD. Conclusions: Results highlight the clear need for a validated PTSD screener effective for a diverse college population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lower limb exoskeletons are a recent intervention promoted to improve gait disorders. Available research has focused on clinical outcomes; however, little is known about therapists' experiences using the device in practice. We explored the implementation of an exoskeleton at a tertiary rehabilitation center. In this longitudinal qualitative study we conducted semi-structured interviews with 10 therapists. One group of therapists was formally trained using the device, whereas the other group only had clinical exposure to the device. The interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed for themes. Three main themes emerged: (1) A steep learning curve described challenges in learning to use the exoskeleton. (2) One step at a time illustrated the complex process of incorporating the exoskeleton in daily work. (3) Not a magic bullet revealed the tensions using this emergent technology in practice. The exoskeleton represents one of the most complicated and labor-intensive interventions provided by therapists. Implementation requires substantial resources, raising questions regarding its efficacy and cost-effectiveness relative to other approaches. Until more evidence becomes available around the use and effectiveness of this rapidly evolving technology, therapists must contend with a high degree of uncertainty. Using a lower limb exoskeleton may reduce physical demands on therapists in high-intensity rehabilitation programs that involve repetitive, effortful movements. However, a number of potential barriers to implementing the exoskeleton into practice need to be taken into consideration, including calibration time, intensive training required to become qualified to administer the intervention, the cost of the device, and comfort and safety of the device affecting user acceptance and uptake. Therapists also need to manage patient expectations related to outcomes related to use of exoskeletons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale-8 (ASES-8) is one of the most commonly used scales to measure patient-reported arthritis-specific self-efficacy. However, evidence about the validity and reliability of ASES-8 in an Arabic-speaking arthritis population is lacking. This study aimed to cross-culturally adapt and assess aspects of validity and reliability of the Arabic version of the ASES-8. The ASES-8 was translated into the Arabic language using the back-translation method, and administered to 67 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Construct validation methods used exploratory factor analysis and correlating the ASES-8 scores with disease-related variables expected to be related to the arthritis self-efficacy construct. An internal consistency test was conducted. Floor and ceiling effects were considered present if more than 15% of patients achieved high (=10) and low (=1) scores on the Arabic ASES-8 for both the scale and item scores. Exploratory factor analysis demonstrated a one-factor solution (factor loadings: 0.54–0.81). ASES-8 scores were correlated with all measures assessed (r = −0.24 to −0.57 and r = 0.06–0.66), demonstrating construct validity. Internal consistency was acceptable for measures of Cronbach's alpha (0.86–0.88). The scale did not exhibit ceiling or floor effects. The Arabic version of ASES-8 is valid and reliable for evaluating self-efficacy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale (ASES-8) questionnaire was translated and adapted for use in Arabic language. This questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument for evaluating self-efficacy among Arabic individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. This will support greater use of this tool worldwide in clinical and research practices that include Arabic people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of an occupational therapy program to promote well-being in people with experiences of mental illness. The method was a multicentre collaborative study. The intervention group participated in an occupational therapy program to promote well-being in addition to the standard program of day hospital/psychiatric occupational therapy, while the control group only participated in the standard program only. Results showed that the intervention group had effects on three factors, including "Positive emotions," "Willingness to ask for help," and "Achievement." The effectiveness of this program needs to be further tested in a randomized controlled trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]