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Persuasive gamified systems are effective tools for motivating behaviour change using various persuasive strategies. In line with the reinforcement theory, some persuasive gamified systems employ reward and punishment in their design to achieve the intended behavioural outcome. Research has argued both in favour and against using these strategies in behaviour change applications due to mixed results with respect to their effectiveness. However, there is a lack knowledge about how interventions using these strategies could motivate or demotivate behaviours. Therefore, this paper explores the mechanism through which Reward and Punishment motivate or demotivate behaviours with respect to their strengths and weaknesses. The results of large-scale exploratory studies (N = 1768) uncover important strengths and weaknesses that could facilitate or hinder the effectiveness of Reward and Punishment at motivating behaviour change. These include their ability to engage users and make behaviour fun, reinforce commitments to goals, and reveal some consequences of bad behaviour. We also compared the perceived effectiveness of reward and punishment quantitatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective teaching of concepts related to human computer interaction (HCI) requires introduction of the core paradigms as well as the design and evaluation methodologies to the learners. In this paper, we investigate the learning effectiveness of a tool-mediated learning activity to support instruction of established human performance models, namely the Keystroke Level Model (KLM) and Fitts' law, and their application in web form design practice. The tool, named Keystroke Level Model Form Analyser (KLM-FA), supports learning through exploration by providing step-by-step tracing of the KLM modelling for any web form filling task. KLM-FA can be used in modelling exercises of either online or offline web forms according to different interaction strategies or users' characteristics. Three pretest-posttest studies involving 52 students in total enrolled in computer science curricula with different education delivery methods (campus-based, blended learning, distance learning) and levels (undergraduate, postgraduate) provide evidence for the effectiveness of the proposed learning activity. In all three studies, it was found that the KLM-FA activity had a significant positive effect on students' learning gain. In addition, students rated their perceived educational experience and KLM-FA usability as rather high. Content analysis of students' comments also found that KLM-FA is an educationally valuable and usable tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers aim to examine mediating variable role of health literacy in the relationship between fear of contracting Covid-19 in women and use of holistic complementary alternative medicine. The study was conducted as descriptive cross-sectional. The researchers collected study data by conducting an online questionnaire from 285 women between April 01 and June 30, 2021. In our study, a significant relationship was found between education level and health literacy, having a chronic illness, not being able to find a permanent job and fear of Covid-19 (p < 0.05). Positive correlation exists between fear of contracting Covid-19 and Holistic Complementary and Alternative Medicine Practice (correlation between HCAM Practice β=.21). When health literacy variable is included, the level of relationship decreases (β=.18). The researchers determined that as the level of health literacy increased, the women resorted to HCAM practices less despite their fear of contracting Covid-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare the response rate and response parameters of cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (c&oVEMP) elicited by narrowband (NB) and broadband (BB) CE-Chirp, with the more classical tone burst (TB) and click VEMPs. The response rate, latency, amplitude and asymmetry ratio of c&oVEMPs elicited by 95 dB nHL air conducted (AC) 500 Hz NB CE-chirp, BB CE-chirp, 500 Hz TB and click stimuli were recorded bilaterally. 20 male and 38 female participants (19–39 years). For the cVEMP, the highest response rate was found for NB chirp (100%), followed by TB (91%), BB chirp (87%) and finally click (85%). A similar order was seen for oVEMP with percentages of 100%; 57%, 57%, and 43%. The 500 Hz NB CE-Chirp elicited significantly shorter cVEMP P1 and N1 latencies and significantly larger c&oVEMP amplitudes compared to all other stimuli. BB CE-Chirp elicited significantly shorter c&oVEMP P1 and N1 latencies with smaller amplitudes compared to TB. Asymmetry ratios were not statistically significant for all comparisons. The 500 Hz NB CE-chirp provides the highest response rates, shorter latencies and larger amplitudes, and therefore seem a promising stimulus for reliably measuring c&oVEMPs in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, authors aimed to evaluate the effect of breastfeeding education on breastfeeding success by using teach back method described in the information. The study was conducted with randomized controlled experimental research design and performed with 80 primiparous women as intervention (n: 40) and control (n: 40) groups. Independent t-test, multivariate and one-way analysis of variance, Bonferroni-matched paired t-test were used to evaluate the data. There was a statistically significant difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of both LATCH and Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale mean scores, group, time and group * time interaction (p < 0.05). It has been concluded by the authors that breastfeeding education provided with teach-back method can be used as an effective method for breastfeeding self-efficacy and breastfeeding performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing numbers of students with disabilities are accessing higher education each year, yet little is known about their assistive technology (AT) needs and its influence on relevant outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine met/unmet AT needs on educational engagement, academic self-efficacy and well-being and the impact of AT use in the areas of competence, adaptability and self-esteem for students with disabilities in higher education in Ireland. One hundred and eleven students with disabilities completed a cross-sectional online survey comprising the College Learning Effectiveness Inventory, the Student Course Engagement Questionnaire, the Self-Efficacy for Learning Form Abridged, the Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale, and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale. AT use was found to have a positive psychosocial impact in the areas of competence, adaptability and self-esteem. Those whose AT needs were fully met scored significantly higher on academic self-efficacy, well-being, and on 4 of the 10 educational engagement subscales compared to those who had unmet AT needs. Met/unmet AT needs were not predictive of educational engagement. These findings highlight the importance of AT from both educational engagement and psychosocial perspectives for students with a wide variety of disability diagnoses. The wide-reaching benefits of AT must be considered by governmental departments when making funding allocations to disability services within higher education institutions. Students with disabilities can face many additional challenges within the higher education environment. Findings from this research show that access to appropriate assistive technology can support students' educational engagement, increase well-being and academic self-efficacy and have a positive impact in the areas of competence, adaptability and self-esteem. Disability and Assistive Technology Officers in higher education should be cognizant of both the educational and psychological benefits of assistive technology across diverse students with various disability diagnoses. Policy makers should consider the wide-reaching benefits of assistive technology when making funding allocations to higher education institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recovery of upper limb motor function remains a major challenge to stroke rehabilitation experts and stroke survivors alike. Stimulation of the motor cortex by noninvasive brain stimulators and therapy focused on repetitive functional activities can increase upper limb functioning after stroke. Hence, this study was designed to determine therapeutic efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and repetitive functional task-oriented programme (RFTOP) for upper limb functional rehabilitation in stroke survivors. A single-blind randomized control trial involving 78 individuals with sub-acute and chronic stroke. They were randomized into three groups: Group 1: Anodal tDCS + RFTOP; Group 2: Cathodal tDCS + RFTOP; Group 3: RFTOP only. Participants had two sessions of therapy in a week for six weeks. Upper limb function was assessed using Fugl-Meyer Assessment Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) and Box and Block Test (BBT). Significance was set at p < 0.05. Baseline comparison of the groups showed no significant difference (FMA-UE: p = 0.237; BBT: p = 0.183). All groups showed statistical significant difference between baseline and post intervention in scores of FMA-UE (p ≤ 0.001) and BBT (p < 0.001). Mean difference comparison showed statistical significant difference among groups for FMA-UE hand domain (p = 0.009) and BBT (p = <0.001). Post hoc analysis showed the difference among the groups was between anodal against cathodal and anodal against control. tDCS and RFTOP were efficacious for upper limb functional rehabilitation in stroke survivors. Anodal tDCS showed better clinical improvement compared to Cathodal tDCS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate whether early postoperative pulmonary complications after abdominal surgery are associated with a lower performance in preoperative six-minute walk test. Methods: A cross-sectional cohort study of 50 participants who underwent elective abdominal surgery and performed the six-minute walk test within 48 hours prior to surgery were conducted. Postoperative pulmonary complications up to the seventh postoperative day were obtained from medical records. Results: Overall, 25 participants developed postoperative pulmonary complications. The mean (standard deviation) preoperative walked distances of the participants with and without postoperative pulmonary complications were, respectively, 444.8 (81.3) meters and 498.3 (63.7) meters (p =.013). The incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications was greater in the participants with walked distance < 400 meters. The multivariable logistic regression model revealed a significant association between postoperative pulmonary complications and preoperative walked distance (Odds ratio = 0.978, p =.010) in participants who underwent intestinal, stomach, or bile tract resection. Conclusions: This study found a high incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications in abdominal surgery participants and an association between lower preoperative physical capacity and the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications in participants who underwent intestinal, stomach, and biliary tract resection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the presence of pain, how pain was addressed by physicians and parents, and how pain affected everyday life in young children with cerebral palsy (CP). Children with CP, aged 5–10 years, participated in this cross-sectional study. Data were collected from medical records spanning a period of two years and by a standardized parental interview that included six structured questions and the Pain Interference Index. A total of 118 children, with a mean age of 7.4 years (SD 1.5), participated in the study. The parents of 81% of these children were interviewed. Pain was reported in 52% of the children, and pain was present at all severity levels. The prescription of analgesics was documented in 25% of these children's medical records. Fifty-nine percent of the children with pain received analgesics from their parents. Pain restricted the children's everyday lives particularly concerning sleep, school work and being with friends. Half of this group of young children with CP were reported to have pain. Pain restricted the children's everyday lives and seemed to be under-treated. If pain can be addressed early, the children's everyday lives are likely to be improved. There is a need to early identify and treat pain in young children. Important to discuss pain with parents irrespectively of the child's age and severity level. Pain interference assessment gives valuable information. Early treatment of pain might improve children's everyday life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate and compare the effectiveness and quality of standard face-to-face and teleaudiology hearing aid fitting follow-up consultations and blended services for adult hearing aid users. Fifty-six participants were randomly allocated to two equal groups, with equal numbers of new and experienced users. One standard and one teleaudiology follow-up consultation were delivered by an audiologist, the latter assisted by a facilitator. The order was reversed for the second group. Outcome measurement tools were applied to assess aspects of participants' communication, fitting (physical, sensorial), quality of life, and service. Cross-sectional and longitudinal outcomes were analysed. Most participants presented with moderate, sloping, and symmetrical sensorineural hearing loss. The duration of teleaudiology (42.96 ± 2.73 min) was equivalent to face-to-face consultations (41.25 ± 2.61 min). All modes of service delivery significantly improved outcomes for communication, fitting, and quality of life (p > 0.05). Satisfaction for both consultation modes was high, although significantly greater with standard consultations. The mode and order of delivery of the consultations did not influence the outcomes. Teleaudiology hearing aid follow-up consultations can deliver significant improvements, and do not differ from standard consultations. Blended services also deliver significant improvements. Satisfaction can be negatively impacted by technical or human-related issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Suture anchor repair is a fairly new surgical technique for quadriceps tendon ruptures. It is supposed to be superior to the standard transosseus sutures because of biomechanical superiority and – due to a less invasive surgery – earlier rehabilitation onset. This study focused on analyzing functionality of the quadriceps muscle during gait as well as body composition between a suture anchor and a transosseus suture repair group and is the first study that undertook systematic gait analyses in this patient population. Materials and methods: Seventeen patients who underwent either suture anchor (9 subjects) or transosseus suture repair surgery (8 subjects) at two different trauma surgery centers between 2010 and 2015 were included. Gait analysis was performed with a three dimensional motion capture system (Vicon) and body composition was assessed with bioelectrical impedance analysis (Nutribox). Parametrical statistical analyses were conducted using independent t-tests. Results: No statistically significant differences were found in any outcome parameter of gait analysis or body composition measurement. Conclusion: Suture anchor repair shows equal results to transosseus suture repair technique regarding gait quality and body composition. In a long term follow-up suture anchor repair shows similar results to the transosseus suture technique regarding body composition and musculus quadriceps function in gait. Without the implementation of an appropriate rehabilitation protocol incorporating the earlier load-carrying capacity, early biomechanical advantages of suture anchor technique over transosseus sutures might vanish over time. The decision which surgery technique might be best for the individual patient, should not be based on the expectation that suture anchor repair alone without considering appropriate rehabilitation would lead to long term functional advantages over transosseus suture technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Nursing home residents may have difficulty maintaining occupational balance. The study aimed to explore occupational balance in nursing home residents, and examine the association between occupational balance and quality of life in this group. Methods: Forty-six nursing home residents (age range 69-101 years) in Norway were recruited to participate. The data were analyzed descriptively and with independent t-tests and Spearman's correlation coefficient rho (rs). Results: The participants' occupational balance (M = 20.7) was in the higher end of the scale. In the total sample, occupational balance and quality of life were not significantly associated (rs = 0.18, p = 0.23). However, splitting the sample by gender revealed a positive association for men (rs = 0.61, p = 0.01), while it was absent for women (rs = −0.00, p = 0.99). Conclusion: When assessing occupational balance and its correlates in elderly nursing home residents, gender appears important to consider. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To analyse the effects of interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation programmes with different dosages; care as usual versus short form. Methods: A single blinded, two armed, randomised controlled trial, with non-inferiority design was performed. All patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain referred to an outpatient multidisciplinary pain rehabilitation programme were eligible for this study. Only dosage differed, content was similar. The difference on Pain Disability Index was the primary outcome measure. Four points difference on Pain Disability Index was applied as a non-inferiority margin. Treatment effects within groups were expressed in standardised mean difference and effect sizes were calculated between the groups. Results: Because care as usual was frequently extended, the difference in dosage between groups was limited. The study was stopped prematurely because of an a-priori stopping rule. Interim analyses are presented. Both groups (care as usual n = 58, short form n = 54) improved significantly (mean Pain Disability Index change care as usual: −10.8; short form: −8.3). Mean difference between groups was 2.5 points (95% confidence interval was −2.2 to 7.3). Effect size between groups was 0.2. Conclusions: The 95% confidence interval for the difference in mean pain disability reduction exceeded the upper limit of the non-inferiority margin. The results of the primary analyses of this trial are, therefore, inconclusive. Ancillary analyses revealed that programme dosage was not associated with differences in the disability outcomes. Optimum dosage of interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation programs is unknown and scarcely studied. This study is the first to analyse dosage as primary aim. Although results are inconclusive, they also suggest that differences in dosage may not automatically lead to differences in effects. Further research is needed to analyse what dosage works for whom; to detect optimum effective and cost-effective dosage of pain rehabilitation programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To develop a web-based application for a colour pattern memory recognition task as the secondary task of a dual-task paradigm and to compare the listening effort required by adolescents with hearing loss (HL) under two conditions (HA and HA+FM system), to adolescents with normal hearing (NH). Design: Cohort study. The participants underwent a dual-task paradigm, including the Hearing in Noise Test as the primary task and a colour memory task as the secondary task. A platform, PALETA, was developed to assess the secondary task. Study sample: In total, 31 adolescents were enrolled, of which 13 adolescents had HL and 18 adolescents had NH (mean age, 14years). Results: Adolescents with NH scored significantly better on the secondary task compared to participants with HL using a HA. However, on analysing response time, no significant differences were observed among the groups. Conclusion: PALETA is proposed as a test procedure for the secondary task. The results revealed that the use of an FM system reduces the listening effort that adolescents with HL deploy to recognise speech in noise, and that listening effort data by number of correct responses is a way of investigating the benefits of using FM system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the relationship between extended high-frequency pure tone hearing thresholds (frequencies 10 to 14 kHz) and working memory capacity (WMC), inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility. Design: Experimental study measuring correlations between different high-frequency hearing threshold measures and cognitive measures. Study: Pure tone audiometry was assessed in the extended high-frequency (frequencies 10, 12.5 and 14 kHz). Subjects were also tested regarding WMC, inhibitory control (response inhibition), and cognitive flexibility (information updating and shifting ability). Sample: Forty-three subjects between 20 and 29 years old with normal hearing (≤ 20 dB HL) in the frequency range between 0.125 to 8 kHz. Results: No significant correlations were seen between high-frequency hearing thresholds defined as average best and worst ear high-frequency hearing thresholds and the cognitive measures. Differences between the best and the worst ear showed significant negative correlations with inhibitory control and global executive function (combination score for WMC, inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility). Conclusions: The present study suggests that global executive functions, more specifically response inhibition, and hearing threshold asymmetry in the extended high-frequency range are interrelated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The Excellence in Research for Australia ( ERA) assessment exercises undertaken in 2010 and 2012 were developed by the Australian Research Council ( ARC) with the aim of identifying and promoting excellence in research across the full spectrum of research activity in Australia's higher education institutions. Method Three fields of research are relevant to psychology and are denoted by the following codes: 1701 (psychology), 1702 (cognitive sciences), and 1799 (other psychology and cognitive sciences), as well as the combination of these, 17 (psychology and other cognitive sciences). In the first analysis of these data, all academic organisational units ( AOUs) were compared across year (i.e., ERA 2010 and ERA 2012). The second analysis involved an examination of differences between AOUs in each of the 2010 and 2012 ERA data collections. Finally, the third analysis compared AOUs by the major groupings of universities that have emerged in the sector. Results The comparison of the 2010 and 2012 data collections reveals an overall improvement in performance with most universities improving or at least holding their ground. Conclusion It is concerning that a sizeable component of the production arising from the institutions reveals that only nearly half of the institutions meet a benchmark of at or above world standard. Some reasons for this performance are discussed, and suggestions are made for areas for improvement in the performance of the discipline going forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of household bleach, a sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC)-based disinfectant and an eco-friendly cleaning agent (EFCA) on fourStaphylococcus aureusstrains, including two isolated from community infections. The products were assessed using the suspension (EN 1276) and surface (EN 13697) tests, while biofilm activity was determined using the 96-well plate method. Bleach and NaDCC caused > 5 log reduction in viable counts within 5 min in suspension, whilst on surfaces the reduction was < 3 log. Bleach at 5000 ppm free available chlorine completely eradicated MSSA NCTC 13297 and PVL CA MSSA biofilms within 10 min, but not at 500 and 50 ppm, NaDCC was less effective against biofilms. The EFCA demonstrated no antimicrobial activity. It is of concern that at the recommended “use” dilution, bleach did not eradicate biofilms. Although increasing contact time and/or concentration should improve the activity, this may not be acceptable to the user. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background Active support is being introduced in many residential and respite homes in an effort to improve engagement in meaningful activity of people with intellectual disability. Method A train-the-trainer approach was used in a large government organisation that supports people with intellectual disability in Australia. Five apprentice trainers were trained to provide active support training to 65 staff associated with 6 group homes. These 5 trainers were then monitored to provide training to 54 staff in another 6 group homes. Staff evaluated their interactive training experiences, and pre and post outcome data were collected for a small number of service users from the second set of group homes, along with staff outcome data regarding residential working practices, group home management, and staffing practices. Results The train-the-trainer model proved to be an effective strategy for training large numbers of staff. The interactive training component was particularly effective and was associated with improvements in service user engagement in domestic tasks and decreased depression levels. Staff job satisfaction increased and significant improvements were recorded in residential working practices. Conclusions Active support training is an effective strategy for empowering staff to better support people with an intellectual disability to be meaningfully engaged in daily activities. There are implications for organisations related to ongoing implementation and practice improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]