The Diagnostic Inventory of Personality and Symptoms (DIPS; Vincent, 1985) is a self-rating instr... more The Diagnostic Inventory of Personality and Symptoms (DIPS; Vincent, 1985) is a self-rating instrument that yields 14 clinical scale scores and a validity scale score. The scale scores present diagnostic classification information derived from major DSM-III diagnostic categories. This study replicates and extends a previous factor study by Vincent and Duthie (1986). DIPS data were collected from 170 psychiatric inpatients and outpatients. Both a principal components analysis and an oblique, cluster-oriented, marker variable factor analysis of the 14 clinical scale scores resulted in four factors, the first three of which reproduced the pattern of factor loadings found by Vincent and Duthie (1986). The results support the existing distinction between DSM-III Axis I psychotic and neurotic disorders, and Axis II characterological disorders.
Ten studies comparing the efficacy of unilateral versus bilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)... more Ten studies comparing the efficacy of unilateral versus bilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) were reexamined. Three different methods of meta-analysis applied to the combined results revealed statistical significance in favor of bilateral ECT for the relief of depression. The recognition that bilateral ECT has some advantage over unilateral is in sharp contrast to an overly strong conclusion to the contrary previously reached by Janicak et al. (1985), in reviewing the same studies. Alternative statistical methods for evaluating the significance of combined results from several independent studies are illustrated with reference to previously published ECT research.
Projective testing may provide the clinician with a valuable context in which childhood borderlin... more Projective testing may provide the clinician with a valuable context in which childhood borderline conditions may be investigated. The purpose of this study was to determine if Rorschach scores could be useful in diagnosing borderline disorders. Rorschach scores from a group of 13 borderline children and 10 conduct disorder children were compared using a step-down discriminate analysis. The results indicated that children in these two groups could be correctly classified beyond chance levels using Rorschach scores. Three variable, content analysis, human movement, and animal movement were the strongest contributors in separating the two groups. The Rorschach measure of form quality (i.e., adequacy of perception) was notable in that it failed to produce any independent discriminatory power in this analysis. As in the case of adult borderline testing using the Rorschach, novel scoring procedures, used in conjunction with standard scoring procedures may lead to further clarification of childhood borderline disorders.
The authors describe five patients with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT) who were tre... more The authors describe five patients with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT) who were treated with oral physostigmine from 1 to 3 3/4 years. An abbreviated form of the Buschke selective reminding test was used to assess the patients' short-term verbal memory at periodic clinic visits. Although one of the patients deteriorated progressively from the start of the physostigmine therapy and was taken off the drug after 1 year, there was no evidence of deterioration in memory performance on the average in the other four patients. Equally important, this open trial provides evidence of the safety of long-term treatment with physostigmine on an outpatient basis. The authors view their results as supporting the potential value of cholinesterase inhibition as a means of forestalling memory decline in SDAT patients.
This preliminary study examined differences between cocaine-dependent pregnant women who received... more This preliminary study examined differences between cocaine-dependent pregnant women who received "baseline" drug treatment (N = 13) and those requiring additional "intensive" treatment (N = 9). Baseline drug treatment consisted of weekly individual counseling sessions. Intensive treatment, in the form of contingency management procedures, was added for patients who showed no reduction in cocaine use during the first 4 weeks of treatment. There were no differences between the two groups in terms of demographic and pregnancy characteristics or history of cocaine use. Significantly more patients in the baseline treatment group were cocaine-free at intake and had a higher rate of compliance with scheduled prenatal clinical visits. These findings may indicate a decision to cease cocaine use prior to entering treatment, and a high degree of motivation to remain drug-free. Despite the small sample size, the finding that a substantial proportion of cocaine-dependent pregnant women remain cocaine-free during treatment is encouraging.
This study demonstrates the use of paired comparisons and interval scaling techniques for measuri... more This study demonstrates the use of paired comparisons and interval scaling techniques for measuring the relative priority of program privileges available at a methadone maintenance clinic. Fifteen methadone program privileges were combined in all possible pairs (N = 105) on a reinforcer menu and administered to a group of 12 methadone patients and a second group of counselors (N = 4). Data were converted to interval scales using the law of comparative judgment to form a quantitative continuum from least to most preferable. Free methadone, free dental service, and more take-homes were ranked highest in both groups; however, patients showed less differentiation in their preference for these privileges. Dose decreases were least preferred. Results are discussed in terms of their clinical applicability in identifying privileges for potential use in modifying the behavior of drug abusers. The method of paired comparisons has excellent psychometric properties and may offer some advantages over other response scale formats.
Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology, Oct 1, 1990
A 30-item questionnaire concerned with signs and symptoms of cognitive decline was completed by a... more A 30-item questionnaire concerned with signs and symptoms of cognitive decline was completed by a relative or caregiver for each of 115 elderly patients seen in the gerontology outpatient clinic of our institution. Twelve different preliminary scale values were calculated to locate each of the 30 clinical manifestations along a continuum of increasing severity. Prin cipal components analysis was then used to combine the 12 preliminary indices into a single composite scale that more reliably represents distances between the 30 clinical manifestations. The scale scores for the clinical manifestations were observed to cluster into relatively discrete groups, suggesting naturally occurring stages or phases. Objective cluster anal ysis methods further suggested the presence of distinct thresholds for occurrence of new impairments along the cognitive decline continuum. Utility of the empirically derived scale values in staging the course of primary degenerative dementia is suggested. ( J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 1990;3:212-220).
The Diagnostic Inventory of Personality and Symptoms (DIPS; Vincent, 1985) is a self-rating instr... more The Diagnostic Inventory of Personality and Symptoms (DIPS; Vincent, 1985) is a self-rating instrument that yields 14 clinical scale scores and a validity scale score. The scale scores present diagnostic classification information derived from major DSM-III diagnostic categories. This study replicates and extends a previous factor study by Vincent and Duthie (1986). DIPS data were collected from 170 psychiatric inpatients and outpatients. Both a principal components analysis and an oblique, cluster-oriented, marker variable factor analysis of the 14 clinical scale scores resulted in four factors, the first three of which reproduced the pattern of factor loadings found by Vincent and Duthie (1986). The results support the existing distinction between DSM-III Axis I psychotic and neurotic disorders, and Axis II characterological disorders.
Ten studies comparing the efficacy of unilateral versus bilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)... more Ten studies comparing the efficacy of unilateral versus bilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) were reexamined. Three different methods of meta-analysis applied to the combined results revealed statistical significance in favor of bilateral ECT for the relief of depression. The recognition that bilateral ECT has some advantage over unilateral is in sharp contrast to an overly strong conclusion to the contrary previously reached by Janicak et al. (1985), in reviewing the same studies. Alternative statistical methods for evaluating the significance of combined results from several independent studies are illustrated with reference to previously published ECT research.
Projective testing may provide the clinician with a valuable context in which childhood borderlin... more Projective testing may provide the clinician with a valuable context in which childhood borderline conditions may be investigated. The purpose of this study was to determine if Rorschach scores could be useful in diagnosing borderline disorders. Rorschach scores from a group of 13 borderline children and 10 conduct disorder children were compared using a step-down discriminate analysis. The results indicated that children in these two groups could be correctly classified beyond chance levels using Rorschach scores. Three variable, content analysis, human movement, and animal movement were the strongest contributors in separating the two groups. The Rorschach measure of form quality (i.e., adequacy of perception) was notable in that it failed to produce any independent discriminatory power in this analysis. As in the case of adult borderline testing using the Rorschach, novel scoring procedures, used in conjunction with standard scoring procedures may lead to further clarification of childhood borderline disorders.
The authors describe five patients with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT) who were tre... more The authors describe five patients with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT) who were treated with oral physostigmine from 1 to 3 3/4 years. An abbreviated form of the Buschke selective reminding test was used to assess the patients' short-term verbal memory at periodic clinic visits. Although one of the patients deteriorated progressively from the start of the physostigmine therapy and was taken off the drug after 1 year, there was no evidence of deterioration in memory performance on the average in the other four patients. Equally important, this open trial provides evidence of the safety of long-term treatment with physostigmine on an outpatient basis. The authors view their results as supporting the potential value of cholinesterase inhibition as a means of forestalling memory decline in SDAT patients.
This preliminary study examined differences between cocaine-dependent pregnant women who received... more This preliminary study examined differences between cocaine-dependent pregnant women who received "baseline" drug treatment (N = 13) and those requiring additional "intensive" treatment (N = 9). Baseline drug treatment consisted of weekly individual counseling sessions. Intensive treatment, in the form of contingency management procedures, was added for patients who showed no reduction in cocaine use during the first 4 weeks of treatment. There were no differences between the two groups in terms of demographic and pregnancy characteristics or history of cocaine use. Significantly more patients in the baseline treatment group were cocaine-free at intake and had a higher rate of compliance with scheduled prenatal clinical visits. These findings may indicate a decision to cease cocaine use prior to entering treatment, and a high degree of motivation to remain drug-free. Despite the small sample size, the finding that a substantial proportion of cocaine-dependent pregnant women remain cocaine-free during treatment is encouraging.
This study demonstrates the use of paired comparisons and interval scaling techniques for measuri... more This study demonstrates the use of paired comparisons and interval scaling techniques for measuring the relative priority of program privileges available at a methadone maintenance clinic. Fifteen methadone program privileges were combined in all possible pairs (N = 105) on a reinforcer menu and administered to a group of 12 methadone patients and a second group of counselors (N = 4). Data were converted to interval scales using the law of comparative judgment to form a quantitative continuum from least to most preferable. Free methadone, free dental service, and more take-homes were ranked highest in both groups; however, patients showed less differentiation in their preference for these privileges. Dose decreases were least preferred. Results are discussed in terms of their clinical applicability in identifying privileges for potential use in modifying the behavior of drug abusers. The method of paired comparisons has excellent psychometric properties and may offer some advantages over other response scale formats.
Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology, Oct 1, 1990
A 30-item questionnaire concerned with signs and symptoms of cognitive decline was completed by a... more A 30-item questionnaire concerned with signs and symptoms of cognitive decline was completed by a relative or caregiver for each of 115 elderly patients seen in the gerontology outpatient clinic of our institution. Twelve different preliminary scale values were calculated to locate each of the 30 clinical manifestations along a continuum of increasing severity. Prin cipal components analysis was then used to combine the 12 preliminary indices into a single composite scale that more reliably represents distances between the 30 clinical manifestations. The scale scores for the clinical manifestations were observed to cluster into relatively discrete groups, suggesting naturally occurring stages or phases. Objective cluster anal ysis methods further suggested the presence of distinct thresholds for occurrence of new impairments along the cognitive decline continuum. Utility of the empirically derived scale values in staging the course of primary degenerative dementia is suggested. ( J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 1990;3:212-220).
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