ORCID Profile
0000-0002-9259-9246
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University of Queensland
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Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 28-02-2017
DOI: 10.2196/MHEALTH.6192
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 05-2015
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 29-07-2013
DOI: 10.3109/02699052.2013.804203
Abstract: There is considerable evidence suggesting facial affect recognition and cognitive functions are impaired in many people with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, little is known about the relationship between these two domains in the TBI population. This study investigated the relationship between facial affect recognition and cognitive functioning in 75 adults with moderate-to-severe TBI. Participants were administered three facial affect recognition tests and a computerized cognitive test battery that assessed seven cognitive domains. Deficits in facial affect recognition were significantly correlated with impairments in non-verbal memory, working memory, speed of processing, verbal memory and verbal delayed memory. No significant relationship was found between executive dysfunction and facial affect recognition impairments. Non-verbal memory, working memory and speed of processing significantly predicted overall facial affect recognition performance. It is concluded that impairment in several cognitive processes may contribute to facial affect recognition deficits in TBI, in particular non-verbal memory, working memory and speed of processing. Furthermore, executive functioning may not be a critical factor in facial affect recognition, but would most likely be important in deciding what to do once facial affect is perceived.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 12-2000
DOI: 10.1097/00001199-200012000-00005
Abstract: The current study compared the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90-R) results from a population of 88 in iduals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) to those of a normative group. In iduals with traumatic brain injury referred to a university-based psychology clinic. Results corroborated those from a smaller study,(1) where a considerable proportion of the elevations found on the subscales was attributed to endorsement of items identified as having a neurological basis. This reinforces the view that the results of neurological groups on clinical measures of emotional distress that have been standardized on physically healthy populations can be distorted because many of the items can be answered from physical and emotional perspectives.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 11-2005
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 02-09-2022
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 2007
DOI: 10.1080/02699050701504281
Abstract: To review the literature of affect recognition for persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI). It is suggested that impairment of affect recognition could be a significant problem for the TBI population and treatment strategies are recommended based on research for persons with autism. Research demonstrates that persons with TBI often have difficulty determining emotion from facial expressions. Studies show that poor interpersonal skills, which are associated with impaired affect recognition, are linked to a variety of negative outcomes. Theories suggest that facial affect recognition is achieved by interpreting important facial features and processing one's own emotions. These skills are often affected by TBI, depending on the areas damaged. Affect recognition impairments have also been identified in persons with autism. Successful interventions have already been developed for the autism population. Comparable neuroanatomical and behavioural findings between TBI and autism suggest that treatment approaches for autism may also benefit those with TBI. Impaired facial affect recognition appears to be a significant problem for persons with TBI. Theories of affect recognition, strategies used in autism and teaching techniques commonly used in TBI need to be considered when developing treatments to improve affect recognition in persons with brain injury.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 10-2018
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2017-020672
Abstract: To explore the acceptability of peer mentoring for people with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in New Zealand. This is a qualitative descriptive study exploring the experiences reported by mentees and mentors taking part in a feasibility study of peer mentoring. Interviews with five mentees and six mentors were carried out. Data were analysed using conventional content analysis. The first mentoring session took place predischarge from the rehabilitation unit. The remaining five sessions took place in mentees’ homes or community as preferred. Twelve people with TBI took part: six mentees (with moderate to severe TBI aged 18–46) paired with six mentors (moderate to severe TBI months previously aged 21–59). Pairing occurred before mentee discharge from postacute inpatient brain injury rehabilitation. Mentors had been discharged from rehabilitation following a TBI between 1 and 5 years previously. The peer mentoring programme consisted of up to six face-to-face sessions between a mentee and a mentor over a 6-month period. The sessions focused on building rapport, exploring hopes for and supporting participation after discharge through further meetings and supported community activities. Data were synthesised into one overarching theme: making sense of recovery. This occurred through the sharing of experiences and stories was pivotal to the mentoring relationship and appeared to benefit both mentees and mentors. Mentors were perceived as valued experts because of their personal experience of injury and recovery, and could provide support in ways that were different from that provided by clinicians or family members. Mentors required support to manage the uncertainties inherent in the role. The insight mentors developed through their own lived experience established them as a trusted and credible source of hope and support for people re-engaging in the community post-TBI. These findings indicate the potential for mentoring to result in positive outcomes.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 24-03-2017
DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2017.1283535
Abstract: To develop an ecologically valid measure of executive functioning (i.e. Planning and Organization, Executive Memory, Initiation, Cognitive Shifting, Impulsivity, Sustained and Directed Attention, Error Detection, Error Correction and Time Management) during a functional chocolate brownie cooking task. In Study 1, the inter-rater reliability of a novel behavioural observation assessment method was assessed with 10 people with traumatic brain injury (TBI). In Study 2, 27 people with TBI and 16 healthy controls completed the functional task along with other measures of executive functioning to assess validity. Intraclass correlation coefficients for six of the nine aspects of executive functioning ranged from .54 to 1.00. Percentage agreements for the remaining aspects ranged from 70% to 90%. Significant and non-significant, moderate, correlations were found between the functional cooking task and standard neuropsychological measures. The healthy control group performed better than the TBI group in six areas (d = 0.56 to 1.23). In this initial trial of a novel assessment method, adequate inter-rater reliability was found. The measure was associated with standard neuropsychological measures, and our healthy control group performed better than the TBI group. The measure appears to be an ecologically valid measure of executive functioning.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 17-07-2018
DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2018.1497811
Abstract: To examine sex differences in the effectiveness of a Stories intervention for teaching affect recognition in people with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Post-acute rehabilitation facilities. 203 participants (53 women and 150 men) with moderate to severe TBI were screened. 71 were eligible and randomized to one of three treatment conditions: two affect recognition conditions and an active control (cognition). This paper examines sex differences between the Stories intervention (n = 23, 5 women and 18 men) and the cognitive treatment control (n = 24, 8 women and 16 men). Randomized controlled trial with immediate, 3- and 6-month follow-up post-tests. Interventions were 9 hours of computer-based training with a therapist. Facial Affect Recognition (DANVA2-AF) Emotional Inference from Stories Test (EIST). A significant treatment effect was observed for the Stories intervention for women, who demonstrated and maintained improved facial affect recognition. In contrast, males in our s le did not benefit from the Stories intervention. This positive finding for the Stories intervention for females contrasts with our conclusions in a previous paper, where an analysis collapsed across sex did not reveal an overall effectiveness of the Stories intervention. This intervention warrants further research and development.
Publisher: American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM)
Date: 15-08-2020
DOI: 10.5664/JCSM.8484
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 08-01-2021
DOI: 10.1007/S12671-020-01583-4
Abstract: Mindfulness is an evidence-based treatment for depression but has never been rigorously tested with stroke survivors with depression. This feasibility study examined several issues relevant to a potential trial of a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) for improving mood after stroke. In 2017–2019 in New Zealand, we recruited 20 stroke survivors with low mood to undergo a 6-week, one-on-one MBI course delivered by an occupational therapist experienced in MBIs. Pre, post, and 4-week follow-up assessments were completed. Fifteen participants completed all six sessions and a 4-week “booster” or top-up session. The 1-hour session duration was considered appropriate by participants and all enjoyed the face-to-face in idualized format. Mean Beck Depression Inventory-II scores improved by more than one standard deviation and this was maintained at follow-up. However, the baseline assessment package was too long for some participants due to the cognitive component. Three participants indicated feeling emotionally challenged by some of the practices. These effects were managed by the mindfulness facilitator by adjusting the practice, so participants maintained their sense of agency, well-being, and overall benefit from the program. MBI training delivered in idually over six weekly sessions was acceptable to stroke survivors with 14/15 participants reporting improved mood. Three participants reported feeling emotionally challenged by some of the practices and we recommend MBIs for stroke survivors be provided by practitioners experienced in mindfulness, working with stroke, and trauma-informed therapy. It is important now to conduct rigorous randomized controlled trials to test the effectiveness and efficacy of MBIs for stroke survivors.
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Date: 07-2018
DOI: 10.1037/NEU0000462
Abstract: To examine sex differences in self-ratings for affective and cognitive empathy for males and females with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and compare these to observer ratings. Self and observer (e.g., spouse) ratings of affective and cognitive empathy were obtained for 160 participants (116 males) with severe TBI, using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index Empathic Concern (EC) and Perspective Taking (PT) subscales, respectively. When compared to sex norms, female self-ratings were significantly lower for both subscales, whereas men's self-report ratings were only lower for PT. For EC, more women (44%) were found to be substantially below the normative means (≥2 SDs) than men (17%), p < .001. When comparing women and men with TBI, self-report and observer ratings indicated both sexes had similar empathy levels (both subscales). Self versus observer ratings showed that women's self-ratings were significantly higher than observer's ratings on PT (p < .001) men's self-ratings were significantly higher than observer's ratings on PT (p < .001) and EC (p = .009). In contrast to the typically observed superior female empathy, this study suggests this advantage may disappear after a TBI, and possibly result in a disadvantage compared to their uninjured female peers. Theoretical implications of self-awareness and cultural gender expectations for empathy are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 19-07-2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 2002
DOI: 10.1017/S132389220000065X
Abstract: Neurobehavioural symptoms, such as changes in personality, psychiatric symptoms such as depression, and behavioural changes such as increased irritability, are frequent consequences of head injury. Even in the case of mild head injuries, such symptoms may be severe enough to have a negative impact upon rehabilitation. The nature of these symptoms, mitigating factors and possible responses within a rehabilitation context are discussed.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 02-2014
DOI: 10.1111/AP.12029
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 04-2011
DOI: 10.1080/09602011.2010.543867
Abstract: Executive functioning influences a host of other cognitive processes and people who attend neuropsychological services are more likely to display executive dysfunction than any other cognitive deficit (Stuss & Levine, 2002). Impairment in executive functioning disrupts a person's ability to effectively employ their intact areas of functioning, and undermines effective self-management of other areas of dysfunction, h ering attempts to employ compensatory strategies. Therefore, assessment of a person's executive functioning is a high priority as part of a comprehensive neurorehabilitation plan. Guided by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health model (ICF model Peterson, 2005), we suggest that an important development in the field is moving to formal assessment of executive performance in functional contexts, in addition to more traditional assessment of executive impairment. We outline a number of existing studies in this area, review current measures that can provide clinicians with useful information on these issues, and discuss how this research could be further advanced.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 04-11-2008
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 2004
Abstract: Little empirical research has examined guidelines for neuropsychological assessment of people with severe physical and sensory disabilities. This study focused on people with expressive disabilities--people unable to speak, write, draw, or manipulate test materials. Measures were selected and adapted to be suitable for the assessment of cognitive functioning for such people. Responses were selected from multiple choice answers or were spelled out on an alphabet board. In iduals with expressive disabilities in addition to traumatic brain injuiry (TBI) were compared to in iduals with TBI alone and a normative group. The measures were generally found to be reliable and valid assessment instruments. In iduals with expressive disabilities were able to manage the task requirements of the adapted tests. The results provided support for the adaptations trialed.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2012
DOI: 10.1016/J.APMR.2012.03.009
Abstract: To investigate if olfaction is associated with affect recognition and empathy deficits after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Prior research has shown that TBI often leads to loss of smell. We hypothesized a relationship with emotion perception, because the neural substrates of the olfactory system overlap with the ventral circuitry of the orbital frontal cortex, which play a critical role in affective responses, such as empathy. Comparative study investigating differences between participants with TBI who had impaired olfaction (dysosmia) with those with normal olfaction (normosmia). Postacute rehabilitation facilities in the United States, Canada, and New Zealand. Participants (N=106) in the current study were a convenience s le of adults with moderate to severe TBI who were tested for olfactory function as part of a larger, related study on affect recognition. On average, participants were 11.5 years postinjury. Not applicable. Olfaction (Brief Smell Identification Test), facial affect recognition (Diagnostic Assessment of Nonverbal Affect 2-Adult Faces [DANVA2-AF]), vocal affect recognition (Diagnostic Assessment of Nonverbal Affect 2-Adult Paralanguage [DANVA2-AP]), emotional inference (Emotional Inference from Stories Test [EIST]), and empathy (Interpersonal Reactivity Index [IRI]). Fifty-six percent of participants were dysosmic and only 36% of these participants were aware of their deficit. Participants with dysosmia performed significantly poorer on the DANVA2-AF (P=.003), DANVA2-AP (P=.007), EIST (P=.016), and IRI (P=.013). Medium effect sizes were found for all measures. Dysosmia had a sensitivity value of 86.4% for detecting facial affect recognition impairments and 67.8% for vocal affect recognition impairments. This study shows that olfactory deficits may be indicative of affect recognition impairments and reduced empathy. Early knowledge of affect recognition and empathy deficits would be valuable so that treatment could be implemented predischarge.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 13-12-2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2009
DOI: 10.1016/J.JCOMDIS.2008.06.001
Abstract: Persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) often have difficulty recognizing emotion in others. This is likely due to difficulties in interpreting non-verbal cues of affect. Although deficits in interpreting facial cues of affect are being widely explored, interpretation of vocal cues of affect has received much less attention. Accurate interpretation of vocal affect cues is important, particularly when facial cues are absent or ambiguous. These cues also contribute to more accurate identification of emotion. The neural substrates of facial and vocal affect recognition appear to be shared, further contributing to improved bimodal processing. This article discusses the importance of vocal affect cues in interpreting emotion. Expression of vocal affect in persons with TBI is also briefly discussed since difficulty in controlling and manipulating vocal cues of emotion when speaking may also contribute to poor social outcomes. A review of the literature in acoustic parameters that contribute to identification and expression of emotions is followed by a discussion on the integration of visual and auditory cues in bimodal processing and the relationship between facial and vocal affect in persons with TBI. Readers will be able to: 1) Identify the parameters primarily used to describe the acoustic characteristics of vocal affect 2) Describe the acoustic parameters typically associated with Anger, Fear, Happiness and Sadness 3) Describe the difficulties experienced by persons with TBI in the perception and integration of facial and vocal cues of affect.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 12-2014
DOI: 10.1017/S1754470X14000233
Abstract: Māori are the indigenous people of New Zealand and in 2006 comprised approximately 15% of the country's population. Epidemiological data suggests Māori experience rates of depression that are higher than the general population and are less likely to engage in treatment for mental health issues. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an adapted approach to psychotherapy with Māori. The broad goals of which were to provide empirically grounded guidance for therapists aspiring to provide best practice to their Māori clients. This paper documents the evaluation of a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) treatment protocol specifically designed and adapted for delivery to adult Māori clients with a diagnosis of depression. The treatment protocol was administered to 16 Māori clients with a primary diagnosis of depression. The adapted treatment incorporated Māori processes for engagement, spirituality, family involvement and metaphor. The intervention exhibited considerable promise with large significant reductions in depressive symptomatology in the participant group. Furthermore, significant reductions in negative cognition were observed. This is the first piece of applied clinical research that has examined the effectiveness of an in idual psychological therapy exclusively with Māori and the first to examine in idual psychotherapy outcomes with an indigenous population using an effectiveness study. The findings have a number of implications for the treatment of Māori clients with depression. This study provides useful guidelines for clinicians providing psychological treatment to Māori and provides strong support for the cultural adaptation of psychological treatment with ethnic minority groups.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2021
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 07-05-2015
DOI: 10.3109/02699052.2015.1011233
Abstract: To explore validity of an assessment tool under development-the Emotional Inferencing from Stories Test (EIST). This measure is being designed to assess the ability of people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) to make inferences about the emotional state of others solely from contextual cues. Study 1: 25 stories were presented to 40 healthy young adults. From this data, two versions of the EIST (EIST-1 EIST-2) were created. Study 2: Each version was administered to a group of participants with moderate-to-severe TBI-EIST 1 group: 77 participants EIST-2 group: 126 participants. Participants also completed a facial affect recognition (DANVA2-AF) test. Participants with facial affect recognition impairment returned 2 weeks later and were re-administered both tests. Participants with TBI scored significantly lower than the healthy group mean for EIST-1, F(1,114) = 68.49, p < 0.001, and EIST-2, F(1,163) = 177.39, p < 0.001. EIST scores in the EIST-2 group were significantly lower than the EIST-1 group, t = 4.47, p < 0.001. DANVA2-AF scores significantly correlated with EIST scores, EIST-1: r = 0.50, p < 0.001 EIST-2: r = 0.31, p < 0.001. Test-re-test reliability scores for the EIST were adequate. Both versions of the EIST were found to be sensitive to deficits in emotional inferencing. After further development, the EIST may provide clinicians valuable information for intervention planning.
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Date: 10-2014
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 2016
DOI: 10.1017/PRP.2016.5
Abstract: A strong case can be made for adapting cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for ethnic and cultural minority groups. In North America, literature is readily available for CBT practitioners wishing to adapt their practice when working with ethnic minority groups (e.g., Latino, African-American, and Native American groups). In other countries such as New Zealand, literature of this sort is scarce, and the empirical foundation for CBT adaptation in these parts of the world is weak. This article documents the core tenets of an empirically validated CBT treatment protocol tailored for in idual delivery to Māori clients suffering from depression in New Zealand and developed through consultation with an expert advisory group consisting of senior clinicians and Māori cultural experts. The result is a series of considerations for clinicians endeavouring to provide culturally responsive CBT with Māori clients, who are identified and organised into four domains. Two case studies are presented to illustrate the practical application of the proposed techniques. Links are made to international literature related to the adaptation of CBT in pursuit of cultural responsiveness.
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Date: 05-2011
DOI: 10.1037/A0021908
Abstract: Difficulties in communication and social relationships present a formidable challenge for many people after traumatic brain injury (TBI). These difficulties are likely to be partially attributable to problems with emotion perception. Mounting evidence shows facial affect recognition to be particularly difficult after TBI. However, no attempt has been made to systematically estimate the magnitude of this problem or the frequency with which it occurs. A meta-analysis is presented examining the magnitude of facial affect recognition difficulties after TBI. From this, the frequency of these impairments in the TBI population is estimated. Effect sizes were calculated from 13 studies that compared adults with moderate to severe TBI to matched healthy controls on static measures of facial affect recognition. The studies collectively presented data from 296 adults with TBI and 296 matched controls. The overall weighted mean effect size for the 13 studies was -1.11, indicating people with TBI on average perform about 1.1 SD below healthy peers on measures of facial affect recognition. Based on estimation of the TBI population standard deviation and modeling of likely distribution shape, it is estimated that between 13% and 39% of people with moderate to severe TBI may have significant difficulties with facial affect recognition, depending on the cut-off criterion used. This is clearly an area that warrants attention, particularly examining techniques for the rehabilitation of these deficits.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 06-07-2016
DOI: 10.1080/00224545.2016.1208138
Abstract: Film clips and narrative text are useful techniques in eliciting emotion in a laboratory setting but have not been examined side-by-side using the same methodology. This study examined the self-identification of emotions elicited by film clip and narrative text stimuli to confirm that selected stimuli appropriately target the intended emotions. Seventy participants viewed 30 film clips, and 40 additional participants read 30 narrative texts. Participants identified the emotion experienced (happy, sad, angry, fearful, neutral-six stimuli each). Eighty-five percent of participants self-identified the target emotion for at least two stimuli for all emotion categories of film clips, except angry (only one) and for all categories of narrative text, except fearful (only one). The most effective angry text was correctly identified 74% of the time. Film clips were more effective in eliciting all target emotions in participants for eliciting the correct emotion (angry), intensity rating (happy, sad), or both (fearful).
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 21-10-2017
Abstract: The primary objective of the current study was to determine if men and women with traumatic brain injury (TBI) differ in their emotion recognition and emotional inferencing abilities. In addition to overall accuracy, we explored whether differences were contingent upon the target emotion for each task, or upon high- and low-intensity facial and vocal emotion expressions. A total of 160 participants (116 men) with severe TBI completed three tasks – a task measuring facial emotion recognition (DANVA-Faces), vocal emotion recognition (DANVA-Voices) and one measuring emotional inferencing (emotional inference from stories test (EIST)). Results showed that women with TBI were significantly more accurate in their recognition of vocal emotion expressions and also for emotional inferencing. Further analyses of task performance showed that women were significantly better than men at recognising fearful facial expressions and also facial emotion expressions high in intensity. Women also displayed increased response accuracy for sad vocal expressions and low-intensity vocal emotion expressions. Analysis of the EIST task showed that women were more accurate than men at emotional inferencing in sad and fearful stories. A similar proportion of women and men with TBI were impaired (≥ 2 SD s when compared to normative means) at facial emotion perception, χ 2 = 1.45, p = 0.228, but a larger proportion of men was impaired at vocal emotion recognition, χ 2 = 7.13, p = 0.008, and emotional inferencing, χ 2 = 7.51, p = 0.006.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.APMR.2013.12.014
Abstract: Development of our current research practices has been driven by a number of assumptions and from operating within practical constraints. Technological change is beginning to remove many of these limits, although our research and practice has so far only gradually and partially evolved in response. The U.S. federal government is now mandating open data repositories for research that it funds. Policy changes regarding open data repositories and an increasing abundance of data arising from both research and practice provide the opportunity to revisit some assumptions. With abundant sources of data that may increasingly be collected automatically during rehabilitation, it seems fundamentally flawed that the resolution of the primary quantitative analysis approaches widely understood in our field is so limited by the need to contain the risk of false positives. Identification of more sophisticated approaches to our data, which may well already exist in the statistical literature, is a high priority.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2019
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 04-04-2014
DOI: 10.3109/02699052.2014.901560
Abstract: Studies of facial affect recognition by people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) have shown this to be a significant problem. Vocal affect recognition also appears to be challenging for this population, but little is known about the degree to which one modality is impaired compared to the other. This study compared facial and vocal affect recognition of high and low intensity emotion expressions in people with moderate-to-severe TBI. The Diagnostic Analysis of Nonverbal Accuracy-2 (Adult Faces Voices) was administered to 203 participants with TBI. Adults with TBI identified vocal emotion expressions with greater accuracy than facial emotion expressions. Facial affect recognition impairment was identified in 34% of participants, 22% were classified as having vocal affect recognition impairment and 15% showed impairment in both modalities. Participants were significantly less accurate at identifying low vs high intensity emotion expressions in both modalities. Happy facial expressions were significantly better identified than all other emotions. Errors were distributed across the emotion categories for vocal expressions. The degree of facial affect impairment was significantly greater than vocal affect impairment in this s le of people with moderate-to-severe TBI. Low intensity emotion expressions were particularly problematic and an advantage for positively valenced facial emotion expressions was indicated.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 06-2020
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2020-037892
Abstract: Examine attitudes to using online health and wellness services, and determine what barriers may exist to this in two rural communities in New Zealand. A thematic analysis informed by a social constructivist paradigm explored the attitudes of youth and adults to give voice to these communities. Eighteen focus groups—nine in each region—were held for an hour each, with between three and nine participants in each group. Two rural areas at the Northern and Southern ends of New Zealand were chosen. In each area, we partnered with a local health centre providing primary care services. Three localities were identified within each region where we conducted the data collection. Participants were youth aged 12–15 years, aged 16–20 years and adults over 21 years. Overall, 74 females and 40 males were recruited. Recruitment occurred through schools, community organisations or personal contacts of the facilitators, who were youth workers in their respective communities. Ethnicity of the participants was representative of each area, with a higher percentage of Māori participants in Northland. Eight themes were identified which described participants’ attitudes to technology use in healthcare. Themes covered accessibility, cost, independence, anonymity and awareness issues: technology makes health information easily accessible access to technology can be limited in rural communities technology can reduce the cost of healthcare but it is too expensive for some technology increases independence and autonomy of people’s own health independent healthcare decisions come with risks anonymity encourages people to seek help online technology can help raise awareness and provide peer-support for people with health issues technology impacts on social relationships. Participants—particularly youth—were generally positive about the role of technology in healthcare delivery, and interested in ways technology could improve autonomy and access to health and wellness services.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 13-12-2014
DOI: 10.3109/02699052.2013.856475
Abstract: The occurrence of facial affect recognition difficulties in a s le of people accessing traumatic brain injury (TBI) rehabilitation services was examined. It was hypothesized that between 13-39% of participants would demonstrate clinically significant impairment in facial affect recognition. Cross-sectional s le of eligible participants who were current clients of eight brain injury services were invited to participate. Forty-five participants with mild-to-severe TBI were assessed for facial affect recognition difficulties using the facial affect discrimination, naming, selection and matching sub-tests of the Florida Affect Battery. Fifty-one per cent of participants had at least moderate difficulties with facial affect recognition. The current s le was not a random selection from the population of people with TBI, so the results do not establish a formal estimate of prevalence. Nonetheless, the data indicate that when assessing typical clients with severe brain injuries presenting to neurorehabilitation services, there is likely to be a high frequency of occurrence of facial affect recognition difficulties. Rehabilitation outcomes may be improved by screening for and treating facial affect recognition difficulties following TBI. Further examination and development of treatment options is warranted.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.NEURO.2016.10.005
Abstract: To assess whether solvent use and workplace practices in the vehicle collision repair industry are associated with symptoms of neurotoxicity in spray painters and panel beaters (auto body repair workers). Neurobehavioural symptoms were assessed using a cross-sectional study design in 370 vehicle collision repair and 211 reference workers using the EUROQUEST questionnaire. Full-shift airborne solvent levels were measured in a subset (n=92) of collision repair workers. Solvent exposures were higher in spray painters than in panel beaters, but levels were below current international exposure standards. Collision repair workers were more likely to report symptoms of neurotoxicity than reference workers with ORs of 2.0, 2.4 and 6.4 (all p<0.05) for reporting ≥5, ≥10 and ≥15 symptoms respectively. This trend was generally strongest for panel beaters (ORs of 2.1, 3.3 and 8.2 for ≥5, ≥10 and ≥15 symptoms respectively). Associations with specific symptom domains showed increased risks for neurological (OR 4.2), psychosomatic (OR 3.2), mood (OR 2.1), memory (OR 2.9) and memory and concentration symptoms combined (OR 2.4 all p<0.05). Workers who had worked for 10-19 years or 20+ years in the collision repair industry reported consistently more symptoms than those who had only worked less than 10 years even after adjusting for age. However, those who worked more than 20 years generally reported fewer symptoms than those who worked 10-19 years, suggesting a possible healthy worker survivor bias. Despite low airborne solvent exposures, vehicle collision repair spray painters and panel beaters continue to be at risk of symptoms of neurotoxicity.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 12-01-2023
No related grants have been discovered for Duncan Babbage.