Use of the Brazilian version of the Interpersonal Negotiation Strategies Interview (INSI) in a child and adolescent sample: a pilot study

Abstract Introduction Interpersonal negotiation skills (INS) comprise actions used to solve social situations between interacting individuals involving different needs or desires. These abilities are part of one's social competence and may be impaired in some psychiatric conditions. There are few validated psychometric tools for measuring INS in the literature. This pilot study aimed to investigate some basic psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Interpersonal Negotiation Strategies Interview (INSI) in children and adolescents. Methods We developed a new version of the INSI adapted to the Brazilian culture using eight different dilemmas in dyadic situations (with peers and adults), presented visually as drawings on cards. A group of psychologists and psychiatrists chose and adapted the dilemmas formerly proposed by the original version. The same scoring criteria as for the original instrument were used. A total of 20 children and adolescents were included in this pilot study. We investigated test reliability using measures of interrater reliability, test-retest, and internal consistency. The content validity of the INSI was also evaluated by comparison with scores from the Child Behavior Checklist-Revised (CBCL). Results Internal consistency and test-retest evaluations were acceptable (rater 1: α = 0.77; rater 2: α = 0.72); the reliability of the instrument was excellent (K = 0.078; intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.98; 95% confidence interval 0.97-0.99); and content validity was strongly significant (p < 0.001). Conclusions Preliminary results suggest that this version of the INSI has good interrater reliability and internal consistency and constitutes a promising tool to assess social competence.

The Von Restorff effect in the Brazilian version of the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test in an elderly population / Efeito de Von Restorff na versão brasileira do Teste de Aprendizagem Auditivo-Verbal de Rey em idosos

ABSTRACT. The Von Restorff (isolation) effect refers to a stimulus that is more likely to be remembered amongst other stimuli in memory tasks. It has been demonstrated with different age ranges and methodologies. Objective: To investigate: a) the presence of the isolation effect in elders tested with the new Brazilian Portuguese version of the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Task (RAVLT) in which a word with potential emotional weight (mother) was introduced; b) whether isolation effects persist in memory disorders of different degrees of severity (Mild Cognitive Impairment [MCI]; Alzheimer's Dementia [AD]). Methods: The RAVLT was administered to 287 consecutive volunteers. Individuals underwent medical and neuropsychological evaluation and were further sub-grouped into normal controls (n=114), MCI (n=87) and AD (n=86) patients. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Chi-squared tests were performed. Post-hoc Tukey analysis was conducted to assess significance of group differences. Results: There were significant group effects on the learning curve. A W-shape - instead of the classical U-shape - was found for the serial position curve in all groups. Conclusion: The new Brazilian version of the RAVLT exhibited the Von Restorff effect, where this phenomenon was evident not only in older adults but also patients with MCI and AD, providing further psychometric measures for inter-group analyses.

RESUMO. Efeito de von Restorff (efeito de isolamento) refere-se ao estímulo que é mais facilmente lembrado em relação a outros em tarefas de memória. Tal efeito foi demonstrado em diferentes faixas etárias com diferentes metodologias. Objetivo: Investigar: a) presença do efeito de isolamento numa população idosa avaliada com a nova versão brasileira do Teste de Aprendizagem Auditivo-Verbal de Rey (RAVLT), em que uma palavra com potencial carga emocional ('mãe') foi introduzida; b) se o efeito de isolamento persiste em distúrbios de memória de diferentes gravidades (Comprometimento Cognitivo Leve [MCI]; Demência de Alzheimer [AD]). Métodos: RAVLT foi aplicado em 287 voluntários. Indivíduos participaram de avaliações médica e neuropsicológica e foram posteriormente agrupados em controles normais (n=114), MCI (n=87) e DA (n=86). Análises de variância e testes de Chi-quadrado foram realizados. Análises post-hoc foram conduzidas para avaliar diferenças de características entre os grupos. Resultados: Observaram-se efeitos significativos de grupo na curva de aprendizagem. Todos os grupos apresentaram curva de posição serial em formato W - invés do clássico formato em U. Conclusão: A nova versão brasileira do RAVLT evidenciou um efeito de von Restorff. Tal fenômeno foi visto não apenas em idosos, mas também em pacientes com MCI e AD, fornecendo medidas psicométricas adicionais para análises de diferenças intergrupais.

A utilização da progesterona natural micronizada em gestações gemelares na prevenção do trabalho de parto prematuro / Use of natural micronized progesterone in the prevention of preterm labor in twin pregnancies

Com o objetivo de determinar a eficácia da progesterona natural micronizada em gestações gemelares para a profilaxia do trabalho de parto prematuro, foi avaliada uma coorte histórica de 43 mulheres com gestações gemelares. As gestantes foram divididas em dois grupos: usuárias da progesterona (Grupo 1) e não usuárias da progesterona (Grupo 2). O medicamento foi administrado na dosagem de 200 mcg por via vaginal, a partir de 20 semanas de gestação. Das 43 gestações estudadas, 20 foram tratadas com a progesterona. Não houve associação entre uso da progesterona e época do parto, de forma que o uso da progesterona natural micronizada não impediu o parto prematuro (p = 0,87). Portanto, a progesterona natural micronizada não reduziu a frequência do trabalho de parto prematuro em gestações gemelares...

A historical cohort of 43 women with twin pregnancies were assessed to determine the effectiveness of natural micronized progesterone in twin pregnancies for the prophylaxis of preterm labor. The women were divided into two groups: progesterone users (Group 1) and non-users of progesterone (Group 2). The drug was administered at a dose of 200 mcg vaginally, from 20 weeks of gestation. Of the 43 pregnancies studied, 20 were treated with progesterone. There was no association between use of progesterone and delivery time, so that the use of natural micronized progesterone did not prevent preterm birth (p = 0.87). Therefore, natural micronized progesterone did not reduce the frequency of preterm birth in twin pregnancies...

Quantitative measurement of impairment in ADHD: perspectives for research and clinical practice

BACKGROUND Functional impairment is needed to make an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis, but there is a paucity of instruments addressing this issue. OBJECTIVE Perform psychometric analysis of a functional impairment scale (FIE). METHODS A sample of 320 individuals, including ADHD probands, their siblings and parents, filled the FIE. We analyzed psychometric properties for the entire sample and age groups. Factor structure was determined by a principal component factor analysis, using oblique rotation with Kaiser normalization and Eigenvalues higher than 1. Cronbach’s alpha and Spearman-Brown were calculated. RESULTS Family analysis revealed four components: a) “family life”, b) “self-perception”, c) “performance” and d) “social life”. Adults’ analysis revealed two components: a) “family life, social life and self-perception” and b) “performance”. Children showed the domains: a) “performance and social life”, b) “self-perception” and c) “family life” components. Cronbach’s alpha were above 0.9 in all components. DISCUSSION Results revealed up to four domains depending on the group considered. Different life demands might explain the variability of domains on the groups. .

Incapacidade física em hansenianos de Campo Grande - Mato Grosso do Sul / Physical disability in leprosy patients in Campo Grande - Mato Grosso do Sul

Este estudo objetivou verificar a frequência de incapacidade física em casos novos de hanseníase do município de Campo Grande, diagnosticados no período de abril de 2008 a março de 2009, bem como, caracterizar os aspectos clinico-epidemiológicos e sociodemográficos. Entre os 69 casos atendidos no período, mais da metade apresentou algum grau de incapacidade física (59,4%), sendo que 18,8% dos casos foram detectados com GIF II. Há uma concentração de casos na população do sexo masculino (59,4%) e associação entre sexo e grau de incapacidade física II, com GIF II entre os homens de 24,1%, mesmo fato observado com as formas clínicas multibacilares, com 33,3% de virchowianos com GIF II. A proporção de casos na população de até 15 anos foi elevada (10,1%) maior do que encontrada em outros estudos. Observou-se predomínio (84,0%) de pessoas com baixa escolaridade, com no máximo ensino fundamental completo e com renda per capita de até 1,5 salário mínimo. Quanto à distribuição geográfica dos casos, existe no município predomínio nos Distritos Sul e Norte (65,1%). Os achados deste estudo evidenciam que profissionais e gestores de saúde devem incentivar melhorias no diagnóstico precoce, avaliação dos casos, seguimento e serviços de prevenção de incapacidade dos pacientes com hanseníase

This study aimed to determine the frequency of disability in new cases of leprosy in the municipality of Campo Grande, diagnosed in the period of April 2008 to March 2009, and, characterize the clinical, epidemiological and sociodemographic. Among the 69 cases treated in the period, more than half had some degree of physical disability (59, 4%), whereas 18,8% of cases were detected with GIF II. There is a concentration of cases in the male population (59, 4%) and association between gender and degree of physical disability II with GIF II among men of 24, 1% even was observed in the same fact in multibacillary forms, with 33, 3% of lepromatous with GIF II. The proportion of cases in the population up to 15 years was high (10, 1%) higher than that found in other studies. There was predominance (84, 0%) of people with low education, with the most complete basic education, with per capita income of up to 1,5 minimum wages. As the geographical distribution of cases, there is predominance in the city districts in South and North (65, 1%). The findings of this study show that health professionals and managers should encourage improvements in early diagnosis, assessment of cases and follow up services for the prevention of disability of Hansen‘s disease.