Computer-assisted attention training in schizophrenics. A comparative study.

The evaluation of a computer-assisted attention training program is compared with a cognitive group training program. Both programs were devised to reduce cognitive deficits in schizophrenics. The training programs were given to 30 acute schizophrenics and 30 healthy subjects. Both were shown to be effective in reducing distraction of schizophrenics in reaction-time tasks. By means of training, schizophrenics may attain the same results in reaction time tasks as healthy individuals. The results are discussed under theoretical, methodical and practical aspects.

[Development of cryosurgery treatment methods in inoperable anus and rectum cancer and their introduction to general practice]. / Entwicklung kryochirurgischer Behandlungsmethoden beim inoperablen Anal- und Rektumkarzinom und ihre Uberführung in die Praxis.

The domain of cryosurgery in proctology is in the field of inoperable anal and rectal carcinoma therapy with the aim of improving living quality. By intravital microscopy the role of microcirculation as the causative factor for counterheating could be proved. There by the cryodestruction is restricted. By temperature measurements we know that the limit for absolute tissue destruction is given at 3-8 mm tissue depth. A new device for cryosurgical treatment of inoperable anal and rectal carcinoma was developed (2nd generation of the device) and introduced into praxis. A total of 247 cases were our own patients at the average age of 75 years and a lethality of 0.25%. Generally, an improvement of living quality was achieved by the cryotherapy in those patients with stenosing colorectal carcinoma. 50% of all patients lived longer than 2 years. In 242 patients of the total of 247 cryosurgically treated patients the establishing of an anus praeter could be spared.

[Cryoenucleation in malignant melanoma of the choroid]. / Kryoenukleation beim malignen Melanom der Aderhaut.

The works of Zimmermann, Fraunfelder et al. and Migdal offer reasons for postulating atraumatic procedures for the enucleation of malignant melanoma of the choroid. Cryosurgery represents an effective method of blocking the melanoma prior to enucleation in such a manner that an intraoperative dissemination of tumor cells is unlikely. The technology which is at present widely used for this purpose (Fraunfelder et al.) has considerable disadvantages. For examples cryoapplication is only possible with favorable, i.e., peripheral tumor localization, since the cryoapplicator cannot be introduced into the orbit. Therefore, a cup-shaped cryoapplicator chilled by liquid nitrogen has been developed which can be introduced into the orbit. The operating temperature of -196 degrees C causes the half of the eyeball in which the tumor is located to freeze within 100 seconds. Subsequently the applicator is removed and the enucleation is continued in the traditional manner. The technical suitability of this procedure has meanwhile been demonstrated in 12 enucleations.

[Success in studies and course of illness in regard to schizophrenic students (author's transl)]. / Studienerfolg und Krankheitsverlauf schizophrener Studenten.

When treating schizophrenic students, the problem of whether the student ought to continue his studies frequently arises. To obtain a basis for criteria, a written questionnaire was sent to students who were treated as in-patients at the Universitäts-Nervenklinik in Tübingen between 1972 and 1978. By means of these questionnaires, details were obtained about progress of the patients' studies and illness. Of the 122 students approached, posttreatment information was submitted for 80.3%. Of these, two-fifths had discontinued their studies and one-fifth had completed them, were still studying, or had committed suicide. The difference between those who had completed their studies and those who had discontinued them could be attributed to a more favorable course of illness, as far as clinical criteria are concerned, with a more acute beginning to the illness, shorter in-patient treatment, and a more episodic course. The horrifyingly frequent cases of suicide seem to be less often a psychotic symptom than a reaction to the effects of the illness experienced by the patient that influence his ability to make contact and his studies. Students are particularly affected by schizophrenia, since the cognitive disturbances connected with this illness have a much greater effect on their work than on work of a less intellectual kind. Criteria for the indication of discontinuing studies and ideas on treatment and suicide prophylactic are developed from the above results and from clinical experience with schizophrenic students.