Smallest detectable change and test-retest reliability of a self-reported outcome measure: Results of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, General Self-Efficacy Scale, and 12-item General Health Questionnaire.

RATIONALE, AIMS, AND OBJECTIVES: This study aims to examine the smallest detectable change (SDC) and test-retest reliability of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), and 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). METHOD: We tested 154 young adults at baseline and 2 weeks later. We calculated the intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) for test-retest reliability with a two-way random effects model for agreement. We then calculated the standard error of measurement (SEM) for agreement using the ICC formula. The SEM for agreement was used to calculate SDC values at the individual level (SDCind ) and group level (SDCgroup ). RESULTS: The study participants included 137 young adults. The ICCs for all self-reported outcome measurement scales exceeded 0.70. The SEM of CES-D was 3.64, leading to an SDCind of 10.10 points and SDCgroup of 0.86 points. The SEM of GSES was 1.56, leading to an SDCind of 4.33 points and SDCgroup of 0.37 points. The SEM of GHQ-12 with bimodal scoring was 1.47, leading to an SDCind of 4.06 points and SDCgroup of 0.35 points. The SEM of GHQ-12 with Likert scoring was 2.44, leading to an SDCind of 6.76 points and SDCgroup of 0.58 points. CONCLUSION: To confirm that the change was not a result of measurement error, a score of self-reported outcome measurement scales would need to change by an amount greater than these SDC values. This has important implications for clinicians and epidemiologists when assessing outcomes.

Identification of common words to improve self-confidence in Japanese students with subthreshold depression.

Background Subthreshold depression (StD) is more common than major depressive disorder. Objective The study aimed to identify common words to improve self-confidence in Japanese university students with StD for developing a smartphone application to help those with StD. Methods In this cross-sectional study, words participants used to improve their self-confidence were gathered using self-report questionnaires in 154 university students in Japan. The words used to improve self-confidence were categorized using a computerized text analysis method based on the frequency of appearance. Results Participants were 154 male and females [StD group (n = 82) and healthy control (HC) group (n = 72); median age = 20 years]. A total of 290 words for improving self-confidence were identified. In the StD group, the keywords that appeared with the highest frequencies were "can", "let's try", "good luck", "able", and "don't worry". The keywords that occurred with the highest frequencies (the top eight) were common across both groups. The keywords were grouped into eight categories. The "encouragement" and "praise" categories were found in the responses of more than 80% of participants in both groups. Frequencies of the "determination" and "trust" categories were significantly higher in the StD group than in the HC group. Conclusions We conclude that "can", "let's try", and "good luck" are the most common words that Japanese students with StD use when describing how they improve their self-confidence. Future work will use these common words to develop a smartphone application to help those suffering from StD.

Self-assembled heterosupramolecular visible light photocatalyst consisting of gold nanoparticle-loaded titanium(IV) dioxide and surfactant.

Au nanoparticle surface plasmon resonance-induced photocatalytic chemoselective oxidation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds has been investigated. The heterosupramolecular system consisting of Au nanoparticle-loaded titanium(IV) dioxide and surfactant molecular assembly dramatically enhances the reaction. This system should evolve the photocatalyst to intelligent nanodevices.