[Psychometric properties of a psychological well-being test for people with physical impairments]. / Les qualités psychométriques d'un instrument de mesure du bien-être psychologique utilisé auprès des personnes ayant une déficience physique.

Measuring the psychological well-being of people with physical impairments could provide relevant information to occupational therapists. The aim of this study was to verify psychometric properties of a psychological well-being test called Test de personnalité PER (PER). This test was administered to two samples of people with physical impairments. Two time measurements were collected within a group of 36 individuals and one single measure within another group of 79 individuals. Comparisons between time measurements, between groups and with the normative group of the PER were performed in an attempt to verify the sensitivity, the capacity to discriminate between known groups, and the construct validity of the PER. One section of the Sickness Impact Profile measuring psychological well-being was administered to the same groups to verify the concurrent criterion validity of the PER. The results indicate that the PER has sufficient psychometric qualities.

Information-processing speed and assessment of early response latency among stroke patients.

The development of assessment methods for estimating and predicting amount of functional impairment among stroke patients is important for planning rehabilitation. This study explored the contribution of speed of information processing and response latency in the assessment of 39 stroke patients. Functional impairment was assessed among these patients using the Functional Independence Measure, administered within 72 hours of admission to a rehabilitation center. The correlations between the scores on this measure and on a computerized measure of speed of information processing, Cognitive Performance Test, were examined. The Functional Independence Measure can be used with an acute stroke population. Scores are correlated with cognitive indicators of functional impairment, and scores discriminate between severity of functional impairment. These results are discussed with regard to their implication in monitoring stroke patients throughout rehabilitation.

Social cost of pathological gambling.

Pathological gambling creates enormous problems for the afflicted individuals, their families, employers, and society, and has numerous disastrous financial consequences. The present study evaluates the financial burdens of pathological gambling by questioning pathological gamblers in treatment in Gamblers Anonymous (n=60; 56 males, 4 females; mean age = 40 years old) about personal debts, loss of productivity at work, illegal activities, medical costs and the presence of other dependencies. Results show that important debts, loss of productivity at work and legal problems are associated with pathological gambling. Discussion is formulated in terms of the social cost of adopting a liberal attitude toward the legalization of various gambling activities.

Computerized cognitive training with learning disabled students: a pilot study.

The effects of practicing computerized exercises in class by 59 learning disabled students who received an 8-hr. training program, 30 min. per week, were evaluated. Six exercises designed to facilitate basic cognitive skills development were used. Twelve subjects were assigned to a control group without any form of intervention. Covariance analysis (pretest scores used as covariates) showed a significant effect of training on mental arithmetic. These results suggest that practicing a computerized exercise of mental arithmetic can facilitate the automatization of basic arithmetic skills (addition, subtraction, and multiplication). The nature, progress, and evaluation of such types of intervention are discussed.