Multimodal Chronic Pain Therapy for Adults via Smartphone: Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Combination therapies delivered remotely via the internet or mobile devices are increasingly being used to improve and promote the self-management of chronic conditions. However, little is known regarding the long-term effects of these interventions. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a multimodal intervention program that measures associated variables such as catastrophizing, pain acceptance, and quality of life using a mobile device in people with chronic pain in an outpatient setting. METHODS: A randomized controlled clinical trial was performed using parallel treatment groups. A total of 209 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain were randomly assigned to one of the two study arms. The intervention group received a standard web-based psychosocial therapy-type program of activities through a smartphone for 6 weeks. The control group only had access to the Find out more section of the app, which contained audiovisual material for pain management based on a self-help approach. The primary outcome was catastrophizing measured using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). Secondary outcomes were pain acceptance measured using the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire and health-related quality of life measured using the EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale. Assessments were conducted at baseline (T1), after treatment (T2), and at the 3-month follow-up (T3). The variations between the different phases were assessed using the percentage change rescaled with log base 2. The Cohen d was calculated based on the results of the linear mixed model. The investigators of the study who evaluated the results were not involved in patient recruitment and were blinded to the group assignment. RESULTS: Positive effects were found in the intervention group (T2-T1) in catastrophizing between the baseline and posttreatment phases (P<.001) and in helplessness (-0.72 vs 0.1; P=.002), rumination (-1.59 vs -0.53; P<.001), acceptance (0.38 vs 0.05; P=.001), and quality of life (0.43 vs -0.01; P=.002), although no significant changes were found for magnification (0.2 vs 0.77; P=.14) and satisfaction with health (0.25 vs -0.27; P=.13). Three months after treatment, significant differences were observed in the intervention group for the outcome variable of catastrophizing (PCS; -0.59 vs 0.2; P=.006) and the PCS subscales of helplessness (-0.65 vs 0.01; P=.07), rumination (1.23 vs -0.59; P=.04), and magnification (0.1 vs 0.86; P=.02). CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study suggest that app-based mobile multidimensional treatments for adults with chronic pain improve catastrophizing, quality of life, and psychological flexibility immediately after treatment and that the effects are maintained for the primary outcome of catastrophizing for at least 3 months following treatment. Moreover, they promote self-management and can be used to complement face-to-face pain treatments. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04509154; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04509154.

Relathionship between pedagogical content knowledge and coaching methods

The aim of this study was to know the relationship between the Pedagogical Content Knowledge and the planned Coaching Methods in early phases of basketball learning. The participants were three coaches. Each coaches’ task was analyzed: U’12 male team (n = 394), U’12 female team (n = 427), U’14 female team (n = 459), as well as their own view. The variables studied were PCK’s dimensions and coaching methods. A descriptive and inferential analysis were carried out for the planned tasks (Chi-square, Contingency coefficient y Residuals adjusted standardized) and another one for content of interviews. The outcomes showed the predominance of plays over exercises. There are close ties among the knowledge of the content, curricular pedagogy, goals, players, strategies and contexts that explain the sort of coaching method chosen(AU)

El objeto de este estudio fue conocer las relaciones que se establecen entre el Pedagogical Content Knowledge y los medios de entrenamiento planificados para categorías de iniciación al Baloncesto. Los participantes fueron tres entrenadores. Se analizaron las tareas de entrenamiento diseñadas por estos entrenadores para un equipo alevín masculino (n = 394), alevín femenino (n = 427) e infantil femenino (n = 459), así como la opinión de los entrenadores. Las variables de estudio son las dimensiones del PCK y los Medios de entrenamiento. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo y un análisis inferencial para los datos de las tareas planificadas (Chi-cuadrado, Coeficiente de contingencia y Residuos Tipificados Corregidos) y, un análisis del contenido para los datos de la entrevista. Los resultados muestran que existe un predominio del juego por encima del ejercicio. Se encuentran relaciones entre dimensiones del conocimiento de la materia, de la pedagogía, curricular, de los objetivos, de los jugadores, de las estrategias y del contexto que explican la elección por un tipo de medio de entrenamiento u otro(AU)

Differences in performance indicators among winners and losers of group a of the spanish basketball amateur league (EBA)

El objetivo de este estudio es identificar las diferencias existentes en los indicadores de rendimiento entre equipos ganadores y perdedores, en función del tipo de partido, en el Grupo A de la Liga Española de Baloncesto Amateur. La muestra del estudio estuvo constituida por 231 partidos (N = 462 casos) disputados durante la temporada 2005/2006 por los equipos del Grupo A durante la Fase Regular de la Liga EBA (Española de Baloncesto Amateur). Las variables del estudio fueron los indicadores de rendimiento y las variables secundarias, posesiones de balón y coeficientes de eficacia ofensiva y defensiva. El análisis inferencial entre ganadores y perdedores mostró que existían diferencias significativas en varios de los indicadores de rendimiento y los coeficientes de eficacia en los tres tipos de partido, aumentando el número de indicadores que diferencian a medida que se desequilibran los encuentros. En los partidos equilibrados son los lanzamientos de 2 puntos fallados, los tiros libres anotados, los rebotes defensivos, las asistencias y las faltas personales, así como los coeficientes de eficacia, los que diferencian entre ganadores y perdedores. En los partidos desequilibrados se añaden los lanzamientos de campo anotados, las pérdidas y los tapones efectuados. En el caso de los partidos muy desequilibrados casi todos los indicadores de rendimiento excepto las recuperaciones, los rebotes ofensivos y los lanzamientos de 3 puntos fallados diferencian a los ganadores de los perdedores. Se pone de manifiesto que existen un mayor número de indicadores de rendimiento de media que diferencian a los equipos ganadores de los perdedores con respecto a otras ligas más profesionales, por lo que se puede afirmar que existe mayor heterogeneidad entre el nivel de los equipos que conforman este tipo de ligas amateur (AU)

The aim of this study is to identify differences in relation to performance indicators between winning and losing teams of Group A of Spanish Basketball Amateur League, in function of the type of game. The sample of the study is formed by 231 games (N = 462 cases) that were played during 2005/2006 season by teams of Group A along EBA League Regular Phase (Spanish Amateur Basketball). Variables of the study were performance indicators and secondary variables, such as ball possessions and offensive and defensive efficacy coefficients. Inferential analysis between winners and losers showed that there were significant differences in many performance indicators as well as efficacy coefficients of three type of game, increasing number of indicators that differentiate according as games become unbalanced. Relative to balanced games, 2 points failed shots, scored free shots, defensive rebounds, assists and personal fouls, as well as efficacy coefficients, are the ones that differentiate between winning and losing teams. In relation to unbalanced games, scored field shots, turnovers and blocked made must be added. For very unbalanced games almost all performance indicators, except steals, offensive rebounds and 3 points shot failed, differentiate winner from loser. It shows that there are a greater number of performance indicators on average that differentiate winners from losers teams compared to other professional leagues, because of that we can say that exists a higher heterogeneity between teams that participate in this kind of amateur leagues (AU)

Shot differences between professional (ACB) and amateur (EBA) basketball teams. Multifactorial study

The shot is the game action in which the rest of the players' actions culminate, allowing them to achieve thegoal of the game, to score. In this action several factors intervene which condition its execution. The goal of this study wasto analyze the shot, by executing a multifactorial study of the differences in this technical action between two competitionlevels, professional teams (experts) and amateur teams (inexperienced players). The shots taken during 60 games from twocompetition levels, the ACB league (30 games) and the EBA league (30 games) were studied. A total of 10212 shots werestudied, of which 5161 corresponded to the ACB league (174±13.23) and 5051 corresponded to the EBA league(168±19.54). After an exploratory analysis, an inferential non-parametric analysis to assess whether the two samples ofshots were equivalent was used (Mann-Whitney U).Differences in free-throws between professional and amateur teams were only found in the distribution of the shotsby quarter (U=7.5E+005, p=.025). The field goals taken in the two competitions are different with regard to the defensivepressure that the players receive before shooting (U=6.4E+006 p=.025), the shot value (U=7.1E+006, p=.010), and theaction taken before the shot (U=6.6E+006, p=.000). The expert players (professionals) have a greater command of thegame than the amateurs (inexperienced players), they maintain a higher defensive intensity from the beginning of the game,they are able to find shot positions in which the defensive pressure is less, they use more collective actions to look forbetter shot positions (passes), and they can shoot from greater distances (AU)

Relationship between the pedagogical variables coaching a mini-basketball team

This study arises from the importance of analyzing the coaching process and knowing how to coach in thefirst stages of sports initiation. The purpose of this study was to analyze how a basketball coach establishes teaching thegame phases in youth categories, through the relationship between the pedagogical variables that define each of thecoaching tasks.A total of 452 tasks, organized in 80 training sessions that were planned by a coach of mini-basketball (10-11 yearolds)from the 2004-2005 season were analyzed. After a descriptive analysis of the game phase variable, a non-parametricinferential analysis (chi-square and contingency coefficient) was carried out to study the relationships between the variablesof the study (game phase, game situation, type of content, and content).The results make clear that for the coach that was analyzed, there is a disproportionate amount of work done onphases of offense to the detriment of defensive work. The aspects of the attack that are developed most are those withoutopposition, 1-on-0 (RAS=9.7) and to a lesser degree 1-on-1 (RAS=-10.7), although the opposite happens in the case ofdefensive fundamentals, 1-on-0 (RAS=-5.4) and 1-on-1 (RAS=12.3). A higher proportion of tasks without opposition, 1-on-0, were planned to work on individual offense technique (RAS=15.7), such as shooting.The analysis of the coaching process provides much information when generating sport teaching principles. Theresults have an important practical application, and they facilitate the process of continuing education and reflectionon coaches' actions (AU)

Educational strategies for the acquisition of professional knowledge by youth basketball coaches

The purpose of this study was to identify the educational means that coaches of school-aged children utilizeto acquire their professional knowledge. Youth basketball coaches (n=118) with a heterogeneous education coming fromdifferent educational means participated in the study. Of them, 81.7% were previously basketball players.As a measurement instrument, a modified version of the scale by Feu (2006) was utilized to determine the coach'sprofessional knowledge. The new scale had 21 items distributed in seven dimensions that corresponded to threetheoretical factors. The items were answered with a 5-point Likert scale.The statistical analysis consisted of an exploratory factor analysis with varimax rotation and self-values >1 in order todetermine the latent structure of the relationships between the scale's items. Previously, the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin index andBartlett's sphere test were analyzed. The reliability of the scale and the sub-scales was studied through the Cronbach's Alphacoefficient. The means, standard deviations, and correlations between item and scale as well as item and sub-scale were analyzed.The exploratory factor analysis, after the elimination of five items, and the Cronbach's Alpha coefficients demonstrated thatthe scale and sub-scales had some adequate psychometric properties (á>.70). All the items obtained item and sub-scalecorrelations greater than .40. Formal education was the factor that had the greatest acceptance among the coaches(M=21.71±4.63) followed by acquired experiences as a player (M=16.70±5.64), and then the acquired experiences andinnovations as a coach (M=13.45±2.97).The scale that was utilized has adequate validity and reliability to determine how the coach constructs his/herprofessional knowledge (AU)

Home advantage analysis in ACB league in season 2007-2008

Home advantage was defined as the fact that home teams win more than the 50% of their matches(Courneya & Carron, 1992). The aim of this work was to investigate the home advantage in the ACB league and identifythe game-related statistics which best discriminate home and away teams. The data were obtained from the SpanishBasketball Association for the period 2007-2008 ACB league (n= 306). Game related statistics were normalized to 100 ballpossessions. In order to compare game related statistics in home and away teams, a discriminative analysis was employed.This analysis identifies the game related statistics that best discriminate between home and away teams. The functionobtained was interpreted with the structural canonical coefficients (SC), with values higher than |.30|.In the 2007-2008 ACB league, the home teams won the 55.22% (n=169) of the games. The analysis identifying thetwo-point field goals made, blocks made, dunks, the defensive rebounds and the assists as common to the mean vectorsthat discriminate home teams in all games. Blocks received contribute to discriminate away teams in ACB league.These results could be used by the psychologist who works with the team. They must design specific programs todecrease anxiety levels, and to improve motivation and concentration levels in basketball players before a competition(AU)