Estimating the prevalence of dental phobias.

This paper estimates the prevalence of dental phobias in the community. Information collected from diverse sources yields a rate for dental phobias within the range 10-14 per cent. It is concluded that the difficulty experienced in obtaining subjects/clients to undertake remedial programmes to overcome dental fear is not due to a shortage of such phobics in the community at large.

Changes in patients' stress and arousal levels associated with therapists' perception of their requests during crisis intervention.

This study examined changes in 32 patients' stress and arousal levels before and after an initial crisis intervention interview, according to the degree of mismatch between patient and therapist perceptions of requests made during the interview. A good match between patient and therapist perceptions was associated with a decrease in patients' stress following the interview. Although patients rated by therapists as more severely disturbed had the highest mismatch scores, it is unlikely that the observed mismatch between patients and therapists is accounted for solely by psychiatric condition. The findings suggest that measuring changes in stress may well provide a valuable means of evaluating patient response to the initial crisis interview.

A statistical audit of the clinical utility of the 168 version of MMPI.

Measured MMPI protocols from 347 female and 563 male psychiatric patients according to the standard form and the 168 version. Clinical scales were derived and profiles were classified using the procedure of Marks, Seeman, and Haller (1978). Approximately 50% agreement between MMPI-168 and full scale profiles was obtained. Most disagreements tended to be clinically important. On a simple psychopathology/nonpsychopathology dichotomy, between 75 and 80% agreement occurred.

Measurement of stress and arousal: validation of the stress/arousal adjective checklist.

It is suggested that, although often confounded, the mood states of stress and arousal may be independent, and that they may have different psychological consequences. The present investigation demonstrated the ability of a stress/arousal adjective checklist to differentiate between groups of people subject to different potentially stressful situations. The results are interpreted as suggesting that two distinct responses to a perceived demand are possible. Elevated arousal is associated with a coping response, whilst elevated stress appears to indicate the presence of fear or doubts about coping.

Augmentation-reduction and pain: reply to petrie.

The comments by Petrie (1978) on our earlier paper (Elton, et al., 1978) are discussed. Clarification of procedures demonstrates that Petrie's comments do not warrant any modification of our conclusion that the relationship between perceptual reactance and pain has not been clearly established.

Clinical measurement of pain.

The problems of clinical measurement of pain are considered. Various adjuncts to the standard clinical interview are proposed. These are: written reports, visual analogue scales, McGill's Pain Assessment Questionnaire, and a weekly pain chart. The advantages and disadvantages of each are discussed. Correlations between various pain measures are shown. The use of the weekly pain chart by doctors is recommended in cases of chronic pain.

A multidimensional approach to the assessment of pain.

The relative usefulness of various methods of assessment of pain is discussed. It is suggested that keeping an ongoing record of patients' pain is of value both to the patient and to the therapist.

A new test of pain reactivity.

The Melbourne Pain Apperception Film is described. Scores correlated significantly with both ischaemic pain threshold and tolerance.

Relaxation theory and practice.

This paper reviews the theoretical aspects of clinical use of relaxation and the problems inherent in its application in a hospital setting. It discusses the relative usefulness of relaxation procedures in various conditions. This includes the advantages versus the disadvantages of group practice, the use of audio casettes, specificity of instructions and interdisciplinary aspects of patient care. Some guidelines are provided for the practice of relaxation by physiotherapists.

Relaxation, the physiotherapist and the psychiatric patient.

This article discusses the role of relaxation training in psychiatric hospitals. Details of indications and contraindications are given. Interdisciplinary approach is stressed. Some ways in which physiotherapists may contribute to this area of patient care are suggested.