Mood assessment via animated characters: a novel instrument to evaluate feelings in young children with anxiety disorders.

We evaluated a novel, computerized feelings assessment instrument (MAAC) in 54 children with anxiety disorders and 35 nonanxious children ages 5 to 11. They rated their feelings relative to 16 feeling animations. Ratings of feelings, order of feeling selection, and correlations with standardized anxiety measures were examined. Positive emotions were rated more highly and visited earlier by nonanxious children. Children with anxiety disorders explored fewer emotions. MAAC ratings on several positive emotions showed inverse correlations with state anxiety. Although needing further evaluation, MAAC may facilitate feelings assessment in young children and may distinguish children with anxiety disorders from nonanxious children.

The orbitozygomatic approach.

OBJECTIVE: The orbitozygomatic approach is a modification and extension of the pterional craniotomy to gain a wider exposure of structures at a cranial base. To simplify the understanding and performance of the approach, we developed a teaching video that follows a systematic approach to the surgical anatomy and technique. METHODS: The authors have incorporated three-dimensional (3D) renderings into the descriptions of the surgical technique and contemporary computer animation is used to demonstrate surgical details and nuances of the procedure. RESULTS: A teaching video was compiled, and it was well received by neurosurgical residents in Europe and Canada. CONCLUSION: With mastery in the surgical laboratory and with guided supervision, the approach can be routinely applied without adding morbidity to a variety of pathologies such as aneurysms and tumors.

Portable mood mapping: the validity and reliability of analog scale displays for mood assessment via hand-held computer.

The long-term natural time course of mood change remains poorly understood, and improved methods that assay multiple mood symptoms quickly and reliably are crucial to further progress. This study describes the reliability and validity of the new visual analog scale (VAS) display method for a recently developed 19-item VAS-based mood questionnaire, the VMQ, administered via hand-held computer (HHC). The effect of the smaller HHC screen size on accuracy and precision of VAS completion was investigated in 28 subjects using 4- and 10-cm paper-based VASs to indicate six specified dates within the year. The influence of digital vs. paper medium was then tested in 39 subjects who completed the same task, using 10-cm paper and 4-cm HHC-based VASs. Test-retest reliability was evaluated in 29 subjects who completed the questionnaire on a HHC twice, 10 min apart. Since the HHC presents VMQ scales with text anchor orientation set randomly, we also considered whether subjects might inadvertently transpose responses on the HHC. We found that reducing VAS size produced no significant loss of response precision or accuracy in subject response. Moreover, there was no significant loss of accuracy or precision between 10-cm paper and 4-cm HHC-based versions of the VAS. HHC-based items also demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability, with excellent values of Cronbach's alpha. The transposition error rate was negligible (0.27%). Our study provides initial evidence that the HHC-based VAS display used in the VMQ is a reliable and valid tool for comprehensive collection of analog mood scale data.

Improving parents' early recognition and understanding of infant cranial abnormalities through Web-based 2-D animations of 3-D structures.

A prototype Web site, "HeadStart: a craniosynostosis and positional plagiocephaly resource," was developed to help parents of children with cranial abnormalities access information about their child's condition. An on-line survey of 30 parents confirmed the need for information regarding the early diagnosis and treatment of cranial abnormalities. Three methods of creating the illusion of 3-D in a 2-D interactive animation were investigated. The final prototype Web site was developed using a novel approach to rendering 3-D models for use on the Web using a non-photorealistic rendering technique which emulated a hand-drawn appearance. Many advantages were found when creating 2-D animations based on 3-D files. A formative evaluation with parents revealed that the 3-D feature added to their understanding of cranial structures and led to a more complete understanding of their child's condition. Although the small sample size limits the ability to generalize about the success of including 3-D elements in educational programs, the research demonstrated that involving parents in the development process was successful in prioritizing the program content to fit with their needs.

Development and evaluation of sentinel node biopsy: a continuing professional development course.

The Interpretive Visualization (IVIS) Group at the Division of Biomedical Communications, Dept. of Surgery, University of Toronto has developed a visually-oriented, Internet-based Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course on Sentinel Node Biopsy. The site design methodology involved an extensive needs assessment, iterative formative evaluations of site and media design, a summative evaluation of the project, and a final evaluation for certification. Special emphasis was placed on asynchronous Web-based evaluation of the visual media-including still images, animations, and interactive figures-used in the course. Results reinforced the importance of: needs assessment; a user-centered design process; and rapid prototyping.