http://idea.library.drexel.edu/handle/1860/782 Search the Channel search http://idea.library.drexel.edu/simple-search http://idea.library.drexel.edu/handle/1860/2666 Title: EEG neurofeedback: a brief overview and an example of peak alpha frequency training for cognitive enhancement in the elderly <br/> <br/>Authors: Angelakis, Efthymios; Stathopoulou, Stamatina; Frymiare, Jennifer L.; Green, Deborah L.; Lubar, Joel F.; Kounios, John <br/> <br/>Abstract: Neurofeedback (NF) is an electroencephalographic (EEG) biofeedback technique for training individuals to alter their brain activity via operant conditioning. Research has shown that NF helps reduce symptoms of several neurological and psychiatric disorders, with ongoing research currently investigating applications to other disorders and to the enhancement of non-disordered cognition. The present article briefly reviews the fundamentals and current status of NF therapy and research and illustrates the basic approach with an interim report on a pilot study aimed at developing a new NF protocol for improving cognitive function in the elderly. EEG peak alpha frequency (PAF) has been shown to correlate positively with cognitive performance and to correlate negatively with age after childhood. The present pilot study used a double-blind controlled design to investigate whether training older individuals to increase PAF would result in improved cognitive performance. The results suggested that PAF NF improved cognitive processing speed and executive function, but that it had no clear effect on memory. In sum, the results suggest that the PAF NF protocol is a promising technique for improving selected cognitive functions. http://idea.library.drexel.edu/handle/1860/2642 Title: Creativity support tools: report from a U.S. National Science Foundation sponsored workshop <br/> <br/>Authors: Shneiderman, Ben; Fischer, Gerhard; Czerwinski, Mary; Resnick, Mitch; Myers, Brad; Candy, Linda; Nakakoji, Kumiyo; Edmonds, Ernest; Eisenberg, Mike; Nunamaker, Jay; Giaccardi, Elisa; Pausch, Randy; Hewett, Thomas T.; Selker, Ted; Jennings, Pamela; Sylvan, Elisabeth; Kules, William; Terry, Michael <br/> <br/>Abstract: Creativity support tools is a research topic with high risk but potentially very high payoff. The goal is to develop improved software and user interfaces that empower users to be not only more productive but also more innovative. Potential users include software and other engineers, diverse scientists, product and graphic designers, architects, educators, students, and many others. Enhanced interfaces could enable more effective searching of intellectual resources, improved collaboration among teams, and more rapid discovery processes. These advanced interfaces should also provide potent support in hypothesis formation, speedier evaluation of alternatives, improved understanding through visualization, and better dissemination of results. For creative endeavors that require composition of novel artifacts (e.g., computer programs, scientific papers, engineering diagrams, symphonies, artwork), enhanced interfaces could facilitate exploration of alternatives, prevent unproductive choices, and enable easy backtracking. This U.S. National Science Foundation sponsored workshop brought together 25 research leaders and graduate students to share experiences, identify opportunities, and formulate research challenges. Two key outcomes emerged: (a) encouragement to evaluate creativity support tools through multidimensional in-depth longitudinal case studies and (b) formulation of 12 principles for design of creativity support tools. As Galileo struggled to view Jupiter through his newly built telescope, he adjusted the lenses and saw four twinkling points of light nearby. After recording their positions carefully, Galileo compared them to his drawings from previous nights. His conclusion that Jupiter had four moons circling it was a profound insight with far reaching implications. http://idea.library.drexel.edu/handle/1860/2639 Title: Self-efficacy for social situations in adolescents with generalized social anxiety disorder <br/> <br/>Authors: Gaudiano, Brandon A.; Herbert, James D. <br/> <br/>Abstract: Self-efficacy is a potentially useful concept when applied to Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). The aims of the current study were to examine the psychometric properties of the Self- Efficacy for Social Situations Scale (SESS; Gaudiano and Herbert, 2003) and to investigate the relationship between self-efficacy and anxiety in an adolescent sample with generalized SAD. Results replicated those found in a previous adult SAD sample. The SESS showed high internal consistency and good construct and criterion-related validity. The SESS also predicted subjective anxiety and perceived performance in social role play tests after controlling for social anxiety severity. Furthermore, self-efficacy more clearly predicted self-ratings in contrast to observer ratings of performance in social role play tests. Finally, changes in social selfefficacy were strongly associated with changes in social anxiety symptoms following treatment, even after controlling for changes in fear of negative evaluation. Treatment implications for adolescent SAD are discussed. http://idea.library.drexel.edu/handle/1860/2630 Title: The treatment of psychotic major depression: is there a role for adjunctive psychotherapy? <br/> <br/>Authors: Gaudiano, Brandon A.; Miller, Ivan W.; Herbert, James D. <br/> <br/>Abstract: Background: Psychotic depression is a relatively prevalent mood disorder associated with greater symptom severity, a poorer course of illness and higher levels of functional impairment compared with nonpsychotic depression. Separate lines of investigation suggest that various forms of cognitive- behavioral therapy are efficacious for treating severe forms of nonpsychotic depression as well as primary psychotic disorders. However, there currently are no empirically supported psychotherapies specifically designed for treating psychotic depression. Method: We review the efficacy of current somatic treatments for the disorder and discuss the limited data to date on potentially useful psychotherapeutic approaches. In particular, we describe the clinical improvement observed in a subgroup of hospitalized patients with psychotic depression treated with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as part of a larger clinical trial. Results: Pilot results demonstrated that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy was associated with clinically significant reductions in acute symptom severity and impairment compared with treatment as usual. Conclusion: The findings suggest that patients with psychotic depression can benefit from psychotherapy. Clinical and research recommendations in this area are presented. http://idea.library.drexel.edu/handle/1860/2608 Title: The assessment of present-moment awareness and acceptance: the Philadelphia Mindfulness Scale <br/> <br/>Authors: Cardaciotto, LeeAnn; Herbert, James D.; Forman, Evan M.; Moitra, Ethan; Farrow, Victoria <br/> <br/>Abstract: The purpose of this project was to develop a bi-dimensional measure of mindfulness to assess its two key components: present-moment awareness and acceptance. The development and psychometric validation of the Philadelphia Mindfulness Scale (PHLMS) is described, and data are reported from expert raters, two nonclinical samples (n = 204 and 559), and three clinical samples including mixed psychiatric outpatients (n = 52), eating disorder inpatients (n = 30), and student counseling center outpatients (n = 78). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses support a two-factor solution, corresponding to the two constituent components of the construct. Good internal consistency was demonstrated, and relationships with other constructs were largely as expected. As predicted, significant differences were found between the nonclinical and clinical samples in levels of awareness and acceptance. The awareness and acceptance subscales were not correlated, suggesting that these two constructs can be examined independently. Potential theoretical and applied uses of the measure are discussed. http://idea.library.drexel.edu/handle/1860/2607 Title: Clinincal intitution and scientific evidence: what is their role in treating eating disorders <br/> <br/>Authors: Herbert, James D.; Neeren, Amy M.; Lowe, Michael R. http://idea.library.drexel.edu/handle/1860/2605 Title: Prospective relationship of rigid and flexible control and weight loss <br/> <br/>Authors: Timko, Alix C.; Oelrich, Claudia; Lowe, Michael R. <br/> <br/>Abstract: Background: Findings from an earlier weight reduction program indicated that control of eating behaviors could play a major role not only in weight loss, but also in weight maintenance. This study attempted to replicate the findings that in a weight reduction program high pretreatment Rigid Control ( RC) is correlated with high Body Mass Index (BMI), high pre-treatment Flexible Control (FC) is correlated with low BMI, and that FC is a better predictor of overall weight loss. Patients and Methods: 70 healthy, overweight women took part in a 22-week weight loss program with 18-month post-treatment follow-up. RC and FC, BMI, and Disinhibition (DIS) were assessed by appropriate scales at pre-treatment, week 14, post-treatment and at 6 and 18-month follow-ups. Results: Both RC and FC were associated with DIS, but neither was correlated with BMI. Also, the present study did not replicate the finding that higher pre-treatment FC would be associated with greater overall weight loss; in fact, high levels of pre-treatment FC were actually detrimental to weight loss. Conclusion: In general, this study provided contradictory findings regarding the role of FC in weight loss. However, the lack of replication could be due to many factors, such as different diet programs. Further research needs to be conducted in order to better comprehend the prospective relationship of RC and FC of eating behaviors and their implications. http://idea.library.drexel.edu/handle/1860/2597 Title: Believability of hallucinations as a potential mediator of their frequency and associated distress in psychotic inpatients <br/> <br/>Authors: Gaudiano, Brandon A.; Herbert, James D. <br/> <br/>Abstract: The aim of the current study was to examine how belief in the validity of hallucinations relates to the association between hallucination frequency and associated distress. In a sample of inpatients with psychotic symptoms, results demonstrated that hallucination believability predicted later distress after controlling for symptom frequency. In addition, results were consistent with the hypothesis that hallucination believability mediated the frequencydistress link. Recent randomized controlled trials have supported the efficacy of cognitive behavior therapy for schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders. Further evidence suggests that cognitive behavioral approaches that incorporate mindfulness and acceptance-based strategies may be effective in reducing the believability of positive symptoms. Future trials incorporating longitudinal designs and more detailed assessments of these variables are needed. http://idea.library.drexel.edu/handle/1860/2587 Title: Comments on “evidence-based behavioral medicine: what is it and how do we achieve it?”: the interventionist does not always equal the intervention—the role of therapist competence <br/> <br/>Authors: Nezu, Arthur M.; Nezu, Christine Maguth http://idea.library.drexel.edu/handle/1860/2585 Title: Informing the design of computer-based environments to support creativity <br/> <br/>Authors: Hewett, Thomas T. <br/> <br/>Abstract: This paper addresses the problem of creating a human-centered computer-based support environment to facilitate innovation and creative work. It focuses on key factors to be considered in the design and development of any such user support environment regardless of the specific domain for which it may be implemented. The paper reviews psychological literature on how creativity, insight and innovation occur and how they can be fostered in working environments. Based on this discussion the paper then describes a generic set of user or functional requirements intended to apply to any domain specific computer-based working environment for support of creative activities. The paper proposes the conceptual model of a Virtual Workbench as a way of capturing some of these requirements and as a way of organizing thinking about the design of Creative Problem Solving Environments (CPSEs) in general. Finally, the paper proposes one possible translation of the Virtual Workbench and some of the functional requirements into a view of a generic model for CPSEs by describing three component sets of functions that would be a subset of those needed in almost any domain specific CPSE.