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Biomedical subjects

Kathleen Farrell

Publications and source records attributed to Kathleen Farrell.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Corsi Block-Tapping task performance as a function of path configuration.

The Corsi Block-Tapping (CB) task has been used as a measure of spatial memory since its development in 1971. However, a standard set of items has been developed for this task, and inconsistencies in performances within levels have been demonstrated in association with different path configuration. This study investigated item consistency by analyzing the performances of 94 young adult participants on a block-tapping task that involved five quasi-randomly determined sequences at each of nice levels of difficulty. In general, performance declined with increasing path length. Cochran Q-test comparisons were conducted on the items within each level, and differential performance were identified at levels 7 and 8 only. Pairwise comparisons determined the specific items for which performance was discrepant, and further analysis indicated that performance decrement were related to more complicated block-tapping paths. The findings suggest that this version of the CB task is relatively consistent overall, and the observed effect of path configuration indirectly corroborated the spatial nature of this task. Performance heterogeneity at higher levels reflected more complicated path configuration and, presumably, greater span capacity load. Differential intra-level item consistency should be considered in clinical applications of spatial (configural) memory tasks in order to avoid erroneous interpretations concerning sustained attention ability based on failures within levels.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Chronic disease self-management improved with enhanced self-efficacy.

This pilot study used a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design to examine if participation in a chronic disease self-management program (CDSMP) improved self-efficacy, self-efficacy health, and self-management behaviors in an underserved, poor, rural population. The sample, recruited from two clinics in a south central state, consisted of 48 adults (59.70 +/- 11.22 years) and was 79.2% Caucasian (n = 38) and 20.8% (n = 10) African American. Trained lay leaders with chronic illnesses directed the interactive CDSMP based on Bandura's self-efficacy theory that included strategies for personal exercise program development, cognitive symptom management, problem solving, and communication skills. Program-specific paper-and-pencil instruments were completed prior to and immediately after completion of the 6-week program. Significant improvements (p <.10) in self-efficacy, self-efficacy health, and self-management behaviors occurred. Results underscore the need to evaluate intervention programs for specific populations and for a new paradigm that focuses on patient-provider partnerships that can improve health outcomes in underserved, poor, rural populations.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Public perception of the risk of HIV infection associated with blood donation: the role of contextual cues.

BACKGROUND: Previous surveys have reported that a high proportion of people believe that HIV can be contracted through donating blood. It was hypothesized that this may reflect an artifact of the survey methods used. This study was therefore designed to test the hypothesis that providing contextual cues specific to HIV would cause respondents to express an increased belief that the virus can be contracted by donating blood. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A one-way, between-group design was used to test this hypothesis. Adult subjects (n=168) were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions, all three groups receiving information about the small risk of infection from blood transfusion. The variation across the experimental conditions was the example of infection given (i.e., Condition 1=no specific example of infection risk, Condition 2=data on the small risk of contracting hepatitis C through transfusion, Condition 3=data on the low risk of contracting HIV through transfusion). Respondents answered a single question, "Do you think you could catch HIV by giving (donating) blood in the UK?" RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis revealed that respondents in the HIV-cued condition were almost 11 times (OR=10.6) more likely to answer "Yes" to the survey question, as compared with the no-cue condition. There was no significant difference in response between the no-cue and the hepatitis C-cue conditions. CONCLUSION: Providing contextual cues relating to HIV increased the expressed belief that the virus could be contracted through donating blood. To better develop donor recruitment policies, future survey tools should minimize contextual effects.

Adult↗