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Biomedical subjects

L H Epstein

Publications and source records attributed to L H Epstein.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed1980

Evaluating the situational specificity of relaxation in mild essential hypertension.

A multiple baseline across subject/settings design was employed to assess the specificity of the effects of progressive relaxation in two recently diagnosed, mild hypertensives. Relaxation was implemented successively across laboratory and home settings. In Subject 1, laboratory relaxation was associated with control over diastolic blood pressure, while in Subject 2, control over systolic pressure was observed. Improvements to normotensive levels were observed for both subjects, and the changes were maintained in both settings for Subject 2 at 6- and 12-mo. follow-up. Subject 1 discontinued her medications, relaxation, and self-monitoring of blood pressure, which was associated with an increase in blood pressure during treatment maintenance; however, at 6- and 12-mo. follow-up, both home and laboratory blood pressures were within normotensive range.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

The effects of feedback on blood pressure discrimination.

Discrimination of blood pressure in the natural environment as a function of feedback was assessed. Seventeen normotensives screened for blood pressure lability were randomly assigned to two groups. These subjects were then asked to estimate their systolic and diastolic blood pressure values two times per day over a 4-week period. Feedback for accuracy of blood pressure discriminations was implemented across the two groups in a multiple baseline fashion, using a feedback withdrawal condition in Group I to assess maintenance effects over time. Results showed improvement in discrimination accuracy for subjects in both groups when feedback was used, and no decrement in performance over a 2-week period after feedback was removed for subjects in Group I. Discrimination of systolic pressures improved at a slightly faster rate than discrimination of diastolic pressures.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Fading and feedback in the modification of visual acuity.

Two experiments assessing the modification of visual acuity by fading plus feedback procedures are presented. The training procedure involved a gradual increase of the distance myopic subjects could accurately discriminate letters requiring a minimum of 20/20 vision at approximately 23 feet. In Experiment I experimental and matched control groups of mildly to moderately myopic subjects were compared on repeated Ortho-rater examinations of visual acuity. The experimental group showed a significant improvement relative to the control group who received no training. Multiple-baseline across-stimuli designs were used in Experiment II to evaluate training effects for another group of subjects with moderate to severe myopia. Two measures of acuity were obtained. Accuracy of discrimination of letters at various preselected distances was determined each session while Ortho-rater examinations were given periodically throughout training. Changes in discrimination accuracy over sessions appeared to be related to fading for three of the four subjects, and Ortho-rater acuity changes were observed for each subject. Some short-term maintenance of improved vision was evident on both acuity measures.

Accommodation, Ocular↗
PubMed1978

Behavioral control of medicine compliance.

This study examined the effectiveness of several behavioral techniques on compliance of college students taking vitamin C on q.i.d. regimen. Compliance was assessed by a new technique using a variation of the urine tracer procedure designed specifically for this study. Subjects were provided vitamin C tablets, with three tablets per week containing phenazopyridine, a drug that produces a bright red-orange urine discoloration. Subjects were requested to indicate when urine discolorations occurred, and compliance was assessed by comparing the time of their report to the time predicted on the basis of the scheduled sequence of vitamin C and phenazopyridine tablets. Baseline compliance was assessed for 72 subjects over a three-week period, with the 40 most noncompliant subjects randomly assigned to four groups for Treatment I. The groups were: self-monitoring, taste, taste and self-monitoring, and a no-treatment control group. The self-monitoring procedure involved recording the time medicine was taken; the taste procedure involved providing the subjects with flavored tablets to increase the saliency of tablet taking; and the self-monitoring and taste procedure involved providing subjects with flavored tablets and asking them to record the flavor of each tablet they ingested. At the end of six weeks, half the subjects in each of these groups participated in response-cost procedures while the remaining subjects continued with their previous procedures. Response-cost procedures were implemented by returning a portion of the subjects' deposit only if a preset compliance criterion was met. Treatment II procedures were implemented for an additional three weeks. Results indicated the self-monitoring and taste plus self-monitoring procedures were superior during Treatment I. The implementation of response cost during Treatment II was associated with a marked improvement in compliance, independent of the history of noncompliance. The effects of the taste plus self-monitoring procedure were maintained during Treatment II and results obtained by this procedure were not significantly different from effects of response cost.

Ascorbic Acid↗
PubMed1978

Effect of heart-rate control training on heart-rate discrimination.

4 subjects were exposed to discrimination-testing procedures before and later biofeedback training to increase and decrease their heart rates. Results indicated significant increases and decreases in heart rate, as well as a significant improvement in accuracy of discrimination. The results suggest improvements in discrimination may occur as a function of feedback training.

Biofeedback, Psychology↗
PubMed1977

Single-case designs and clinical biofeedback experimentation.

Rigorous evaluation of the effects of biofeedback with clinical populations is necessary, but practical problems often preclude utilization of between-groups experimental designs involving large numbers of clients with clinically relevant problems. Single-case experimental designs provide a viable alternative for answering most research questions. In addition, single-case designs possess several distinct advantages for biofeedback research, including a focus on clinical significance, the use of variability as data not error, unique procedures for establishing generality of findings, and an ability to deal with ethical concerns in clinical research. Basic procedures in the use of single-case experimental designs are described and illustrations in clinical biofeedback research are provided.

Biofeedback, Psychology↗
PubMed1977

Biofeedback, self-control, and self-management.

A common goal of biofeedback is self-control of physiologic responses. The conceptions and paradigms of the literature on self-control of motoric and cognitive responses were surveyed to provide a basis for the self-control of physiologic responses. An operational definition of self-control was advanced, and self-control was placed in the framework of a general self-management strategy which included discrimination and maintenance components.

Biofeedback, Psychology↗
PubMed1976

Evaluating treatment effectiveness in cerebral palsy. Single-subject designs.

Methods to empirically evaluate treatment effectiveness for individual patients or small groups of patients are presented. Different types of single-subject (as opposed to group) experimental designs are described, and their appropriateness for heterogeneous populations such as the cerebral palsied is discussed. Possible errors in attributing causality are noted and illustrated. Techniques or behavioral analysis and various types of single-subject designs are presented, including the AB, ABA, ABAB, and multiple baseline across subjects, behaviors, and settings. The procedures are shown to produce reliable data from which conclusions about the relationship between treatment and behavior change can be made. The generalizability of single subject methods to different patients and problems is also discussed.

Behavior Therapy↗