54 research outputs found
Promoting adaptive behaviors by two girls with Rett syndrome through a microswitch-based program
No full textWe assessed a microswitch-based program to improve self-determination to access to preferred stimuli and to foster locomotor behavior by two girls with Rett syndrome and multiple disabilities. To enhance the first behavior (access to preferred stimuli) a wobble microswitch (sensitive touch sensor) was used while for the second behavior (step responses) optic sensors were applied. A second aim of the study was to monitor indices of happiness as consequence of the use of assistive technology. Finally, a third objective of the study was the reduction of hand washing and body rocking related stereotypies. The study was carried out according to a multiple probe design across behaviors for both participants, where the two behaviors were first learned independently, then combined together. Results showed an increasing of performance and of indices of happiness and a decreasing of stereotyped behaviors for both participants during intervention phases. Practical, psychological and clinical implications of the findings are discussed
The influence of prominence in the production of plosives in Italian
No full textThis study explores prosodic strengthening in the
production of fortis plosives in Italian as a function
of four structural levels of prominence, reflecting
differing focal conditions (in order of increasing
prominence: postfocal, broad focus, narrow focus
and contrastive narrow focus). The overall analysis
indicated that for lingual consonants closure duration
was the most important acoustic parameter, differing
not only when comparing the most diverging
levels, contrastive and postfocal, but also when
comparing the broad focus and postfocal conditions.
For the labial plosive, /p/, the parameter that was affected
most by the level of prominence was burst
energy. Unsurprisingly, given the lack of aspiration
in the language, there was no consistent effect on
VOT
Validazione sociale: uno strumento per la verifica dell'efficacia degli interventi psicologici
No full textAssistance in Maintaining a Positive Self-image in People with Dementia
No full textDementia is a disrupting disease, most of all for those suffering from it. In essence, the disease increasingly dismantles the patient as an autonomously acting and thinking person. People with dementia continue being aware of their deterioration to varying degrees during the course of their disease. Feelings of loss of control, uncertainty, fear and grief are experienced, permanently threatening their well-being. In these difficult circumstances, maintaining a positive self-image can contribute to an optimal quality of life. Up until now little research has been done on the effectiveness of interventions that could contribute to maintaining a positive self-image. The authors will systematically discuss a number of possible inter-ventions by means of real-life case histories. They will make recommendations for further research.La demenza è una malattia devastante, in primo luogo per coloro che ne soffrono. In breve, questa malattia destruttura chi ne soffre dall’essere una persona che agisce e pensa autonomamente. Chi è colpito da demenza conserva la consapevolezza del proprio stato di compromissione lungo i diversi stadi della malattia, sperimentando sensazioni di perdita di controllo, incertezza, paura e tristezza, che mettono costantemente a rischio il benessere del paziente. In queste difficili condizioni mantenere un’immagine positiva di sé può contribuire a una più elevata qualità della vita. Fino a oggi poche indagini sono state condotte sull’efficacia degli interventi utili a mantenere un’immagine positiva di sé. Gli autori discuteran-no sistematicamente alcuni possibili interventi sulla base di casi realmente trattati e offriranno suggerimenti per ulteriori ricerche
Assistive technology for promoting choice behaviours in three children with cerebral palsy and severe communication impairments
No full textA technology-based program to promote independent choice behaviours by three children
with cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities was assessed. The program was based on learning
principles and assistive technology (i.e., customized input devices/sensors, personal computers,
screening of preferred stimuli according to a binomial criterion). The first purpose of the present study
was to provide the participants with a new set-up of assistive technology and to allow them to choose
among three categories, (i.e., food, beverage and leisure) and to request a specific item out of four in
each category, adopting a procedure that minimized (according to a conditional probability criterion)
unintentional choices. The second aim of the study was to carry out the effects of the program on
detectable mood signs (i.e., happiness index). The study was conducted according to an ABAB sequence
with a subsequent post intervention check for each participant. The results showed an increase of
engagement and of the happiness index during intervention phases. Psychological as well as
educational implications were discussed
Predittori del Dropout nella Terapia Cognitivo- Comportamentale dei giocatori d’azzardo. Una revisione della letteratura
No full textAim: this review aims to identify the variables predicting dropout in the treatment of Pathological Gambling (GAP). Materials and Methods: the review identified and collected from the main international databases, 14 studies from 2007 to 2013 involving gamblers undergoing cognitive-behavioral treatment. Results: the mean rate of treatment dropout was found at 36.5%. Variables considered in the various studies as predicting dropout were: sociodemographic and psychological characteristics related to gambling and treatment. The most significant variables in predicting dropout were found to be the psychological variables (i.e. impulsivity, sensitivity to punishment, lack in executive functions). Conclusion: this review emphasizes the role of individual differences on therapeutic outcome and suggests to adopt a clear definition of predictors in order to improve therapeutic interventions aimed at reducing the risk of dropou
Besides navigation accuracy: Gender differences in strategy selection and level of spatial confidence
No full textA virtual version of the reorientation task was employed to test new behavioral measures of navigation
strategies and spatial confidence within a gender-fair assessment approach. The results demonstrated
that, from a behavioral point of view, women had lower level of spatial confidence than men regardless
of level of accuracy. Moreover, the way men and women selected spatial strategies depended on the
arrangement of spatial cues within the environment. In other terms women relied on landmarks under
specific conditions compatible with an adaptive combination/associative model of spatial orientation.
Finally, the present study emphasized the importance to assess gender differences taking into account
specific affective variables and information selection processing, beyond accuracy
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