Subjective effects self-report measures

Improvement can be determined by regular clinical assessment, patient self-report, and weekly use of subjective and objective symptom measures. It can commence very early in the ECT course. ECT should be continued until the patient no longer seems to be improving. The usual number of treatments required by young persons is similar to that required by adults (a mean of 6-12). Assessment of unwanted events should be made following each ECT administration by systematic inquiry of the common side effects or by use of specially developed scales such as the Columbia ECT Subjective Side Effects Schedule (Sackeim et al., 1987). Where possible, neuropsychological assessment should be per-... 

Donovan et al. (1996, 1997) completed an open study evaluating the use of valproic acid (Depakote) in adolescent outpatients with marijuana abuse or dependence and explosive mood disorder (mood symptoms were not classified using the DSM FV Diagnostic System). Eight subjects were prescribed 1000 mg of valproic acid (Depakote) for 5 weeks, in addition to regular therapy sessions, but did not receive any other psychotropic medications. All subjects showed a significant improvement in their marijuana use (p <0.007) and their affective symptoms (p < 0.001), although both outcomes were measured only by self-report. The most common adverse events were nausea and sedation. No subjects discontinued because of these side effects, nor were there any reported interactions between the valproic acid (Depakote) and substances of abuse. 

Perhaps the most common type of verbal report used in sleep deprivation studies is a measure of subjective sleepiness. Subjective sleepiness is generally assessed by self-report scales (see also Chap. 1), such as the Stanford Sleepiness Scale (19), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (20), visual analog scales (21), and the vigor and fatigue subscales on the Profile of Mood States (POMS Educational and Industrial Testing Service, San Diego, CA). These measures have been used in studies on the effects of sleep deprivation (22-25), shift work (26-28), and sleep disorders (29,30). 

In non-sleep-deprived normals, modafinil tended to improve self-rated mood during the 8 hr after 200 mg of modafinil, and affectivity (as measured with a semantic differential polarity profile) was significantly better under 200 and 400 mg of modafinil at 6 and 8 hr postdose, respectively (213). Modafinil does not have the noticeable euphoric or stimulatory effect produced by amphetamine (231). This is consistent with the results of animal studies that indicate that modafinil s reinforcing effects are weak compared to those of amphetamine (232). In fatigued subjects, modafinil increases self-reported vigor and positive mood and decreases fatigue, confusion, and negative mood (226,228). 

Use of a standardized methodology for data collection is critical for collecting information for all study subjects, regardless of exposure or disease status. Information must be collected on exposure, outcome, and effect modifiers or confounders. There are several methods available for ascertaining information on exposures and outcomes, such as self-reported data obtained in personal or telephone interviews, self-administered questionnaires, diaries, observation, existing records, actual physical measurements, and collection of biological specimens (Armstrong et al. 1995). 

An uncontrolled study in 2002 by Lucks examined the effects of 3-month dermal application of V. agnus-castus essential oil (oil distilled at some point in the shrubs development of the fruit but while some leaves were still on the plant) on menopausal and perimenopausal symptoms. A 1.5% solution of the essential oil was incorporated in a bland cream or lotion and applied once a day, 5 to 7 days/week, for 3 months. Descriptive outcome measures were self-report via a survey of symptomatic relief (major, moderate, mild, none, worse) and side effects. A total of 33% of women reported major improvement in symptoms, with the most often area of improvement being hot flashes/ night sweats. Both improvement and worsening occurred in the areas of emotions and menstruation flow. Subjects who were also on progesterone supplementation reported breakthrough bleeding (7). 

Abstract— Pain as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience, if uncontrolled or undertreated, can seriously impair the quality of life. In many cases, the failure to adequately treat pain is due to the lack of accurate pain assessment tools, especially when subjective self-report methods are not applicable due to patients inability to formulate their pain experience (e.g. young children, incapacitating brain conditions). Therefore, there is a need for measures of pain which do not rely on patients ability to self-report. In this study, the relationship between the Heartbeat Evoked Potential(HEP) and acute pain perception was investigated. The aim was to examine the effect of acute tonic cold pain on the HEP and to test whether or not pain perception can be reflected by the HEP. Simultaneous electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) were recorded from 21 healthy young adults in three conditions passive no-task control, no-pain control and cold pain... 

It would be interesting if in a solid metal both the electro-self-trans-port and the electro-isotope-transport could be measured. Lodding has tried to do this by subjecting In at 137°C. to a direct current of 5000 amps./cm. for about eight months. He preliminarily reported a self-transport and a transport of the light isotope towards the cathode (45) meanwhile in more elaborate measurements he found the reverse direction for the self-transport in solid indium (46). It remains a question in which direction the isotope migration in solid indium goes, because the isotope effect reported in Reference 45 was at the limit of measurability. 

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