Honor Thy Difference Scores

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angus Yongheng Yao
Keyword(s):  
Difference Scores

Long-term quality of life and work status after high-dose spinal cord stimulation in patients with failed back surgery syndrome: a secondary analysis of real-world data

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Lisa Goudman ◽  
Ann De Smedt ◽  
Koen Putman ◽  
Maarten Moens ◽  
_ _
Keyword(s):  
Normal Population ◽  
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome ◽  
Work Status ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Difference Scores ◽  
Failed Back Surgery ◽  
Back Surgery ◽  
Vas Scores ◽  
Utility Scores

OBJECTIVEIn recent years, the use of high-dose spinal cord stimulation (HD-SCS) as a treatment option for patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) has drastically increased. However, to the authors’ knowledge a thorough evaluation of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and work status in these patients has not yet been performed. Moreover, it is unclear whether patients who are treated with HD-SCS can regain the same levels of HRQOL as the general population. Therefore, the aims of this study were to compare the HRQOL of patients who receive HD-SCS to HRQOL values in an age- and sex-adjusted population without FBSS and to evaluate work status in patients who are receiving HD-SCS.METHODSHRQOL, measured with the 3-level EQ-5D (EQ-5D-3L), and work status were evaluated in 185 FBSS patients at baseline (i.e., before SCS) and at 1, 3, and 12 months of treatment with HD-SCS. Difference scores in utility values between patients and an age- and sex-adjusted normal population were calculated. One-sample Wilcoxon tests were used to assess the EQ-5D-3L difference scores. Mixed models were used to evaluate the evolution over time in EQ-5D-3L utility scores and EQ-5D visual analog scale (VAS) scores in patients and matched controls. Quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were calculated using the area under the curve method.RESULTSAn overall significant increase in EQ-5D-3L utility scores and EQ-5D VAS scores was found over time in the patient group. Wilcoxon tests indicated that the difference scores in utility values between patients and the normal population were significantly different from zero at all time points. The median incremental QALY after 12 months of HD-SCS was 0.228 (Q1–Q3: 0.005–0.487) in comparison to continued conservative treatment. At 12 months, 13.75% of patients resumed work.CONCLUSIONSHD-SCS may lead to significantly increased HRQOL at 12 months in patients with FBSS. Despite the increase, reaching the HRQOL level of matched controls was not achieved. Only a limited number of patients were able to return to work. This finding indicates that specialized programs to enhance return to work may be beneficial for patients undergoing SCS.

scholarly journals Genetic factors explain a significant part of associations between adolescent well-being and the social environment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margot P. van de Weijer ◽  
Dirk H. M. Pelt ◽  
Catharina E. M. van Beijsterveldt ◽  
Gonneke Willemsen ◽  
Meike Bartels
Keyword(s):  
Family Conflict ◽  
Generalized Estimating Equations ◽  
Leisure Time ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Causal Association ◽  
Difference Scores ◽  
The Social ◽  
Time Variables ◽  
Genetic Contributions

AbstractSocio-environmental factors play an important role in adolescent well-being, but potential genetic contributions to these associations are rarely assessed. To address this gap in the literature, associations between well-being and family conflict and functioning, number of friends, friendship importance and satisfaction, and leisure time variables were studied in N =  ~ 4700 twin pairs from the Netherlands Twin Register, us ing generalized estimating equations and twin-difference scores. When twin-difference scores indicated a role for genetic factors, we used bivariate genetic models to quantify genetic and environmental contributions to these associations. We identify significant associations between well-being and family functioning, family conflict, different leisure time activities, number of friends, and satisfaction with friendships. Additionally, we find evidence for large (73–91%) genetic influence on the associations between well-being and family conflict and functioning, leisure time sport/scouting clubs, and satisfaction with friendships. Finally, findings support the hypothesis of a causal association between well-being and family conflict and functioning. These findings have important implications for research into the social correlates of well-being in adolescence, as not taking genetic factors into account leads to overestimations of the influence of identified correlates and consequently to recommendations of these correlates as intervention targets.

Caution in the Use of Difference Scores in Consumer Research

1993 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 655 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Paul Peter ◽  
Gilbert A. Churchill, Jr. ◽  
Tom J. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Research ◽  
Difference Scores

Unreliability of difference scores: A paradox for measurement of change.

1975 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
John E. Overall ◽  
J. Arthur Woodward
Keyword(s):  
Difference Scores ◽  
Measurement Of Change

The Reliability of Difference Scores When Errors Are Correlated

1977 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 679-689 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard H. Williams ◽  
Donald W. Zimmerman
Keyword(s):  
Difference Scores

scholarly journals Analysis of SERVQUAL Application to Service Quality Measurement and Its Impact on Loyalty in Ghanaian Private Universities

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Banahene ◽  
Eric Ahudey ◽  
Abigail Asamoah
Keyword(s):  
Service Quality ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Private Universities ◽  
Quality Measurement ◽  
Difference Scores ◽  
Quality Perception ◽  
Graphical View ◽  
Graphical Technique ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Quality Decision

The purpose of this research is to use an adapted SERVQUAL method to measure service quality in Ghanaian Private Universities. The study use graphical technique for data presentation.The methodological approach follows the traditional SERVQUAL method of service quality perception and expectation as well as the difference scores determination. This approach is intended to improve SERVQUAL method analysis to achieve quality decision making based on graphical view of different relationships among the concepts used in the method. The study is on 321 students’ perception and expectations of five different Private Universities in Ghana.The study finds that students’ perception on Private Universities’ performance predict their loyalty better than the expectations. Managerial action can be better taken on service quality variables when the difference scores are used as percentage on perception. However, different service quality measurement methods such as SERVPERF and HEdPERF should be used and compared the results with this modified SERVQUAL method in Ghanaian Private Universities.This research finding has the strength to equip marketing professionals and researchers to increase SERVQUAL method adoption among different academic institutions.The value in this study is found in highlighting the importance of difference scores and the graphical demonstration of relationships among service quality perception and expectation as well as loyalty constructs in Ghanaian Private Universities.

Evaluating Equity in the Marital Relationship: An Alternative Approach

1982 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 759-762 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walter R. Schumm ◽  
Julia E. Kirn
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Multiple Regression Analysis ◽  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Careful Attention ◽  
Social Scientists ◽  
Difference Scores ◽  
Interaction Terms ◽  
Integrate Theory ◽  
Alternative Approach

Theory concerning the differing perceptions of marital partners often seems to invite the use of difference scores for measuring concepts such as equity, homogamy, inconsistency in social status, consensus regarding various attitudes, and similarity of personality traits. However, as illustrated with an example from equity theory, difference scores should be replaced by interaction terms in multiple regression analysis to evaluate such theory adequately. More careful attention needs to be paid to how family social scientists integrate theory, measurement, and statistical analysis in research.

scholarly journals P50 Gating is Not Affected by Selective Attention

2003 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuan H. Kho ◽  
Robbert J. Verkes ◽  
Paul Eling ◽  
Machiel J. Zwarts ◽  
Bart Ellenbroek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Selective Attention ◽  
Healthy Volunteers ◽  
Evoked Potential ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Auditory Evoked Potential ◽  
Span Task ◽  
Specific Task ◽  
Attention Condition ◽  
Difference Scores ◽  
Distraction Condition

Abstract The influence of selective attention on P50 gating - the decline of the amplitude of the P50 component of the auditory evoked potential (AEP) to the second of a pair of clicks - was examined. Three conditions were presented in counterbalanced order to 29 healthy volunteers: a baseline condition, in which the double click was presented and no specific task was required, an attention condition in which attention to the clicks was required, and a distraction condition in which paired clicks were presented during rehearsal time of a reversed digit span task. P50 gating, as measured with ratio and difference scores, did not differ across the three conditions. However, the amplitude of the N100 showed an increase in the attention condition compared to the two nonattention conditions, supporting the validity of our task manipulations. The data on P50 demonstrate that P50 gating is not affected by attentional manipulations.

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