Penggunaan Virtual Reality Exposure terhadap Simtom Fobia Sosial pada Mahasiswa Saat Melakukan Public Speaking

Fobia sosial atau kecemasan sosial merupakan rasa takut yang berlebihan pada situasi sosial. Rasa takut ini terkadang menimbulkan permasalahan dalam kehidupan sehari-hari. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui perubahan tingkat fobia sosial dan respons fisiologis yang terjadi pada mahasiswa saat diberikan paparan/eksposur berupa social exposure lingkungan virtual. Hipotesis pada penelitian ini adalah terdapat pengaruh signifikan virtual reality exposure terhadap perubahan respons fisiologis dan tingkat fobia sosial pada mahasiswa pada kelompok yang diberi perlakuan. Metode penelitian menggunakan desain eksperimen pretest-posttest control design dengan rancangan penelitian berupa mixed design. Terdapat 41 partisipan yang memenuhi kriteria penelitian. Partisipan dibagi ke dalam kelompok eksperimen (n= 21) dan kelompok kontrol (n= 20). Instrumen penelitian yang digunakan terdiri dari skala Social Anxiety Disorder Dimensional (SAD-D) dan Self-Statements During Public Speaking (SSPS) serta Biofeedback Procomp5 Infiniti. Analisis data menggunakan teknik mixed ANOVA. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa terjadi peningkatan simtom fobia sosial pada kelompok eksperimen secara tidak signifikan dan terjadi penurunan secara signifikan pada kelompok kontrol (p < 0,05). Implikasi dari penelitian ini diharapkan dapat memberikan informasi kepada penelitian selanjutnya dalam memberikan perlakuan pada partisipan yang mengalami kecemasan sosial dengan metode eksposur lingkungan virtual.

Validasi Modul Peduli: Pelatihan Asertivitas Anti-Bullying

Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk memvalidasi modul Pelatihan Asertivitas Anti-Bullying (PEDULI). Modul PEDULI bertujuan untuk memberikan pengetahuan dan pemahaman pada remaja tentang bullying dan melatihkan cara bersikap asertif dalam kehidupan. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk memvalidasi modul Pelatihan Asertivitas Anti-Bullying (PEDULI). Modul PEDULI bertujuan untuk memberikan pengetahuan dan pemahaman pada remaja tentang bullying dan melatihkan cara bersikap asertif dalam kehidupan sehari-hari agar menghindari perilaku bullying. Hipotesis yang diuji dalam penelitian ini ada dua, yaitu pertama, modul PEDULI memiliki validitas isi yang baik. Hasil dari evaluasi tiga expert judgment menunjukkan nilai koefisien validitas isi sebesar 86% - 93%. Hipotesis kedua yaitu, terdapat perubahan peningkatan asertivitas yang signifikan pada subjek kelompok eksperimen dibandingkan dengan subjek kelompok kontrol. Hasil uji statistik menggunakan analisis Mixed ANOVA menunjukkan skor asertivitas pada kelompok eksperimen lebih tinggi secara signifikan dibandingkan kelompok kontrol (F = 11,699 dan p = 0,002; p < 0,05) dan skor asertivitas sesudah pelatihan pada kelompok eksperimen lebih tinggi secara signifikan dibandingkan sebelum pelatihan (F = 4,182 dan p = 0,021; p < 0,05). Berdasarkan hasil tersebut dapat disimpulkan bahwa modul Pelatihan Asertivitas Anti-Bullying (PEDULI) dinyatakan valid secara isi dan valid secara empirik pada penerapan terhadap 14 siswa di kelompok eksperimen.

Blue Covarine Toothpaste versus Office Whitening: Which is the Most Effective on Stained Teeth?

Alternative whitening strategies to hydrogen peroxide have been proposed, such as the inclusion of abrasive and/or pigmented particles in the toothpaste. This study compared the whitening effectiveness of a toothpaste containing Blue Covarine (BC) vs. an in-office whitening treatment using 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP) in teeth stained. Bovine incisors blocks (6.0x6.0x2.0 mm) were stained with green tea (GT), orange soda (OS), or red wine (RW). The samples were randomly assigned into 8 groups (n=15), according to the type of staining and whitening treatment: G1 – no staining, BC (Control); G2 – no staining, HP (Control); G3 – GT, BC; G4 – GT, HP; G5 – OS, BC; G6 – OS, HP; G7 – RW, BC; G8 – RW, HP. Color change (ΔE), luminosity (L*), green-red axis (a*), and blue-yellow axis (b*) were recorded with spectroscopy at T0 – baseline, T1 – immediately after toothbrushing or in-office tooth whitening, and T2 – after the conclusion of the treatments. The whiteness index for dentistry (WID) was calculated. Data were analyzed by two-way repeated measured mixed ANOVA and Bonferroni test (α=0.05). HP showed a better whitening performance (ΔE) (p ≤ 0.042). Otherwise, no effects of the whitening agent were observed (p = 1.000). Data from ΔL, Δa, and Δb showed statistically significant differences for experimental groups (p < 0.001). In the WID analysis, BC and HP had similar effects within control and RW groups. In conclusion, blue covarine toothpaste may be a viable option for extrinsically stained teeth. However, for severe staining, HP-based whitening agents proved to be the most effective treatment strategy.Keywords: Tooth Bleaching. Dentifrices. Color. ResumoEstratégias de clareamento alternativas ao peróxido de hidrogênio têm sido propostas, como a inclusão de partículas abrasivas e/ou pigmentadas nos cremes dentais. Este estudo comparou a eficácia clareadora de um creme dental contendo Blue Covarine (BC) com um tratamento de clareamento em consultório com peróxido de hidrogênio a 35% (HP) em dentes pigmentados. Blocos de incisivos bovinos (6,0x6,0x2,0 mm) foram pigmentados com chá verde (GT), refrigerante de laranja (OS) ou vinho tinto (RW). As amostras foram distribuídas aleatoriamente em 8 grupos (n = 15), de acordo com o tipo de pigmento e tratamento clareador: G1 - sem coloração, CB (Controle); G2 - sem coloração, HP (Controle); G3 - GT, BC; G4 - GT, HP; G5 - OS, BC; G6 - SO, HP; G7 - RW, BC; G8 - RW, HP. Mudança de cor (ΔE), luminosidade (L *), eixo verde-vermelho (a*) e eixo azul-amarelo (b*) foram registrados com espectroscopia em T0 - baseline, T1 - imediatamente após a escovação ou clareamento dental em consultório, e T2 - após a conclusão dos tratamentos. O índice de brancura para odontologia (WID) foi calculado. Os dados foram analisados por ANOVA mista de duas vidas para medidas repetidas e teste de Bonferroni (α = 0,05). HP apresentou melhor desempenho de clareamento (ΔE) (p ≤ 0,042). Os dados de ΔL, Δa e Δb mostraram diferenças estatisticamente significativas para os grupos experimentais (p <0,001). Na análise WID, BC e HP tiveram efeitos semelhantes nos grupos controle e RW. Em conclusão, o creme dental covarine azul pode ser uma opção viável para dentes com coloração extrínseca. No entanto, para manchas graves, os agentes de clareamento à base de HP provaram ser a estratégia de tratamento mais eficaz.Palavras-chave: Clareamento Dental. Dentifrícios. Cor.

Does regularly playing serious gaming improve cognitive functioning of seniors in care facilities? Controlled Effectiveness Trial on a Representative German Sample. (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Exergames have not only found to have enhancing and preventative effects on physical but also on cognitive abilities in healthy older adults. Yet, there are just few results on effects for older seniors with age-related low physical and/or cognitive impairments. Their special needs were considered when designing and using innovate technology for the field of prevention, especially being relevant due to the continuously ageing population. OBJECTIVE In this controlled trial, we test a serious game with various modules specifically designed for seniors in care homes, the so-called MemoreBox. METHODS Over a period of one year and four points in time 1.000 seniors were tested in their cognitive abilities via the Mini-Mental-Status-Test. Half used the serious games three times a week for one hour and half did not. The objective data from the games gave us the opportunity to divide the intervention-group through identify those who played regularly. RESULTS The sample consists of an intervention group (n=56) and a control group (n=55) that does not play. Due to the technical data, a second intervention group (n=38) could be identified within the original intervention group, which carried out the study design correctly according to plan. The are no noteworthy differences between the demographic and main variables of the overall sample. The large reduction in the sample size is due to the effects of the corona-situation, in the middle of the survey (Drop-Out 88,9%). The Confidence Interval was set at 5%. The mixed ANOVA between the cognitive abilities of the IG and the CG couldn’t show a significant difference between time an group F(2,710,295,379) = 1.942, p <.129, partial η² = .018. The same for the mixed ANOVA between the cognitive abilities of the IG2 und CG F(3.273) = 2.574, p <.054, partial η² = .028, but with a clear tendencies and a significant difference between the two groups after 9 month of intervention t(88.1) = - 2,394, p = .021. CONCLUSIONS The results of this paper basically report something like the current research situation and the tendency for the intervention to be effective on the cognitive abilities of seniors can be formulated, provided that they regularly play the serious games of the MemoreBox. The small sample, the non-existent RCT and the no significance at an α= 5% suggest additional, further research. Establishing a preventively effective tool as part of standard care in nursing homes by means of an easy-to-use serious game would be a relieving contribution to the weakened health system, in which there is a lack of activating offers for senior citizens in (partially) inpatient care facilities. CLINICALTRIAL German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS), DRKS00016633

Effects of Congested Fixture on Men’s Volleyball Load Demands: Interactions with Sets Played

The purpose of this study was to compare the external load, internal load, and technical efficacy between the first and the second matches (M1 and M2) occurring in congested fixtures (two matches in two days) using the number of sets as a moderating factor. An observational analytic research design was adopted. Data from official volleyball matches were collected during the first competitive period of the championship, comprising 14 competitive games within 10 weeks. Ten male elite volleyball athletes (age: 21.7 ± 4.19 years of age; experience: 6.2 ± 3.8 years; body mass: 85.7 ± 8.69 kg; height: 192.4 ± 6.25 cm; BMI: 23.1 ± 1.40 kg/m2) participated in this study. Players were monitored for external load (number of jumps and height of jumps) and internal load (using the rate of perceived exertion—RPE). Additionally, notational analysis collected information about attack efficacy and receptions made during matches. The mixed ANOVA revealed no significant interaction between time (M1 vs. M2) and number of sets for number of jumps per minute (p = 0.235; ηp2 = 0.114), mean jump height (p = 0.076; ηp2 = 0.193), RPE (p = 0.261; ηp2 = 0.106), attack efficacy (p = 0.346; ηp2 = 0.085), Positive reception (p = 0.980; ηp2 = 0.002) and Perfect reception (p = 0.762; ηp2 = 0.022). In conclusion, congested fixtures do not seem to affect the performance of volleyball players negatively.

239 Body Weight and Growth in Normal Cyclic and Acyclic Gilts

Anestrus, or failure to express estrus during boar exposure, is commonly observed in replacement gilts, and results primarily from either delayed onset of puberty (prepubertal; PP) or cyclic ovulations without behavioral estrus (behavioral anestrus; BA). Gilts born between 2007 and 2018 at USMARC were observed for age at puberty between 160 and 240 days of age. Mature boars were placed in an alleyway pen while a herdsman observed gilts for standing lordosis in response to the back pressure test. Gilts failing to be observed in estrus by 240 days of age were slaughtered (250.4 ± 0.3 days of age) and reproductive tracts recovered to determine if gilts had ovulated. Gilts were defined as PP (n = 606), BA (n = 649), or Peripubertal (n = 118; PP with large preovulatory follicles on the ovary). There were 96 age-matched, cyclic contemporary gilts included as cyclic control gilts. Body weights were recorded at birth, weaning, 8 weeks, and 21 weeks of age with hot carcass weight (HCW) recorded at slaughter. The objective was to retrospectively determine if growth and HCW differed between these groups. Data were analyzed as a mixed ANOVA using group as a fixed effect with sire and farrowing group to which the gilt was born as random effects. Birth weight, weaning weight, ADG at weaning, and weight at 8 weeks did not differ between groups (P &gt; 0.16). The BA gilts had greater growth rate (weight per day of pig age at 21 weeks; P &lt; 0.02) and HCW (P &lt; 0.0001) than PP and Peripubertal gilts, which also had smaller HCW than control gilts. Some cyclic control gilts (7.3%) that displayed estrous behavior had a prepubertal reproductive tract with no ovulatory activity at slaughter. Results indicated that gilts exhibiting delayed puberty grow slower late in development and during boar exposure. Estrus without ovulation in replacement gilts may be more prevalent than assumed. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Exploring the relationship between mindfulness and rock-climbing: a controlled study

Mindfulness is a meditative practice that has received increasing attention within positive psychology as an effective tool to increase wellbeing and decrease anxiety. Previous research has demonstrated that rock-climbers have a higher endorsement of mindfulness and life satisfaction than the general population; yet to date, no research has empirically explored the relationship between mindfulness and rock-climbing. In the current study fifty-nine participants ($$ \overline{\mathrm{x}} $$ x ¯ = 20.63, SD = 1.60) were asked to complete measures of mindfulness, wellbeing and anxiety before and after participating in an ‘intervention’. The intervention consisted of a mindfulness activity followed by either indoor bouldering (a form of rock-climbing) versus a physical activity control. A mixed ANOVA revealed that participation in bouldering increased the measure of mindfulness significantly more than the control activity; however, no significant group differences were found for the measures of wellbeing and anxiety. A regression analysis then revealed that group condition accounted for 33% of the variance in post-intervention mindfulness levels when controlling for baseline levels of mindfulness. This is the first study to experimentally demonstrate that engagement with rock-climbing increases mindfulness in young adults. Theoretically, the results have implications for our understanding of “flow” and optimal human experience. Practically, the study highlights the potential to implement rock-climbing as a resilience-building activity and integrate the sport within therapeutic frameworks.

Effectiveness of tDCS to Improve Recognition and Reduce False Memories in Older Adults

Background. False memories tend to increase in healthy and pathological aging, and their reduction could be useful in improving cognitive functioning. The objective was to use an active-placebo method to verify whether the application of tDCS in improving true recognition and reducing false memories in healthy older people. Method. Participants were 29 healthy older adults (65-78 years old) assigned to active or placebo group; active group received anodal stimulation at 2mA for 20 min over F7. An experimental task was used to estimate true and false recognition. The procedure took place in two sessions on two consecutive days. Results. A mixed ANOVA of true recognition showed a significant main effect of session (p = .004), indicating an increase from before treatment to after it. False recognition showed a significant main effect (p = .004), indicating a decrease from before treatment to after it and a significant session x group interaction (p &lt; .0001). Conclusions. Overall, our results show that tDCS is an effective tool for increasing true recognition and reducing false recognition in healthy older people, and suggest that stimulation improves recall by increasing the number of items a participant can recall and reducing the number of memory errors.