Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Increasing Staff Use Of Sign Language, Melanie Hepworth Neville

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the effectiveness of two procedures, a visual cue and performance posting, to modify the use of sign language by psychiatric technicians. The visual cue was first introduced alone, then paired with performance posting to encourage staff use of sign language with the developmentally disabled children in their charge. Application of the visual cue alone produced little change in staff sign useage. The visual cue plus performance posting condition increased staff use of sign language during mealtimes. Four weeks of follow-up data indicated that the use of sign language remained at a level well above baseline.

Differences Of Selected Performance Parameters Of Dominant And Nondominant Legs Of Soccer Players, Bruce M. Spaulding

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The main problem of this study was to determine if a significant strength difference existed between the mirror muscles of six muscle groups in the dominant and nondominant legs of University of the Pacific male soccer players at differing contraction speeds as measured by the Cybex II Isokinetic Dynometer.

A Behavioral Intervention To Reduce Presurgical Anxiety, Alison J. Wheaton

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

A multiple baseline study was conducted across five hysterectomy patients between the ages of 30-36. Three patients received a treatment intervention consisting of general and sensory information, muscle relaxation, a cognitive coping technique, and a pre-anesthetic interview. Two yoked, placebo control patients watched a 20-min video· tape about surgery, practiced recovery exercises, and made up stories from TAT cards. Self-report measures taken were the Hospital Stress Rating Scale, a recovery inventory, and postsurgical pain ratings. Physiological measures consisted of pulse, respiration, blood pressure, skin temperature, and blood lactates. Recovery variables were taken on amount of pain medication taken, number ·of …

Treatment Of Severe Self-Injurious Behavior Among The Institutionalized Retarded Using A Combination Of Overcorrection, Contingent Restraint, And Increased Interaction, Robin S. Ross

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Three severely developmentally delayed institutionalized adolescent individuals were treated for severe self-injurious behavior over a three month period. Treatment consisted of positive practice overcorrection, restraint delivered as a reinforcer for an absence of self-injury, and increased interaction during task training sessions. Treatment was faded for two of the individuals in successive steps involving decreased restraint and interaction. Self-injurious behavior was reduced in all cases. Prosocial behaviors increased with reductions in self-injurious behavior.

Effects Of Fixed Interval And Continuous Biofeedback Reinforcement On Emg Frontalis Muscle Activity, Kathleen I. Twinem

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The effects of continuous vs. intermittent reinforcement using electromyographic (EMG) feedback as the reinforcer were compared in reducing frontalis muscle activity. Fourteen subjects were chosen from a group of 30 students who had expressed an interest in learning how to relax. Those students having the highest pre-experimental baseline scores were chosen. They were matched according to both those scores and sex and then randomly assigned to either a continuous biofeedback reinforcement group or a 30 sec. fixed interval biofeedback reinforcement group. The experiment consisted of nine sessions (three acquisition, two treatment, and four extinction) with integrated EMG activity from the …

A Comparsion Of Verbal Abilities Of Adult Aphasic Speakers : Pica Verbal Subtests And Word-Morpheme Means, Joann Uhley

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine whether correlations existed between a measure of linguistic complexity in spontaneous speech and performance on the four verbal subtests of the PICA.

Children's Responses To Medically Induced Discrete, Acute Pain, Brenda D. Ballard

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Three experiments were carried out with children in a private office on the measurement of distress caused by allergy treatment injections and on a behavioral technique to alleviate this treatment-induced distress. In Experiment 1 a rating scale to measure observable indices of distress with children receiving injections was developed and its construct validity and reliability determined. In Experiment 2, norms were derived for the sample of children studied and the nature of the expression of distress according to age and sex was examined. In Experiment 3 two treatments for alleviating the treatment-induced distress, (a) sensory information, and (b) systematic reinforcement …

Binocular Interactions In The Human Visual Evoked Potential., Patricia Adrianna Apkarian

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Cardiac Slowing As A Function Of Biofeedback And Sensory Deprivation Or Biofeedback Alone, William D. Kearns

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Boucharq and Corson (1976) found that subjects required to lower heart rate to avoid the loss of money used the strategy of attending to meaningless stimulation twice as often as subjects required to lower heart rates to obtain money, and that subjects decreasing heart rate to avoid the loss of money performed significantly better than subjects required to lower heart rate to obtain money.

Seven male and seven female undergraduates participated in a study designed to test the hypothesis that visual focusing on meaningless stimulation and biofeedback would produce larger heart rate decreases than biofeedback alone. Each subject attended three …

Contemporary College Coaching Techniques In Swimming, 1976, Lyle Gordon Collet

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The general problem was to determine if there was a significant relationship among collegiate swim team training methods, final team standings and individual team member’s placement by event in the 1976 NCAA Division I Swimming Championship Meet.

The Effects Of Augmenting Systematic Desensitization, Covert Sensitization And Covert Self-Reward With Group Therapy In The Treatment Of Alcoholism, Thomas R. Sagendorf

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of trad~tional group therapy treatment for alcoholic out-patient clients with group therapy plus approaches that incorporated behavioral self-control techniques. Reducing anxiety in social situations was the focus of the behavior therapy treatments. Only alcoholics who were highly anxious (eightieth percentile), according to their scores on the Institute for Personality and Ability Testing (!PAT) Anxiety Scale, were used as subjects.

The subjects were 24 clients from the San Joaquin County Alcoholism Rehabilitation Center who were all undergoing group therapy at the beginning of the study. Trios of subjects were matched on …

The Use Of Operant Procedures To Develop Ambulation In A Wheelchair Confined Male, Burton E. Shook

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Studies have shown that operant procedures can be successfully used in physical rehabilitation. This study was an attempt to develop standing and walking behaviors in a 47-year old male who was confined to a wheelchair. A multiple baseline design across settings was used to demonstrate the effects of verbal, physical and edible reinforcers on three sub-behaviors of standing. The first two sub-behaviors were trained and training had begun on the third sub-behavior when the study was abruptly terminated. Thus, no training sessions for walking took place.

Comparison Of Three Maintenance Procedures Following Treatment By Rapid Smoking, Stuart Paul Gordon

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Thirty-two cigarette smokers received six sessions of rapid smoking after which they were randomly assigned to one of four maintenance conditions, The conditions were (a) contingency contracting, (b) social support, (c) a continuation of rapid smoking and (d) a minimal contact control group, A total of seven maintenance sessions were scheduled for each maintenance group, and they were spread over a three month period. At the end of the maintenance period the control group was smoking at baseline level again. No differences between the maintenance groups were detected, However, the contracting group and the social support group were smoking significantly …

Increasing The Movement Of Care Home Residents To Independent Living, Anna L. Kusick

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The present study utilized a model apartment as a transitional facility in conjunction with exposure-sampling to increase the movement of care home residents to independent living. A model apartment is oen set up with all items necessary for everyday living, including dishes, pots and pans, bedding, cleaning articles, etc., which serves as an example of what the client might live in were he to move to his own apartment. Little or no work has been done on the use of a model apartment as a transitional facility. Though the Fountain House program has apartments for their clients, they do not …

A Comparison Of Comprehension Of Rate Controlled Speech By Young Aphasic And Normal Children, Deborah Gomez

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

It is obvious that the effects of speaking rate on the ability of aphasic children to comprehend verbal material has not been extensively researched. The studies cited above suggest that an increase in rate adversely affects comprehension by various subjects, while a decrease in rate may improve comprehension by certain subjects. Therefore, the present study attempted to examine the effects of the rate at which an auditory stimulus is presented to aphasic and normal children.

The Effects Of Facilitative Packaging And Verbal Reinforcement Upon Compliance With Medication Regimens By Psychiatric Outpatients, West Irvin

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

In the present study, the effects of (a) unit-dose packaging to facilitate self-monitoring of medication-taking behavior and (b) positive verbal reinforcement to maintain the reactive effects of self-monitoring were evaluated in six psychiatric outpatients.

Facilitation Of Retrieval Of Words From Long Term Memory, Edward John Federman

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This paper investigated whether retrieval may be facilitated by a process in which one learns to retrieve in a manner analogous to learning to learn as demonstrated by both Harlow's (1965) work with monkeys and Postman's and Keppel's (1966; Keppel, Postman, & Zavortnik, 1968) work in verbal recall. While the major focus of this study was to demonstrate this phenomenon, and the analogies cited suggest that the process will remain unspecified, an attempt was made to indicate and analyze the processes involved in the facilitation.

Relationship Between Electrical And Acoustical Characteristics Of Amplification Systems And Reduced Auditory Sensitivity, Carolyn Margaret Normoyle

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Current methods of selection of amplification are not readily applicable to children, and relatively few alternatives have been explored. Consequently, the audiologist must make a number of rather arbitrary judgements with little concrete information to support his recommendation of a given instrument. He has limited means of clinically determining the sustainability of the instrument for the child.

This study was designed to explore the relationship between several factors which may add to the existing body of data related to the problems of amplification in children. In brief, the problem was to determine the various electrical and acoustical characteristics of hearing …

Patient Participation, Encounter, And Methadone-Reinforcement In The Treatment Of Heroin Addicts, Stephen James Lynch

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Tho present thesis represents a summary or research done by the author (and others) that was conducted with heroin addicts and drug abusers undergoing behavioral and pharmacological therapy at Stockton State Hospital, Stockton, California.

From June 1970 to December 1970 the Research Department of Stockton State Hospital, in conjunction with the Drug Abuse Program at Stockton State Hospital, conducted research investigating a number of difference facets relating to inpatient programs for heroin addicts undergoing methadone maintenance and drug abusers. These facets included the investigation and evaluation of (a) motivational factors; affecting the voluntary participation of inpatient heroin addicts and drug …

Differential Performance Of Stutterers And Fluent Speakers In The Perception Of Tachistoscopically Presented Visual Forms, Melvin Sander Cohen

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The present study was designed to answer the question: WIll stutterers perform differently from fluent speakers on a test of tachistoscopic recognition. It was hypothesized that persons exhibiting overt secondary symptoms of stuttering would demonstrate a visual field preference different from an age-matched group of fluent speakers who have no personal or familial history of stuttering.

A Retrospective Study Of Drug Interactions And Their Clinical Significance In 100 Hospitalized Patients, Michael Ray Alexander

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Within the past several years, a great deal of attention has been focused on the phenomena of drug-drug interactions and their importance in the therapeutic regimen of patients for whom multiple therapeutic agents might be indicated. The rather sudden concern for this aspect of medical and pharmaceutical practice is evidenced by the proliferation of literature devoted to the topic for both professions. While iatrogenic disease has long been recognized as one of the hazards inherent in prescribing practices, only isolated reports of specific interactions were found until recently. Although it cannot be said with certainty when the first interaction of …

The Effect Of Tranquilizing Agents On Diadochokinetic Movement In A Senile Psychotic Population, Sam Larry Terzo

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Statement of the problem. The present study was designed to answer the question: What is the effect of tranquilizers, specifically phenothiazines , on diadochokinetic movement in a geriatric population? It was hypothesized that patients exhibiting overt effects of long term phenothiazine therapy (dyskinesia ) would show a reduced rate of diadochokinetic movement when compared with an age-matched group exhibiting no such symptoms and with no history of having taken tranquilizers . Furthermore, if this diadochokinetic movement were reduced, there would be a greater incidence of defective speech in this patient group .

A Survey Of Speech Therapy Programs Of Selected School Districts Within A One Hundred Mile Radius Of Lodi, California, Edward O. Tempel

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Recognition of the need for special education for school children with speech handicaps was first made in Potsdam, Germany, in 1896. Twelve years later in 1908 the first public school class in speech correction in the United States was organized in New York City, Programs of speech and hearing re-education in the public schools of the United States have expanded from this single metropolitan system in 1908 to a nation-wide effort in little more than fifty years.

In the United States today more than two million school children require remedial services from competently trained speech clinicians. In California public schools …

A Description And Analysis Of The Hearing Conservation Program Of The Office Of The Stanislaus County, California, Superintendent Of Schools, Robert Mccord Colville

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive description of a school hearing conservation program that might be used by personnel planning other programs, to serve as a guide or for comparison. A secondary purpose of the study was to analyze and evaluate the hearing conservation program of the Office of the Stanislaus County Superintendent of Schools in order to find more efficient ways of administering and conducting the program and otherwise improve its effectiveness.

Ways To Mental Health: West And East, George F. Melody

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

What is the psychosocial condition of Western man? What has happened to Apollonian man, characterized by order, harmony and leisure? Why has the ideal or Apollonian man (so well described by Nietzsche and Spengler) given way to Dionysian man ... Faustian man? Whence has gone the Apollonian safeguard, essential to measure, constraint, health and love?

How really sick is Western man? Why is he not at peace with himself, his family, his associates, people in other countries who may have political philosophies different from his own ... nay, with God? An inventory of the concrete condition of Western man may …

The Correlation Of Various Factors With The Speech Attitudes Of Students Enrolled At Lodi Academy During 1952-1953, Lucile Sherrig-Roth

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

It was the purpose of this study to determine by means of standardized tests and questionnaires which of the following thirteen factors, if any, may have affected the speech attitudes, as evaluated by Knower's Speech Attitude Scale, Form F,³ of students enrolled in Lodi Academy at the time of the testing: Physical--age, articulation, sex; Educational--grade level, oral reading, scholarship, silent reading; Psychological--emotional adjustment, intelligence, residence with parents, size of family, social adjustment, and unity of religious beliefs.

A Relationship Between Eastern Thought And Western Psychotherapy : An Application Of Taoism And Zen To Client-Centered Therapy, Lloyd Saxton

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This paper does not purport to be an examination of Zen or Taoism, but rather a view of certain aspects of Zen and Taoism, but rather a view of certain aspects of Zen and Taoism from the vantage point of contemporary psychology, to see if a metaphysic, a philosophical resting-place, might not be found for the admittedly pragmatic science of clinical psychology.

The questions the paper asks, then, and attempts to answer, are (1) can such a formulation be made, and (2) does psychotherapy conducted from this point of view move satisfactorily.

An Experimental Study Of Changes In Self-Concepts And Ideal Self-Concepts, Clarence James Walther

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The problem under investigation was to determine if the techniques of client-centered therapy, as applied to a student group, would be successful in bringing about a significant change in the relationship between students' self-concepts and their ideal self-concepts.

Types Of Behavior During Labor And Delivery And Scores On The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, Bette Gloria Winthers

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Purpose of the Study

The thesis of this study is that personality characteristics can be shown as factors in the variation of behavior which occurs during labor and childbirth. It is felt that if personality traits can be measured by a standard device they will correlate with various types of behavior expressed during labor. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory is one instrument which tests all of the more important phases of personality. This test was chosen as the device to be used in this study to determine the personality traits of the women involved. Therefore, the purpose of this study …

The Adjustment Of Eighty Correspondence Club Members As Indicated By Two Adjustment Inventories, Maurice R. Seaquist

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

It is the purpose of the present thesis to determine the adjustment of a sampling of correspondence club members. The hypothesis is that the social adjustment of these individuals is inferior to that of the individuals used in two personality inventories. In addition, answers to these questions are sought:

1. Is there a common need or problem that motivates these men and women to seek companionship through correspondence agencies?
2. What is their age, sex, cultural and geographical background?
3. What are the physical qualities and economic status of the members and what qualities and status are they seeking in the members they …