The Experts below are selected from a list of 294 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Nicole Probst-hensch - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Smoking cessation in workplace settings: quit rates and determinants in a Group Behaviour therapy programme
Swiss medical weekly, 2017Co-Authors: Yann Hausherr, Carlos Quinto, Leticia Grize, Christian Schindler, Nicole Probst-henschAbstract:To capitalise on the opportunities that the smoking ban legislation in Switzerland offers for the prevention of tobacco-related diseases, a smoking cessation programme in a workplace setting was developed and implemented in companies across the language and cultural regions of Switzerland. Our goal was to identify factors associated with relapse into smoking that may be overcome during training sessions or that should be considered for the optimisation of future interventions.; Between 2006 and 2012, 1287 smokers aged 16 to 68 years voluntarily attended smoking cessation training at their workplace. The intervention was based on a cognitive Behavioural Group therapy combined with individual proactive telephone counselling. The evaluation consisted of three anonymised questionnaires (pre- and postintervention, and 12-month follow-up). In this prospective cohort study, we investigated the association of smoking quit rates with training and participant characteristics, including withdrawal symptoms, by use of multilevel logistic regression analysis with a random intercept for training courses.; The self-reported abstinence rate was 72.4% at the end of the training, and 18.6% 1 year later. The risk of relapse during the training was positively associated with the number of years and daily cigarettes smoked, and negatively with increased appetite, sleeping troubles and satisfaction with learned techniques. Failed abstinence within the first year was associated with younger age, higher numbers of daily smoked cigarettes and unsuccessful recent quit attempts.; Our evaluation suggests that younger and more addicted smokers attending smoking cessation trainings may need additional support to achieve long lasting abstinence rates. Offering smoking cessation training in a workplace setting can achieve reasonable long-term quit rates, but a subset of employees needs additional support at the Group or personal level.; Group Behaviour therapy could be an effective method to achieve long-term smoking abstinence. The workplace is an important setting to reach and encourage a large number of smokers to participate in a smoking cessation programme, but only few studies investigated its potential. The findings of this study of a modern real-life workplace-based smoking cessation programme endorse the effectiveness and viability of cognitive Behavioural Group therapy. This Group-level intervention at the workplace may be insufficient for young and heavy smokers, as well as women with increased appetite after cessation, who potentially benefit from re-intervention and additional individual level counselling.
Ruth Aylett - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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IVA - Modelling Group Behaviour in Autonomous Synthetic Characters
Intelligent Virtual Agents, 2015Co-Authors: Naziya Hussaini, Ruth AylettAbstract:This paper discusses the process of creating agents that are capable of socially interacting with each other and forming Groups in a similar way to humans, without losing their autonomy. Our approach is to model Group Behaviour in autonomous agents by using FIRO (Fundamental Interpersonal Relationship Orientation) theory to add interpersonal drives to the existing FAtiMA- PSI architecture. This extends it for social agents that act as a collective Group, and thus increasing their believability in-Group situations.
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IVA - A step towards modelling Group Behaviour in autonomous synthetic characters
Intelligent Virtual Agents, 2014Co-Authors: Naziya Hussaini, Ruth AylettAbstract:This paper discusses the ability of IVAs to show Group Behaviour and act as a team, increasing their ‘believability’ as Groups. We discuss the modelling of Group Behaviour based on the theory of interpersonal relations given by Schutz in IVAs by using FAtiMA-PSI architecture. A test scenario has been created and the next step is to test the implemented model on this.
Tim Lancaster - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Group Behaviour therapy programmes for smoking cessation
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2017Co-Authors: Lindsay F Stead, Tim LancasterAbstract:BACKGROUND: Group therapy offers individuals the opportunity to learn Behavioural techniques for smoking cessation, and to provide each other with mutual support. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this review were to determine the effects of smoking cessation programmes delivered in a Group format compared to self-help materials, or to no intervention; to compare the effectiveness of Group therapy and individual counselling; to determine the effect of adding Group therapy to advice from a health professional or nicotine replacement and to determine the rate at which offers of Group therapy are taken up. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group trials register. SELECTION CRITERIA: We considered randomised trials which compared Group therapy with self-help, individual counselling, another intervention or usual care or waiting list control. We also considered trials which compared two Group programmes with manipulation of the Group interaction and social support components. We included those trials with a minimum of two Group meetings, and follow-up of smoking status at least six months after the start of the programme. We excluded trials in which Group therapy was provided to both active therapy and placebo arms of trials of pharmacotherapies, unless they had a factorial design. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We extracted data in duplicate on the type of subjects, the nature of the Groups and the controls, the outcome measures, method of randomisation, and completeness of follow-up. The main outcome measure was abstinence from smoking after at least six months follow-up in patients smoking at baseline. We used the most rigorous definition of abstinence in each trial, and biochemically validated rates where available. Subjects lost to follow-up were counted as smokers. Where possible, we performed meta-analysis using a fixed effects model. MAIN RESULTS: Thirteen studies compared a Group programme with a self-help programme. There was an increase in cessation with the use of a Group programme (odds ratio 2.10, 95% confidence interval 1.64 to 2.70). Group programmes were more effective than no intervention or minimal contact interventions (odds ratio 1.91, 95% confidence interval 1.20 to 3. 04). There was no evidence from two trials that Group therapy was more effective than a similar intensity of individual counselling. There was no evidence that manipulating the social interactions between participants in a Group programme had an effect on outcome. There was limited evidence that the addition of Group therapy to other forms of treatment, including advice from a health professional or nicotine replacement produced extra benefit. There was variation in the extent to which those offered Group therapy accepted the treatment. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence that Groups are better than self-help, and other less intensive interventions. There is not enough evidence on their effectiveness compared to intensive individual counselling.
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The Cochrane Library - Group Behaviour therapy programmes for smoking cessation.
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2005Co-Authors: Lindsay F Stead, Tim LancasterAbstract:BACKGROUND: Group therapy offers individuals the opportunity to learn Behavioural techniques for smoking cessation, and to provide each other with mutual support. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this review were to determine the effects of smoking cessation programmes delivered in a Group format compared to self-help materials, or to no intervention; to compare the effectiveness of Group therapy and individual counselling; to determine the effect of adding Group therapy to advice from a health professional or nicotine replacement and to determine the rate at which offers of Group therapy are taken up. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group trials register. SELECTION CRITERIA: We considered randomised trials which compared Group therapy with self-help, individual counselling, another intervention or usual care or waiting list control. We also considered trials which compared two Group programmes with manipulation of the Group interaction and social support components. We included those trials with a minimum of two Group meetings, and follow-up of smoking status at least six months after the start of the programme. We excluded trials in which Group therapy was provided to both active therapy and placebo arms of trials of pharmacotherapies, unless they had a factorial design. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We extracted data in duplicate on the type of subjects, the nature of the Groups and the controls, the outcome measures, method of randomisation, and completeness of follow-up. The main outcome measure was abstinence from smoking after at least six months follow-up in patients smoking at baseline. We used the most rigorous definition of abstinence in each trial, and biochemically validated rates where available. Subjects lost to follow-up were counted as smokers. Where possible, we performed meta-analysis using a fixed effects model. MAIN RESULTS: Thirteen studies compared a Group programme with a self-help programme. There was an increase in cessation with the use of a Group programme (odds ratio 2.10, 95% confidence interval 1.64 to 2.70). Group programmes were more effective than no intervention or minimal contact interventions (odds ratio 1.91, 95% confidence interval 1.20 to 3. 04). There was no evidence from two trials that Group therapy was more effective than a similar intensity of individual counselling. There was no evidence that manipulating the social interactions between participants in a Group programme had an effect on outcome. There was limited evidence that the addition of Group therapy to other forms of treatment, including advice from a health professional or nicotine replacement produced extra benefit. There was variation in the extent to which those offered Group therapy accepted the treatment. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence that Groups are better than self-help, and other less intensive interventions. There is not enough evidence on their effectiveness compared to intensive individual counselling.
Oliver H. P. Burman - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Stress-induced changes in Group Behaviour
Scientific reports, 2019Co-Authors: Tanja K. Kleinhappel, Thomas W. Pike, Oliver H. P. BurmanAbstract:Testing animals in Groups can provide valuable data for investigating Behavioural stress responses. However, conventional measures typically focus on the Behaviour of individual animals or on dyadic interactions. Here, we aimed to determine metrics describing the Behaviour of Grouping animals that can reveal differences in stress responses. Using zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model, we observed replicated shoals both immediately and 24 hours after exposure to a novel environment, as an assessment of temporal change in response to an acute stressor. We quantified various standard Behavioural measures in combination with metrics describing Group structure, including different proximity, social, and spatial metrics. Firstly, we showed a high collinearity between most of the analysed metrics, suggesting that they describe similar aspects of the Group dynamics. After metric selection, we found that under acute stress shoals had significantly higher shoal densities, a lower variation in nearest neighbour distances and were in closer proximity to the walls compared to the same Groups tested 24 hours later, indicating a reduction in acute stress over time. Thus, the use of Group metrics could allow for the refinement of Behavioural protocols carried out in a range of research areas, by providing sensitive and rich data in a more relevant social context.
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Stress-induced changes in Group Behaviour [DataSet]
2019Co-Authors: Tanja K. Kleinhappel, Thomas W. Pike, Oliver H. P. BurmanAbstract:Testing animals in Groups can provide valuable data for investigating Behavioural stress responses. However, conventional measures typically focus on the Behaviour of individual animals or on dyadic interactions. Here, we aimed to determine metrics describing the Behaviour of Grouping animals that can reveal differences in stress responses. Using zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model, we observed replicated shoals both immediately and 24 hours after exposure to a novel environment, as an assessment of temporal change in response to an acute stressor. We quantified various standard Behavioural measures in combination with metrics describing Group structure, including different proximity, social, and spatial metrics. Firstly, we showed a high collinearity between most of the analysed metrics, suggesting that they describe similar aspects of the Group dynamics. After metric selection, we found that under acute stress shoals had significantly higher shoal densities, a lower variation in nearest neighbour distances and were in closer proximity to the walls compared to the same Groups tested 24 hours later, indicating a reduction in acute stress over time. Thus, the use of Group metrics could allow for the refinement of Behavioural protocols carried out in a range of research areas, by providing sensitive and rich data in a more relevant social context.
Yann Hausherr - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Smoking cessation in workplace settings: quit rates and determinants in a Group Behaviour therapy programme
Swiss medical weekly, 2017Co-Authors: Yann Hausherr, Carlos Quinto, Leticia Grize, Christian Schindler, Nicole Probst-henschAbstract:To capitalise on the opportunities that the smoking ban legislation in Switzerland offers for the prevention of tobacco-related diseases, a smoking cessation programme in a workplace setting was developed and implemented in companies across the language and cultural regions of Switzerland. Our goal was to identify factors associated with relapse into smoking that may be overcome during training sessions or that should be considered for the optimisation of future interventions.; Between 2006 and 2012, 1287 smokers aged 16 to 68 years voluntarily attended smoking cessation training at their workplace. The intervention was based on a cognitive Behavioural Group therapy combined with individual proactive telephone counselling. The evaluation consisted of three anonymised questionnaires (pre- and postintervention, and 12-month follow-up). In this prospective cohort study, we investigated the association of smoking quit rates with training and participant characteristics, including withdrawal symptoms, by use of multilevel logistic regression analysis with a random intercept for training courses.; The self-reported abstinence rate was 72.4% at the end of the training, and 18.6% 1 year later. The risk of relapse during the training was positively associated with the number of years and daily cigarettes smoked, and negatively with increased appetite, sleeping troubles and satisfaction with learned techniques. Failed abstinence within the first year was associated with younger age, higher numbers of daily smoked cigarettes and unsuccessful recent quit attempts.; Our evaluation suggests that younger and more addicted smokers attending smoking cessation trainings may need additional support to achieve long lasting abstinence rates. Offering smoking cessation training in a workplace setting can achieve reasonable long-term quit rates, but a subset of employees needs additional support at the Group or personal level.; Group Behaviour therapy could be an effective method to achieve long-term smoking abstinence. The workplace is an important setting to reach and encourage a large number of smokers to participate in a smoking cessation programme, but only few studies investigated its potential. The findings of this study of a modern real-life workplace-based smoking cessation programme endorse the effectiveness and viability of cognitive Behavioural Group therapy. This Group-level intervention at the workplace may be insufficient for young and heavy smokers, as well as women with increased appetite after cessation, who potentially benefit from re-intervention and additional individual level counselling.
