The Experts below are selected from a list of 30 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

Kenneth F. Schaffner - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Rendering clinical psychology an evidence‐based scientific discipline: a case study
    Journal of evaluation in clinical practice, 2011
    Co-Authors: Drozdstoj Stoyanov, Peter Machamer, Kenneth F. Schaffner
    Abstract:

    Both modern neuroscience and clinical psychology taken as separate fields have failed to reveal the explanatory mechanisms underlying mental disorders. The evidence acquired inside the mono-disciplinary matrices of neurobiology, clinical psychology and psychopathology are deeply insufficient in terms of their validity, reliability and utility. Further, no effective trans-disciplinary connections have been developed between them. In this context, our case study aims at illustRating some specific facets of clinical psychology as a crucial discipline for explaining and understanding mental disorder. The methods employed in clinical psychology are scrutinized using the exemplar case of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). We demonstrate that a clinical interview and a clinical Psychological Rating Scale consist of the same kind of cognitive content. The provisional difference can be described in terms of its having two comparable complementary cognitive structures. The test is composed of self-evaluation reports (items) formulated as questions or statements. The psychopathological structured interview is formulated in terms of subjective experience indicated as symptoms (these are self-reports recorded by the physician), complemented with the so-called 'signs' or the presumably 'objective' observations of the overt behaviours of the patient. However, the cognitive content of clinical judgment is beyond any doubt as subjective as the narrative of the patient. None of the components of the structured psychopathological interview is independent of the inter-subjective system created in the situation of clinical assessment. Therefore, the protocols from various clinicians that serve to sustain the reliability claim of the 'scientific' Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders cannot be regarded as independent measurements of the cognitive content and value of the Psychological Rating Scales or vice versa. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

O. G. P. Isaksson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Treatment of adults with growth hormone (GH) deficiency with recombinant human GH.
    The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 1993
    Co-Authors: Bengt-Åke Bengtsson, Staffan Edén, Lars Lönn, H. Kvist, A. Stokland, Göran Lindstedt, Ingvar Bosaeus, J. Tölli, Lars Sjöström, O. G. P. Isaksson
    Abstract:

    In a double blind, cross-over placebo-controlled trial, we studied the effects of 26 weeks of replacement therapy with recombinant human GH on body composition, metabolic parameters, and well-being in 10 patients with adult-onset GH deficiency (GHD). All patients received appropriate thyroid, adrenal, and gonadal replacement therapy. The dose of recombinant human GH was 0.25-0.5 U/kg.week (0.013-0.026 mg/kg.day) and was administered sc daily at bedtime. One patient was withdrawn from the study because of edema and atrial fibrillation. Body composition was estimated with three independent methods: computed tomography, bioelectric impedance, and total body potassium combined with total body water assessments. The Comprehensive Psychological Rating Scale and the Symptom Check List-90 were used to assess any change in psychopathology. After 26 weeks of treatment, adipose tissue (AT) mass decreased 4.7 kg (P < 0.001). Subcutaneous AT decreased by an average of 13%, whereas visceral AT was reduced by 30%. Muscle volume increased by 2.5 kg (5%; P < 0.05). According to the four-compartment model derived from assessments of total body potassium and total body water, body cell mass and extracellular fluid volume increased significantly by 1.6 and 3.0 kg, whereas body fat decreased by 6.1 kg. Results obtained by the bioelectric impedance technique were similar. The mean (+/- SD) concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I increased from 0.26 (0.06) at baseline to 2.56 (1.55) and 2.09 (1.03) kU/L after 6 and 26 weeks of treatment. Calcium and serum phosphate, osteocalcin, and procollagen-III concentrations were significantly higher, and intact PTH concentrations were reduced after 6 and 26 weeks of treatment, respectively. Total and free T3 concentrations were significantly increased after 6 and 26 weeks of treatment, whereas free T4 concentrations were reduced at 6 weeks, but after 26 weeks, free T4 concentrations had returned to pretreatment values. Finally, after 26 weeks of treatment, there was a decrease in the Comprehensive Psychological Rating Scale score (P < 0.05). The results show that GH replacement in GHD adults results in marked alterations in body composition, fat distribution, and bone and mineral metabolism and reduces psychiatric symptoms. Finally, we conclude that the observed beneficial effects of replacement therapy with GH are of sufficient magnitude to consider treatment of GHD adults.

Drozdstoj Stoyanov - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Rendering clinical psychology an evidence‐based scientific discipline: a case study
    Journal of evaluation in clinical practice, 2011
    Co-Authors: Drozdstoj Stoyanov, Peter Machamer, Kenneth F. Schaffner
    Abstract:

    Both modern neuroscience and clinical psychology taken as separate fields have failed to reveal the explanatory mechanisms underlying mental disorders. The evidence acquired inside the mono-disciplinary matrices of neurobiology, clinical psychology and psychopathology are deeply insufficient in terms of their validity, reliability and utility. Further, no effective trans-disciplinary connections have been developed between them. In this context, our case study aims at illustRating some specific facets of clinical psychology as a crucial discipline for explaining and understanding mental disorder. The methods employed in clinical psychology are scrutinized using the exemplar case of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). We demonstrate that a clinical interview and a clinical Psychological Rating Scale consist of the same kind of cognitive content. The provisional difference can be described in terms of its having two comparable complementary cognitive structures. The test is composed of self-evaluation reports (items) formulated as questions or statements. The psychopathological structured interview is formulated in terms of subjective experience indicated as symptoms (these are self-reports recorded by the physician), complemented with the so-called 'signs' or the presumably 'objective' observations of the overt behaviours of the patient. However, the cognitive content of clinical judgment is beyond any doubt as subjective as the narrative of the patient. None of the components of the structured psychopathological interview is independent of the inter-subjective system created in the situation of clinical assessment. Therefore, the protocols from various clinicians that serve to sustain the reliability claim of the 'scientific' Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders cannot be regarded as independent measurements of the cognitive content and value of the Psychological Rating Scales or vice versa. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Bengt-Åke Bengtsson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Treatment of adults with growth hormone (GH) deficiency with recombinant human GH.
    The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 1993
    Co-Authors: Bengt-Åke Bengtsson, Staffan Edén, Lars Lönn, H. Kvist, A. Stokland, Göran Lindstedt, Ingvar Bosaeus, J. Tölli, Lars Sjöström, O. G. P. Isaksson
    Abstract:

    In a double blind, cross-over placebo-controlled trial, we studied the effects of 26 weeks of replacement therapy with recombinant human GH on body composition, metabolic parameters, and well-being in 10 patients with adult-onset GH deficiency (GHD). All patients received appropriate thyroid, adrenal, and gonadal replacement therapy. The dose of recombinant human GH was 0.25-0.5 U/kg.week (0.013-0.026 mg/kg.day) and was administered sc daily at bedtime. One patient was withdrawn from the study because of edema and atrial fibrillation. Body composition was estimated with three independent methods: computed tomography, bioelectric impedance, and total body potassium combined with total body water assessments. The Comprehensive Psychological Rating Scale and the Symptom Check List-90 were used to assess any change in psychopathology. After 26 weeks of treatment, adipose tissue (AT) mass decreased 4.7 kg (P < 0.001). Subcutaneous AT decreased by an average of 13%, whereas visceral AT was reduced by 30%. Muscle volume increased by 2.5 kg (5%; P < 0.05). According to the four-compartment model derived from assessments of total body potassium and total body water, body cell mass and extracellular fluid volume increased significantly by 1.6 and 3.0 kg, whereas body fat decreased by 6.1 kg. Results obtained by the bioelectric impedance technique were similar. The mean (+/- SD) concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I increased from 0.26 (0.06) at baseline to 2.56 (1.55) and 2.09 (1.03) kU/L after 6 and 26 weeks of treatment. Calcium and serum phosphate, osteocalcin, and procollagen-III concentrations were significantly higher, and intact PTH concentrations were reduced after 6 and 26 weeks of treatment, respectively. Total and free T3 concentrations were significantly increased after 6 and 26 weeks of treatment, whereas free T4 concentrations were reduced at 6 weeks, but after 26 weeks, free T4 concentrations had returned to pretreatment values. Finally, after 26 weeks of treatment, there was a decrease in the Comprehensive Psychological Rating Scale score (P < 0.05). The results show that GH replacement in GHD adults results in marked alterations in body composition, fat distribution, and bone and mineral metabolism and reduces psychiatric symptoms. Finally, we conclude that the observed beneficial effects of replacement therapy with GH are of sufficient magnitude to consider treatment of GHD adults.

Dipankar Bhattacharyya - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • A clinical study on the management of generalized anxiety disorder with Centella asiatica.
    Nepal Medical College journal : NMCJ, 2010
    Co-Authors: Utpalendu Jana, Tapas Kumar Sur, P. K. Debnath, Dipankar Bhattacharyya
    Abstract:

    Centella asiatica is reputed for its beneficial effects in various neurological disorders. The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the role of 70% hydro-ethanolic extract of Centella asiatica (CA) on generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in man. Hamilton's Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) was used to screen the subjects. Thirty-three participants (18 male and 15 female; average age 33 yrs) were medicated with the CA in a fixed dose regime (500 mg/capsule, twice daily, after meal). They were thoroughly investigated using standard questionnaires based on Psychological Rating Scale at baseline (day 0), mid-term (day 30) and final (day 60). The Scale also includes a number of direct queries about current levels of experienced stress. The observations revealed that, CA not only significantly (p

  • Controlled programmed trial of Ocimum sanctum leaf on generalized anxiety disorders.
    Nepal Medical College journal : NMCJ, 2008
    Co-Authors: Dipankar Bhattacharyya, Tapas Kumar Sur, Utpalendu Jana, P. K. Debnath
    Abstract:

    Ocimumn sanctum, an Indian medicinal plant, has been on trial for its role in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in hospital based clinical set-up. Hamilton's brief psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and thorough clinical investigations were used to screen the subjects. Thirty-five subjects (21 male and 14 female; average age 38.4 years) were medicated with the plant extract in a fixed dose regime (500 mg/capsule, twice daily, p.o. after meal). They were thoroughly investigated clinically and using standard questionnaires based on different Psychological Rating Scale at baseline (day 0), mid-term (day 30) and final (day 60). The observations exhibited that, O. sanctum significantly (p

  • Initial exploratory observational pharmacology of Valeriana wallichii on stress management: a clinical report.
    Nepal Medical College journal : NMCJ, 2007
    Co-Authors: Dipankar Bhattacharyya, Utpalendu Jana, P. K. Debnath, Tapas Kumar Sur
    Abstract:

    Valeriana wallichii , an Indian medicinal plant, has been on trial for its role in stress disorders in hospital based clinical set-up. Hamilton’s Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) was used and thorough clinical investigations were carried out to screen the subje cts. Thirty-three subjects (20 male and 13 female; average age 34.2 years) were medicated with the plant extra ct in a fixed dose regime (500 mg/capsule, twice da ily, p.o. after meal). They were thoroughly investigated clinically and using standard questionnaires based on different Psychological Rating Scale at baseline (d ay 0), mid-term (day 30) and final (day 60). The observations exhibited that, V. wallichii not only significantly (p