Testing the potential therapeutic effects of an online creative arts-based intervention for people with anxiety.

BACKGROUND: Creative arts-based interventions are a relatively new addition to the toolkit of psychological treatments for mental afflictions. As such, the therapeutic efficacy of these therapies when conducted remotely via digital media has been under-researched. To address this gap, this study tested the effects of an online creative arts-based intervention to alleviate anxiety. METHOD: A repeated measures quasi-experimental design was employed on a sample of British adults (N = 41). Data were collected using pre- and post-intervention scores on the General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) and Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing (WEMWBS) scales. RESULTS: Inferential analysis procedures consisting of multiple tests for within-subjects effects all showed significantly lower levels of anxiety and higher levels of mental wellbeing post-intervention. CONCLUSION: Whilst additional confirmatory and longitudinal research is needed, the results of this exploratory study tentatively indicate that creative arts-based "interventions" delivered through digital media may be effective in substantively reducing common symptoms of anxiety.

Ureter in histopathologic specimen: a gynecologist's nightmare.

An 18-year-old woman presented with a large right-sided ovarian cyst. After further evaluation and counselling, the patient underwent laparotomy and oophorectomy. The pathology report described a large mature cystic teratoma with a tubular structure consistent with a cross-section of ureter. Subsequent evaluation of the urinary tract system was normal indicating that the ureter was an element of the mature cystic teratoma.

A model for the implementation of a hybrid digital clinical photographic service.

This paper considers the potential that digital capture has for patient photography in a large teaching hospital, as well as drawing attention to the flaws of the technology which, at the present time, make it an unrealistic option for general use. It suggests that a 'hybrid' system--of analogue capture, digital storage and digital output--remains in place until digital camera technology becomes cheaper, more stable and more comparable with current 35 mm film technology. It makes recommendations for the digital storage and output of these images, and argues that the 35 mm slide be gradually phased out of large teaching hospitals' lecture theatres in order to help pave the way for a total digital service.

Motor recovery in the absence of segmental afferents: a case study of incomplete spinal cord injury.

A 41-year-old male with a prior left L-5/S-1 radiculopathy developed complete quadriplegia following a gunshot wound to the left anterior neck. He subsequently recovered pinprick sensation over the left side of the trunk and lower extremity; and a right peroneal SEP, suggested sparing of long tracts on the right side. Voluntary motor strength gradually recovered more on the left than right for the L-5/S-1 segments, where tendon reflexes were absent. This unique case is discussed with respect to the effect of absent segmental afferents on suprasegmental recovery.