Effectiveness of the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test in people with Prader-Willi syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Evaluating intelligence using conventional tools is very complex in patients with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS), as it is time consuming and requires levels of care that are difficult to sustain for this population. Therefore, we explore the ability of a brief test to assess intelligence in these patients. METHODS: This study included individuals with a genetically confirmed diagnosis of PWS, with regular attendance at transdisciplinary treatment in an institution dedicated to the care of rare diseases in Argentina. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV), the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-III) and the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (K-BIT) were used. RESULTS: Correlation was obtained between the scales in paediatric and adult populations. Within the paediatric population, no significant differences were identified between the WISC-IV scale (Wechsler for paediatrics) and the K-BIT (56.4 ± 8.6, vs. 53.4 ± 10.1, P = 0.28), with a good agreement between the methods {intraclass correlation 0.79 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.15-0.95]}. Regarding the adult population, the discrimination of the WAIS-III scale (Wechsler for adults) and the K-BIT of adults (16 years and over) presented an acceptable concordance [0.77 (95% CI -0.09; 0.93)], although also underestimating the results (58.3 ± 7.2 vs. 51.1 ± 11.2, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: We observed the feasibility and potential usefulness of a brief intelligence test (K-BIT) in patients with PWS with an acceptable agreement with conventional tools.

Effects of a dialectical behavior therapy-based skills group intervention for obese individuals: a Brazilian pilot study.

PURPOSE: This pilot study aimed to analyze the effects of an adapted dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills training group on problematic and adaptive eating behaviors in Brazilian obese individuals. METHODS: Thirty-one obese individuals were randomly assigned to 10 sessions of adapted DBT skills training (n = 14) or two months of a waiting list comparison condition (n = 17). RESULTS: Attrition rates were similar to what's been found in comparable studies, with most dropouts happening at the beginning of the treatment. Results showed improvements in binge eating severity (d = 0.80) and depression (d = 0.82) compared to no treatment condition. After the intervention, adaptive eating and distress outcomes showed an improvement trend, reaching nonclinical levels for most participants in the intervention group. Large to moderate between-group effect sizes were observed, but none of those were statistically significant. Large within-group effect sizes were observed in the intervention group in binge eating severity (d = 1.34), intuitive eating (d = 1.33) and depression (d = 1.12). Medium effect sizes were observed in emotional eating (d = 0.73) and in emotion regulation (d = 0.72). Despite positive outcomes in other variables, mindful eating worsened after the intervention (d = 0.66). CONCLUSIONS: These results are preliminary and require further replications with larger samples, yet they suggest that the intervention may be useful to improve distress outcomes and adaptive eating among obese people. Implications for clinical practice and recommendations for future research are discussed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, randomized controlled trial.

Manejo de estresse para pacientes com HIV/AIDS por meio da TCC / Stress Management for HIV/AIDS patients through CBT

O presente trabalho discute a importância do manejo do estresse em pacientes com HIV/AIDS. Por meio de uma revisão bibliográfica, é realizado um apanhado histórico acerca da epidemia de AIDS e sua relação com o estigma social enfrentado pelos portadores do vírus. Em seguida, estabelece-se que o estigma social é um importante fator de estresse, e se discute de que formas o estresse influencia negativamente no tratamento e no prognóstico do paciente imunodeprimido. São propostas algumas intervenções utilizadas pela terapia cognitivo-comportamental (TCC) para o manejo de estresse, facilmente utilizáveis nos serviços de saúde. São apresentadas as seguintes intervenções: reestruturação cognitiva, respiração diafragmática, mindfulness, biofeedback e relaxamento muscular progressivo(AU)

This paper discusses the importance of stress management in patients with HIV/AIDS. Through a literature review, a historic overview is done about AIDS epidemic and its relationship with the social stigma faced by carriers of the virus. Next, it is established that the social stigma is an important stress factor, and it is shown how stress influences negatively the treatment and prognosis of mmunodepressed patients. Some interventions of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for stress management are proposed, which are easily implemented on health care services. The interventions presented are the following: cognitive restructuring, diaphragmatic breathing, mindfulness, biofeedback and progressive muscular relaxation(AU)