Validation of social cognition and interaction training's (SCIT) videos and photographs in Indian setting.

Background: Social cognition deficit is one of the marked characteristics of schizophrenia. Accumulated evidence suggests that social cognition and interaction training (SCIT) is associated with improved performance in social cognition and social skills in patients diagnosed with psychotic disorders. The cultural influence on social cognition is quite considerable. So, studies in the area of social cognition domains need to adapt and use culturally appropriate tools and measures to see the effectiveness. This study aimed to validate the materials used in SCIT training in Indian setting. Materials and Methods: The original script of video clips was translated into Hindi and was reshot, and the images were remade. A panel of experts rated the videos and images on a 5-point Likert scale. Furthermore, the content validity and internal consistency of the materials were calculated. Results: The content validity ratio (CVR) critical value was 0.357, and all the videos and images received more than the CVR critical value. The intraclass correlation coefficient for videos was 0.974, for SCIT photographs was 0.971, for "spotting character" was 0.975, and for "emotion shaping" was 0.965, indicating good internal consistency. Discussion: The majority of the experts in the panel found the videos and images adequate and appropriate for the Indian setting. In addition, the videos and photographs both yielded good internal consistency.

Development of the Indian scale of the fear of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The first human case of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus causing COVID-19, subsequently named SARS-CoV-2 was reported by the officials in Wuhan City, China, in December 2019. In India, on January 31, 2020, the first case of COVID-19 was reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Indian scale of fear related to COVID-19 (ISF-C19) Scale was developed in Hindi and was rated by two raters. Then, it was applied on twenty individuals (ten males and ten females) as a pilot study. The study had been conducted in Eastern India, in the state of Jharkhand. ISF-C19 was completed by 118 participants (females - 75; males - 43), aged 18 years or older from the community, and the subjective well-being was assessed. The psychometric properties of this instrument were investigated. Safety measures (i.e., mask, maintaining distance, gloves, and sanitizers) were taken throughout the data collection period. RESULTS: Findings suggested that this scale has adequate sampling, adequate interitem reliability coefficient, and higher overall scores on the ISF-C19 indicated more severe fear related to COVID-19. CONCLUSION: In light of the current scenario of the emerging cases in India, there is an urgent need to develop a scale related to COVID-19 as there is no published Indian standardized scale before this recent outbreak of pandemic. Considering the current scenario, this scale is useful to assess the fear related to COVID-19.

Role of mindfulness in dissociative disorders among adolescents.

CONTEXT: Dissociation is understood as maladaptive coping and is common in children and adolescents. Treatment outcome studies show improvement in comorbid conditions suggesting the need to implement programs that target dissociative pathology. AIM: To study the effect of practicing mindfulness among adolescents diagnosed with dissociative disorders. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: It was a hospital-based repeated measures design. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 7 adolescents participated in a mindfulness-based therapeutic program for 6 weeks. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Scores were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Friedman test was used to assess significance of the difference in scores at various assessment phases. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for post hoc analysis. RESULTS: Participants were mostly female adolescents from rural, Eastern India. There was a significant reduction in dissociative experiences and significant improvement in mindfulness. CONCLUSIONS: Incorporating mindfulness in clinical practice may prove effective in reducing dissociation and promoting adaptive functioning.

High dose zolpidem induced fetal neural tube defects.

Use of zolpidem, a short-acting imidazopyridine hypnotic, has not been associated with teratogenic effects in usual clinical doses. We report a case of fetal neural tube defects occurring in a female dependent on zolpidem and consuming high doses in the first trimester of pregnancy. Possible mechanisms by which high dose zolpidem may lead to teratogenicity are discussed. Clinicians are advised to be aware of the risks of high-dose zolpidem abuse in early pregnancy.