Copyright (c) 2009 All rights reserved. http://works.bepress.com/colleen_cartwright Recent documents in Colleen M Cartwright en-us Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:33:58 PDT 3600 http://works.bepress.com/colleen_cartwright/91 http://works.bepress.com/colleen_cartwright/91 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:20:49 PDT Colleen M. Cartwright http://works.bepress.com/colleen_cartwright/90 http://works.bepress.com/colleen_cartwright/90 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:20:48 PDT Colleen M. Cartwright End-of-life issues http://works.bepress.com/colleen_cartwright/89 http://works.bepress.com/colleen_cartwright/89 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:41:05 PDT The H-reflex has been extensively used to exam the spinal motoneuron excitability. However, no report has demonstrated the test-retest reliability of the H-reflex assessment during voluntary muscle contractions and its relation to joint positions. The purpose of this study was to determine the test-retest reliability of the soleus (SOL) H-reflex during rest and 10, 30, 50% maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) at the ankle joint angles of neutral (0deg), plantarflexion (20deg), and dorsiflexion (-20deg), respectively in a sitting position. Ten healthy participants (age 24.9 ± 5 years, height 168.3±8.8 cm, weight 62.7±12.3 kg) were tested for the SOL H-reflex on two separate occasions within 7 days. The SOL H-reflex was elicited by electrical stimulation applied to the posterior tibial nerve. The maximal amplitude of H-reflex wave (Hmax) and M-wave (Mmax) were recorded during rest and three submaximal voluntary contraction levels and at three ankle joint positions in a randomised order. The ratios of Hmvc /Hrest and Hmax/Mmax were also calculated. The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC2,1, SPSS) was used to examine the test-retest reliability.Test-retest reliability of the SOL H-reflex during rest was excellent at 0deg (ICC = 0.92) and 20deg plantar flexion (ICC = 0.96) and was good at -20deg dorsiflexion (ICC = 0.75). Inconsistent ICC values were found during submaximal voluntary contractions at three ankle joint positions (range from 0.62 to 0.97), with the highest values observed during 10%MVC (0deg: 0.92, 20deg: 0.93, and -20deg: 0.95). Moderate ICCs were found in Hmax/Mmax (0deg: 0.80, 20deg: 0.92, -20deg: 0.79). A much greater variation in ICC was observed in other comparisons (from -1.66 to 0.977). In conclusion, repeated measurements of SOL H-reflex demonstrated a high reliability at the neutral and plantar flexion positions than that at the dorsiflexion position during rest. The results also indicated that the SOL H-reflex during 10% MVC was more reliable than that at 30 and 50 %MVC. The reliability of the SOL H-reflex appeared to be significantly affected by levels of voluntary contractions and ankle positions. Yungsheng Chen http://works.bepress.com/colleen_cartwright/88 http://works.bepress.com/colleen_cartwright/88 Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:52:13 PDT Colleen M. Cartwright Ageing general http://works.bepress.com/colleen_cartwright/87 http://works.bepress.com/colleen_cartwright/87 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:51:30 PDT Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a population-based strategy designed to raise awareness in the community, in all regions of Queensland, Australia, about the nature and extent of suicide by older men and to provide preventive strategies.Method: Trained presenters conducted information and skills training sessions in all Queensland regions in 2001 - 2002. The evaluation included a questionnaire and post-session evaluation form which participants were invited to complete. Approximately 6 months following attendance at a session, a sub-set of participants were further surveyed by postal questionnaire.Results: Approximately 3016 persons attended an information session and participants' responses revealed that a large proportion had either been personally bereaved by suicide (20%) or knew someone who had been so bereaved (58%). Evaluation immediately following the session found that the majority of respondents considered that the session had been useful (88%) and most (90%) reported that the session had enhanced their understanding of risk factors for suicide by older men.Conclusion: The information kit and presentations developed for use in the project appear to be useful tools for presenting sensitive material and encouraging people to discuss suicide. The use of existing community resources ensured that the project was highly cost-effective and sustainable. Helen Bartlett Mental health http://works.bepress.com/colleen_cartwright/86 http://works.bepress.com/colleen_cartwright/86 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:51:28 PDT Malcolm H. Parker End-of-life issues http://works.bepress.com/colleen_cartwright/85 http://works.bepress.com/colleen_cartwright/85 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:51:27 PDT Margaret Shapiro Ageing general http://works.bepress.com/colleen_cartwright/84 http://works.bepress.com/colleen_cartwright/84 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:51:26 PDT Nancy M. Peel Ageing general http://works.bepress.com/colleen_cartwright/83 http://works.bepress.com/colleen_cartwright/83 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:51:25 PDT Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the awareness of, and attitudes to, mental health issues in rural dwelling Queensland residents. A secondary objective was to provide baseline data of mental health literacy prior to the implementation of Australian Integrated Mental Health Initiative - a health promotion strategy aimed at improving the health outcomes of people with chronic or recurring mental disorders. Method: In 2004 a random sample of 2% (2132) of the estimated adult population in each of eight towns in rural Queensland was sent a postal survey and invited to participate in the project. A series of questions were asked based on a vignette describing a person suffering major depression. In addition, questions assessed respondents' awareness and perceptions of community mental health agencies. Results: Approximately one-third (36%) of those surveyed completed and returned the questionnaire. While a higher proportion of respondents (81%) correctly identified and labelled the problem in the vignette as depression than previously reported in Australian community surveys, the majority of respondents (66%) underestimated the prevalence of mental health problems in the community. Furthermore, a substantial number of respondents (37%) were unaware of agencies in their community to assist people with mental health issues while a majority of respondents (57.6%) considered that the services offered by those agencies were poor. Conclusion: While mental health literacy in rural Queensland appears to be comparable to other Australian regions, several gaps in knowledge were identified. This is in spite of recent widespread coverage of depression in the media and thus, there is a continuing need for mental health education in rural Queensland. Helen Bartlett Mental health http://works.bepress.com/colleen_cartwright/82 http://works.bepress.com/colleen_cartwright/82 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:51:23 PDT Colleen M. Cartwright End-of-life issues