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Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent forms of mental illness. There is a great need to acquire techniques which effectively and rapidly treat anxiety. The purpose of this study was to determine if the use of affirmations aids in the reduction of anxiety. In addition, this study examined if the use of affirmations combined with relaxation music aids in the reduction of anxiety and examined if the use of relaxation music alone aids in the reduction of anxiety. An experimental research design was used in this study. Three treatment groups were investigated and one control group. Each treatment group received a ten minute audio tape of either affirmations statements played alone (without relaxation music), affirmations statements played with relaxation music, or a ten minute audio tape of relaxation music alone. The control group was instructed to sit and wait for ten minutes. The Beck Anxiety Inventory was utilized to obtain anxiety scores. Pre and post-tests were administered to determine the extent to which the treatment reduced the anxiety scores. A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures was deemed suitable for these data. There were modest reductions in anxiety scores among the affirmations groups (alone and with music) and the control group. The music only group dropped the most in anxiety and appears to be the treatment of choice when considering a non-invasive, easily accessible and effective treatment for anxiety. Recommendations were made for future research and implications for educators and counselors were discussed.

The aim of the investigation was to search the current literature (from April 2005 to December 2012) and determine the effectiveness of orthodontic tooth movement using the Invisalign system. With changes in attachments implemented within the past few years, a more recent appraisal of the available literature is of value. It is expected that this systematic review will provide a more up-to-date understanding of the treatment effects (efficacy in tooth movement and stability) of the Invisalign system. Additionally, an evaluation of the indications and case selection using Invisalign will be conducted A computerized search was conducted using PubMed, Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) Reviews Database (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews), Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Science Direct, and Thomsen's ISI Web of Science. Inclusion criteria that were to be satisfied by the literature search results were publications in English and human clinical trials. Studies not pertaining to the question of clinical effectiveness of Invisalign were selected for exclusion. Case reports, book chapters, and review papers were considered separately for analysis and contribution to the general information gathering in the systematic review. Book chapters were excluded. Quality assessment was performed on the studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The quality and design of the study was considered. Of the studies that passed the quality assessment stage, a thorough evaluation was completed. Summaries of the included articles were prepared and information regarding study design, subjects, treatment times, and outcomes were organized in tabulated form. Appraisal of the included studies was performed using the 2010 CONSORT statement and 2009 ADA Clinical Recommendations Handbook. Overall, of the 271 studies reviewed (Stage I), 23 were selected for further review (Stage II). Ultimately, 10 studies were included in the systematic review (Stage III). In summary, after thorough analysis of the studies, it has been shown that Invisalign is an effective appliance for minor space closure, lingual constriction, and correction of anterior rotations and marginal ridge height discrepancies. However, Invisalign lacks the ability to correct anteroposterior discrepancies, occlusal contacts, extrusion, and rotations greater than 15 degrees. While the achieved and predicted tooth movement discrepancy was very minimal, it was found that overbite must be overcorrected. / Oral Biology

Research has extensively documented the mental health disparities that exist for ethnic and racial minorities living in the United States. With respect to Latinos, such disparities are marked by less access to care and poorer quality of mental health treatment. Studies on Latino mental health have found differences in mental health service utilization among ethnic subgroups and among different generations of Latinos. However, empirical data examining specific attitudes and barriers to mental health treatment among different generations of Latinos are limited. This study explored the relationships between Latino generational status, mental health service utilization, psychological distress, and barriers to mental health treatment. An online survey (N = 218) included samples of first-generation (n = 67), second-generation (n = 86), and third-generation or beyond Latinos (n = 65). Results indicated first-generation Latinos had the lowest rate of mental health service utilization and reported greater linguistic and structural knowledge barriers, however, they had lower perceived social stigma of mental health services when age at migration was considered. Implications of these findings for research, mental health service providers and mental health policy are discussed.

College students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), though academically capable, can have serious difficulty adapting to the college environment. There is a growing need for the identification and development of efficacious interventions and supports for these young adults. The present study sought to address this need by adapting and piloting a group-based cognitive-behavioral intervention program, Problem-Solving Skills: 101 (PSS:101), to promote problem solving ability in college students with ASD. Primary aims of the study were to adapt a well-established problem solving treatment for college students with ASD into a treatment manual, and to collect data on the feasibility of PSS:101. An exploratory aim was to collect preliminary data on the short-term efficacy of this intervention. Five students with ASD from a public, technology and engineering focused university participated in this nine-week, group-based program. Therapists met all treatment integrity objectives across sessions. Four of the five participants completed at least 8 of the 9 sessions and assigned between-session assignments were generally completed (83% completion rate), indicating a high level of treatment adherence. Independent evaluators' ratings of participant engagement, therapeutic relationship, and group process were relatively high. Preliminary efficacy data suggested mixed results across participants. Further evaluation of the program appears warranted. / Ph. D.

The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the factors that contribute to client behavior change and motivation during residential treatment for adolescent females on probation. Data were obtained through retrospective individual interviews with residents of a residential treatment center in Northern Virginia. Semi-structured, open-ended questions were asked in order to obtain a rich description of each girl's experience of change. The results illuminated specific aspects of the treatment program that were most helpful to the participants. By analyzing these data, a specific process of change was developed for this unique population. Participants in the current study reported relationships with staff and their families as very important in terms of making changes. It seems the attachments they were able to establish were a significant factor in change. Through the lens of attachment theory, it is hypothesized that participants' relationships with staff were instrumental in helping them to make changes, as these relationships offered a secure base from which to explore themselves. In the context of an alternative attachment, the current study could be beneficial in helping counselors view themselves as alternative attachment figures, and help them to be more intentional about how they use this in treatment. / Master of Science

Magister Psychologiae - MPsych / Cape Town is suffering from high rates of alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems. Despite the need for effective treatment, there are insufficient AOD treatment facilities available, with barriers to AOD treatment being particularly pronounced among historically disadvantaged communities (HDCs). In addition, the high drop-out rate of patients from AOD treatment, and the finding that retention in treatment is predictive of positive outcomes, increases the necessity of retaining people who enter AOD treatment.This study therefore aimed to identify those patient-level factors impacting on the successful completion of and retention in AOD treatment. In particular, the study aimed to describe the relationship between treatment process factors (therapeutic alliance,motivation, treatment satisfaction, social support), demographic and psychological variables, and treatment completion and retention. The Texas Christian University (TCU) Treatment Model, which conceptualises the AOD treatment process, provided the theoretical framework for the study. Using a quantitative design, secondary data analysis was conducted on a section of data that was originally collected by the Medical Research Council (MRC) via a cross-sectional survey. The sample consisted of 434 individuals from HDCs who had previously entered AOD treatment. Multiple regression analyses revealed that the therapeutic alliance, treatment satisfaction, abstinence-specific social support and depression were significant predictors of treatment completion, while race,therapeutic alliance, abstinence-specific social support and anxiety were predictive of the time spent in treatment. These predictors were positively associated with treatment completion and time in treatment. Black Africans spent significantly less days in treatment than Coloured individuals, although both groups were equally likely to complete treatment. The results suggest that by strengthening the therapeutic alliance,social support and treatment satisfaction, treatment completion and retention can be improved. This can be achieved by training, ongoing monitoring of these factors during treatment, and greater involvement of supportive social networks in a patient’s recovery. The findings also point towards the need for improved service delivery for Black Africans, who confront many barriers to accessing inpatient AOD treatment.

As a modern metropolis, Shanghai has a registered population of 18.8 million in 2011, and the permanent population has been more than 20 million. As a result, Shanghai produces more than 6.3 million cubic meters of sewage per day which is considered as a massive test for Shanghai’s sewerage treatment system. Given the high proportion of time spent on the literature review, this study has investigated how the whole system works in Shanghai. To do this, Shanghai sewerage systems were divided into two parts – the drainage system and the sewage treatment system, and they were introduced respectively following the track of history development process. It was done by combining previously published theses, study reports, governmental documents, overt information by companies and news reports. It showed that, in 2009, Shanghai’s government established a basic formation of six centralized sewage treatment systems in co-existence with 52 sewage treatment plants. In the same year, the sewage treatment rate reached 78.9%, which can be considered a leap compared with the 62.8% figure in 2003. In spite of that, the gap between sewage treatment in Shanghai and that in developed countries still exists. By comparing Shanghai Bai Longgang sewage treatment plant with Halmstad Västra Stranden's waste water treatment plant, it can be concluded that the gap was embodied in differences of inflow condition, relative low discharge standards and poor treatment capability.

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2013. / Background : It has become practically impossible for practitioners to remain current with clinical developments. Additionally the demand from patients and third party payors for quality evidence is increasing. A systematic review is one manner in which information can be graded, summarised and presented in a succinct format for use by practitioners, patients and third party payors. Objectives : To identify the current knowledge available on the conservative management of iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS) and to evaluate the scientific and methodological rigor of that knowledge. The systematic review of these studies identified the level and type of evidence that currently exists in the support of conservative management of ITBS and the specific interventions and combinations of interventions currently employed. Method : A systematic review of ITBS studies was conducted. ITBS studies were identified using key indexing terms (iliotibial band syndrome, treatment, conservative and intervention) on several databases (EBSCOhost, Google Scholar, Metalib, Pubmed, Science Direct and Springerlink), all studies were included up until the date of ethics approval (21st May 2012) . The gathered studies were screened for compliance with the inclusion criteria, and then reviewed by blinded independent reviewers (reviewer criteria included qualification, clinical experience, academic experience, research experience and discipline). Data collection and analysis : The reviewers rated the methodological rigour of the ITBS studies utilising an appropriate scale (e.g. PEDro Scale). Feedback was collated and analysed for discordance. Studies were then analysed, ranked and followed by a discussion in the context of their clinical outcomes, thus formulating a structured summary of the known clinical data with regards to the clinical management of ITBS. Results: The identified citations (4130) were screened and sorted by study type. This resulted in 167 citations that were reviewed by abstract for compliance with the inclusion criteria. A final total of 23 studies meet eligibility criteria. Eight articles reported on a combination of interventions, four discussed biomechanical and causative factors, and the remaining eleven articles investigated individual interventions in the treatment of ITBS. After review and analysis, combination interventions were supported by the strongest level of evidence, thus advocating the use of a combination of interventions in the management of ITBS in providing better clinical outcomes. Moderate evidence favoured the use of customised orthoses, injectable corticosteroids, phonophoresis and addressing biomechanical and causative factors. However, there was moderate evidence against the use of deep tissue frictions, as no improvement was found. This outcome suggests a need for further evidence to advocate the appropriateness of these interventions in clinical care of ITBS. Hip abductor strengthening and stretch therapy were found to have limited evidence. However, no evidence was found to support the application of active release technique, corrective neuromuscular approach, custom dry floatation cushions and talar joint manipulation in the management of ITBS. This latter outcome indicated a need for studies to investigate their appropriateness or inappropriateness in clinical care. Conclusion : The systematic review of ITBS studies revealed that use of a combination of conservative therapies was found to have the strongest level of evidence, which may indicate its appropriateness in the management of patients suffering from ITBS. Specific combinations of conservative therapies and the use of individual therapies require future research in order to better delineate their contribution to the management of ITBS. Randomised controlled trials are the gold standard for research, as they have the greatest level of methodological quality, and should be used where possible when investigating the efficiency of interventions in the treatment of ITBS. Studies, which were not randomised controlled trials, but adopted the principles of a randomised controlled trial structure, contributed positively towards the methodological rigor of these studies.