David F. Peck

Unemployment and illegal drug use: concordant evidence from a prospective study and national trends.

Data from a previous study of 1036 young people in the Lothian region that indicated an association between unemployment and illegal drug use were examined in more depth to investigate the inter-relation between duration of unemployment and the use of illegal drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. After factors such as social class background and educational qualifications had been taken into account a weak but significant association was found between duration of unemployment and illegal drug use. No such association was found for alcohol or tobacco. Similar results were obtained from an analysis of national statistics related to unemployment and illegal drug use. Both sets of data thus indicate that illegal drug use is moderately associated with unemployment.

The use of EMG feedback in the treatment of a severe case of blepharospasm

In this case report, a 50-year-old female with a chronic blepharospasm (spasmodic winking) around both eyes was treated with 17 sessions of electromyographic (EMG) feedback. EMG level and spasm frequency were monitored during baseline, placebo, and feedback treatment sessions. There was a marked decrease in both EMG level and spasm frequency, which generalized to her everyday life. Improvement was maintained at a 4-month follow-up.

Electrode placement, EMG feedback, and relaxation for tension headaches

Abstract Fifteen tension headache subjects were allocated to one of three groups: direct EMG feedback (from a site corresponding to the source of pain), indirect EMG feedback (from a site not corresponding to the source of the pain) and relaxation instructions. There were two base-line, six treatment and one post-treatment sessions. No significant differences were found between base-line and post-treatment EMG levels, for any of the groups; however, some significant reductions in levels were obtained within sessions. EMG levels recorded during headache attacks did not differ significantly from levels recorded during base-line. Frequency and intensity of headaches were significantly reduced, particularly in the relaxation group. At follow-up this improvement was maintained for subjects with forehead pain, but differences between the groups had disappeared.

The Therapist-Client Relationship, Computerized Self-Help and Active Therapy Ingredients

There is strong evidence that a good relationship between therapist and client is associated with positive outcomes after all types of psychological therapy. There is also strong evidence that computer-guided cognitive behaviour therapy (CCBT), in which there may be little or no face-to-face contact, is associated with outcomes that are as good as outcomes after conventional therapy. These two sets of findings can be reconciled by reference to the common factors debate, in that common factors may be as important in CCBT as in conventional therapy; and by reconstruing the therapist-client relationship as a channel through which common and specific factors are brought into play.

Psychological sequelae of mountain accidents: A preliminary study

Studies of the victims of road traffic accidents and of violent crime have shown that a significant minority continue to display mood disorders and posttraumatic symptoms one year later; however, few studies have been conducted on victims of other kinds of accident. Thirty-one subjects admitted to hospitals after a mountain accident in the Scottish Highlands were followed up at 3-month intervals over 9 months to determine the prevalence of psychological sequelae; a variety of questionnaires were used to measure mood and other psychological effects. A large minority experienced at least mild depression and other negative consequences at follow-up, despite relatively minor physical injuries; subjects who experienced intrusive thoughts and avoidance of accident-related phenomena demonstrated the least recovery.

Facial expression training in blind adolescents using EMG feedback: a multiple-baseline study

Abstract Five adolescents, aged 13–15 yr, with visual impairment from birth, were trained using EMG feedback to produce smiles and frowns in three half-hour sessions. A multiple-baseline across-S design was used. All sessions were recorded on video-tape and were subsequently rated by independent observers for appropriate muscular movements and naturalness of facial expressions. Inter-rater reliability for the ratings was acceptable. Significant overall improvements were obtained for the smile, but not for the frown, with large individual differences across Ss. It was concluded that EMG feedback may be a useful component of a social skills programme designed to reduce social deficits in blind young people.