Steven J. Robbins

Comparing attentional bias to smoking cues in current smokers, former smokers, and non-smokers using a dot-probe task

Much evidence documents that individuals with emotional and drug-use disorders demonstrate biased attention toward stimuli associated with their disorder. This bias appears to diminish following successful treatment. Two studies examined whether current cigarette smokers show biased attention toward smoking-related images compared with non-smokers (Studies 1 and 2) and whether this bias is less pronounced in former smokers (Study 2). Attentional bias toward cigarette-related photographs was examined using the dot-probe task. Pairs of images (one smoking-related) appeared side by side for 500 ms on a computer screen prior to the presentation of a probe (an asterisk) replacing one of the photographs. Subjects struck a key as quickly as possible to indicate the probe location. Attentional bias was defined as faster reaction times when the probe replaced the smoking-related image. In both studies, current smokers displayed significantly greater attentional bias toward cigarette stimuli than did non-smokers. Former smokers in Study 2 displayed an intermediate level of bias, but did not differ significantly in bias score from either of the other groups. These results support further use of the dot-probe task as a measure of attentional bias in non-abstinent smokers and in individuals undergoing smoking cessation treatment.

Effects of Ginkgo biloba administered after spatial learning on water maze and radial arm maze performance in young adult rats.

Ginkgo biloba is reported to improve learning and memory in animals. However, many studies do not directly test the effects of Ginkgo on memory because the drug is administered during the learning phase of the experiments. In this study, we examined the effect of 10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg, or 40 mg/kg G. biloba extract on spatial memory by administering the drug in the interval between training and testing. Rats were tested for long-term reference memory retention in the radial arm maze and in the Morris water maze during daily probe trials in which the hidden platform was removed. G. biloba had no effect on reference memory in either the water maze or radial arm maze. To test short-term working spatial memory using the radial arm maze, animals were removed after receiving the reward from 4 of the 8 arms and were returned to complete the maze 2 h later. While Ginkgo had no effect on working memory, over time animals exposed to Ginkgo learned task better than control animals. Thus, Ginkgo appears to enhance neither short-term working memory nor long-term reference memory, but it may promote learning of spatial information.

Effect of Art Production on Negative Mood: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Art therapists have long held that art production causes reductions in stress and elevations in mood (Rubin, 1999). The authors examined this claim in a randomized, controlled trial. Fifty adults between the ages of 18 and 30 were randomly assigned to either create an art work or to view and sort a series of art prints. Three measures of overall negative mood and of anxiety were collected before and after each intervention. Two-way ANOVAs (Group by Time) demonstrated significantly greater reductions in negative mood and anxiety in the art production group compared with the art viewing control group on all three measures (all p-values <.005). These results demonstrate that the simple act of creating a work of art can produce dramatic reductions in negative mood and that these reductions can be attributed specifically to the production of art rather than to its viewing.

Ginkgo biloba promotes short-term retention of spatial memory in rats

This study examines possible interactions between exposure to Ginkgo biloba extract and enriched environments on the acquisition and retention of spatial learning following massed and spaced trials. After 4 weeks of exposure to either ginkgo or vehicle, 8-week-old rats were tested using a Morris Water Maze in either massed or spaced trials. While ginkgo did not have an effect on maze acquisition or long-term retention, it did promote short-term retention of spatial memory. Following reversal training, ginkgo promoted short-term retention for two groups but impaired retention for a third. These results suggest that ginkgo has powerful effects on short-term retention that vary with training conditions.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled safety study of high-dose dextromethorphan in methadone-maintained male inpatients

The NMDA antagonist dextromethorphan hydrobromide (DM) may be useful in the treatment of opioid dependence, particularly as a means of reducing tolerance to methadone during replacement therapy. As a prelude to clinical efficacy studies, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study examined the safety of DM in combination with methadone in inpatient, opiate-dependent volunteers. Male participants received daily methadone (50-70 mg/day) and either DM (n=10) or placebo (n=5) during the 12-day active medication phase of the study. DM participants received doses of 120, 240, and 480 mg/day in increasing order (4 days each). DM at high doses caused mild elevations of heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and plasma bromide. However, none of these effects was clinically significant. DM caused no significant changes in respiration, pupil diameter, or subjective drug effects measured by standard scales. Participants in the DM group reported many more adverse events than did subjects on placebo (173 vs. 21), but these effects were not clinically serious. The most commonly reported side effects were sleepiness and drowsiness. Several participants reported intoxicating effects at the highest dose. Overall, DM was well-tolerated by the methadone-maintained opiate-dependent subjects studied here. These results support the further exploration of DM as an adjunct medication during methadone replacement therapy.

Comparing Knowledge of β-Thalassemia in Samples of Italians, Italian-Americans, and Non-Italian-Americans

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of β-thalassemia awareness among Italians living on the eastern side of Sicily (Bronte, Catania, and Tortorici, Messina), Italian-Americans, and Americans of other ethnic backgrounds (Other-Americans). A questionnaire was developed which asked respondents knowledge questions about both β-thalassemia and Down Syndrome. Five hundred questionnaires were distributed, and 456 were ultimately returned and analyzed (150 Italians, 156 Italian-Americans, 150 Other-Americans). Italians answered an average of 55% of the β-thalassemia correctly compared to scores of 17 and 24% for the Italian-Americans and Other-Americans, respectively. The groups did not differ in their knowledge of Down Syndrome (all answered between 58 and 60% of the questions correctly on average). Over 80% of the Italian respondents had heard of β-thalassemia compared to only 19% of the Italian-Americans. β-Thalassemia education programs in Italy appear to have dramatically increased awareness of the disorder. Similar programs need to be developed for at-risk populations in the United States.

Efficacy of Creative Clay Work for Reducing Negative Mood: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Clay work has long been used in art therapy to achieve therapeutic goals. However, little empirical evidence exists to document the efficacy of such work. The present study randomly assigned 102 adult participants to one of four conditions following induction of a negative mood: (a) handling clay with instructions to create a pinch pot, (b) handling clay with instructions to manipulate it freely, (c) handling a soft stress ball with instructions to toss the ball in a structured manner, or (d) handling a soft stress ball with instructions to manipulate it freely. Self-reports revealed greater mood enhancement following clay handling compared to ball handling. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) documents that clay work has specific efficacy for reducing negative mood states.

Reducing Negative Mood Through Mandala Creation: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract This study examined whether the creation of a mandala has specific efficacy for reducing negative mood states. A convenience sample of 67 adult participants was randomly assigned to one of 4 conditions following negative mood induction: (a) coloring a blank circle with instructions to express feelings, (b) coloring a blank circle with instructions to draw freely, (c) coloring a square with instructions to express feelings, or (d) coloring a square with instructions to draw freely. The two circle (mandala) groups reported significantly greater mood improvement compared to the two square conditions. These results demonstrate that the circular shape of the mandala serves as an “active ingredient” in mood enhancement.

Reducing Negative Mood Through Drawing: Comparing Venting, Positive Expression, and Tracing

Abstract The authors examined whether instructions to express emotional states represent an active ingredient in the mood-enhancing properties of drawing. Forty-five undergraduates were asked to make a list of recent stressful events (negative mood induction) before being randomly assigned to one of three conditions: drawing to express happiness (positive expression), drawing to express current stress (venting), or tracing and coloring a simple line drawing (distraction control). Mood improved in all three conditions, but the positive expression condition showed significantly greater improvement than either the tracing or venting groups. Venting and tracing produced similar levels of mood elevation. Positive emotional expression appears to be an active ingredient in the beneficial effects of drawing on mood.

Correlations among measures of knee stiffness, gait performance and complaints in individuals with knee osteoarthritis

BACKGROUNDnStiffness is a common complaint in individuals with knee osteoarthritis and is a component of the osteoarthritis diagnosis. Yet the relationship between stiffness and function is poorly understood and methods to quantify stiffness are limited.nnnMETHODSnUsing a cross-sectional observational design with 66 subjects with knee osteoarthritis, stiffness and damping coefficients were calculated from a relaxed knee oscillation procedure. Gait parameters were measured using an electronic walkway. Self-reported pain, stiffness, and function were measured with the Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index. Correlation and Alexanders normalized-t approximation analyses were used to assess associations among the variables. Subset analysis was performed on subjects with and without tibiofemoral joint crepitus.nnnFINDINGSnSlight to moderate correlations existed between stiffness and damping coefficients and most gait parameters ((| r |=0.30-0.56; P<.05) and between Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index scores and all gait parameters (| r |=0.35-0.62; P<.05). The damping coefficient was only slightly associated with patient-rated Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index stiffness subscale scores. Subset analysis revealed significant correlations that differed between those with and without crepitus.nnnINTERPRETATIONnThese findings suggest that laboratory measured stiffness and damping coefficients, Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index scores and gait-related measurements assess different aspects related to movement in individuals with knee osteoarthritis. Stiffness and damping coefficients may offer the ability to explain gait changes in the knee that are independent of a persons perceptions particularly in the early stages of the disease.