Browsing by Subject "Other Rehabilitation and Therapy"
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Item A Study to Determine Improved Compliance of Biophosphonate Treatment in Subjects with Osteoporosis(2005-02-01) Enard, April T.; Gwirtz, Patricia A.; Jimenez-Williams, Cynthia; Rubin, BernardEnard, April T. A Study to Determine Improved Compliance of Bisphosphonate Treatment in Subjects with Osteoporosis. Master of Science, February 11, 2005. The ability of patients to adhere to treatment regimens is very poor and continues to impede optimal therapy of osteoporosis. The shortcomings in treating osteoporosis are: a) noncompliance and/or lack of continued persistence of therapy, b) efficacy of therapy on bone turnover marker levels and fracture prevalence, and c) tolerability of therapy to patients. Studies have shown that interventions such as education and awareness of bone mineral density promote patient usage compliance. The slightest improvement in compliance allows further understanding of accurate efficacy of medication therapy to fractures, bone marker levels, and overall improvement of bone mass. Increased compliance/persistence allows accurate comparison of bisphosphonates to one another for effectiveness on osteoporosis patients and allows improvement opportunity in treatment modalities that can positively influence the course of osteoporosis. This phase IV study targets compliancy/persistence in bisphosphonate therapy in treatment of osteoporosis.Item An Analysis of Patient Health Outcomes in a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program(2000-12-01) Hall, Cortni K.; Antonio Rene; Raghbir Sandhu; Manuel BayonaHall, Cortni K., An Analysis of Patient Health Outcomes in a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. Master of Public Health, Epidemiology Track, December 2000, 48 pp., 11 tables, references, 30 titles. This study analyzed the coronary risk factor and quality of life outcome results of 55 patients who participated in a 12 week, phase II cardiac rehabilitation program. Baseline and post cardiac rehabilitation data were analyzed. There was an overall improvement of the coronary risk factor variables with significant improvements in functional capacity (p=0.001), diastolic blood pressure (p=0.01), total cholesterol (p=0.017), and LDL 9p=0.01). Significant improvements in the quality of life variables included physical function (p [less than] 0.01), role-physical (p [less than] 0.01), body pain (p [less than] 0.05), vitality (p [less than] 0.05), and social (p [less than] 0.05). There was also a significant finding of improved knowledge (p [less than] 0.01) after completion of phase II cardiac rehabilitation program.Item Carotid Baroreflex of Leg Vasculature(2004-07-01) Keller, David Melvin; Peter A. Raven; H. Fred Downey; Patricia A. GwirtzKeller, David Melvin, Carotid Baroreflex Control of Leg Vasculature. Doctor of Philosophy (Biomedical Science), July 2004; 110 pp; 5 tables; 10 figures; bibliography. The carotid baroreflex (CBR) exerts control of arterial blood pressure primarily as a result of changes in total vascular conductance. In humans, understanding CBR control of the vasculature supplying a given vascular bed, such as the leg, remains unclear. Furthermore, it appears that metabolic attenuation of sympathetic vasoconstriction may modulate the CBR of the vasculature supplying contracting skeletal muscle during exercise. However, the balance between baroreflex-mediated vasoconstriction and the mechanisms responsible for the metabolic attenuation has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, the purpose of the investigations within this dissertation was to: i) explain CBR control of leg vascular conductance (LVC) and the relationship between changes in LVC and muscle sympathetic nerve activity at rest and during one-legged knee extension exercise, ii) examine the CBR control of the vasculature supplying an exercising leg and a non-exercising leg during exercise, and iii) demonstrate the role of the ATP-sensitive potassium channel in contributing to the metabolic attenuation of CBR-mediated vasoconstriction in the vasculature supplying contracting skeletal muscle. In the first investigation, we demonstrated: i) the stimulus response relationships for CBR control of LVC and MSNA at rest and during two intensities of one-legged knee extension exercise; ii) that CBR control of LVC was preserved during exercise; iii) that the attenuation of CBR-mediated vasoconstriction was no different between 7W and 25W exercise in the vasculature supplying an exercising leg; and iv) that the contribution of changes in LVC to CBR changes in mean arterial pressure was no different from rest to exercise in both the exercising leg and the non-exercising leg. In the second investigation, we examined the role of the ATP-sensitive potassium channel in modulating sympathetically-mediated vasoconstriction at rest and during exercise in the vasculature supplying an exercising leg and a non-exercising leg. The attenuated vasoconstrictor response to the carotid baroreceptor stimulated hypotension observed in the vasculature supplying an exercising leg was partially restored two to four hours after the oral ingestion of glyburide (5mg). This finding indicates that ATP-sensitive potassium channel activation plays a primary role in the effects of functional sympatholysis during leg exercise in humans. We further demonstrated that CBR control of MAP was not altered by oral glyburide administration in healthy subjects.Item Combined Chemo/Anti-Angiogenic Cancer Therapy in Lewis Lung Metastases(2002-05-01) Sinha-Datta, Anjuli; Goldfarb, Ronald H.; Agarwal, Neeraj; Mathew, Porunelloor A.Datta, Anjuli. Combined Chemo/Anti-Angiogenic Cancer Therapy in Lewis Lung Metastases. Master of Science (Microbiology and Immunology), May 2002. 41 pp., 17 illustrations, bibliography. The focus of my dissertation studies is an eight amino acid peptide (Å6) derived from the non-receptor binding region of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), which partially inhibits the binding of uPA to its receptor (uPAR). Å6 has been synthesized as a potential novel anti-cancer agent and kindly provided by Ångstrom Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (San Diego, CA). We further examined potential therapeutic properties of Å6 in vivo and in vitro. Å6 appeared to directly inhibit the invasion of Lewis lung carcinoma cells through Matrigel by approximately 40-45% compared to control. In addition, Å6 had a morphological effect resulting in thicker tubes on small vessel endothelial tube formation compared to no treatment. Interestingly, doxorubicin had similar effects when added to growing endothelial cells. Moreover, Å6 was administered alone and in combination with a standard clinically used chemotherapeutic agent, doxorubicin, in a Lewis lung carcinoma mouse model to test possible synergy between an anti-angiogenic compound (Å6) and a chemotherapeutic agent. This is the first observation that Å6 has the potential to display a direct anti-metastatic therapeutic effect for established pulmonary metastases in this model. Therefore, we believe that Å6 in combination with doxorubicin has the potential to provide better therapy to cancer patients with tumor metastases than potent chemotherapeutics agents alone, by increasing the dose of non-toxic Å6 and reducing the recommended dose of doxorubicin.Item Development of the Attitudes Toward Osteopathic Principles and Practice Scale (ATOPPS): Preliminary Results(2002-05-01) Russo, David P.Russo, David P., Development of the Attitudes Toward Osteopathic Principles and Practice Scale (ATOPPS): Preliminary Results. Master of Public Health, May 2002, 11 pp., 2 tables, bibliography, 19 titles. Little is known about how student attitudes toward osteopathic principles and practice (OPP) develop and evolve over the course of their osteopathic medical education. Interviews were conducted with osteopathic medical students, osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) residents, fellows, and physician specialists. These interviews were summarized in a 39-item instrument administered to 127 students at the completion of their core OMM rotation at UNTHSC-TCOM. Factor analysis of student responses to the 39 candidate items yielded two interpretable factors. 14 of the original 39 statements were eliminated and the smaller second factor was dropped. Factor 1 contained items reflecting both positive and negative attitudes toward the application OPP in patient care, medical education, and professional distinctiveness. Two internal consistency estimates of reliability were computer for the revised 25-item ATOPPS. Estimates for the split-half coefficients for part 1 were .89, for part 2 was .87; the Spearman-Brown coefficient alpha was .93Item Does Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment Improve Dyspnea and Exercise Tolerance Subjects with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?(2006-05-01) Pickett, Carolyn M.; Stoll, Scott; Cruser, des Anges; Licciardone, John C.Pickett, Carolyn M., D.O., M.S. Does Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment Improve Dyspnea and Exercise Tolerance in Subjects with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease? Master of Science (Clinical Research and Education – OMM), May 2006, 54 pages, 10 tables, 4 figures, references 48 titles. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death globally and is projected to increase. This highly prevalent and costly disease causes reduced physical and social functioning, and none of the existing medications for COPD seem to modify long-term decline in lung function. COPD patients with the severe dyspnea have more deficits in the health status and energy. Reduced functional status has been significantly correlated with health related quality of life. Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) has been suggested for treatment of COPD as early as 1902, some research indicates that OMT may improve dyspnea and exercise tolerance, yet there are few published studies on OMT and COPD. Study goals were to increase scientific knowledge about how OMT may immediately improve dyspnea and exercise tolerance in stable COPD following exertion. This RCT was approved by the Institutional Review Board at the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC) in Fort Worth and funded by the Osteopathic Research Center (ORC) at UNTHSC. –Hypothesis 1: A single intervention of OMT will improve dyspnea in a stable COPD subject, as measured by response to the Borg scale with exertion, when compared to no treatment. –Hypothesis: a single intervention of OMT will improve exercise tolerance in a stable COPD subject, as measured by distance walked during the six-minute walk test, when compared to no treatment. Twenty-one subjects completed the trial, 10 in the OMT group and 11 in the no-treatment group. No significant differences were found in the Borg scale or 6MWT following OMT. This study is limited by a small sample size and single OMT intervention design; however, it does demonstrate the feasibility of this research at this institution and may lead to a larger, more definitive and funded clinical trial.Item Effects of Cervical Manipulation on Cardiac Autonomic Control(2006-05-01) Giles, Paul David; Michael Smith; Scott Stoll; Walter WitryolGiles, Paul David, Effects of Cervical Manipulation on Cardiac Autonomic Control. Master of Science (Clinical Research and Education – OMM), May 2006, pp, 1 table, 8 figures, references. Objective: Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine treatment (OMT) regimes often focus on treating the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) in addition to biomechanics. Techniques focused on the upper cervical spine are theorized to affect the function of the vagus nerve and thereby influence the parasympathetic branch of the ANS. This study was conducted to observe the effect of upper cervical spine manipulation on cardiac autonomic control as measured by heart rate variability (HRV). Methods: Nineteen healthy, young adult subjects were randomly assigned an order in which they would undergo three different experimental protocols: OMT, Sham, and a time control. Six minutes of electrocardiographic data was collected before and after each intervention to be analyzed by power spectral analysis. Results: All baseline data for each protocol and all parameters studied were the same. The OMT protocol and all parameters studied were the same. The OMT protocol caused a change in the standard deviation of the normal-to-normal (SDNN) intervals (0.121 +/- 0.0822 sec, p=0.005) and the change in the high frequency HRV was different from the changes caused by other interventions (p=0.038). Conclusions: This preliminary data supports the hypothesis that under cervical spine manipulation affects the parasympathetic nervous system; however, more data on more subjects needs to be collected in order to clarify some points, and to reach statistical significance in certain measures.Item Effects of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment on Symptom Severity and Functional Status in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome(2005-05-01) Meyer, Patricia M.Meyer, Patricia M, Effects of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment on Symptom Severity and Functional Status in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Master of Science (Clinical Research and Education), May, 2005, 55pp., 7 tables, 54 figures, bibliography 44. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is symptoms like paresthesias and weakness caused by compression of the median nerve. It affects up to 10% of the adult population in the U.S. with medical costs exceeding $2 billion annually. The goal of this study is to evaluate the benefits of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) on the symptom severity and daily functioning of subjects with CTS. The OMT group was compared to a ultrasound placebo group. Outcome measures include symptom severity, functional status scores, and strength measures. Subjects receive six treatments with measures taken at three points in the study. Thirty-two subjects were used in the study analysis. The OMT group had significantly improved symptom severity and functional status scores over time. These scores were not significantly different from the changes in the ultrasound group. While outcome measures show trends toward improvement with OMT, they are not significantly different from placebo.Item Efficacy of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment in Improving Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Orthopedic Diagnoses Admitted to a Hospital-Based Rehabilitation Unit(1997-06-01) Brittain, Paul D.; John LicciardoneBrittain, Paul D., Efficacy of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment in Improving Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Orthopedic Diagnoses Admitted to a Hospital-Based Rehabilitation Unit Master of Public Health (Biomedical Sciences), June, 1997, 75 pp., 12 tables, bibliography, 16 titles. The primary purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) in improving clinical outcomes in patients who had undergone a surgical procedure for either a hip fracture or osteoarthritis affecting the hip or knee. OMT treatment subjects were recruited from an inpatient rehabilitation unit housed with an osteopathic hospital. OMT subjects received a standard course of OMT throughout their stay in the rehabilitation unit. Clinical outcomes were assessed principally through the administration of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), a standard disability measure, to study subjects on admission to and discharge from the rehabilitation unit. Mean FIM score charges were compared between the OMT and a control group of similar patients. Receipt of OMT was associated with shorter length-of-stay, higher total FIM score change, and greater improvement on FIM locomotion items. These findings suggest that OMT is a beneficial therapy for this population of patients.Item Elimination of Post-Exercise Hypotension Impairs Plasma Volume Recovery(1996-12-01) Hayes, Patrick M.; Peter B. RavenHayes, Patrick M., Elimination of Post-Exercise Hypotension Impairs Plasma Volume Recovery. Master of Science (Biomedical Sciences), December, 1996, 18 pp., 2 tables, 5 figures, bibliography, 20 titles. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that plasma volume (PV) recovery following exercise was facilitated by post-exercise hypotension. Seven volunteers performed 2 bouts of cycling exercise for 60 minutes followed by 90 minutes of seated recovery without intervention (trial 1) or with phenylephrine infusion (PE) started at 10 minutes of recovery (trial 2). Blood samples were taken throughout the protocol at specific times, and were analyzed to measure hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hb), protein content and electrolyte levels. Plasma volume was measured using the Evans Blue Dye dilution technique and estimates of changes from resting values were then calculated from Hct and Hb values. While PV approached baseline levels at 30 minutes into recovery in trial 1, the change in PV remained significantly below control values with PE. We concluded that the diminished gain in the change in total proteins (significant increase without PE, no difference from control with PE) contributed to the impaired recovery of PV observed in trial 2, and that this difference in protein shift is attributable to the elimination of post-exercise hypotension.Item Examining the Theoretical Constructs of Motivational Interviewing: Applying Self-Determination Theory to Physical Activity Among Heart Failure Patients(2008-05-01) Spranger, Catherine Borski; Shawn Jeffries; Sejong Bae; Claudia CogginSpranger, Catherine Borski, Examining the Theoretical Constructs of Motivational Interviewing: Applying Self-Determination Theory to Physical Activity Among Heart Failure Patients. Doctor of Public Health (Social and Behavioral Sciences), May, 2008, 90 pp., 8 tables, reference list, 61 titles. Effective management of heart failure (HF) is one of the major challenges facing health care providers today due to the complexity of a number of inter-related health and self-care behaviors. One health behavior that is important in the management of HF is physical activity. Motivational Interviewing (MI) has been shown to be an effective counseling style engaging individuals to both adopt and maintain physical activity; however, the literature is lacking in this area among HF patients. One underlying theoretical basis of MI that has been proposed is Self-Determination Theory (SDT). The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the relationships between physical activity and the SDT constructs of autonomous motivation, perceived competence, and autonomy support. The sample consisted of 26 HF patients in a heart failure clinic in north central Texas. Participants completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire examining various psychological constructs, as well as, assessing their levels of physical activity during a typical week during the preceding month. The finding of this study lend some support to better understanding the relationships between specific SDT constructs and physical activity. Likewise the findings demonstrated the importance of motivation-related variables to understanding how to motivate HF patients to both initiate physical activity and maintain a regular physical activity regimen.Item Interexaminer Reliability of Somatic Palpatory Findings Associated with Chronic Low Back Pain(2002-05-01) Russo, David P.; Scott Stoll; John C. Licciardone; Russell GamberRusso, David P., Interexaminer Reliability of Somatic Palpatory Findings Associated with Chronic Low Back Pain. Master of Science, May 2002, 15 pp., 1 table, 1 figure, bibliography, 26 titles. Osteopathic physicians rely on specific clinical palpatory tests to diagnose somatic dysfunction of the neuromusculoskeletal system. The purpose of this study is to compare the interexaminer reliability of six common osteopathic clinical tests to severity ratings of somatic dysfunction in six body regions. Ten trained and clinically supervised predoctoral osteopathic manipulative medicine fellows collected palpatory data using the Standardized Outpatient Osteopathic Soap Note Form (SNF) and recorded findings for six pre-selected osteopathic clinical diagnostic tests as part of a randomized controlled trial of osteopathic manipulative treatment for chronic low back pain. Kappa coefficients were used to assess overall examiner agreement for the osteopathic clinical tests. Intraclass correlational coefficients (ICC) and Chronbach’s alpha were used to assess examiner agreement for the severity ratings. Kappa values for the six clinical tests ranged from 0 to 0.32. The single item ICC was 0.32, average item ICC was .74, and the coefficient alpha for internal consistency of the six body region scores was 0.80. These results indicate that diagnostic impressions of somatic dysfunction severity may be more reliable than outcomes from isolated osteopathic clinical tests.Item Long Term Compliance and Withdrawal Rates in Gynecologic Oncology Clinical Research Studies(2003-12-01) Kersey, Jen Kelley; Robert Kaman; LaChelle Arredondo; Robin NewmanOncology is an area of study that is greatly affected by time. Patients with cancer need safe and effective treatment immediately. For some, current treatments have not worked to eliminate their disease. Their recurrent condition reinforces the need for safer and more effective treatment. This treatment must not only destroy the cancerous cells, but it must also allow for the continuation of their lives. This life can be measured by time and quality. Ideally, both would be maximized for proper treatment, yet current science has not found this model cure. For some regimens, quality of life could be maximized at the expense of quantity of life and vice versa. Both the patient and the healthcare provider should evaluate the balance of expectations. The potential of each life should be maximized for length and quality. The investigator/physician must do everything in their power to ensure that the patient’s needs are met medically. In treatment involving recurrent cancer patients, time is of the essence. Therapy, in every form, must be given immediately to extend and improve their remaining lives. If QOL assessments can predict the outcome of retention, acknowledgement of the subject’s well-being can allow for greater insight into the physical and emotional effects of the experimental treatment. The use of this information can help future generations of cancer patients by providing data that describes the therapy. The study of “Long Term Subject Compliance and Withdrawal Rates in Gynecologic Oncology Clinical Research Studies” is necessary for the evaluation of QOL assessments to subject retention, patient care practices in research and private practice may be affected through incorporation of the QOL assessment. There are many benefits that may result if significance is found in this study. The main objective of the QOL assessment is to observe the QOL of the subject in relation to the effect of the treatment on the individual. If subject retention can be predicted from the evaluation of QOL assessments, future clinical research studies, in gynecologic oncology and beyond, may modify their protocols to include the assessments. Improved subject retention will ultimately improve the accuracy of data collection. Improved accuracy will help evaluate the outcomes of treatment for cancer patients. If the QOL assessment shows a correlation to subject retention, the survey could be used as a tool, not only to assess the patient’s well being, but also to predict withdrawal. This project could identify “at-risk” factors of the subject population. Subjects who are at-risk for withdrawal should be followed closely. Excluding subjects that meet the clinical protocol would be unethical. To protect the validity of the study and ensure ethical measures are taken, those subjects that have factors associated with drop-out should be enrolled in the study and monitored closely. The survey may give insight to the types of ancillary or palliative care that may be needed during the patient’s fight with cancer. This research hopes to identify that quality of life assessments are an integral dimension of the research practice. The care of the patient rests in the hands of the physicians providing treatment. They are responsible for the needs and best interest of the patients. Wide discrepancies between the rating of specific outcomes of treatment by the patient and physician have been noted in current literature. This study may help show that the patient driven quality of life assessment is an important aspect of patient care, and should be integrated as a common tool for the care of gynecologic oncology patients. The use of this tool outside of the research setting should also be explored. Future studies in quality of life, beyond that of gynecologic oncology, may be investigated. This study hopes to initiate further research for the quality of life assessment because the QOL assessment gives data regarding well-being from the patient’s perspective. Future studies should also research the confounding factors that may influence subject withdrawal. These additional collaborative factors may contribute to compliance or those “at-risk” for drop out. By maximizing subject retention and protecting subject safety, healthcare research can provide results that reflect the true investigational question.Item Safety and Efficacy of a Novel Xanthine Oxidase/Xanthine Dehydrogenase Inhibitor in the Treatment of Gout(2003-12-01) Brooks, Molly; Rudick, Victoria; Forman, Mitchell; Jimenez-Williams, CynthiaSummary: The internship report is based on the activities completed during the Internship Practicum at the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth and at the Rheumatology Clinic at John Peter Smith Hospital. This internship serves as partial training in the area of Clinical Research Management and focuses on studies involving rheumatic diseases, with specific emphasis on Gout. Specific Aims/Hypothesis: Ongoing clinical trials in the Department of Internal Medicine Rheumatology clinic are the bases for the project which focuses on the treatment of gout and a proprietary study on the uses of a novel xanthine oxidase/ xanthine dehydrogenase inhibitor (XOD/XDH inhibitor) to relieve the symptoms of gout. The particular research is a phase three study to assess the safety and efficacy of a novel xanthine oxidase/ xanthine dehydrogenase inhibitor compared to a placebo and an established xanthine oxidase/ xanthine dehydrogenase inhibitor, allopurinol. The hypothesis of the study is that the new XOD/XDH inhibitor will be more effective at lowering uric acid levels and thus will reduce the frequency of gout more effectively and with fewer side effects than traditional treatment or a placebo. Under the direction of the Department of Internal Medicine, subjects who met inclusion/exclusion criteria of the study were randomly assigned to be treated with colchicine in addition to either allopurinol, or the novel compound, which hereafter will be referred to as the novel XOD/XDH inhibitor, or to a placebo. The safety and efficacy of the novel XOD/XDH inhibitor will be compared to the traditional drug of choice allopurinol, a uric acid lowering agent, and to a placebo. The placebo is an inactive pill that is designed to look and taste like either allopurinol or the novel XOD/XDH inhibitor. While the period of the internship is not long enough to complete the study and thereby assess the reliability of the hypothesis, the internship and this report have two specific aims: (1) to perform a literature search of gout and related topics and (2) to understand and perform activities of a clinical research coordinator as they relate to the novel XOD/XDH inhibitor study and to other clinical trials in rheumatology. The literature search focuses on specific areas concerned with details about gout: history, epidemiology, forms, causes, signs and symptoms, clinical diagnosis, differential diagnosis, complications, therapeutics (past, present, and future), prevention, associations, cellular mechanisms involved in hyperuricemia, as well as inflammation. The project also provides a description of the activities involved in clinical research, and discusses specifically the roles of the various personnel: Clinical Trials Coordinator, Principle Investigator, Sub-investigator, Institutional Review Board, and Clinical Trials Monitor as they have been involved in the novel XOD/XDH inhibitor study and other studies in rheumatology. Significance: Finding a new treatment for gout is of significant importance for several reasons. In countries with a high standard of living, such as the United States, prevalence of gout has increased and is probably the second most common form of inflammatory arthritis. Gout can result in significant short-term disability, occupational limitations, and increased utilization of medical services therefore making the disease a significant public health problem. New treatment options could greatly improve the prognosis for patients and in addition reduce the cost of the disease by preventing loss of wages due to patient absence from work, for example. Furthermore, new treatments for gout could provide patients with safer therapeutics alternatives than the traditional treatments.Item The Effects of Verbal, General, and Tailored Messages on Participation in a Psychiatric Chemical Dependency Aftercare Program(2002-05-01) Biggs, Quinn M.; Claudia Coggin; Antonio A. ReneBiggs, Quinn M., B.A., The Effects of Verbal, General, and Tailored Messages on Participation in a Psychiatric Chemical Dependency Aftercare Program. Masters of Public Health (Health Behavior), May 2002, 51 pp., 1 table, references, 25 titles. Chemical dependency is a major problem in the United States. Treatment programs are often short-term, relapse rates are high, and continued support is vital for sobriety. Aftercare programs provide continued support, but information encouraging attendance must be effective. Tailored vs. non-tailored health information has been found influential for behavioral change. This study determined the effectiveness of verbal, general, and tailored messages on participation in an aftercare program. Adult patients (N=193) of a psychiatric chemical dependency treatment program were recruited at the time of discharge. Follow up included phone survey and aftercare attendance records. Contrary to hypothesis, there were no significant differences in initial aftercare attendance, recall of aftercare information, or usefulness of information. However, tailored message recipients were significantly more likely to find aftercare interesting, and effect sizes indicated that tailored message recipients found aftercare more helpful and participants were more likely to return to aftercare.