Catherine Ford

The Depression Intensity Scale Circles (DISCs) is a visual self-report depression screening tool that has been designed specifically for people with moderate-to-severe cognitive or communicative impairment. This scoping review aimed to systematically map research on the DISCs, drawing conclusions about its reliability, validity, and utilization in research and clinical practice. A literature search from 2004 - July 2024 was conducted using 9 databases. Thirty-six sources met inclusion criteria of mentioning "Depression Intensity Scale Circles" in their abstract or full text (15 published literature, 12 grey literature, and 9 social media posts). Only three sources formally studied the psychometric properties of the DISCs. Taken together, their results suggested that the DISCs has stronger predictive validity than reported in previous systematic reviews. While promising, these results should be interpreted cautiously due to the limited research available. Despite limited research, we found that the DISCs continues to be recommended and included into guidelines for depression screening, especially in in-patient stroke settings in the UK. The need for further research into the psychometric properties of the DISCs is identified. The trade-off in clinical settings between psychometric validity and clinical utility when working with individuals with cognitive and communication impairments is highlighted.

Stroke affects one in four adults in the UK, with over a third relying on informal carers. The burden of care can have detrimental effects on the mental and physical health of carers, which may impact the rehabilitative process. Despite this, interventions have focused on the physical demands of caregiving, prioritising the stroke survivor. This review aimed to identify effective psychosocial interventions that reduce burden, strain, depression, or anxiety in informal stroke carers. A systematic review of the literature was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Library, and PubMed, with final searches on the 8th May 2025. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published in English from 1980 onwards, including participants aged 18 years or older, were eligible. Risk of bias was assessed using the CASP tool for RCTs. Results were reported using narrative synthesis. Seven studies were rated as having good methodological quality, fourteen moderate, and three weak. Fourteen studies reported significant findings. Interventions varied widely, with characteristics of effective interventions including skills-based problem-solving content, telephone delivery, longer duration, and increased contact time. Providing remote support over extended durations may improve the psychological well-being of informal stroke carers. Tentative conclusions are presented, and further research is required.

PurposeAnxiety is a prevalent symptom of Parkinson's disease, but is often under-recognised and challenging to characterise. The present study aimed to develop a comprehensive new scale that characterised the specific and nuanced experience of anxiety in people living with Parkinson's disease. A shortened version of the scale was also developed. The psychometric properties of both versions of the scale were assessed for reliability and validity.MethodsSecondary analyses were conducted on data from 254 people with Parkinson's disease and anxiety collected in a modified Nominal Group Technique ranking survey. Secondary analyses included exploratory factor analysis, reliability and validity analyses, and confirmatory factor analysis.ResultsA standardised scale of anxiety and Parkinson's disease, in its long Comprehensive Anxiety and Parkinson's Scale - 54 (CAPS-54) and short versions (CAPS-24), was developed. Reliability and validity analyses of the scales demonstrated excellent factorial and internal consistency, as well as good convergent validity.ConclusionsThe CAP Scales offer researchers and clinicians a more comprehensive means of assessing the experience of anxiety in the context of Parkinson's disease than is currently available. Initial validation of the scales is promising. Future validation and identification of clinical boundaries with an independent sample is recommended.

Clinical guidelines recommend screening for post-stroke depression, which is particularly important for people with post-stroke aphasia, due to increased risk of depression and suicidality. The The...

Medication adherence is a multi-faceted construct associated with several positive consequences in people with chronic conditions. However, non-adherence currently represents a major issue in Parki...

Perceived control is an important construct for the psychological well-being of people affected by chronic conditions, and higher perceived control is associated with better outcomes. Psychosocial ...

Whether attentional deficits are accompanied by visuomotor impairments following posterior parietal lesions has been debated for quite some time. This single-case study investigated reaching in a stroke survivor (E.B.) with left visual neglect and visual extinction following right temporo-parietal-frontal strokes. Unlike most neglect patients, E.B. did not present left hemiparesis, homonymous hemianopia nor showed evidence of motor neglect or extinction allowing us to examine, for the first time, if lateralised attentional deficits co-occur with deficits in peripheral and bimanual reaching. First, we found a classic optic ataxia field effect: E.B.’s accuracy was impaired when reaching to peripheral targets in her neglected left visual field (regardless of the hand used). Second, we found a larger bimanual cost for movement time in E.B. than controls when both hands reached to incongruent locations. E.B.’s visuomotor profile is similar the one of patients with optic ataxia showing that attentional deficits are accompanied by visuomotor deficits in the affected field.