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Journal Article Link 12.1: Sharma, D., & Money, S. (2009). Carryover effects to addiction-associated stimuli in a group of marijuana and cocaine users. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 24(9), 1309–1316.

Abstract: Addiction has been characterized as an attentional bias towards drug-related cues. In two experiments, we investigate the effects of nonwords that have been associatively trained to addiction-related images in a group of marijuana and cocaine users. These associated nonwords were presented along with unstudied nonwords in a subsequent addiction Stroop task. Results indicate a slowdown in responding to the colour of nonwords that were paired with cocaine-related images compared with non-cocaine related images. The slowdown was also characterized as a carryover effect, with the largest effect occurring on trials following the addiction-associated nonword. No effects were found for marijuana images associated with nonwords.

1. What was the purpose of the study?
2. How were the samples recruited?
3. Why was a factorial design used?
4. Summarize the results.

Journal Article Link 12.2: Novak, T., Scanlan, J., McCaul, D., MacDonald, N., & Clarke, T. (2012). Pilot study of a sensory room in an acute inpatient psychiatric unit. Australasian Psychiatry, 20(5), 401–406.

Abstract: The use of sensory rooms (also known as comfort rooms) to reduce seclusion rates has generated a great deal of interest. This study examined the outcomes associated with the introduction of a sensory room in an acute inpatient psychiatric unit. Method: Consumers rated distress and staff rated a variety of disturbed behaviours before and after each use of the room. Items used during each episode were recorded. Results: Use of the room was associated with significant reductions in distress and improvements in a range of disturbed behaviours. Those individuals who used the weighted blanket reported significantly greater reductions in distress and clinician-rated anxiety than those who did not. No changes were noted in rates of seclusion or aggression. Conclusions: The sensory room was an effective intervention to ameliorate distress and disturbed behaviour, although this did not translate into reductions in overall rates of seclusion or aggression. Weighted blankets appear to be particularly useful.

1. What main effects were being measured?
2. What interaction effects were being measured?
3. What test statistics were used to calculate the results?
4. Summarize the results.