Society for Public Health Education: survey of membership

The Society for Public Health Education, Inc. (SOPHE), through the Research and Evaluation Committee (REC) of the Tennessee chapter has surveyed its membership to determine characteristics of members, members' opinions of the organization and the benefits derived, usefulness of SOPHE publications, and the most important health education issues and goals. Survey results provide an employment profile of the membership, and indicate the membership benefits which are most valued; they also suggest that the organization's goals and its activities be expanded in scope to include, in addition to other areas, greater attention to health education practice, to planning legislation, to funding, and to cooperation with the American Public Health Association in the general promotion of health education. REC presents recommendations based on these findings.

Frontal electromyographic feedback. Stress attenuation and generalization

This study evaluated the effects of one session of frontal electromyographic (EMG) feedback on (1) frontal EMG, (2) frontal EMG response to stress, (3) cardiovascular variables, and (4) cardiovascular responses to stress. Eighteen male and female undergraduate volunteers received either frontal EMG feedback or a relaxation instructions control procedure and were then exposed to a fear stimulus (visualization of a feared situation) and a post-stress adaptation period while several cardiovascular measures were monitored. In comparison to the control group, frontal EMG feedback significantly reduced resting levels of frontal EMG and frontal EMG response to stress but had no significant effect on cardiovascular measures. The results of this study suggest that one session of frontal EMG feedback may attenuate response to stress but, within the paradigm utilized, may be confined to the specific muscle groups monitored. Additional areas of needed research were noted including individual differences in generalization, the effects of EMG feedback from multiple sites sequentially and concomitantly, and the generalized effects from symptom-specific sites.

Biofeedback treatment of atopic dermatitis: controlled case studies of eight cases

To investigate the feasibility of a behaviorally oriented intervention program with atopic dermatitis, 12 patients were exposed to a fixed sequence of treatment phases including a no-treatment baseline phase, a phase incorporating nonspecific treatment factors, and a phase involving frontal electromyographic (EMG) feedback and relaxation instructions. Photographic analyses of involved skin areas revealed significant remission of dermatological problems across the entire program, although significant changes could not be attributable to any specific phase. Ratings of itching level decreased within but not across treatment sessions, and variable correlations across subjects were found between frontal EMG and itching level. MMPI results from the dermatitis subjects were within normal limits. Overall, the results provided mixed support for the hypothesis that atopic dermatitis may be amenable to intervention through behaviorally oriented treatment procedures.

The influence of selective logging on primates and some other animals in East Kalimantan

A brief survey was conducted in East Kalimantan, Indonesia, to determine the influence of selective logging operations on primate populations. Data were also collected on some birds and squirrels. Selective logging that causes only moderate habitat disturbance does not seem to result in a significant decrease in the densities of several primate species. Whereas some species adjust readily to moderately disturbed habitats, other species may have difficulty in maintaining a breeding population in logged areas. A review of the literature plus our own data suggest that rain forest birds and squirrels seem to be the most disrupted by selective logging of their habitats. While some of the other mammals are directly harmed by selective logging, others are endangered only by the human encroachment that often follows. Suggestions regarding enlightened tropical forestry practices, additional studies of the influence of selective logging, and the establishment of forest preservation areas are also discussed.

SOME EFFECTS OF ZINC ON SEVERAL SPECIES OF GOSSYPIUM L

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