Substance abuser impulsivity decreases with a nine-month stay in a therapeutic community.

Background: Substance abuse continues to be a major public health problem. Keeping substance abusers in treatment is a challenge, and researchers continue to investigate ways to increase retention.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between impulsivity in substance abusers and length of stay in the context of therapeutic community.

Behavioral therapies trials: a case example.

Background: Behavior change is integral to the prevention and treatment of many disorders associated with deleterious lifestyles. Rigorous scientific testing of behavior change interventions is an important goal for nursing research.

Approach: The stage model for behavioral therapy development is recommended as a useful framework for evaluating behavior change strategies.

Lessons learned as a research assistant studying ambulatory blood pressure in elderly Japanese stroke patients.

The research assistant plays a critical part in research projects, yet there is little structured information about the role. The present paper describes the research assistant"s role and provides an example of the research assistant"s activities in nursing research. In this pilot study, 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was conducted on 15 elderly Japanese stroke patients in a hospital rehabilitation unit.