Technology and Methods in Behavioral Medicine [Paperback]

This book provides an illustrative overview of some of the key methodological and technical innovations that form the cutting edge of current research in behavioral medicine.

It is divided into three sections. Part I consists of six chapters describing the impact on behavioral medicine research of novel developments in diverse areas such as molecular genetics, neuroendocrine assessment, laboratory radionuclide measurement of cardiac function, and the development of electronic event monitors for measuring compliance with medication regimens. In addition, new applications of long-available assessment techniques in clinical neuropsychology to behavioral issues in cardiovascular disease are reviewed.

Part II includes four chapters which review methods and programs of research dealing with aspects of the ambulatory monitoring of moods and behavioral activities in conjunction with a variety of physiological processes and/or disease states.

Finally, Part III provides two chapters which focus on novel theoretical and/or conceptual approaches--instead of the typical methodological innovations--that have guided recent research in behavioral oncology and in cardiovascular disease and the clustering syndrome of cardiovascular risk factors that relate to insulin metabolism.
Contents: Preface. List of Contributors. Part I: Biological and Behavioral Assessment Techniques.F.J. Jenkins,Biological Bases for Genetic Risk Testing. C. Lerman,Psychological Aspects of Genetic Testing for Cancer Susceptibility. C. Kirschbaum, O. Wolf, D. Hellhammer,Adrenocortical Responsiveness to Psychosocial Stress in Humans: Sources of Interindividual Differences. A. Rozanski,Laboratory Techniques for Assessing the Presence and Magnitude of Mental Stress-Induced Myocardial Ischemia in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease. S.R. Waldstein, J. Snow, M.F. Muldoon,<lc