scholarly journals Feasibility of a Home-Based Task-Switching Training in Middle-Aged Caregivers

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Susanne Lütke Lanfer ◽  
Sören Enge ◽  
Marlen Melzer ◽  
Jürgen Wegge ◽  
Matthias Kliegel
Keyword(s):  
Task Switching ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Cognitive Tasks ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Laboratory Studies ◽  
Working Population ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Switching Task

AbstractThe current study aimed at investigating feasibility of a self-administered task-switching training in a middle-aged working population. Eighty-one caregivers (41–62 years old) were instructed to train at home 8 times either within a 7- or 14-day interval. Only 56.7% performed more than 50% of the instructed number of training sessions. However, compliant caregivers (who completed more than 4 training sessions) showed significant training gains and transfer to an untrained task-switching task. Although transfer effects to other cognitive tasks were not found, trained participants tended to report fewer everyday memory failures than a control group. In conclusion, the implementation of a home-based task-switching training in everyday life of caregivers is possible. However, there is only limited evidence for generalization of results of previous laboratory studies. Adherence and transfer to other cognitive tasks are discussed as important challenges in conveying laboratory findings into real life.

scholarly journals The Dual-Language Semantic Computerized Program (DISC) Maintained Local Switch Costs in MCI Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 520-521
Author(s):  
W Quin Yow ◽  
Hui-Ching Chen ◽  
Tharshini Lokanathan
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Task Switching ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Accelerated Aging ◽  
Cognitive Tasks ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Final Sample ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Switching Task ◽  
Experimental Group

Abstract It has been proposed that switching cost deficit in executive control (Velichkovsky et al., 2020) could be used as an early marker for abnormal aging processes. Although research with technology-based intervention has shown benefits in improving cognitive performance with older adults, the overall results are mixed (Ge et al, 2018). This study aims to investigate whether computerized intervention program (e.g., DISC) would help to reduce the switching costs deficits in mild-to-moderate cognitively-impaired older adults (MCI-OA). Fourteen MCI-OA (79.75±6,94) and 9 cognitively-healthy OA (age 77,25±6,9) were randomly assigned to an experimental group or a control group (a final sample size of 30 MCI and 40 cognitive-healthy older adults would be ready by conference time). All participants first completed a set of cognitive tasks as part of a larger study (i.e., pre-tests) (e.g., MMSE, Ravens, cued-base Task Switching Task). The experimental group then played cognitive games on a touch-screen tablet for about 30-40 minutes per session with a total of 24 sessions over 8-12 weeks. The control group continued their daily activity as per usual for 8-12 weeks. Participants were then asked to complete the same set of cognitive tasks again post-test. Control group MCI-OA performed worse for the local costs in the cued Task Switching task (p<.05), whereas experimental group MCI-OA maintained their performance (p=.40) post-test compared to pre-test. All cognitively-healthy OA did not show any difference in performance irrespective of condition. This suggests that the DISC program could be an effective tool in slowing down the abnormal accelerated aging process.

The Effects of Home-Based Self-Care Education on Blood Pressure and Self-Care Behaviors among Middle-Aged Patients with Primary Hypertension in Iran: A Randomized Clinical Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 108482232110127
Author(s):  
Sara Hazrati Gonbad ◽  
Masoumeh Zakerimoghadam ◽  
Shahzad Pashaeypoor ◽  
Shima Haghani
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Primary Hypertension ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Aged Patients ◽  
Care Education ◽  
Home Based

Self-care education (SCE) through home visit is one of the methods with potential effects on self-care. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of home-based SCE on blood pressure and self-care behaviors among middle-aged patients with primary hypertension in Iran. This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 110 middle-aged patients with hypertension recruited from public healthcare centers in the south of Tehran, Iran in September 2019. After convenience sampling, Participants were simple randomly allocated to control and intervention groups. Intervention group received a 2-month home-based SCE while control group received routine care services. Before and 2 months after the intervention, self-care behaviors were assessed using the Hypertension Self-Care Activity Level Effects (H-SCALE). Data were analyzed using the SPSS software (v. 16.0) at a significance level of less than .05. After 2 months, the posttest mean scores of self-care behaviors in medication adherence (17.42 ± 1.03 vs 14.49 ± 1.01, p = .04), physical activity (8.16 ± 0.39 vs 6.47 ± 0.52, p = .01), low-salt diet (52.51 ± 3.8 vs 35.36 ± 3.47, p = .001), and blood pressure control (3.47 ± 0.22 vs 2.42 ± 1.89, p = .001), in the intervention group were significantly greater than the control group. However, there were no significant between-group differences respecting the posttest mean scores of the weight management ( p = .06) and smoking cessation ( p = .2). Also, the mean blood pressure between the 2 groups changed after the intervention, but this difference was not statistically significant. This study suggests the effectiveness of home-based SCE in significantly improving self-care behaviors among patients with hypertension. But more studies are needed to measure the effectiveness of intervention on blood pressure. IRCT code: IRCT20190623043985N1. Registered 06/30/2019, https://fa.irct.ir/trial/40351 .

scholarly journals Flexibility in autism during unpredictable shifts of socio-emotional stimuli: Investigation of group and sex differences

Autism ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136236132110627
Author(s):  
Adeline Lacroix ◽  
Frédéric Dutheil ◽  
Alexander Logemann ◽  
Renata Cserjesi ◽  
Carole Peyrin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Social Skills ◽  
Task Switching ◽  
Switch Cost ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Emotional Stimuli ◽  
Autistic Group ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Switching Task

Considering the mixed nature of reports of flexibility difficulties in autism, we hypothesized that a task that more closely resembles the challenges faced in real life would help to assess these difficulties. Autistic and typically developing adults performed an online Emotional Shifting Task, involving non-explicit unpredictable shifts of complex socio-emotional stimuli, and the Task Switching Task, involving explicit predictable shifts of simple character stimuli. Switch cost (i.e. the difference in performance between Shift and Non Shift conditions) was larger in the autistic group than in the comparison group for the Emotional Shifting Task but not for the Task Switching Task. Females responded faster than males in the Emotional Shifting Task. On the Task Switching Task, typically developing males responded faster than typically developing females, whereas there was a female advantage in the autistic group. Our findings suggest that factors such as predictability, explicitness of the shift rule, stimulus type as well as sex could play a critical role in flexibility difficulties in autism. Lay abstract Flexibility difficulties in autism might be particularly common in complex situations, when shifts (i.e. the switch of attentional resources or strategy according to the situation) are unpredictable, implicit (i.e. not guided by explicit rules) and the stimuli are complex. We analyzed the data of 101 autistic and 145 non-autistic adults, without intellectual deficiency, on two flexibility tasks performed online. The first task involved unpredictable and non-explicit shifts of complex socio-emotional stimuli, whereas the second task involved predictable and explicit shifts of character stimuli. Considering the discrepancies between laboratory results and the real-life flexibility-related challenges faced by autistic individuals, we need to determine which factor could be of particular importance in flexibility difficulties. We point out that the switch cost (i.e. the difference between shift and non-shift condition) was larger for autistic than for non-autistic participants on the complex flexibility task with unpredictable and non-explicit shifts of socio-emotional stimuli, whereas this was not the case when shifts were predictable, explicit and involved less complex stimuli. We also highlight sex differences, suggesting that autistic females have better social skills than autistic males and that they also have a specific cognitive profile, which could contribute to social camouflaging. The findings of this work help us understand which factors could influence flexibility difficulties in autism and are important for designing future studies. They also add to the literature on sex differences in autism which underpin better social skills, executive function, and camouflaging in autistic females.

scholarly journals Low-Intensity Scheduled Morning Exercise for Adolescents with a Late Chronotype: A Novel Treatment to Improve Sleep Health

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christin Lang ◽  
Cele Richardson ◽  
Michelle Short ◽  
Michael Gradisar
Keyword(s):  
Real Life ◽  
Exercise Group ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Daytime Functioning ◽  
Circadian Timing ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
Dim Light

Study Objectives. During adolescence, an interplay between biological and environmental factors leads to constrained sleep duration and timing. Given the importance of restorative sleep for cognitive, emotional, and physical health during this developmental period, the high prevalence of sleep deprivation is a public health concern. One of the primary contributing factors is the normative delay of the circadian rhythm. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of a gradually advanced morning exercise schedule (30 min shift each day) completed for 45 minutes on 5 consecutive mornings, on circadian timing and daytime functioning of adolescents with a late chronotype, compared to a sedentary control group. Methods. 19 sedentary male adolescents aged 15-18 years spent one week of school holiday at the sleep laboratory. Morning procedure included either 45 min walking on a treadmill or sedentary activities in dim light. Saliva dim light melatonin onset (DLMO), evening sleepiness and daytime functioning were assessed during the first and last night of laboratory attendance. Results. The morning exercise group had significantly advanced (earlier) circadian timing (27.5 min ± 32.0), while sedentary activity resulted in a phase delay (-34.3 min ± 53.2). Morning exercise also led to higher evening sleepiness in the earlier hours of the night, but not at bedtime. Mood measures reduced meaningfully in both study conditions.Conclusions. These findings highlight the preventative effect of low-intensity morning exercise among this population. Future studies are needed to test the transference of these laboratory findings to adolescents’ real life.

Effectiveness of Physical Activity on Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Health-Related Quality of Life in Young and Middle-Aged Cancer Patients Shortly After Chemotherapy

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (10) ◽  
pp. 2378-2388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lene Thorsen ◽  
Eva Skovlund ◽  
Sigmund B. Strømme ◽  
Kjersti Hornslien ◽  
Alv A. Dahl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Related Quality

Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness of a supervised home-based flexible training program on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), mental distress, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) parameters in young and middle-aged cancer patients shortly after curative chemotherapy. Patients and Methods One hundred eleven patients age 18 to 50 years who had received chemotherapy for lymphomas or breast, gynecologic, or testicular cancer completed the trial. These patients were randomly allocated to either an intervention group (n = 59), which underwent a 14-week training program, or a control group (n = 52) that received standard care. Primary outcome was change in CRF, as determined by Åstrand-Rhyming indirect bicycle ergometer test (maximum oxygen uptake [VO2max]), between baseline (T0) and follow-up (T1). Secondary outcomes were mental distress, as assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and HRQOL, as assessed by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire. Two-way analysis of covariance was used to analyze changes from T0 to T1. Results VO2max increased by 6.4 mL/kg–1/min–1 in patients in the intervention group and by 3.1 mL/kg–1/min–1 in patients in the control group (P < .01). The fatigue score decreased by 17.0 points in the control group compared with only 5.8 points in the intervention group (P < .01). There were no intergroup differences in mental distress or HRQOL. Conclusion A supervised, home-based, flexible training program has significant effect on CRF in young and middle-aged cancer patients shortly after curative chemotherapy, but it has no favorable effect on patients' experience of fatigue, mental distress, or HRQOL.

scholarly journals Task Switching After Stroke

2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia S Pohl ◽  
Joan M McDowd ◽  
Diane Filion ◽  
Lorie G Richards ◽  
William Stiers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Response Time ◽  
Task Switching ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Endogenous Control ◽  
Subacute Phase ◽  
Switch Costs ◽  
Switch Condition ◽  
Stroke Group ◽  
Switching Task

Background and Purpose Task switching is a cognitive skill that may be compromised after brain damage. The purposes of this study were to examine task-switching abilities in the subacute phase after stroke, to determine whether a switching task under endogenous or internal control is more difficult than a switching task under exogenous or cued control, and to determine whether deficits in switching attenuate in the first few months after stroke. Subjects The participants in this study were 46 adults with stroke and 38 adults without stroke. Methods Subjects performed 2 computer-based switching tasks, an alternating task that relied on endogenous control and a cued task that relied on exogenous control. Testing was done in subjects’ homes at 1 and 3 months after stroke and at a 2-month interval for control subjects. Switch costs, or the difference between the no-switch condition and the switch condition, were calculated for accuracy and response time. Results Subjects in the stroke group had higher switch costs for accuracy than did subjects in the control group. The alternating task was more difficult than the cued task, with higher switch costs for accuracy and response time. The alternating task was particularly difficult for subjects in the stroke group, with high switch costs for accuracy. Both groups showed decreased response time switch costs at the second testing session. Discussion and Conclusion Task switching, particularly if under endogenous control, is impaired in adults in the subacute phase after stroke. Clinicians should be aware of performance deficits that may relate to task switching.

Effect of Fetal and Neonatal Hypothyroidism on Glucose Tolerance in Middle-Aged Female Rats

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sajad Jeddi ◽  
Saeedeh Khalifi ◽  
Mahboubeh Ghanbari ◽  
Asghar Ghasemi
Keyword(s):  
Glucose Tolerance ◽  
Plasma Glucose ◽  
Female Offspring ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Female Rat ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Intravenous Glucose ◽  
Neonatal Hypothyroidism ◽  
Glucose Levels

Background and objective: The effects of hypothyroidism during pregnancy and lactation on carbohydrate metabolism have been mostly studied in male animals. The aim of this study is therefore to investigate effect of fetal and neonatal hypothyroidism (FH and NH) on the glucose tolerance in middle-aged female rat offspring. Methods: Pregnant female rats were divided into three groups: Rats in the control group consumed tap water, while those in the FH and NH groups consumed 250 mg/L of 6-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) in their drinking water during gestation or lactation periods, respectively. After weaning, the female offspring were separated and divided into 3 groups (n=8/group): Control, FH, and NH. Body weight was recorded monthly and intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) was performed at month 12. Results: Compared to controls, female rats in the FH group had significantly higher plasma glucose levels than controls throughout the IVGTT except at min 60. Values at min 5 of the FH and control group were 196.1±1.9 and 155.3±5.9 mg/dL, respectively (P<0.05). In the NH group, plasma glucose levels were significantly higher only at min 5 (185.7±14.1 vs. 155.3±5.9 mg/dL, P<0.05). Conclusion: Hypothyroidism during fetal or neonatal periods caused glucose intolerance in middle-aged female offspring rats.

scholarly journals Pediatric Residents and Interns in an Italian Hospital Perform Improved Bibliographic Searches when Assisted by a Biomedical Librarian

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 76
Author(s):  
Mathew Stone
Keyword(s):  
Teaching Hospital ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Boolean Logic ◽  
Bibliographic Databases ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Pediatric Residents ◽  
Clinical Scenarios

A Review of: Gardois, P., Calabrese, R., Colombi, N., Lingua, C., Longo, F., Villanacci, M., Miniero, R., & Piga, A. (2011). Effectiveness of bibliographic searches performed by paediatric residents and interns assisted by librarian. A randomised controlled trial. Health Information and Libraries Journal, 28(4), 273-284. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-1842.2011.00957.x Objective – To establish whether the assistance of an experienced biomedical librarian delivers an improvement in the searching of bibliographic databases as performed by medical residents and interns. Design – Randomized controlled trial. Setting – The pediatrics department of a large Italian teaching hospital. Subjects – 18 pediatric residents and interns. Methods – 23 residents and interns from the pediatrics department of a large Italian teaching hospital were invited to participate in this study, of which 18 agreed. Subjects were then randomized into two groups and asked to spend between 30 and 90 minutes searching bibliographic databases for evidence to answer a real-life clinical question which was randomly allocated to them. Each member of the intervention group was provided with an experienced biomedical librarian to provide assistance throughout the search session. The control group received no assistance. The outcome of the search was then measured using an assessment tool adapted for the purpose of this study from the Fresno test of competence in evidence based medicine. This adapted assessment tool rated the “global success” of the search and included criteria such as appropriate question formulation, number of PICO terms translated into search terms, use of Boolean logic, use of subject headings, use of filters, use of limits, and the percentage of citations retrieved that matched a gold standard set of citations found in a prior search by two librarians (who were not involved in assisting the subjects) together with an expert clinician. Main Results – The intervention group scored a median average of 73.6 points out of a possible 100, compared with the control group which scored 50.4. The difference of 23.2 points in favour of the librarian assisted group was a statistically significant result (p value = 0.013) with a 95% confidence interval of between 4.8 and 33.2. Conclusion – This study presents credible evidence that assistance provided by an experienced biomedical librarian improves the quality of the bibliographic database searches performed by residents and interns using real-life clinical scenarios.

Increasing Life-Space Mobility in Community-Dwelling Older Persons With Cognitive Impairment Following Rehabilitation: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phoebe Ullrich ◽  
Christian Werner ◽  
Martin Bongartz ◽  
Tobias Eckert ◽  
Bastian Abel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Life Space ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Independent Life

Abstract Background Community-dwelling older persons with cognitive impairment (CI) following discharge from geriatric rehabilitation are at high risk of losing life-space mobility (LSM). Interventions to improve their LSM are, however, still lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a CI-specific, home-based physical training and activity promotion program on LSM. Methods Older persons with mild-to-moderate CI (Mini-Mental State Examination: 17–26 points) discharged home from rehabilitation were included in this double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial with a 12-week intervention period and 12-week follow-up period. The intervention group received a CI-specific, home-based strength, balance, and walking training supported by tailored motivational strategies. The control group received a placebo activity. LSM was evaluated by the Life-Space Assessment in Persons with Cognitive Impairment, including a composite score for LSM and 3 subscores for maximal, equipment-assisted, and independent life space. Mixed-model repeated-measures analyses were used. Results One hundred eighteen participants (82.3 ± 6.0 years) with CI (Mini-Mental State Examination: 23.3 ± 2.4) were randomized. After the intervention, the home-based training program resulted in a significant benefit in the Life-Space Assessment in Persons with Cognitive Impairment composite scores (b = 8.15; 95% confidence interval: 2.89–13.41; p = .003) and independent life-space subscores (b = 0.39; 95% confidence interval: 0.00–0.78; p = .048) in the intervention group (n = 63) compared to control group (n = 55). Other subscores and follow-up results were not significantly different. Conclusions The home-based training program improved LSM and independent life space significantly in this vulnerable population. Effects were not sustained over the follow-up. The program may represent a model for improved transition from rehabilitation to the community to prevent high risk of LSM restriction.

scholarly journals Supported progressive resistance exercise training to counter the adverse side effects of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a randomised controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth E. Ashton ◽  
Jonathan J. Aning ◽  
Garry A. Tew ◽  
Wendy A Robson ◽  
John M Saxton
Keyword(s):  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Radical Prostatectomy ◽  
Muscular Strength ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Robot Assisted ◽  
Resistance Exercise Training ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Aerobic Exercise Capacity ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Abstract Purpose To investigate the effects of a supported home-based progressive resistance exercise training (RET) programme on indices of cardiovascular health, muscular strength and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in prostate cancer (PCa) patients after treatment with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Methods This study was a single-site, two-arm randomised controlled trial, with 40 participants randomised to either the intervention or control group over a 10-month period. In addition to receiving usual care, the intervention group completed three weekly RET sessions using resistance bands for 6 months. Participants performed 3 sets of 12–15 repetitions for each exercise, targeting each major muscle group. The control group received usual care only. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) was the primary outcome and assessed at baseline, 3 and 6 months. Secondary outcomes included body weight, body fat, aerobic fitness, strength and blood-borne biomarkers associated with cardiometabolic risk. Results There was no significant difference between the groups in FMD at 3 or 6 months. However, there were improvements in aerobic exercise capacity (P < 0.01) and upper- (P < 0.01) and lower-limb (P = 0.01) strength in favour of the RET group at 6 months, accompanied by greater weight loss (P = 0.04) and a reduction in body fat (P = 0.02). Improvements in HRQoL were evident in the RET group at 3 and 6 months via the PCa-specific component of the FACT-P questionnaire (both P < 0.01). Five adverse events and one serious adverse event were reported throughout the trial duration. Conclusion This study demonstrates that home-based RET is an effective and safe mode of exercise that elicits beneficial effects on aerobic exercise capacity, muscular strength and HR-QoL in men who have undergone RARP. Trial registration ISRCTN10490647.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document