Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FMRI)-based neurofeedback as a new treatment tool for depression

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 937-937 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Linden ◽  
T. Lancaster
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Mood State ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Target Area ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Brain Areas ◽  
Promising Tool ◽  
Treatment Of Depression ◽  
New Treatment

We investigated whether depressed patients who received fMRI-based neurofeedback are able to upregulate the activity in brain areas devoted to positive emotion processing and thereby establish improvements in mood state. Eight medicated patients with major depression participated in four separate fMRI sessions, each of which consisted of an emotion localiser and three neurofeedback runs. Target areas were selected individually with a functional localiser that identified the region most responsive to positive affective images. The target areas were in uni- or bilateral prefrontal cortex, insula or amygdala. During neurofeedback runs, patients received real-time feedback about activation levels in the target area. Each patient learnt to increase target area activity over successive sessions. Depression scores on the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale improved significantly. No such improvement was seen in a non-neurofeedback control group (N = 8) that was matched for symptom severity, demographics and medication and used the same cognitive/affective strategies that were employed successfully by the neurofeedback group, but outside the scanner. This group difference in treatment effects was supported by a significant interaction between the factors time (pre/post-intervention) and group (neurofeedback/controls) on the repeated measures ANOVA (F(1,14) = 10.15, p = .007). The neurofeedback group showed increasing activity in the ventral striatum and regions involved in cognitive control as training progressed. Upregulation of brain areas responsive to positive affective cues through fMRI-neurofeedback is thus a promising tool in the treatment of depression. The novelty of the present approach consists in the combination of biological and cognitive factors in the same intervention.

scholarly journals Boxing vs Sensory Exercise for Parkinson’s Disease: A Double-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 154596832110231
Author(s):  
Kishoree Sangarapillai ◽  
Benjamin M. Norman ◽  
Quincy J. Almeida
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Motor Symptoms ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Double Blinded

Background. Exercise is increasingly becoming recognized as an important adjunct to medications in the clinical management of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Boxing and sensory exercise have shown immediate benefits, but whether they continue beyond program completion is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of boxing and sensory training on motor symptoms of PD, and whether these benefits remain upon completion of the intervention. Methods. In this 20-week double-blinded randomized controlled trial, 40 participants with idiopathic PD were randomized into 2 treatment groups, (n = 20) boxing or (n = 20) sensory exercise. Participants completed 10 weeks of intervention. Motor symptoms were assessed at (week 0, 10, and 20) using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-III). Data were analyzed using SPSS, and repeated-measures ANOVA was conducted. Results. A significant interaction effect between groups and time were observed F(1, 39) = 4.566, P = .036, where the sensory group improved in comparison to the boxing group. Post hoc analysis revealed that in comparison to boxing, the effects of exercise did not wear off at washout (week 20) P < .006. Conclusion. Future rehabilitation research should incorporate similar measures to explore whether effects of exercise wear off post intervention.

Evaluating the feasibility and efficacy of the Amsterdam memory and attention training for children (Amat-c) following acquired brain injury (ABI): protocol for a pilot study with online clinician support

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Cathy Catroppa ◽  
Edith Botchway ◽  
Nicholas P. Ryan ◽  
Vicki Anderson ◽  
Elle Morrison ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Acquired Brain Injury ◽  
Attention Training ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Attention And Memory ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Memory And Attention ◽  
Clinician Support

Abstract Background: Attention and memory deficits are common following paediatric acquired brain injury (ABI). However, there are few evidence-based interventions to improve these domains and benefit the everyday life of children post-injury. The Amsterdam Memory and Attention Training for children (Amat-c) has been translated from Dutch to English and shown to improve attention and memory skills in children following ABI. This protocol describes a study to expand accessibility of the program by using online, clinician-supported delivery with children post-ABI. Method/design: The study is a randomized controlled trial. Participants will be 40 children aged 8–16 a minimum of one-year post-ABI. Participants in the treatment group will complete 18 weekly sessions of the Amat-c program with weekly online clinician support. Participants in the active-control group will be administered ABI psychoeducation via a booklet for parents, with weekly online clinician contact. Attention and memory will be assessed at three time points up to six months post-intervention. Results: Analysis will be repeated measures multivariate planned comparisons; using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM SPSS Statistics) General Linear Model procedure will compare pre- and post-intervention and six-month follow-up outcomes. Discussion: If shown efficacious in improving attention and memory, our team will then take a key role in implementing Amat-c into clinical care.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of a Snoezelen Room on Fear, Anxiety, and Satisfaction of Nulliparous Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariyam Momeni ◽  
Mansoureh Jamshidimanesh ◽  
Hadi Ranjbar
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Active Phase ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Nulliparous Women ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Interventional Group

Background: Pregnancy and childbirth are natural phenomena in a women’s life, associated with stress and anxiety, leading to adverse effects in the mother and fetus. Using complementary medicine, such as aromatherapy, music, light radiation, and aquariums in an environment that engage a person’s multiple senses can make mothers relax through mental deviations. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a Snoezelen room on fear, anxiety, and satisfaction of childbirth’s nulliparous women. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was carried out on 130 eligible women in a selected hospital affiliated to the Iran University of Medical Sciences in Tehran. One hundred thirty women were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 65) and control (n = 65) groups using six modes blocks using the convenient sampling method. The delivery room was designed to distract women’s minds in the intervention group. Data were collected using a demographic characteristics form, Harman’s Childbirth Attitude questionnaire (CAQ), Visual Analogue scale (VAS) to measure childbirth anxiety, and the Mackey Childbirth Satisfaction Rating scale. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16 using independent t-test, repeated measures analysis of variance, and Bonferroni and chi-square tests. Results: The results showed a significant reduction in fear in the active phase and postpartum in the intervention group compared with the control group (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Anxiety showed a significant difference and was lower at dilatation of 6 to 7 and 7 to 8 cm, and after childbirth in the interventional group. The satisfaction of childbirth significantly increased in the interventional group (P < 0.001). Conclusions: These results confirmed the importance of a Snoezelen room in the childbirth of nulliparous women, which can promote vaginal childbirth.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Effect of Atorvastatin Administration on the Outcomes of Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Double-Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Farhad Soltani ◽  
Farahzad Janatmakan ◽  
Sara Jorairahmadi ◽  
Fatemeh Javaherforooshzadeh ◽  
Pooyan Alizadeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trial ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Disability Rating Scale ◽  
Double Blinded

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the common causes of long-term disabilities and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of atorvastatin administration on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), and Disability Rating Scale (DRS) in patients with TBI. Methods: This double-blinded randomized clinical trial included 60 patients with TBI in Golestan Hospital of Ahvaz, Iran. After obtaining an informed consent from all patients, the patients were randomly assigned into two groups. For the intervention group, atorvastatin with a daily dose of 20 mg was used. The control group was administered the same amount of placebo for 10 days. Changes in the level of consciousness were measured using the GCS, and functional recovery rate in patients was measured by GOS and DRS in the third follow-up month. Results: According to the obtained results, compared with the control group, the atorvastatin administration significantly increased the level of GCS and DRS within 2 - 3 months post-intervention and improved GOS since the tenth day after the study (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The results revealed the positive effect of atorvastatin on the improvement of outcomes measurements such as GCS, DRS, and GOS in patients after moderate and severe TBI.

scholarly journals Conservation Education Impacts of Animal Ambassadors in Zoos

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Megan Marie Clifford-Clarke ◽  
Katherine Whitehouse-Tedd ◽  
Clare Frances Ellis
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Conservation Education ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Conservation Actions ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Pair Wise Comparison

To mitigate the effects of anthropogenic environmental impacts, conservation education (CE) aims to increase public awareness of biodiversity and encourage the uptake of pro-environmental behaviours (PEB). One way of achieving this goal is the use of controlled animal interactions with animal ambassadors to promote CE goals. This study aimed to determine how differing experiences with ambassador Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) affected visitors’ knowledge of conservation actions (CA) and their likelihood to perform PEBs in a UK zoo. A quasi-experimental repeated measures questionnaire was used to investigate this aim. Visit types were categorised as (a) ‘penguin parade’, (b) ‘animal encounter’, (c) ‘exhibit viewing’ and (d) a ‘control’ groups. A Kruskal–Wallis test was used to determine if responses to rating scale items related to PEBs differed according to experience. No significant (p > 0.05) differences were detectable between groups. Qualitative data provided in open ended questions relating to CAs were coded into themes and the percentage of responses were calculated for each theme. Whilst the ‘exhibit viewing’ group mentioned sustainable fish significantly more (p = 0.017) than the ‘control’ group, no significant difference was found for any other pair-wise comparison (p > 0.05 in all cases). Overall, this study highlights that zoo visitors gained specific conservation-based knowledge and had higher behavioural intentions towards PEBs than they previously had. However, no evidence was found to suggest that animal encounters improved CE outcomes. To ensure best practice is followed and CE outcomes are considered equally alongside ambassador animal welfare concerns, further research is recommended.

scholarly journals Effects of School-Based Exergaming on Urban Children’s Physical Activity and Cardiorespiratory Fitness: A Quasi-Experimental Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (21) ◽  
pp. 4080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ye ◽  
Pope ◽  
Lee ◽  
Gao
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control School ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
School Based ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Over Time

Background: Modern-day technology is appealing to children. Few studies, however, have conducted longitudinal analyses of a school-based exergaming program’s effect on physical activity (PA) behaviors and fitness in children. Therefore, this study examined the longitudinal effect of an 8-month school-based exergaming intervention on children’s objectively-measured PA and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). Materials and Methods: Eighty-one fourth grade students (X̅age = 9.23 ± 0.62; 39 girls; 54.3% African American, 30.9% Non-Hispanic White, 14.8% other) participated in this study from 2014–2015. The intervention school’s children participated in a once-weekly 50-minute exergaming intervention during recess throughout the school year, while the control school continued regular recess. Children’s in-school PA and sedentary behavior (SB) were measured with ActiGraphGT3X+ accelerometers, with CRF assessed via the half-mile run. All measurements were taken at baseline, mid-intervention (four months) and post-intervention (eight months). Repeated-measures two-way ANCOVAs using age and race as covariates were conducted to examine between-school differences over time for SB, light PA (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), and CRF. Results: Significant time by group interactions were observed for LPA, F(1, 79) = 7.82, η2 = 0.09, p < 0.01, and MVPA, F(1, 79) = 4.58, η2 = 0.06, p < 0.05, as LPA increased among the control group, while MVPA increased among intervention group. Children in both groups experienced decreased SB during the intervention (intervention: −7.63 minutes; control: −17.59 minutes), but demonstrated lower CRF over time (intervention: +46.73 seconds; control: +61.60 seconds). Conclusions: Observations suggested that school-based exergaming implementation may be effective in increasing children’s MVPA and decreasing their SB over the course an academic year (i.e., ~eight months). More research is needed, however, to discern how modifications to school-based exergaming might also promote improved CRF in children.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Food and Agriculture Organization's global school-based nutrition education initiative, Feeding Minds, Fighting Hunger (FMFH), in schools of Hyderabad, India

2006 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 991-995 ◽  
Author(s):  
GM Subba Rao ◽  
D Raghunatha Rao ◽  
K Venkaiah ◽  
Anil K Dube ◽  
KV Rameshwar Sarma
Keyword(s):  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Classroom Setting ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Food And Agriculture ◽  
School Based ◽  
Knowledge Levels ◽  
Education Initiative ◽  
Experimental Group

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the efficacy of the Food and Agriculture Organization's global school-based nutrition education initiative, Feeding Minds, Fighting Hunger (FMFH), in improving nutrition-related knowledge levels of schoolchildren.DesignAdopting the cluster randomisation technique, five schools each in experimental and control groups were randomly chosen from the member schools of a voluntary organisation. Repeated measures of knowledge levels were carried out at three points in time to assess pre-, post-intervention and retention of knowledge gained during the intervention. Children from experimental schools were given nutrition education by teachers in the classroom setting using FMFH material.Subjects/settingsSchoolchildren (n = 358 in the control group and n = 312 in the experimental group) of grades VIII and IX from schools in Hyderabad, India.ResultsThe classroom-based intervention resulted in a significant improvement (P < 0.01) in nutrition knowledge levels of schoolchildren in the experimental group. Significant improvement in knowledge was also observed in the control group. The effect size indicated that the improvement in knowledge levels of schoolchildren in experimental schools over control schools was medium (d = 0.40), indicating the efficacy of the FMFH programme in improving nutrition-related knowledge. No significant decrease (P>0.05) in knowledge levels was observed after 2 months, indicating retention of the knowledge acquired through the intervention.ConclusionThe FMFH programme provides an opportunity for schoolchildren to learn more about nutrition through their teachers in a classroom setting if the lesson plans are adapted to the local circumstances. Furthermore, it has the potential to make nutrition education interactive, effective and sustainable.

scholarly journals Insomnia, Inattention and Fatigue Symptoms of Women with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 6192
Author(s):  
Pai-Cheng Lin ◽  
Chih-Hung Ko ◽  
Yen-Ju Lin ◽  
Ju-Yu Yen
Keyword(s):  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Functional Impairment ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Luteal Phase ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder ◽  
Assessment Scale ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Late Luteal Phase

Aim: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) has predictable, cyclic, psychological, and somatic symptoms, such as sleep problems. They result in functional impairment, are aggravated in the late luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, and are resolved by menstruation. The present study evaluated the insomnia, inattention, and fatigue symptoms of PMDD and their fluctuations during the menstrual cycle. Methods: A total of 100 women were diagnosed as having PMDD based on psychiatric interviews and a prospective investigation of three menstrual cycles. A total of 96 individuals without PMDD were recruited as controls. Their symptoms, namely insomnia, inattention, and fatigue as well as functional impairment were assessed by using the premenstrual symptoms screening tool, the Pittsburgh insomnia rating scale, the attention and performance self-assessment scale, and the fatigue-assessment scale during both premenstrual and follicular phases. Results: In both the premenstrual and follicular phases, women with PMDD experienced more severe insomnia, inattentiveness, and fatigue than did women in the control group. A paired t-test demonstrated that women with PMDD had more severe severity insomnia, inattentiveness, and fatigue in the luteal phase than in the follicular phase. A repeated-measures analysis of variance demonstrated that the interaction period of PMDD and a menstrual cycle was significantly associated with insomnia, inattentiveness, and fatigue. A further correlation analysis demonstrated that all three symptoms were positively associated with self-reported functional impairment due to PMDD. Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that women with PMDD experienced an exacerbation of insomnia, memory problems, difficulty maintaining focus, and fatigue in the premenstrual phase. These symptoms are correlated with PMDD symptoms severity and functional impairment, and as such, they should be evaluated, and interventions should be employed in the late luteal phase of women with PMDD.

scholarly journals 427 - Psychoeducation Program for the Prevention of Older Adults´ Infantilization in Professionals working in Nursing Homes

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. 48-48
Author(s):  
C. Noriega ◽  
G. Pérez-Rojo ◽  
J. López ◽  
C. Velasco ◽  
M.I. Carretero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Direct Care ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Negative Stereotypes ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Experimental Group

IntroductionKayser-Jones (1981) described infantilization as one of the four most frequent types of violence in nursing homes. Older people perceive infantilization as disrespectful and patronizing. In professionals, it can lead to protective behaviors that reduce autonomy and generate more dependency. Despite the importance of this phenomenon, the interventions are scarce and show methodological limitations.ObjectiveThis study analyzed the efficacy of a psychoeducation program for the prevention of infantilization in professionals working in nursing homes. The sample included 154 direct-care workers. The experimental group (N=111) attended a psychoeducational group intervention program while the control group (N=43) did not attend any intervention program. We assessed the infantilized practices the professionals recognized they conducted and the ones observed in the institution before and after the intervention. The intervention lasted 6 hours and included four sessions distributed in two days. These sessions aimed to reduce negative stereotypes, preventing infantilized communication patterns and the use of behaviors or practices that are frequently used with children. We also offered professionals alternative practices that recognize autonomy, decision-making and respect older adults´ dignity and uniqueness. To analyze data, we conducted Repeated measures of ANOVA and one-way ANCOVAs.Results:The scores of infantilization in the experimental group significantly decreased from pre-intervention to post-intervention in the professional, F(1, 85) = 37.184, p = .01, partial η2 = .030, and in the institution, F(1, 84) = 32.128, p = .01, partial η2 = .277, while the control group did not show any changes. There was a statistically significant difference in post-intervention between the experimental and the control group when participants scored their infantilization practices, F(1, 115) = 5.175, p = .03, partial η2 = .043, and infantilization practices observed in the institution, F(1, 115) = 5.810, p = .018, partial η2 = .048.Conclusion:These results reflect the importance of developing interventions focused on preventing infantilization, methodologically rigorous, in which professionals´ training and education are considered key pieces to generate a culture of change. More research is needed to understand this problem in greater depth to develop programs that address this problem at different levels.Funding:This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (grant no. PSI2016-79803-R).

scholarly journals Celecoxib added to mood stabilizer for treating acute mania: A randomized, double -blind, placebo-controlled trial

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farhad Faridhosseini ◽  
Ali talaei ◽  
najmeh shahini ◽  
meysam poorgholami ◽  
mahbobeh eslamzadeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Mood Stabilizer ◽  
Acute Mania ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Double Blind Placebo ◽  
Inflammatory Processes

Abstract Background: Inflammatory processes in the brain contribute to the aetiopathogenesis of acute mania. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, such as celecoxib, reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The purpose of the present investigation was to assess the efficacy of celecoxib in the treatment of ACUTE MANIA.Methods: We conducted double-blind, placebo-controlled trial at the Specialty in-patient Clinic of Ibne Sina Hospital [Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran] during March 2014 to August 2014. The study involved 58 patients who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) criteria for ACUTE MANIA screening to participate in the trial were used for the study. 23 patients were assigned to a study group and were given valprovate sodium 200 mg /BD plus celecoxib 400 mg/day (200 mg BID). The control group included 22 patients who were given valprovate sodium 200 mg /BD plus placebo. Patients were assessed by yung mania rating scale (YMRS) at baseline 0, after 9, 18, and 28 days after the medication started. Data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 11.5., two-way repeated measures analysis of variance, Fisher’s exact test, and T-Test. P≤0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Conclusion: This study suggested that celecoxib can be an effective adjuvant agent in management of patients with ACUTE MANIA and anti-inflammatory therapies should further be investigated in this patients.Trial registration: Iran clinical trial register: IRCT20200306046708N1 Registered on 2 October 2019.

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