Exercise is Effortful: Executive Functions Predict Strenuous Exercise in the Past Week

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 731-731
Author(s):  
R E Wong ◽  
F T Agate ◽  
E C Duggan ◽  
J K Karr ◽  
A D Carr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Strenuous Exercise ◽  
Fit Indices ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
History Of ◽  
Concussion History ◽  
Order Four

Abstract Purpose Executive functions (EF) are a dynamic collection of complex cognitive processes governing volitional, goal-directed behaviour. EFs are particularly susceptible to environmental influences such as exercise or concussion. Exercise improves EF but it is unclear if having good EF improves exercise engagement habits. Expanding upon a previously derived higher-order, four-factor screener for executive behaviour problems (Duggan et al., 2018), we extracted a common EF factor using a bifactor structure and examined if self-reported executive difficulties predict weekly engagement in strenuous exercise. We also examined if a history of concussion affects self-ratings of executive difficulties. Methods 197 university students (Mean age=20.46; 79% female) completed the BASC-2-COL and self-report of concussion history and past 7-day exercise habits. An a-priori bifactor model of executive behaviour was established using CFA. Using SEM, the bifactor latent executive function was used to predict past 7-day exercise. Concussion history was used to predict variations in the bifactor executive function. Results Bifactor fit indices were not optimal but generally adequate (CFI=.897; TLI=.868; RMSEA=.037). Latent bifactor EF was predictive of past week strenuous exercise (p=.046). Concussion history was not predictive of EF problems (p=.296). Conclusion Results suggest that latent EF predicts recent strenuous exercise engagement. Baseline EF should be accounted for when examining the positive effects of exercise. Having a history of one or more concussions did not appear to influence current self-report of behavioral EF problems.

Executive Functions in Very-Low-Birth-Weight Young Adults: A Comparison between Self-report and Neuropsychological Test Results

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 506-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Elisabeth Sølsnes ◽  
Jon Skranes ◽  
Ann-Mari Brubakk ◽  
Gro C.C. Løhaugen
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Very Low Birth Weight ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Adult Intelligence Scale

AbstractExecutive functions are goal-directed control mechanisms that modulate the operation of other cognitive processes. Preterm born very-low-birth-weight (VLBW: birth weight<1500 grams) children have more problems with attention/executive function than their term born peers. The objective of this study is to examine if VLBW young adults had more self-reported attention/ executive problems and lower neuropsychological test results than controls. Furthermore, to investigate the relationship between self-reported attention/executive problems, general cognitive ability (IQ) and test results. Forty-two VLBW [mean birth weight 1237 (219) grams, and gestational age 29.3 (2.4) weeks] and 63 term born controls at age 19 years completed The BRIEF-A self-report of attention/executive functions in everyday life. The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale III was used to obtain IQ scores; subtests from Delis-Kaplan were used to assess attention/executive function. There were no differences between the VLBW young adults and controls on any of the BRIEF-A measures, but the VLBW subjects had lower scores on 8 of the 18 neuropsychological subtests (p<.01). Some correlations between BRIEF-A and the Stroop and TMT tests were found in the VLBW group. VLBW young adults do not report more problems regarding attention/executive function in daily life than controls despite lower results on several neuropsychological tests. (JINS, 2014, 20, 1–10)

Adding the missing voice: How self-report of autistic youth self-report on an executive functioning rating scale compares to parent report and that of youth with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or neurotypical development

Autism ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136236132110291
Author(s):  
Lauren Kenworthy ◽  
Alyssa Verbalis ◽  
Julia Bascom ◽  
Sharon daVanport ◽  
John F Strang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Parent Report ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Youth Self Report ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Autistic People

Executive functions are related to key outcomes. Studies of autistic youth self-report of other nonsocial traits indicate that their insights into their own functioning and internal experiences provide important information that is not captured by their parents’ report, but youth self-report of executive function has not been researched in autism. We investigate self- and parent-report on the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-2 in 197 autistic youth without intellectual disability, including the magnitude and profile of problems reported across subdomains of executive function. We also compare autistic self-report to that of 114 youth with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and 197 neurotypical youth. We find that autistic youth report significant executive function challenges in comparison to neurotypical youth and a distinctive profile of challenges in comparison to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder youth. Parents and their autistic children diverge regarding the severity of the youth’s executive function difficulties, but both emphasize flexibility problems within their profile of executive function challenges. Intraclass correlation coefficients between parent and youth ratings were moderate to poor in the autistic group, indicating that autistic youth report adds important information beyond that captured by their parents’ report. These data elevate the importance of asking autistic youth directly about their own executive function. Lay abstract Executive functions are often impaired in autistic people and relate to important outcomes such as mental health, success in school and work, and quality of life. Evaluating executive functions helps autistic people, clinicians, and families identify targets for external supports and skill building. Youth self-report of executive function has not been studied, yet we know that self-report from autistic youth is key to understanding other cognitive/behavioral phenomena in autism such as anxiety, obsessions/compulsions, sensory sensitivities, and repetitive behaviors. We investigated self- and parent-report of executive function problems in 197 autistic youth without intellectual disability (ages 11–18 years), including the magnitude and profiles of executive function problems autistic youth report across subdomains of executive function. We compared autistic self-report with that of 114 youth with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder without intellectual disability and 197 neurotypical youth. We found that autistic youth report significant executive function problems compared to neurotypical youth and a distinctive profile of challenges in comparison to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder youth. Parents and their autistic children diverged regarding the magnitude of the youth’s executive function difficulties, but both identify inflexibility as the most impaired executive function subdomain. Autistic youth and their parents were somewhat more concordant in their report of executive function problems than youth with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and their parents, but only showed moderate concordance at best. These findings elevate the importance of asking autistic youth directly about their executive functioning when engaging them in assessment and intervention, or researching executive functions in autism.

Current Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Mediate the Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Executive Functions

2021 ◽  
pp. 003329412097969
Author(s):  
Rachel A. Maja ◽  
Robyn E. Kilshaw ◽  
Mauricio A. Garcia-Barrera ◽  
Justin E. Karr
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
History Of Childhood ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Relationship

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are both associated with lower performances on executive function tasks. However, few researchers have evaluated ACEs, posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms, and executive function difficulties in conjunction. Using an online micropayment service, the current study assessed whether PTS symptoms mediated the relationship between ACEs and executive functions. In total, 83 participants (54.2% female, age: M = 28.86, SD = 7.71) were administered the ACE questionnaire, PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), and the Executive Function Index (EFI). A higher number of reported ACEs was related to greater PTS symptom severity ( β = .40, p < .001) and worse self-rated executive functions ( β = –.32, p = .002). Controlling for the number of reported ACEs, current PTS symptom severity was related to worse executive functions ( β = –.45, p < .001). A bootstrapped 95% confidence interval (CI) indicated a significant indirect effect, β = –.18 (95% CI: –.30, –.08), by which current PTS symptoms mediated the relationship between the number of reported ACEs and executive functions. These results suggest that psychological interventions targeting PTS symptoms, in the context of a history of childhood trauma, may concurrently improve executive functions in adult populations.

scholarly journals The Impact of Bilingualism on Everyday Executive Functions of English-Arabic Autistic Children: Through a Parent-Teacher Lens

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shereen Sharaan ◽  
Sarah E. MacPherson ◽  
Sue Fletcher-Watson
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Sustained Attention ◽  
Parent Ratings ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Interference Control ◽  
Autistic Children ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThere is evidence that autistic children may have reduced executive function skills, contributing to day-to-day difficulties, but much remains unknown regarding the influence of bilingualism. We investigated its influence on sustained attention, interference control, flexible switching and working memory, in Arabic-English autistic (n = 27) and typically developing peers (n = 53) children, aged 5 to 12 years old. Parents and teachers completed rating measures assessing children’s daily EF abilities. Results showed generalized positive effects for bilingual autistic children relative to their monolingual peers across all EF domains, but using parent ratings only. The findings indicate that bilingualism does not negatively impact the executive function skills of autistic children, and that it might mitigate difficulties faced on a day-to-day basis.

scholarly journals Executive Functioning: Assessing the Role of Perceived Paranormal Ability

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Graham Drinkwater ◽  
Neil Dagnall ◽  
Andrew Denovan ◽  
Andrew Parker ◽  
Álex Escolà-Gascón
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Ability Group ◽  
Paranormal Belief ◽  
Ability Groups ◽  
Group A ◽  
Perceptual Factors

This study examined whether scores on self-report measures of executive functions varied in accordance with level of self-professed paranormal ability. The investigators compared three groups varying in attribution of paranormal facilities: practitioners (Mediums, Psychics, Spiritualists and Fortune-Tellers), self-professed ability and no ability. Consistent with recent research on cognitive-perceptual factors allied to delusional formation and thinking style, the researchers anticipated that practitioners would score higher on paranormal belief and self-reported executive function disruption. Correspondingly, the investigators also hypothesised that the self-professed ability group would demonstrate greater belief in the paranormal and higher levels of executive function disruption than the no ability group. A sample of 499 (219 males, 279 females) respondents completed the measures online. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) found a large effect size, alongside significant differences on all variables apart from Cognitive Reappraisal. Pairwise comparisons indicated that Paranormal Belief increased as a function of level of ability; practitioners scored higher than self-professed, who in turn scored higher than the no ability group. For executive functioning, significant differences emerged only for the no ability vs. self-professed ability and no ability vs. practising groups. Collectively, outcomes indicated that perception of ability, regardless of intensity of paranormal conviction, influenced subjective appraisal of executive functions. Failure to find consistent differences between practitioner and self-professed ability groups suggested that discernment of ability was sufficient to heighten awareness of executive functioning disruptions.

scholarly journals Paranormal Experience Profiles and Their Association With Variations in Executive Functions: A Latent Profile Analysis

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Graham Drinkwater ◽  
Neil Dagnall ◽  
Andrew Denovan ◽  
Andrew Parker ◽  
Álex Escolà-Gascón
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Latent Profile Analysis ◽  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Everyday Memory ◽  
Paranormal Experience ◽  
Latent Profile

This study investigated relationships between inter-class variations in paranormal experience and executive functions. A sample of 516 adults completed self-report measures assessing personal encounter-based paranormal occurrences (i.e., Experience, Practitioner Visiting, and Ability), executive functions (i.e., General Executive Function, Working and Everyday Memory, and Decision Making) together with Emotion Regulation and Belief in the Paranormal. Paranormal belief served as a measure of convergent validity for experience-based phenomena. Latent profile analysis (LPA) combined experience-based indices into four classes based on sample subpopulation scores. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) then examined interclass differences. Results revealed that breadth of paranormal experience was associated with higher levels of executive functioning difficulties for General Executive Function, Working Memory, Decision Making, and Belief in the Paranormal. On the Everyday Memory Questionnaire, scores differed on Attention Tracking (focus loss) and Factor 3 (visual reconstruction), but not Retrieval (distinct memory failure). In the case of the Emotion Regulation Scale, class scores varied on Expressive Suppression (control), however, no difference was evident on Cognitive Reappraisal (reframing). Overall, inter-class comparisons identified subtle differences in executive functions related to experience. Since the present study was exploratory, sampled only a limited subset of executive functions, and used subjective, self-report measures, further research is necessary to confirm these outcomes. This should employ objective tests and include a broader range of executive functions.

scholarly journals Emotional Control is Predicted by Brain Reward Processing in Athletes with Previous Concussions

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 732-732
Author(s):  
F T Agate ◽  
R E Wong ◽  
I Gordon ◽  
L Webster ◽  
J Karr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Collegiate Athletes ◽  
Reward Processing ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Peak Amplitude ◽  
Emotional Control ◽  
Electrophysiological Response ◽  
Reward Positivity ◽  
History Of ◽  
Concussion History

Abstract Purpose Limited research examines how electrophysiological markers of reward sensitivity in athletes with concussion history may relate to corresponding executive behavior. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the relationship between event-related brain potentials (ERPs) elicited during a reward-processing task, and self-report of emotional control and initiation problems in athletes with and without a history of concussion. Methods A total of 38 collegiate athletes (53% females, ages 18-27 years) completed a reward task in a “virtual T-maze” environment, as well as the BRIEF-A. The reward positivity (RewP), an ERP component associated with reward processing, was regressed on endorsement of emotional control and initiation problems in athletes with a history of concussion (n=16) and in athletes with no concussion history (n=22). Results A multiple regression analysis showed that in the concussion group, RewP peak amplitude explained a significant proportion of variance in emotional control, r2=.36, F(1,13)=6.76, p=.02, but did not for initiation, r2=.05, F(1,13)=.60, p>.05. For athletes with no history of concussion, RewP peak amplitude did not explain a significant proportion of variance in either emotional control, r2=.003, F(1,21)=.05, p>.05, or initiation, r2=.11, F(1,21)=2.49, p=.13. Conclusion Results indicate that for athletes with a history of concussion, a lower electrophysiological response to reward may predict greater problems concerning emotional control. Potential implications are discussed for how decision-making, an integral cognitive process driven by reward processing, might impact emotional regulation following concussion.

scholarly journals Different sides of the same coin? Predicting subjective and objective executive function with physical activity, athletic status, and concussion history

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madeline Doucette ◽  
Juan Pablo Sanchez ◽  
Ryan E. Rhodes ◽  
Mauricio Garcia-Barrera
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Sports Participation ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Athletic Status ◽  
Remote Assessment ◽  
Concussion History ◽  
Three Factor

Introduction: Physical activity and sport have been found to have a beneficial effect on executive function, while concussion history may have a detrimental effect. Previous research has yet to investigate the combined effects of leisure-time physical activity, sports participation and concussion history utilizing a comprehensive, remote assessment of executive function. In this study, we aimed to examine the effects of physical activity, athletic status and concussion history on subjective (e.g., questionnaire) and objective measures (e.g., latent variables) of executive functioning in young adults. Method: 247 Canadian university students (ages 18–25; 83% female) completed a remote assessment of executive function (nine computerized tasks and behavioural self-report) in addition to answering items assessing physical activity, athletic status, and concussion history. Structural equation modelling and linear regression were used to predict executive function performance. The structural equation model was a three-factor model of executive function with shifting, updating and inhibition. Results: The three-factor structural equation model of executive function fit the data adequately: χ2=66.38, df=51, p=0.07, CFI=0.95, TLI=0.93, RMSEA=0.04 [90% CI:0.00–0.06], SRMR=0.05. No direct relationship was found between the factors of executive function and the predictor variables (i.e., age, physical activity, concussion history, and athletic status). Sex was significantly related to inhibition, b=0.52, p=0.02, such that males had greater inhibition. For the regression, physical activity (b=0.09, p&lt;.01), concussion history (b=3.29, p&lt;.05) and athletic status (b=-4.01, p&lt;.05) were found to be significant predictors for the behavioural self-report measure of executive function (i.e., Executive Function Index). Conclusions: Concussion history, physical activity, and athletic status were all predictive of subjective executive function but not objective executive function. These findings offer support for the differentiation between subjective and objective measures of executive function when investigating their relationship with physical activity, sports participation, concussion history, age and sex.

scholarly journals The Additive Effects of Type-2 Diabetes on Cognitive Function in Older Adults with Heart Failure

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael L. Alosco ◽  
Mary Beth Spitznagel ◽  
Manfred van Dulmen ◽  
Naftali Raz ◽  
Ronald Cohen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Neuropsychological Testing ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Motor Functioning ◽  
History Of ◽  
Future Work

Background. Medical comorbidity has been theorized to contribute to cognitive impairment in heart failure (HF) patients. Specifically, type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a common coexisting condition among HF patients, may be an independent predictor of cognitive impairment. Nonetheless, the relationships between T2DM and other risk factors for cognitive impairment among persons with HF are unclear.Methods. Persons with HF (N=169, 34.3% women, age68.57±10.28years) completed neuropsychological testing within a framework of an ongoing study. History of T2DM, along with other medical characteristics, was ascertained through a review of participants’ medical charts and self-report.Results. Many participants (34.9%) had a comorbid T2DM diagnosis. After adjustment for demographic and medical characteristics, HF patients with T2DM evidenced significantly greater impairments across multiple cognitive domains than HF patients without T2DM:λ=.92,F(5,156)=2.82,P=.018. Post hoc tests revealed significant associations between T2DM and attention (P=.003), executive function (P=.032), and motor functioning (P=.008).Conclusion. The findings suggest additive contributions of T2DM and HF to impairments in attention, executive function, and motor function. Future work is needed to elucidate the mechanisms by which T2DM exacerbates cognitive impairment in HF.

Dimensionality and Reliability Assessment of the Pain Patient Profile Questionnaire

2008 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian E. McGuire ◽  
Michael J. Hogan ◽  
Todd G. Morrison
Keyword(s):  
Self Report ◽  
Pain Patient ◽  
Fit Indices ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Oblique Rotation ◽  
Pain Experience ◽  
Patient Profile ◽  
Adequate Representation ◽  
Pain Patients ◽  
Report Measure

Abstract. Objective: To factor analyze the Pain Patient Profile questionnaire (P3; Tollison & Langley, 1995 ), a self-report measure of emotional distress in respondents with chronic pain. Method: An unweighted least squares factor analysis with oblique rotation was conducted on the P3 scores of 160 pain patients to look for evidence of three distinct factors (i.e., Depression, Anxiety, and Somatization). Results: Fit indices suggested that three distinct factors, accounting for 32.1%, 7.0%, and 5.5% of the shared variance, provided an adequate representation of the data. However, inspection of item groupings revealed that this structure did not map onto the Depression, Anxiety, and Somatization division purportedly represented by the P3. Further, when the analysis was re-run, eliminating items that failed to meet salience criteria, a two-factor solution emerged, with Factor 1 representing a mixture of Depression and Anxiety items and Factor 2 denoting Somatization. Each of these factors correlated significantly with a subsample's assessment of pain intensity. Conclusion: Results were not congruent with the P3's suggested tripartite model of pain experience and indicate that modifications to the scale may be required.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document